I was delighted to see so many of you at the VLGA’s inaugural Essential Councillor Retreat at Torquay. The retreat attracted a lot of interest from councillor colleagues and I know a number of you arrived the night before to have some time in each other’s company. On behalf of the VLGA Board, I thank Cr Dean Webster, Mayor of Surf Coast Shire, for the welcome to his ‘patch’ and to all of you for your participation and engagement throughout the two days. We benefitted from getting to know each other better, and from Master Classes with Joel Levin, Ed Cornelissen, and our panellists Tony De Fazio, Liana Thompson, Bill Forrest and Tony Douglas. Sessions ranged from managing community outrage, using social media more effectively, and getting your message out in a meaningful way in the last year of the council term. You also provided us with useful input for our future activities with elected representatives. With the Essential Mayors Weekend coming up in January, this has been a busy time for the VLGA team and we have enjoyed the interactions with you all.
Our other major event this past week has been the launch of the Social and Economic Impact Assessment (SEIA) Framework for EGMs last Monday. There is more news on the SEIA Framework and the launch below in this bulletin. I want to make space here to thank everyone who attended the launch and to acknowledge the work of Emma Shepherdson on this project, which has been developed by a partnership between inner and northern local governments and other stakeholder organisations with the VLGA.
In our roles as President and CEO in representing member and sectoral issues to the Government, Maree McPherson and I have been out and about in various meetings recently. These have included meetings with Minister Powell, with another in the next fortnight; Richard Wynne, Shadow Minister for Local Government; advisers to Ministers Smith and McIntosh; and meetings coming up with Minister Guy and with his Shadow, Brian Tee. If you have items you would like us to include on our agendas for these discussions please let me know. In the meantime please don’t hesitate to give me a call to discuss issues of interest to you on 0407 364 509, or drop me a line via email. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
IBAC & Municipal Inspectorate
The VLGA has been watching with interest the progress towards an Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC). We have recently received correspondence from the Minister responsible for the establishment of the Commission, The Hon Andrew McIntosh MP, advising that legislation for the IBAC and an independent Victorian Inspectorate has been introduced to the Victorian Parliament. The Independent Board-based Anti-corruption Commission Bill 2011 (the IBAC Bill) establishes the Commission and the position of the Commissioner as an independent officer of Parliament. The IBAC Bill also outlines the education and prevention functions to be undertaken by the IBAC, establishes the parliamentary committee overseeing the IBAC’s role and functions, and sets the reporting mechanism to Parliament. $170 million over four years has been allocated for the establishment of the IBAC. Most importantly from the VLGA’s perspective, the Victorian Inspectorate Bill 2011 establishes the body that will oversee the IBAC, monitor its compliance with relevant laws and deal with complaints against the IBAC and its personnel in exercising their powers and duties, to ensure they are used responsibly and proportionately. We have raised several key items with the Minister’s office namely:
* the definition of corruption and whether the IBAC will share similar definitions to anti-corruption bodies in other states;
* whether the Commission’s investigations will be retrospective or prospective; and
* the relationship of the Local Government Inspectorate to the IBAC and the referral mechanisms that will exist between the two bodies.
It is understood the Local Government Inspectorate will continue to have a role in dealing with reported breaches under the Local Government Act and the IBAC will deal with issues of corruption. We are keen to continue our advocacy for clarity, transparency and fairness in all processes, including about the legal supports, resources and advice available to councillors. We will continue to monitor this development and report back to you.
