VLGA President’s Message
Last week, I met with Planning Minister Mathew Guy and his senior staff. The Minister advised that he would be receiving the report on the Review of Victoria’s Overall Planning System (the ‘Underwood Review’) on 16 December. More than 500 submissions have been received and the report will bring together a diverse and wide range of views from stakeholders. Minister Guy committed to making the report public in the New Year and to taking the time in 2012 to have a proper dialogue with the community and local governments around the recommendations from the Review. We also discussed the Urban Growth Boundary and Green Wedges, and the Growth Areas plans. We raised the need for a greater focus on coastal planning and assisting local governments with greater clarity and good data to help them plan effectively. We are aware that the Minister has been working with a number of local governments on their specific needs and the Minister advised coastal planning will be given greater emphasis in the first part of 2012. This is our last eNews for the year, and we will recommence our communications with members in mid-January. I want to take this opportunity to wish all our members the very best for the festive season and to ask that you stay safe and have some time to relax with your loved ones. Thank you for your support throughout 2011 and I look forward to seeing many of you in the New Year when I return from my break. Warmest wishes.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
A brief summary of the year that was…
The VLGA has had a productive and successful 2012. Major news was our receipt of the 2011 VicHealth Award for Outstanding Achievement in Health Promotion for building capacity in local governments and communities for our Food for All Information Dissemination Project. Our other exciting news was that the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord Committee has approved the VLGA to undertake our new Resilient Neighbourhoods project from January to August 2012. Other highlights include:
* a well-regarded submission for Victorian planning system review
* a very successful inaugural Essential Councillors Workshop and development sessions for new councillors and deputy mayors
* commencement of the Good Governance Guide review project in partnership with the MAV, LGPro and Local Government Victoria
* productive meetings with the Minister for Local Government and her advisors and other Ministers and Opposition members
* we commenced the Local Government Gaming Officer and the Supporting Local Governments on Gaming Policy project
* delivery of Food Security Planning in Urban Design workshops and initial council activities for the Municipal Food Security Scanning Tool project
* governance sessions with a number of member councils
We look forward to working with you in 2012.
$5,000 grants for local government Responsible Gambling Awareness Week activities
The Department of Justice has issued an invitation for local governments to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 for Responsible Gambling Awareness Week events or activities, from 14-20 May 2012. This is a significant increase from the $500 offered by the Department of Justice to local governments in previous years. The closing date for submissions is 23 January 2012. With many people taking leave in January, you may want to start discussions with your Gambler’s Help Service and neighbouring local governments this year to get an application together in time. The theme for this year is young people. Events, activities and initiatives that effectively reach this target group will be considered. Six grants are available and will be chosen on a regional basis to ensure a spread of activities across Victoria. Joint applications with more than one local government are strongly encouraged. You will need to be as detailed as possible in your application. Application guidelines and assessment criteria are outlined here. For more information, contact Madeleine Scanlon from the Department of Justice on (03) 8684 1988 or via email.
Whittlesea’s ‘See Beyond Race’ media campaign recognised for outstanding journalism
Whittlesea LEAD project’s December eNews has reported that the ‘See Beyond Race’ media campaign, a partnership of Whittlesea Leader and the City of Whittlesea, has won the 2011 VicHealth Award for Outstanding Journalism on Health Promotion. Journalist Cheryl Balfour took out the award for the articles that profiled five local residents from diverse backgrounds in a bid to breakdown cultural prejudice and stereotypes and reduce race-based discrimination. The media partnership was a key strategy of the City of Whittlesea's ‘See Beyond Race’ campaign. The campaign involved mainstream advertising, communications and media activities, in order to build positive attitudes and behaviours towards diversity in the wider community. Award judges said the quality, depth and fairness of the reports was “extremely impressive and a terrific asset for the Whittlesea community at large”. For more information about the 2011 VicHealth Awards for health Promotion, go here.
