VLGA eNews: February 2012

27 February 2012

VLGA President’s Message
Last week we met with Minister Powell and presented the VLGA’s proposed State Budget Submission. In our draft submission we have covered a range of issues relevant to the VLGA’s membership, and supported submissions made by other peaks. The submission has been compiled after our visits to local governments and feedback at our various Leading Edge Forums and activities throughout the past year. The specific items the VLGA has called for include:

* a ‘Securing Local Business in the Regions’ program – based on our Leading Edge Forum discussions in Ballarat last year and comments from members before and since
* skills development opportunities, especially for rural councillors – based on many discussions with you over time
* a ‘Building Local Government Capacity to Deliver Affordable Housing’ project – thanks to our Diverse & Affordable Housing Advisory Group members for their ideas in the past year
* funding to support the further development of municipal food security scanning tools and food sensitive urban design – further to the Government’s Victorian Public Health and Wellbeing Plan 2011-2015
* a specific project focused on food security in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in the metropolitan area

We have also supported the Regional Cities Victoria call for a ‘Planning for Growth’ Gap Analysis project, and the One Million Homes alliances’ proposal for retrofitting Victorian homes for sustainability.
This week we will be sending a summary of our draft submission to members and if you have specific items you would like us to include in our thinking, please email us. I look forward to seeing you around the traps soon. 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

Bushfire planning reforms
Last week, Planning Minister Matthew Guy announced $800,000 to help Victorian local governments adapt to bushfire planning reforms. This brings the Victorian Government’s total allocation to bushfire planning projects to $2 million over the past year. Eleven local governments have received financial assistance based on their areas of significant bushfire hazard, and the Minister has called for Expressions of Interest from local governments that did not receive funding last year. Funding will be directed to projects relating to strategic planning around bushfire risk and mitigation, planning compliance to make communities safer, and implementing bushfire planning provisions. The VLGA encourages local governments to seek more information about the EOI process, which closes on 23 March 2012.

A big or small Australia…?
On 23 March in Sydney, the Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA) will launch their research report, A Greater Australia: Population, Policies and Governance. With the recent announcement by Planning Minister Matthew Guy of a vision to expand Melbourne’s CBD, the VLGA and metropolitan local governments will be reflecting on urban densification and the types of infrastructure required in an overall metropolitan strategy, along with such issues as ‘air rights’ as we noted in our eNews of 13 February 2012.

VLGA and VU host reception for Timor-Leste PM, Xanana Gusmao
The VLGA in partnership with Victoria University and members of the East Timorese community hosted a reception and book launch for Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao last Wednesday. More than 200 people attended the event where Prime Minister Gusmao launched his new collection of speeches, Strategies for the Future. He also spoke about the challenges facing Timor-Leste at this time. VLGA President Cr Samantha Dunn gave an ‘acknowledgement to country’ speech at the reception and the Mayor of Yarra Cr Geoff Barbour gave a speech of thanks to Mr Gusmao. Prime Minister Gusmao, a long term friend of the VLGA, spoke to many local government councillors and friendship group members and thanked them for their ongoing support for his country. In addition to several mayors and councillors, Victorian Members of Parliament, Timor-Leste Ambassador Abel Guterres, Honorary Consul General Kevin Bailey, VU Chancellor George Pappas, Australian Ambassador Miles Armitage and former Premier Steve Bracks all attended. The VLGA was pleased to be asked to co-host the reception and thanks VU for providing the venue and the catering and being a wonderful partner with whom to work.

Focus on sustainability and managing waste
An interesting article in The Age last week profiled some of the changes underway at Sustainability Victoria. The VLGA is giving advance notice to members of our upcoming Leading Edge Forum on Thursday 29 March where we will be discussing waste management issues and priorities for the future with the Chair of the Metropolitan Waste Management Group and VLGA Vice President Cr Heinz Kreutz and with Sustainability Victoria CEO Stan Krpan. More information will follow in the next few days so stay tuned.

More on smoke-free outdoor laws
In this week’s edition of The Conversation, Andrew Penman, CEO at the Cancer Council of NSW writes about that State Government’s plans to introduce a smoke-free outdoors law this year, “making it the sixth state or territory to have some variation of this kind of legislation.” This issue also hit the local media last week with the Herald Sun taking an interest in the NSW developments. A number of VLGA member local governments have put local laws in place and many are considering how best to act. The VLGA will be writing to Health Minister David Davis this week to encourage the Victorian Government to examine laws in other states and to take similar action here, to achieve a consistent approach across Victoria.

Renewing Frankston's city centre: outcomes from community and stakeholder engagement

The VLGA has always supported improved community engagement on matters affecting local communities. Despite the fear that urban renewal consultations can sometimes be controversial, when local governments undertake extensive and diverse forms of meaningful consultation, creativity and agreement abound. This was clearly the case in Frankston when preliminary consultation on the revision of the Structure Plan was held from 25 July to 2 September 2011. Residents, community groups, businesses and other stakeholder groups were invited to have their say on the future planning of Frankston's city centre and were encouraged to share their ideas through a range of activities including an online forum. All feedback received during the preliminary consultation, together with research undertaken and relevant State Government policies will be considered in the review and update of the Structure Plan. The findings of the preliminary consultation are now available online and provide a good basis for understanding the community and stakeholder views and ideas on the future of Frankston. The VLGA congratulates Frankston for genuinely reaching out to their community.