Launch of ‘Social Impacts of Pokies.org.au’
On Monday 14 November, socialimpactsofpokies.org.au was officially launched by VLGA President, Cr Samantha Dunn. This Social and Economic Impact Assessment Framework for EGMs is an online evidence base and data book for Victorian local government staff, community members and applicants to build their own social impact assessments. The launch was used as a professional development session for local government and community staff. Presentations from John Rantino, Partner at Maddocks; and Felicity Leahy, Manager Social Development at Hume, discussed the role of social impact assessments in gaming cases, with case studies. Emma Shepherdson and Susan Rennie presented on the use of the Framework on behalf of the Inner Northern Working Group on Gambling. The Framework was developed by the Inner Northern Working Group on Gambling, a partnership including representatives from the local governments of Darebin, Hume, Melbourne, Moreland, Whittlesea and Yarra; the PCPs of North East, Inner North West and Hume Whittlesea; and the Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre. You can watch the podcast of the presentations on the website.
End-of-Year Function & 2012 John Jago Good Governance Award
Don’t forget to RSVP for our end-of-year function taking place on Thursday 1 December from 6pm. We hope you can join the Board and Staff to celebrate our successes at our end-of-year drinks with local government, community and State Government colleagues. Come and hear the announcement of the winner of the 2011 John Jago Good Governance Award. Please RSVP by Monday 28 November online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Grants available for National Youth Week 2012 events
The Victorian Government has opened the doors for young people to apply for grants to help celebrate next year’s National Youth Week, held from 13-22 April 2012. Minister for Youth Affairs Ryan Smith said the National Youth Week 2012 grants, available for young people aged 12-25 years old, would help young people plan and stage workshops, events or local projects for youth. “Young people make significant contributions to their communities each day and we support their efforts to create opportunities for other young people to enjoy National Youth Week,” Mr Smith said. Mr Smith added that the $155,000 grants program has been made available through a partnership between the Victorian Government, Commonwealth Government and Youthbeyondblue. Mr Smith said grants of up to $2,000 were available in two categories:
* Grants for young people working with an organisation to deliver a local community-based event, and
* Grants for young people working with an organisation to deliver an event that raises awareness of depression and anxiety
Applications for National Youth Week 2012 grants close on Friday 9 December 2011. For further information on the grants program visit www.youthcentral.vic.gov.au/nyw.
Local Government Promising Practice Forum on the Prevention of Violence Against Women
The MAV is holding a Local Government Promising Practice Forum on the Prevention of Violence Against Women on 14 December in Melbourne. The audience is primarily local government people (both elected representatives and officers), key community partners and government representatives. This half-day event (including lunch) is offered by the MAV at no charge. Registrations are required by 5 December, and you can find more information and register online here. A plan for a revitalised Broadmeadows
Residents, community groups, businesses and other stakeholders are invited to have their say on the future of Broadmeadows. Broadmeadows is set to become Melbourne’s capital of the north. It will accommodate new housing, transport and a mix of retail, leisure and learning facilities. It will become a vibrant hub attracting people, businesses and employment. The Victorian Government and Hume City Council have a 20-year plan to sustainably manage growth and change in Broadmeadows Activities Area. The draft Structure Plan sets out the long-term vision for Broadmeadows. It identifies potential land uses, building size and design, and defines precincts for particular use and development. For more information and to find out about the ways you can get involved, go to the Broadmeadows Structure Plan Website.
Events for your diary
VLGA events
Making human rights real – Ballarat & Bairnsdale workshops
Ballarat – Tuesday 22 November
Bairnsdale – Tuesday 29 November
Learn more about human rights and how to translate them into the work of your organisation.
The Australian Centre for Human Rights Education at RMIT, the VLGA and VCOSS are hosting a series of free participatory workshops across Victoria to facilitate people's understanding of human rights and to develop a human rights approach to service delivery and policy development in locally based organisations. The workshops are funded by the Commonwealth Attorney-General's Department as part of a project to identify the importance of human rights education. The workshops are designed for both the community and local government sectors – for management, service delivery workers, board members, councillors, advocates and members of vulnerable groups – and use case studies to highlight human rights and how to support human rights for people in local communities. The next workshops will be held in:• Ballarat on Tuesday 22 November, 10am-2pm, in the Trench Room at the Ballarat Town Hall in Sturt St
• Bairnsdale on Tuesday 29 November, 10am-2pm, at the Mercure Hotel, 355 Main St
To register for the workshops, please phone Michelle at VCOSS on (03) 9654 5050 or register online and select the workshop nearest to you. To see the workshop flyers, click on our VLGA Events Calendar. For further information, contact the VLGA’s Human Rights Policy & Project Officer, Gary Jungwirth, via email or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Climate Justice Roundtable – What does the ‘climate-just’ Australian city look like?