Launch of the Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre Guides
The Minister for Gaming, Hon Michael O’Brien MP, formally launched the Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre’s (RGAC) GAP Project: Guides to the Application Processes associated with EGMs, on Wednesday 14 December 2011. VLGA Chief Executive Officer, Maree McPherson and Gaming Policy Officer, Emma Shepherdson attended the event at the Melbourne Town Hall. The Guides were developed in response to community confusion about the licence and planning processes associated with Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs). The Guides aim to make planning and licence processes for EGMs clearer and enable communities and local government officers to develop informed responses to any application for an EGM in their community. The guides provide simple and practical information in the form of three Guides, as well as process charts and useful fact sheets with tips, case studies and information. K2 Planning was commissioned as planning expert to deliver the project with RGAC. The Guides are an online document available at: http://egm.responsiblegambling.org.au/. Downloadable PDFs of the Guides are also available on the website.
Update on Women’s Policy
For more than 12 years the VLGA has been demonstrating leadership around the issues affecting women councillors and citizens and their participation in local governments. In 1999, the VLGA became an active member of the Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition (WPILGC) and has undertaken the Secretariat role for this Coalition since 2000. In 2005, the VLGA appointed what was possibly the first peak local government Women’s Policy Officer. The VLGA’s Women’s Policy Advisory Group reports to the VLGA Board about issues that support the VLGA’s role in this area. The VLGA is a major signatory to the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter which has three principles: gender equity, diversity and active citizenship. The VLGA’s leading work on women’s policy continues and a comprehensive run-down on our activities can be found here. A whole range of useful information can be located through this link including resources for download, fact sheets and links. The Think women for local government 2012 project continues into next year and workshops start in earnest from March 2012. More information can be obtained via email.
Reconciliation in Local Government
Over the past year, Reconciliation Victoria has led the Reconciliation in Local Government Action Research Project, in partnership with the VLGA and Reconciliation Australia, and with funding support from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria. The aim of the project was to explore the usefulness, advantages and limitations of the Reconciliation Action Plan tool for Victorian local governments to advance reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. The project assisted three local governments to develop Reconciliation Action Plans – Baw Baw Shire Council and the Cities of Whittlesea and Stonnington. The report of the project has made recommendations related to the Reconciliation Action Plan program for local governments, recommendations directed at individual local governments, and recommendations for peak bodies and State government regarding support for the local government sector.
International Women’s Day
In 2012, International Women’s Day will be celebrated on Thursday 8 March 2012. The entire month of March has become a landmark month for events that celebrate and champion women for their achievements in families, communities, organisations and politics. Why not make ‘think women for local government’ a theme in 2012? Now is a good time to start planning. If you would like some have a look at some tips from 2011, click here.
VLGA Events
2012 Essential Mayors Weekend
From all accounts, a high number of first-time Mayors have been elected over the last couple of weeks. Being Mayor is a challenge at all times, and there will be added pressures in navigating the final year of the council term. The VLGA’s Essential Mayors’ Weekend is one of our most popular training offers, and we encourage as many Mayors as possible to join us for networking, master classes, and a range of opportunities to work together in a confidential environment on local challenges and solutions. Interested Mayors can download the program and the registration form from our website.
First Leading Edge Forum for 2012
2012 Timor-Leste Elections: implications, opportunities and challenges
Thursday 2 February, from 6pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester Street Carlton
As Timor-Leste faces its third round of democratic elections since it formally achieved independence in 2002, our first LEF for the year brings a range of speakers together to reflect on the implications for our nearest neighbour and Australians. Join experts and observers to explore who’s who in the Timor-Leste Elections; long-term dynamics and issues likely to face any new President, the Government and people; implications for the strategic relationship with Australia, and how Australian friendship relationships are influencing wellbeing in local communities. See the flyer for more information. You can register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Being Deputy Mayor in the final council year
Thursday 9 February 2012
5.30pm for 6pm start -9pm (incl. light refreshments)
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA is offering our popular development session for those serving as Deputy Mayor in 2012. There is no uniform role for Deputy Mayors, and this could be particularly challenging during an election year. The role can vary from simply deputising for the Mayor when they are unavailable, to sharing some of the team-building, strategy and other responsibilities with the Mayor. This session will include ample time to explore your individual needs and circumstances and those of your council. It is a unique opportunity to learn from others performing the same role, share and reflect on your own experiences, hear about strategies from others and plan for the rest of your term.
For further information please contact (03) 9349 7999 and you can download the registration form here.