Does my society look big in this?
As countries around the world struggle with economic downturns, many policy experts are asking what this will mean for the provision of government services. Big Society: how the UK Government is Dismantling the State and What it Means for Australia is a fascinating essay written by James Whelan from the Centre for Policy Development. ‘Big Society’ has a carefully crafted rhetorical foundation. Few people would refute the assertion that society is a good thing. Who wouldn’t want a bigger one? Beneath this simple logic, the ‘Big Society’ mantra promises outcomes that are embraced widely and deeply – decentralising power from government and dispersing it more widely to communities and individuals; allowing citizens more control over their lives; encouraging cooperation and initiative; inclusive governance and co-production (collaboration between providers and users in service design or delivery). Few critics of ‘Big Society’ question these ideals. In fact, many support them wholeheartedly. But the impacts of ‘Big Society’ programs have contradicted and undermined these ideals. Read more…

What do you think about people using public streets for gardens?
The City of Melbourne is currently undertaking a consultation process around the issue of street gardens. Distinct from organised community gardens, street gardens are a way for people to use public land – like nature strips, footpaths, median strips or laneways to create small gardening spaces for food, ornamental or other green infrastructure purposes. The City of Melbourne would like to determine the level of interest in this topic, so is inviting the community to provide feedback on both the concept of street gardens and the draft Street Gardens Guidelines. The feedback received will be used to assist Council consider its policy position in relation to street gardens. A copy of the draft Street Gardens Guidelines can also be accessed here. The City of Melbourne invites you to provide your comments by completing the online survey. Additionally, you can forward your thoughts either via email or in writing to: City of Melbourne Health Services Branch, GPO Box 1603, Melbourne VIC 3001. The closing date for completing the online survey is Friday 9 March 2012. If you would like a hard copy of the draft Street Gardens Guidelines to review, contact Council at the same email mentioned in this eNews item, or phone 03 9658 9658.

VLGA Events

March Leading Edge Forum: Local governments and alcohol in the community
Thursday 1 March, from 6pm
Hosted by the City of Greater Geelong: City Hall, entry via Little Malop Street

Managing alcohol is a key responsibility for local governments. As community harms and costs resulting from alcohol harm become more widely understood there is increasing pressure for all levels of government to act and develop strategies that reduce alcohol related harm. Hosted by the City of Greater Geelong, this Leading Edge Forum will focus on the policy implications of packaged liquor, venue management and community health impacts. Join us in Geelong to hear a range of speakers presenting academic research and practical insights from councils on this important topic. Download the flyer, and register online or telephone (03) 9349 7999 to RSVP.

Other Events

Committee for Economic Development Australia (CEDA)
Geelong and Barwon South West: Planning a region for the future
Thursday 22 March, 9am-2pm
Mecure Geelong, cnr Gheringhap & Myers Sts, Geelong
Join CEDA and Regional Development Victoria as they bring together leaders from key sectors to discuss a range of issues for the Barwon South West and G21 region including:
* Providing for communities: education and health
* Providing jobs for a growing population
* Planning a city for the future of the region
Register here and for further information email Gemma Clark.

Sustainable Communities Forum for Local Government
Friday 30 March, 9.30am-4.30pm
Zinc @ Federation Square, cnr Flinders & Swanston Sts, Melbourne
This forum, co-hosted with ICLEI, aims to inform and engage a wider audience of the workshop outcomes and to develop a local response for Australian local government. It will offer a unique opportunity to hear leading examples from the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, outcomes from the workshop, and provide input into a sectoral agenda for sustainable communities. The forum will feature:
* parallel sessions for elected representatives, and local government administrators and stakeholders to develop the case for sustainable communities
* release of Local Government Position Paper on Local Climate Change Action; and
* workshop to test the draft Local Government Guide for Green Star Communities, which provides local government with guidance on promoting the planning and design of best practice sustainable communities.
RSVP by email to Kim Lecerf by 5pm Friday 9 March.

2nd National Sustainable Food Summit
2-4 April
Dockside Sydney
This summit is a must-attend event for practitioners with an interest in how Australia's food system will transform to meet the challenge of feeding more people with less over the next century. The inaugural Summit held in April 2011, and attended by over 340 participants from diverse sectors and backgrounds, generated extraordinary consensus for the need to collaborate and continue the conversations necessary to generate change. 2012 may be pivotal for Australian food policy with the National Food Plan due for release. It is also appropriately the Australian Year of the Farmer and United Nations International Year of the Cooperative. The 2nd Annual National Sustainable Food Summit begins in Sydney on 3 April. A series of pre-conference workshops on 2 April 2012 have also been designed to bring people up to speed on the current issues and discussion from the 2011 summit. Anyone who is interested in this area can join the Sustainable Food System Conversation. This conversation is designed to feed into discussions at the Summit so will be particularly useful to attendees. For more information about the program and workshops, please email Cheryl or phone 02 9555 2358.

People and the Planet Conference
26-28 April 2012
Melbourne
Twenty years on from the landmark Earth Summit in Rio, RMIT is collaborating with the UN Global Compact Cities Programme to bring internationally renowned experts in sustainability to discuss the future of the planet. Global superstars such as Sigourney Weaver, David Suzuki and Bob Geldof will be in Melbourne, speaking alongside Australian high-profile speakers including Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision; Robyn Eckersley, leading environmentalist; Ian Lowe, President of the Australian Conservation Foundation; and Dennis Altman, Professor of Politics, to discuss where we go from here.
* How do we move beyond the current set of crises and relative political stalemate?
* How do we get beyond carbon accounting?
The outcomes of the Melbourne forum will become the basis for the ‘Cities and Urbanization’ Track at Rio+20 www.earthsummit2012.org. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the official website. Enquires can be directed through the Global Cities Research Institute via email or phone 9925 8322.