Tuesday 29 November, 9am-12.30pmRMIT Storey Hall, Building 16, Level 7 Conference Rms 1 & 2
*Limited places*
The aim of this roundtable is to bring together a caucus of diverse members of our community to identify and advance climate justice imperatives and opportunities within the Australian city context. The emphasis is on collaborative engagement, deliberation and dialogue focused around key questions such as: What is the climate-just city? How do the practices and stories of climate justice connect people with other elements of the natural world? How does the notion of a ‘climate just’ city challenge, complement, or replace current rights and privileges? Who dominates, who benefits and who gets left behind? Please join us for this inaugural event of the Australian climate justice research network (ACJRN) jointly hosted by the VLGA, Griffith University, Curtin University, Macquarie University, Monash University and RMIT. See our website for the registration flyer.
VLGA End-of-Year Members’ Function
Thursday 1 December, 6-8.30pm
Carlton
Members are invited to join the VLGA Board and Staff to celebrate our successes at our end-of-year drinks with local government, community and State government colleagues. Come and hear the announcement of the winner of the 2011 John Jago Good Governance Award. Please RSVP by 25 November by either registering online or phoning (03) 9349 7999.
Other events
Sustainability Victoria quarterly forum – Distributed Generation
Friday 25 November, 9.30-11.30am
Sustainability Victoria
Level 28, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne (also via web cast)
Sustainability Victoria invites you to the latest of its quarterly forums for local government officers and managers. Distributed generation of electricity can play a key role in energy management in Victoria and provides great opportunities for local governments. Navigating the process can be difficult but there is help at hand. This forum looks at the benefits of distributed generation and will launch Sustainability Victoria's guide to getting grid connected. You will also hear how distribution businesses view distributed generation and from the project manager of a successful installation.
Presentations will include:
* Michael Williamson, Sustainability Victoria: Distributed generation – the next frontier for energy
* John Edgoose, Sustainability Victoria: Distributed Generation Connection Guide – Sustainability Victoria's new guide for linking into the electricity network
* Joe Thomas, Powercor Australia: How the distribution business looks at distributed energy
* Rick Kwasek, Boroondara City Council: Ashburton Smart Energy Zone – implementing a shared cogen energy system
RSVP by 5pm Tuesday 22 November by email to Nick Bailey or phone (03) 8626 8824.* John Edgoose, Sustainability Victoria: Distributed Generation Connection Guide – Sustainability Victoria's new guide for linking into the electricity network
* Joe Thomas, Powercor Australia: How the distribution business looks at distributed energy
* Rick Kwasek, Boroondara City Council: Ashburton Smart Energy Zone – implementing a shared cogen energy system
5th ‘State of Australian Cities’ National Conference
Tuesday 29 November – Friday 2 December
University of Melbourne, Parkville
Australia’s society and economy are dominated by its cities and regions, and the future of Australia’s environment is also linked to urban sustainability. The State of Australian Cities is a national forum, held biennially, to share scholarship directed at the complex and multidimensional issues facing us as an urban nation. Australian cities are highly ranked internationally for their liveability, and have continued to grow strongly through a global financial crisis. Yet we are confronted with significant challenges. These challenges should not blind us to opportunities. For the first time in two decades, the Federal Government is talking about the need to address the infrastructure gap in cities. A growing body of urban researchers is interested in the policy implications of their work, while policy-makers are increasingly turning to the developing evidence base. Unlikely coalitions are springing up to address intertwined social, economic, environmental, governance, and infrastructure issues.
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