Last week, I met with Planning Minister Mathew Guy and his senior staff. The Minister advised that he would be receiving the report on the Review of Victoria’s Overall Planning System (the ‘Underwood Review’) on 16 December. More than 500 submissions have been received and the report will bring together a diverse and wide range of views from stakeholders. Minister Guy committed to making the report public in the New Year and to taking the time in 2012 to have a proper dialogue with the community and local governments around the recommendations from the Review. We also discussed the Urban Growth Boundary and Green Wedges, and the Growth Areas plans. We raised the need for a greater focus on coastal planning and assisting local governments with greater clarity and good data to help them plan effectively. We are aware that the Minister has been working with a number of local governments on their specific needs and the Minister advised coastal planning will be given greater emphasis in the first part of 2012. This is our last eNews for the year, and we will recommence our communications with members in mid-January. I want to take this opportunity to wish all our members the very best for the festive season and to ask that you stay safe and have some time to relax with your loved ones. Thank you for your support throughout 2011 and I look forward to seeing many of you in the New Year when I return from my break. Warmest wishes.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
A brief summary of the year that was…
The VLGA has had a productive and successful 2012. Major news was our receipt of the 2011 VicHealth Award for Outstanding Achievement in Health Promotion for building capacity in local governments and communities for our Food for All Information Dissemination Project. Our other exciting news was that the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord Committee has approved the VLGA to undertake our new Resilient Neighbourhoods project from January to August 2012. Other highlights include:
* a well-regarded submission for Victorian planning system review
* a very successful inaugural Essential Councillors Workshop and development sessions for new councillors and deputy mayors
* commencement of the Good Governance Guide review project in partnership with the MAV, LGPro and Local Government Victoria
* productive meetings with the Minister for Local Government and her advisors and other Ministers and Opposition members
* we commenced the Local Government Gaming Officer and the Supporting Local Governments on Gaming Policy project
* delivery of Food Security Planning in Urban Design workshops and initial council activities for the Municipal Food Security Scanning Tool project
* governance sessions with a number of member councils
We look forward to working with you in 2012.
$5,000 grants for local government Responsible Gambling Awareness Week activities
The Department of Justice has issued an invitation for local governments to apply for a grant of up to $5,000 for Responsible Gambling Awareness Week events or activities, from 14-20 May 2012. This is a significant increase from the $500 offered by the Department of Justice to local governments in previous years. The closing date for submissions is 23 January 2012. With many people taking leave in January, you may want to start discussions with your Gambler’s Help Service and neighbouring local governments this year to get an application together in time. The theme for this year is young people. Events, activities and initiatives that effectively reach this target group will be considered. Six grants are available and will be chosen on a regional basis to ensure a spread of activities across Victoria. Joint applications with more than one local government are strongly encouraged. You will need to be as detailed as possible in your application. Application guidelines and assessment criteria are outlined here. For more information, contact Madeleine Scanlon from the Department of Justice on (03) 8684 1988 or via email.
Whittlesea’s ‘See Beyond Race’ media campaign recognised for outstanding journalism
Whittlesea LEAD project’s December eNews has reported that the ‘See Beyond Race’ media campaign, a partnership of Whittlesea Leader and the City of Whittlesea, has won the 2011 VicHealth Award for Outstanding Journalism on Health Promotion. Journalist Cheryl Balfour took out the award for the articles that profiled five local residents from diverse backgrounds in a bid to breakdown cultural prejudice and stereotypes and reduce race-based discrimination. The media partnership was a key strategy of the City of Whittlesea's ‘See Beyond Race’ campaign. The campaign involved mainstream advertising, communications and media activities, in order to build positive attitudes and behaviours towards diversity in the wider community. Award judges said the quality, depth and fairness of the reports was “extremely impressive and a terrific asset for the Whittlesea community at large”. For more information about the 2011 VicHealth Awards for health Promotion, go here.