20 February 2012

VLGA President’s Message
I am delighted that this Wednesday, the VLGA and Victoria University are hosting an event at Victoria University City Campus with the Timor-Leste Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao. The Prime Minister will speak about the issues facing Timor-Leste today. The book of speeches by Prime Minister Gusmao, Strategies for the Future, will also be launched. It is a real honour for us to be involved in this event. I know members will share my delight that on Friday night just gone, twenty outstanding Indigenous Victorians were inducted to the nation’s first-ever Indigenous Honour Roll. This is the very first of its kind in our nation’s history and may in fact be a world first. The achievements of Friday night’s inductees span health, education, politics, sport and the arts and we are privileged to have had these wonderful people in our society. You can see the biographies of the inaugural inductees here, and on behalf of the VLGA I send my congratulations to each of them and their families.
We have plenty of news for you in this edition and I look forward to seeing you around the traps soon. 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

Staffing news at the VLGA
Members may be aware that last week our Director Policy and Public Affairs Darren Ray announced his resignation, following almost five years at the VLGA. Darren has decided to pursue a new career that he has been exploring over some months, and will be with us ‘on deck’ until mid-March. We know you will all join us in wishing Darren the very best for the future and thanking him for the very significant and special contribution he has made to the organisation over the period of his employment – in the Director role and as Acting CEO for an extended period in 2008-09. We know that Darren will not be a stranger to the VLGA after he leaves, and he will be involved in a number of future activities.

We are delighted to announce that Micaela Drieberg is joining the VLGA to manage our Resilient Neighbourhoods project, funded through the Victorian Local Sustainability Accord. Micaela brings to the role her experience in working as a ministerial adviser in the health portfolio, a facilitator/trainer in land use planning at the Planning Institute of Australia, a senior policy adviser with VicHealth, and a diverse range of other relevant projects, as well as her experience as a local government councillor. Micaela starts on the project this week.

Who’s good at social media? Do you know?
From time to time at the VLGA we are approached by members who are looking for social media training, from the very basics (what is it?) through to higher levels including incorporating various social media into an organisation. If you know of trainers or businesses that can facilitate workshops and meet these requests, please email us so we can keep a register for our members – thanks!

VLGA working with Melbourne University’s Asia Institute
Last week the VLGA conducted a session on Good Governance, Women’s Issues and Human Rights for members of an Iranian delegation based at the Asia Institute at Melbourne University. The delegation (pictured above with VLGA staff members) comprised young community activists with a theme on Australian politics, civil society, good governance and human rights. Most members of the delegation had a legal background and a special interest in women’s rights. The VLGA will run a similar session in May for a second delegation.

State Government commits $1 million to clear VCAT backlog
The Victorian Coalition Government has committed $1 million to tackle the backlog of planning cases before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT). Announcing the initiative late last week, Planning Minister Matthew Guy said the funding would enable approximately 800 cases to be finalised and reduce the waiting list by up to six months. “This funding will significantly reduce delays in the planning process and ease the burden on the development sector, local councils and the community as a whole,” Minister Guy added. The VLGA has been calling for more resources to deal with the VCAT backlog, and we welcome this announcement.

Feedback sought on Green Light Plan Draft Program Guidelines and $20 million fund

The Victorian Coalition Government has released consultation papers for the proposed design of the Green Light Plan $20 million funding program. A circular has been sent to local government CEOs, outlining the purpose of the process, which is to:
* Outline the priority policy issues being considered in the development and delivery of the plan
* Provide details of the grants program to assist potential applicants plan their involvement, and
* Seek feedback on the proposed design of the grants program to inform the final funding approach.
The closing date for responses and submissions is 5pm, Friday 24 February and you can find more information here. If you have views you would like to let us know about, feel free to let us know via email.

Food security and Australia’s highly duopolised retail food markets: the hidden price of discounting fresh fruit and vegetables

The VLGA has been leading debates about food security and the implications for local governments and local communities, as you can see here. In a recent very poignant article by Bethaney Turner and Joanna Henryks from the University of Canberra on The Conversation website, some of these implications are discussed by the authors and by many others. Here is a small sample of this great article – “How should we consider the potential broader ramifications of Coles’ recent promise to reduce by 50% the price of fresh fruit and vegetables? In the face of cheap fruit and vegetables, it is hard to take seriously concerns about our future food security and health. After all, why worry about tomorrow when fresh, seasonal, healthy food is so cheap today? However, food security requires reliable supply, access and distribution of nutritionally sound food. While Coles promotes the price-cuts as a win-win for producers and consumers, claiming they have helped farmers offload stock that would otherwise go to waste, the current state of overproduction demonstrates the very volatility of our food supply.” The VLGA is very concerned about the impact on farmers and the rest of the community and we will continue to advocate for food security (including food waste) to be treated more seriously by all levels of government. If you have views on this, let us know via email.

Support for better financial management in local government
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) is promoting a new resource for local governments, Practice Note No.6 – Long-term Financial Planning. The Practice Note was prepared by the Institute for Public Works Engineering Australia, with funding from the Commonwealth Government's Local Government Reform Fund. It is designed to improve the financial performance of local government by assisting local councils to prepare better long-term plans. For further information about this project you can email Melissa Gibbs, Assistant Director ACELG or email Chris Champion, CEO IPWEA.

Victorian Government stepping in to support refugees and new arrivals
The VLGA would like to congratulate the Victorian Government for implementing a new program to assist and inform refugees and new arrivals on their rights and responsibilities and help people settle into the community. The Rights and Responsibilities program, featuring local police, doctors, and councillors will be held across the State annually. Victoria is a diverse and multicultural state and more recently new and emerging communities have settled from Africa, the Middle East and South Asia. New arrivals tend to have complex settlement needs when compared with more established communities in Victoria. The program will host public seminars with topics such as finding a job, how to volunteer, Victorian politics and law. The topics will be tailored to each town and location, based on surveys conducted by the Victorian Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship. The Office is partnering with the Cities of Ballarat, Greater Bendigo, Greater Geelong and Latrobe to host similar programs. The VLGA encourages councils to obtain more information about the program via Frank Maas on (03) 9651 0640 or via email.

Ricci Marks Award for young Indigenous people
The Ricci Marks Award 2012 recognises individual achievements and aspirations of young Indigenous people in training, education, arts, sport, culture and community leadership. The Victorian Coalition Government provides this award to encourage and support young Indigenous people to pursue their goals. Each year, the Minister for Aboriginal Affairs awards a $5,000 bursary to two young Indigenous people who are contributing to the Victorian community and have demonstrated leadership and initiative. The Minister may also award a $500 Encouragement Award. For more information and copies of the guidelines and nomination forms visit http://www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/indigenous/leadership/ricci-marks-award or contact Petr Svoboda at Aboriginal Affairs Victoria on (03) 9208 3255.

Whitehorse reaching out to local Indigenous artists
Whitehorse City Council in partnership with Whitehorse Friends for Reconciliation and Reconciliation Victoria are calling for expressions of interest from Australian Indigenous artists from the Melbourne Eastern Region to participate in an exhibition that will form part of 2012 National Reconciliation Week activities. The theme for Reconciliation Week this year is ‘Recognition’. Artworks included in this exhibition will be exhibited at Box Hill Community Arts Centre from 28 May – 3 June. Two-dimensional and three-dimensional art forms are welcome including fine arts and traditional crafts. A launch of the exhibition will be held at Box Hill Community Arts Centre on Friday 1 June featuring a live performance by Kutcha Edwards. For more information or to register your interest phone Box Hill Community Arts Centre on 9895 888 or send email.

Updates on Preventing Violence Against Women
To mark last week’s Be the Hero! Week of Action, initiated by the Victorian Women's Trust, addressing regarding violence against women and families, the Executive Director of the Victorian Women’s Trust, Mary Crooks has penned an opinion piece that examines the undercurrents of sexism, violence and complacency existing in Australian society, where some fear to speak against the status quo, enforcing a culture of tolerators. Also, the VLGA would like to remind all members about the Victorian Coalition Government’s Consultation on the Action Plan to Address Violence Against Women and their Children, happening in February around the State. This is a three-year Action Plan, and written submissions close on 23 March. Finally, the VLGA would like to congratulate Greater Bendigo City Council on its Violence Prevention Plan resulting from the position statement signed by councillors in 2010 titled ‘Greater Bendigo City Council says NO to Violence against Women’. Bendigo will host a forum and workshop on Wednesday 22 February 2012, looking at respect and gender equality in a State and local context. See VLGA events for further details.

Foodbank Victoria and the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival
Foodbank Victoria has announced their involvement with the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival with two special events:
1. On Wednesday 14 March, 7-9pm, learn about the issues facing Victorians who need assistance to get three meals a day and then watch how Adam Liaw cooks up dishes worthy of any table. Cost is $25 per person or $15 concession. Light snack will be provided. To book please go to: http://www.trybooking.com/ZPL
2. On the opening weekend of March 3 and 4, join Foodbank down on the banks of the Yarra to walk the Mapping of Victoria’s Hunger. On the parkland between King St and Clarendon St, over the river from Crown Casino, a massive map of Victoria will be painted on the grass showing the level of hunger in each local government area. So bring the family and some cans of food to donate. Then walk the map, read about the issues and then place your cans where you think the need is greatest. This event is free and for the whole family!

VLGA Events

March Leading Edge Forum: Local governments and alcohol in the community
Thursday 1 March, from 6pm
Hosted by the City of Greater Geelong: City Hall, entry via Little Malop Street
Managing alcohol is a key responsibility for local governments. As community harms and costs resulting from alcohol harm become more widely understood there is increasing pressure for all levels of government to act and develop strategies that reduce alcohol related harm. Hosted by the City of Greater Geelong, this Leading Edge Forum will focus on the policy implications of packaged liquor, venue management and community health impacts. Join us in Geelong to hear a range of speakers presenting academic research and practical insights from councils on this important topic. Download the flyer, and register online or telephone (03) 9349 7999 to RSVP.

Other Events

‘Seek an answer’ Forum – Your Faith, Your Human Rights
Wednesday 22 February, 5.30-8.30pm
Hume Global Learning Centre, 1093 Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows
The Northern Interfaith Intercultural Network (NIIN) invites you to attend a community Question and Answer Forum to inform members of the Hume community, and Melbourne's northern region, of the role of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 and provide them with an opportunity to ask questions regarding their human rights. This event will also provide participants with an opportunity to discuss the role of interfaith in our society. Panellists include: Reverend Mary Dight (Sunbury Christian Church), Jeanette Hourani (Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women's Coalition), Gary Jungwirth (VLGA), Larry Marshall (Centre for Dialogue, La Trobe University) and Inspector Tony Ryan (Victoria Police). The MC for the evening will be Reverend Cynthia Page from the Hume Interfaith Network. RSVP by COB Monday 20 February to Melinda Allender via email.

‘Are Melbourne’s Growth Areas Sustainable?’
Wednesday 22 February, 4-6pm
Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, City
The Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) invites you to their February forum with MC Terry Laidler, and speakers including Bill Forrest, Meredith Sussex, Griff Davis, Janet Rice, Paul Hamilton, Peter Seamer and Prof Michael Buxton. MTF is hosting this event as part of the Sustainable Living Festival series of events during February 2012. There is no entry charge or booking required. For further details send email or go to http://festival.slf.org.au or www.thatsmelbourne.com.au.

Sustainable Communities Forum for Local Government
Friday 30 March, 9.30am-4.30pm
Zinc @ Federation Square, cnr Flinders & Swanston Sts, Melbourne
This forum, co-hosted with ICLEI, aims to inform and engage a wider audience of the workshop outcomes and to develop a local response for Australian local government. It will offer a unique opportunity to hear leading examples from the C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group, outcomes from the workshop, and provide input into a sectoral agenda for sustainable communities. The forum will feature:
* parallel sessions for elected representatives, and local government administrators and stakeholders to develop the case for sustainable communities
* release of Local Government Position Paper on Local Climate Change Action; and
* workshop to test the draft Local Government Guide for Green Star Communities, which provides local government with guidance on promoting the planning and design of best practice sustainable communities.
RSVP to Kim Lecerf by 5pm Friday 9 March.