Launch of the Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre Guides
The Minister for Gaming, Hon Michael O’Brien MP, formally launched the Responsible Gambling Advocacy Centre’s (RGAC) GAP Project: Guides to the Application Processes associated with EGMs, on Wednesday 14 December 2011. VLGA Chief Executive Officer, Maree McPherson and Gaming Policy Officer, Emma Shepherdson attended the event at the Melbourne Town Hall. The Guides were developed in response to community confusion about the licence and planning processes associated with Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs). The Guides aim to make planning and licence processes for EGMs clearer and enable communities and local government officers to develop informed responses to any application for an EGM in their community. The guides provide simple and practical information in the form of three Guides, as well as process charts and useful fact sheets with tips, case studies and information. K2 Planning was commissioned as planning expert to deliver the project with RGAC. The Guides are an online document available at: http://egm.responsiblegambling.org.au/. Downloadable PDFs of the Guides are also available on the website.
Update on Women’s Policy
For more than 12 years the VLGA has been demonstrating leadership around the issues affecting women councillors and citizens and their participation in local governments. In 1999, the VLGA became an active member of the Women’s Participation in Local Government Coalition (WPILGC) and has undertaken the Secretariat role for this Coalition since 2000. In 2005, the VLGA appointed what was possibly the first peak local government Women’s Policy Officer. The VLGA’s Women’s Policy Advisory Group reports to the VLGA Board about issues that support the VLGA’s role in this area. The VLGA is a major signatory to the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter which has three principles: gender equity, diversity and active citizenship. The VLGA’s leading work on women’s policy continues and a comprehensive run-down on our activities can be found here. A whole range of useful information can be located through this link including resources for download, fact sheets and links. The Think women for local government 2012 project continues into next year and workshops start in earnest from March 2012. More information can be obtained via email.
Reconciliation in Local Government
Over the past year, Reconciliation Victoria has led the Reconciliation in Local Government Action Research Project, in partnership with the VLGA and Reconciliation Australia, and with funding support from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria. The aim of the project was to explore the usefulness, advantages and limitations of the Reconciliation Action Plan tool for Victorian local governments to advance reconciliation between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians. The project assisted three local governments to develop Reconciliation Action Plans – Baw Baw Shire Council and the Cities of Whittlesea and Stonnington. The report of the project has made recommendations related to the Reconciliation Action Plan program for local governments, recommendations directed at individual local governments, and recommendations for peak bodies and State government regarding support for the local government sector.
International Women’s Day
In 2012, International Women’s Day will be celebrated on Thursday 8 March 2012. The entire month of March has become a landmark month for events that celebrate and champion women for their achievements in families, communities, organisations and politics. Why not make ‘think women for local government’ a theme in 2012? Now is a good time to start planning. If you would like some have a look at some tips from 2011, click here.
VLGA Events
2012 Essential Mayors Weekend
From all accounts, a high number of first-time Mayors have been elected over the last couple of weeks. Being Mayor is a challenge at all times, and there will be added pressures in navigating the final year of the council term. The VLGA’s Essential Mayors’ Weekend is one of our most popular training offers, and we encourage as many Mayors as possible to join us for networking, master classes, and a range of opportunities to work together in a confidential environment on local challenges and solutions. Interested Mayors can download the program and the registration form from our website.
First Leading Edge Forum for 2012
2012 Timor-Leste Elections: implications, opportunities and challenges
Thursday 2 February, from 6pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester Street Carlton
As Timor-Leste faces its third round of democratic elections since it formally achieved independence in 2002, our first LEF for the year brings a range of speakers together to reflect on the implications for our nearest neighbour and Australians. Join experts and observers to explore who’s who in the Timor-Leste Elections; long-term dynamics and issues likely to face any new President, the Government and people; implications for the strategic relationship with Australia, and how Australian friendship relationships are influencing wellbeing in local communities. See the flyer for more information. You can register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Being Deputy Mayor in the final council year
Thursday 9 February 2012
5.30pm for 6pm start -9pm (incl. light refreshments)
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA is offering our popular development session for those serving as Deputy Mayor in 2012. There is no uniform role for Deputy Mayors, and this could be particularly challenging during an election year. The role can vary from simply deputising for the Mayor when they are unavailable, to sharing some of the team-building, strategy and other responsibilities with the Mayor. This session will include ample time to explore your individual needs and circumstances and those of your council. It is a unique opportunity to learn from others performing the same role, share and reflect on your own experiences, hear about strategies from others and plan for the rest of your term.
For further information please contact (03) 9349 7999 and you can download the registration form here.
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