2nd National Sustainable Food Summit
2-4 April
Dockside Sydney
This summit is a must-attend event for practitioners with an interest in how Australia's food system will transform to meet the challenge of feeding more people with less over the next century. The inaugural Summit held in April 2011, and attended by over 340 participants from diverse sectors and backgrounds, generated extraordinary consensus for the need to collaborate and continue the conversations necessary to generate change. 2012 may be pivotal for Australian food policy with the National Food Plan due for release. It is also appropriately the Australian Year of the Farmer and United Nations International Year of the Cooperative. The 2nd Annual National Sustainable Food Summit begins in Sydney on 3 April. A series of pre-conference workshops on 2 April 2012 have also been designed to bring people up to speed on the current issues and discussion from the 2011 summit. Anyone who is interested in this area can join the Sustainable Food System Conversation. This conversation is designed to feed into discussions at the Summit so will be particularly useful to attendees. For more information about the program and workshops, please contact Cheryl via email or phone 02 9555 2358.

People and the Planet Conference
26-28 April 2012
Melbourne
Twenty years on from the landmark Earth Summit in Rio, RMIT is collaborating with the UN Global Compact Cities Programme to bring internationally renowned experts in sustainability to discuss the future of the planet. Global superstars such as Sigourney Weaver, David Suzuki and Bob Geldof will be in Melbourne, speaking alongside Australian high-profile speakers including Tim Costello, CEO of World Vision; Robyn Eckersley, leading environmentalist; Ian Lowe, President of the Australian Conservation Foundation; and Dennis Altman, Professor of Politics, to discuss where we go from here.
* How do we move beyond the current set of crises and relative political stalemate?
* How do we get beyond carbon accounting?
The outcomes of the Melbourne forum will become the basis for the ‘Cities and Urbanization’ Track at Rio+20 www.earthsummit2012.org. For more information and to purchase tickets, please visit the official website. Enquires can be directed through the Global Cities Research Institute via email or phone 9925 8322.

13 February 2012

VLGA President’s Message
I feel proud. Today we commemorate the fourth anniversary of the National Apology to the Stolen Generations. This morning, the Melbourne community gathered at Birrarung Marr in commemoration of this significant day in our nation’s history. Our partners, Reconciliation Victoria, co-hosted the event with a number of other organisations. Can you recall where you were and what you were doing when you watched the apology? If you wish to view the broadcast of the apology again you can see it here. We also note that in his time as Opposition spokesman for Indigenous Affairs, in 2009 current Opposition Leader Tony Abbott admitted publicly that the Coalition made a mistake by refusing to apologise to Australia's Indigenous population. Knowing that there is bipartisan support for this special day gives us hope and heart as we move further in the discussions about Constitutional recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples. In last week’s online edition of The Conversation, Prof Cheryl Saunders from the University of Melbourne discusses Indigenous recognition: we can’t afford to water down constitutional reform.
I look forward to seeing you out and about. 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

Ministerial meetings … the year ahead
The VLGA has commenced our round of meetings with ministers, shadow ministers, advisors and various agencies for 2012, including with the Minister for Local Government and the Local Government Inspectorate. If members have matters that you would like us to raise, or to consider for our agendas for these meetings, please let us know by contacting our CEO, Maree McPherson via email.

Stonnington rules on 'air rights' case
Members may have seen media coverage concerning ‘air rights’ late last week. Stonnington City Council has sensibly ruled that a developer's unsuccessful attempts to buy ‘air rights’ over a neighbouring building to secure river views was not a planning, but rather a commercial matter. After the decision, experts such as Melbourne University planning expert Dr Alan March said the use of air rights was likely to become more common as Melbourne grows upwards. The question of whether local governments and planners need to consider the implications and regulation of ‘air rights’ will no doubt be tested at VCAT and in other places. In the meantime, the VLGA is keen to hear member views on the topic, and whether you think we should be facilitating discussions about these issues. To let us know your views and for more information, contact Darren Ray, Director Policy & Public Affairs on (03) 9349 7902 or via email.

Support for local government bushfire planning controls
Additional introductory bushfire planning training sessions have been scheduled for March 2012: Monday 5 March (Melbourne), Thursday 8 March (Ballarat) and Thursday 22 March (Mildura). A new session that focuses on preparing and assessing applications under the Bushfire Management Overlay will be scheduled for May in Melbourne. Details and bookings for all sessions are to be confirmed. The Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission highlighted the importance of ongoing compliance with bushfire related planning permit conditions.

Energy efficiency money for local government and communities and upgrades to buildings

Information sessions for the Federal Government’s Community Energy Efficiency Program and the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program will be held in Melbourne on Friday 24 February. Dates for the webinar live webcast and other locations are also on the Federal Government’s website. With many local governments concerned about the cost of the carbon tax, it is good to see more detail about the $100 million Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) which will support consortia of community organisations, local governments and energy service companies to trial energy efficiency approaches in low income households, as well as the $200 million Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP), which will support energy efficiency upgrades to local government and community-use buildings, facilities and lighting. Last week the program guidelines for the Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) and the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP) were released. The programs open for applications today, Monday 13 February. Application guidance and information on how to apply will be available on the Department’s website. Applications for CEEP funding close on 23 March 2012; and Expressions of Interest for LIEEP must be submitted by 16 March 2012. Program guidelines and information has also been released for the Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program. Register online to attend an information session. If you are interested in receiving further information, contact the Department on 1800 779 638 or via email.

Need more data on how many people ride bikes in your municipality?
The Australian Local Government Cycling Participation Survey 2012 will provide robust quantitative data about cycling in your municipality. This is an Australian Bicycle Council initiative, implemented with support from CDM Research and Bicycle Network. Participating municipalities will be provided with information about:
* % of residents that ride a bike in a typical week, month and year
* Bicycle riding participation by gender
* Bicycle riding participation by age
* The purpose of bicycle riding
* The number of bicycle trips and time spent riding, and
* The number of bicycles in households
You can see an example of the information you will get by looking at the Cairns Regional Council example. The interview fieldwork will be conducted by a specialist market research consultancy. There is a survey fee involved of $9,000 per municipality, which will provide for 100 interview hours, allowing for around 400 households to be interviewed. The data will allow you to set benchmarks for bicycle strategies, understand how residents use bicycles, and identify opportunities for behaviour change and promotions. For more information, please contact the Australian Bicycle Council via email.

Walking Maps – what's new?
If you haven’t seen them, Victoria Walks Walking Maps now have new functions and make it easier for you to map your favourite walks! Now you can extend your walk route, add and delete photos, and save and finish mapping your walk later. Victoria Walks have a whole lot more planned for the Walking Maps website so please stay tuned for the next exciting development. While you're at it, why not check out these fantastic walks?
* Aireys Inlet Cliff Top Walk
* Keelbundoora Scarred Trees and Heritage Trails
* Teen walkabout: From Preston to Fitzroy

Do you know an inspirational Melburnian?
The Melbourne Awards recognise and reward those who dedicate their time and energy to the City. Now in its tenth year, the awards are a chance to celebrate those who so often don’t seek recognition in their day-to-day life, but who inspire and challenge us all to help create a better Melbourne. The awards are free to enter and acknowledge those who make a significant contribution to either Melbourne’s sustainability, the health of the community or the City’s profile, and Melburnian of the year is also announced. There are many inspirational Melburnians who work hard all year round to create a better city. If you know someone deserving of recognition for their contribution to Melbourne life, please consider nominating them for a Melbourne Award. The Awards are the City’s highest accolades for individuals and organisations that selflessly forge the well-being and unique identity of Melbourne. For more information about the Awards and to nominate, please visit the Melbourne Awards website. Nominations close 28 March 2012.

Melbourne Civil and Infrastructure Design Seminar
Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the latest best practices in civil and infrastructure design. Learn how to be more effective and efficient in your design work for 2012. The afternoon seminar on Friday 17 February at the Parkview Hotel on St Kilda Road will focus on how civil and infrastructure design teams can utilise a range of tools. To see more information about the program, go here.

VLGA Events

March Leading Edge Forum: Local governments and alcohol in the community
Thursday 1 March, from 6pm
Hosted by the City of Greater Geelong, City Hall, entry via Little Malop Street
Managing alcohol is a key responsibility for local governments. As community harms and costs resulting from alcohol harm become more widely understood there is increasing pressure for all levels of government to act and develop strategies that reduce alcohol related harm. Hosted by the City of Greater Geelong, this Leading Edge Forum will focus on the policy implications of packaged liquor, venue management and community health impacts. Join us in Geelong to hear a range of speakers presenting academic research and practical insights from councils on this important topic. Download the flyer, and register online or telephone (03) 9349 7999 to RSVP.

Other Events

‘Seek an answer’ Forum – Your Faith, Your Human Rights
Wednesday 22 February, 5.30-8.30pm
Hume Global Learning Centre, 1093 Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows
The Northern Interfaith Intercultural Network (NIIN) invites you to attend a community Question and Answer Forum to inform members of the Hume community, and Melbourne's northern region, of the role of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 and provide them with an opportunity to ask questions regarding their human rights. This event will also provide participants with an opportunity to discuss the role of interfaith in our society. Panellists include: Reverend Mary Dight (Sunbury Christian Church), Jeanette Hourani (Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women's Coalition), Gary Jungwirth (VLGA), Larry Marshall (Centre for Dialogue, La Trobe University) and Inspector Tony Ryan (Victoria Police). The MC for the evening will be Reverend Cynthia Page from the Hume Interfaith Network. RSVP by COB Monday 20 February to Melinda Allender via email.

Saving lives...reframing climate change around health and livelihoods
Monday 20 February, 5.30-6.45pm
Ground floor meeting room, 60 Leicester Street, Carlton
Environment Victoria, Doctors for the Environment Australia and Psychology for a Safe Climate invite you to join them for an evening forum to explore the communication of climate change as a health and human impacts issue. Keynote presentation by Daniel Voronoff, who works in the health and climate field and was previously an environmental campaigner for a Victorian NGO. This will be followed by a short panel discussion. Those working in the field of climate change policy, advocacy, campaigning and communications are encouraged to attend. See the flyer for more information and RSVP by emailing Victoria McKenzie-McHarg via email by Friday 17 February.

CEDA Conference: Enhancing Mobility – managing transport and road congestion
Wednesday 22 February
Hilton on The Park, Melbourne
It is estimated that by 2020, road congestion will cost the economy $20 billion in lost productivity. Road congestion frustrates businesses and consumers alike, and is a costly component of transport and logistics around Australia, an industry accounting for 14.5% of GDP and employing one tenth of Australia’s workforce. Clearly, increased congestion on road and transport infrastructure will necessitate increased capacity, accessibility and enhanced network planning. Managing congestion, both road and transport, has substantial benefits for business and the community. So, what steps are involved in reducing congestion?
* Aside from modifying existing or building additional infrastructure, how can we maximise infrastructure we already have?
* Can we better utilise technology and monitoring to alleviate congestion?
* Should we be looking for demand or supply side solutions?
For more information and to register go here.

‘Are Melbourne’s Growth Areas Sustainable?’
Wednesday 22 February, 4-6pm
Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, City
The Metropolitan Transport Forum (MTF) invites you to their February forum with MC Terry Laidler, and speakers including Bill Forrest, Meredith Sussex, Griff Davis, Janet Rice, Paul Hamilton, Peter Seamer and Prof Michael Buxton. MTF is hosting this event as part of the Sustainable Living Festival series of events during February 2012. There is no entry charge or booking required. For further details email MTF or go to http://festival.slf.org.au or www.thatsmelbourne.com.au.

2nd National Sustainable Food Summit
2-4 April
Dockside Sydney
This summit is a must-attend event for practitioners with an interest in how Australia's food system will transform to meet the challenge of feeding more people with less over the next century. The inaugural Summit held in April 2011, and attended by over 340 participants from diverse sectors and backgrounds, generated extraordinary consensus for the need to collaborate and continue the conversations necessary to generate change. 2012 may be pivotal for Australian food policy with the National Food Plan due for release. It is also appropriately the Australian Year of the Farmer and United Nations International Year of the Cooperative. The 2nd Annual National Sustainable Food Summit begins in Sydney on 3 April. A series of pre-conference workshops on 2 April 2012 have also been designed to bring people up to speed on the current issues and discussion from the 2011 summit. Anyone who is interested in this area can join the Sustainable Food System Conversation. This conversation is designed to feed into discussions at the Summit so will be particularly useful to attendees. For more information about the program and workshops, please email Cheryl phone 02 9555 2358.

6 February 2012

VLGA President’s Message
It was terrific to see many of you at our first Leading Edge Forum for 2012 on Thursday evening – the event was at capacity and we had to close bookings. We were privileged to have such excellent presenters on the topic of 2012 Timor-Leste Elections: implications, opportunities and challenges. My sincere thanks to all speakers, including His Excellency Snr Abel Guterres, Timor-Leste Ambassador to Australia; Rae Kingsbury; Dr Clinton Fernandes; and Cr Rachel Powning. If you were unable to be there you can still view the Forum via webcast. As councillors and officers, we know that planning matters are never far from the news. In the past week we have noted three quite different planning issues that reflect the diversity of our member local governments and their communities’ aspirations and needs. Planning Minister Mathew Guy has approved the rezoning of 228 hectares of residential land in the Latrobe Valley, as requested by Latrobe City Council through a planning amendment. This will allow for more than 2,600 lots and follows last year’s release of 562 hectares of land supply, bringing the potential number of new homes in the region to 6,500 across almost 800 hectares. The amendment rezoned land from Rural Living, Low Density Residential and Farming Zones to a Residential 1 Zone and involved consultation with landowners and agencies including the Department of Sustainability and Environment, the Department of Primary Industries, Gippsland Water, the West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority and the Environment Protection Authority. Congratulations to Latrobe City on what appears to be a well thought-through process. Last week, Stonnington councillors voted unanimously to reject a planning application for a large housing development in Armadale. The proposal included 475 dwellings in towers of up to 12 storeys on a 2.5-hectare site. The Council's decision is expected to be challenged by the developer at VCAT. The Age article of 31 January has the full story. We also note the comments by Mount Alexander Shire Mayor, Cr Janet Cropley, in The Saturday Age in relation to the VCGR’s approval of 65 new poker machines in Castlemaine despite solid community opposition.
I look forward to seeing you out and about. 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

Rates and revenue – the ongoing debate
The topic of rate pegging was discussed by mayors at the VLGA’s Essential Mayors Weekend a couple of weeks ago. Members may be interested to know that in New South Wales the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART) has recommended a maximum rate rise of 3.6 per cent for 2012/13. As a result, several local governments in NSW are planning to lobby the IPART to seek a larger increase. NSW is the only jurisdiction in Australia in which the State Government currently enforces formal restrictions on the percentage by which local governments may increase rates. There was a campaign by local governments under the Local Government and Shires Association of NSW to call for the abolition of rate pegging at the last State election. Local governments in NSW have indicated that rate pegging has long been causing problems for council budgets as the rate cap is not enough to cover normal annual cost increases, let alone the impact of population increases and escalating expenses such as increased services and infrastructure. The MAV publishes a local government CPI figure each year, which estimates the overall impact of increases in labour and materials costs. This figure for 2010/11 was 3.6 per cent. Juxtaposing the NSW situation to Victoria would mean that, overall, there would be no capacity to respond to population increases, higher demands for services and growing infrastructure needs. Rate pegging would impact adversely on all municipalities in Victoria, and particularly on rural local governments. A number of rural local governments have sought to address their infrastructure needs through higher than average rate increases. The VLGA supports the recommendations made by the Whelan Report to ensure the sustainability of rural local governments is maintained and protected. As the issue of rates raises its head in the Victorian context, especially with the focus on cost of living for Victorians, the VLGA strongly urges the Victorian Government to remember the Whelan Report, which they supported in Opposition – and to avoid the prospect of reduced services and infrastructure in rural communities through rate pegging.

The role of Government in public housing
Victorian Housing Minister Wendy Lovell has signalled that she is open to housing associations taking a bigger role in managing public housing. “Is government the right vehicle to look after public housing or should it be the housing associations?” she asked in this article in The Age on 31 January. The Minister indicated this question would be part of the State's review of “all aspects” of public housing. The review would also examine whether public tenants’ typical lifetime tenure could be replaced by “limited tenure”, and assess public rents. Last May, the Shadow Minister for Housing and Local Government Richard Wynne, in his post-Budget media release, said the Victorian Budget had failed Victorians because it contained:
* No new growth funding for building or acquiring public and social housing;
* The lowest target for upgrading public housing in a decade;
* The lowest target for assisting families at risk of homelessness through the Transitional Housing Management program in a decade;
* No projected improvement in the number of families being turned away from crisis accommodation services; and
* No projected improvement in the waiting times faced by families on the Early Housing Waiting List.
The VLGA understands that the Department of Human Services will be releasing a discussion paper seeking comment and submissions in the next few weeks, and we will keep members informed of developments. This issue will also be discussed at our upcoming Diverse and Affordable Housing Advisory Group meeting on Wednesday 22 February, 3.30-5pm. We encourage interested members to come along. The agenda will include security of tenure in public housing and stock transfers to community housing. For further information contact VLGA Policy Officer Jieh-Yung Lo via email or phone (03) 9349 7980.

VLGA Submission to the Coalition’s Policy Discussion Paper on Gambling Reform

Last week, the VLGA submitted our response to the Federal Coalition’s Policy Discussion Paper. The Discussion Paper focused on seven areas for comment, including Commonwealth policy, pre-commitment schemes, counselling and support services, self-exclusion programs, online gambling, credit facilities and advertising. In summary, the VLGA believes that as all levels of government are involved in contributing to the high costs associated with problem gambling, all levels of government should be involved in the reform discussion. Local governments incur significant costs assessing planning permits and making submissions to regulatory bodies, as well as supporting local community health and social programs. Interested members can view our response here. For more information contact Darren Ray via email.

Bang your drum! Reminder that entries close 17 February for the 2012 National Awards for Local Government

It’s not too late for local governments to complete an application if you want to get credit for excellent work in any of the following 16 areas: Active Arts; Asset and Financial Management; Energy Smart; Engaging and Strengthening Indigenous Communities; Excellence in Alcohol Management; Excellence in Road Safety; Improving Services to Remote Communities; Innovative Infrastructure Development; Innovation in Natural Resource Management; Land-Use Planning – Addressing Disaster Risk and Enhancing Resilience; Promoting Reconciliation; Regional Collaborations; Rural and Remote Health; Strength in Diversity; Women in Local Government; Youth Engagement and Participation. View this link for more detail.

Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll
The Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll will serve to formally acknowledge and celebrate the wide-ranging achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Victorians. The inaugural inductees will be publicly announced later this month. Minister for Aboriginal Affairs Jeanette Powell has said that “the annual Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll, the first of its kind in Australia, is set to be a permanent record of Indigenous Victorians’ contributions and achievements”. The VLGA congratulates the Victorian Government on this very important initiative and we are pleased to hear that 20 Indigenous Victorians will be inducted to the inaugural Roll at a special event on 17 February. Members wishing to know more about the Honour Roll can go here.

Urban Climate Justice Roundtable notes now available
On 29 November 2011, the VLGA jointly hosted the inaugural Urban Climate Justice Roundtable with Griffith, Curtin, Macquarie, Monash and RMIT Universities at Storey Hall in Melbourne. The aim of the roundtable was 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 was 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?
The event was well attended by a diverse cross-section of local government, community and other participants. Download the emerging themes and conversation maps from the workshop.

ACELG Future Focus on Local Government Regions
In their recent bulletin, the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) profiled their collaboration with the Northern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils on a study comparing the structures, operations and activities of various Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs) in New South Wales and similar groups in Western Australia. The report outlines the variety of ROCs (or council alliances) in the two states and suggests some future directions, including the greater use of ROCs by State and Federal Governments as an important channel for regional funding and consultation and as a mechanism to enhance local government performance. The report includes recommendations to explore appropriate legal and business structures for ROCs that allow for more efficient business operations, and how ROCs could provide a greater regional consultation function. Download the report from the ACELG website.

Call for Papers - Thriving Neighbourhoods 2012
12-14 November 2012, Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre
Papers and presentations are invited for Thriving Neighbourhoods 2012 – an international conference on emerging approaches to the planning, design and management of local neighbourhoods that are set to radically improve health, social engagement, environmental quality, productivity and the sustainable prosperity of communities. Thriving communities have the resilience needed to adapt creatively to unexpected challenges such as climate change, population change, rapid technological change, social upheaval and economic crises. The complexity of the systems involved in creating thriving communities challenges researchers, planners, developers and managers. But the potential returns are massive. Papers and presentations are invited on research and practice related to the challenge of creating and supporting thriving neighbourhoods and communities. For submission themes, dates and other information, go to www.thrivingneighbourhoods.org.

New IAP2 Training 6 & 7 March in Melbourne – now open for online registration
The IAP2 Training Program offers a Certificate in Public Participation throughout Australasia, North America, Europe and Asia. The IAP2 Certificate in Public Participation consists of three modules:
* Planning for Effective Public Participation (2 days) – An interactive and experiential module that encourages students to explore their own challenges in community engagement with their facilitator and peers. Using examples and practical exercises, participants learn how to build realistic engagement plans.
* Communication for Effective Public Participation (1 day) – This course will provide an overview of the communication skills used by public participation practitioners, this module focuses on how to prepare and present information as a key part of engaging communities.
* Techniques for Effective Public Participation (2 days) – This two-day course provides an introduction to a range of practical tools and techniques for community engagement.

At the conclusion of the courses students will have learned tools and techniques that can be used at all levels of IAP2’s Public Participation Spectrum. Please note it is an IAP2 prerequisite that Module 1 is completed prior to attending Module 2 or 3. To register or to find out more about Module 1 go here.

VLGA Events

Being Deputy Mayor in the final council year
Thursday 9 February
5.30pm for 6pm start -9pm (incl. light refreshments)
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Last minute registrations for our event this week are still possible. 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 about late registrations please phone Sarah Colgan on (03) 9349 7983 or download the registration form.

March Leading Edge Forum: Local Governments and Alcohol in the Community
Thursday 1 March, from 6pm
Hosted by the City of Greater Geelong, City Hall, entry via Little Malop Street