Again our thoughts go to our colleagues in flood-affected areas, and as the flood waters recede from Nathalia we send our best wishes to everyone at Moira Shire. The amount of water covering the countryside was very evident as our CEO, Maree McPherson and I drove through on our way to visit VLGA members at the Indigo Shire last week. More information about assistance to local governments can be found here. On Friday, Commonwealth Attorney-General Nicola Roxon and Deputy Premier and Minister for Police and Emergency Services Peter Ryan announced additional support for flood-affected communities under Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements. On behalf of the VLGA, I would like to acknowledge the 2012 inductees to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women. The VLGA congratulates all 24 women inducted to the 2012 Honour Roll – their achievements are worth reading about and you can find out more about these fabulous women here. I especially acknowledge these inductees for their contributions:
* VLGA life member and former Senator, Lyn Allison – an outspoken campaigner on women's issues, elected to the Australian Parliament in 1996, and in 2004 became leader of the Australian Democrats;
* VLGA member Cr Yvonne Jennings of Swan Hill Rural City Council – a champion of women’s participation in local government, former Mayor and current Deputy Mayor;
* Amara Hamid – a passionate supporter of refugees and an advocate for women’s leadership for culturally and linguistically diverse communities, Amara is an officer at the City of Monash; and
* Fiona Smith – a former judge of the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter Awards.
Pictured is Cr Yvonne Jennings with VLGA CEO Maree McPherson and VLGA Life Member Lyn Allison at the Honour Roll event at Queen’s Hall, Parliament House last week.
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
Employment opportunity at the VLGA – Director Policy
The VLGA is seeking a Director Policy. As part of our Executive Management Team, the Director Policy is responsible for the leadership of the policy and project staff group. Applications close 5pm, Monday 19 March 2012. To be eligible for consideration, you must address the key selection criteria which can be found by viewing the position description on our website. For more information contact Maree McPherson, CEO, via email.
Mea culpa! VLGA congratulates 2012 LGPro Awards winners
Congratulations to the VLGA member local governments we mentioned in last week’s eNews, but we neglected to mention the Innovative Management Initiative winner – the North East Victoria Councils, North East Regional Development Scheme (NERDS), managed by Indigo Shire Council. Well done! To see more information about the Awards, you can go to the LGPro website.
Human Rights Charter review response due
The VLGA notes that the Victorian Government is due in the next few days to make its decision on the future of the Victorian Charter of Human Rights, in response to the State Parliament’s Scrutiny of Acts and Regulations Committee (SARC) review of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006. In July last year, the VLGA presented evidence to the SARC review, and provided a written submission. In December we wrote to Premier Baillieu regarding the review of the Charter incorporating the comments of a number of our member local governments who had also responded to the review.
Ombudsman to monitor local governments
VLGA members will be interested to learn that the Victorian Government will, before the government's introduction of an Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission, transfer the powers of the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate to the Ombudsman. According to an article in The Age over the weekend the minister responsible for the establishment of IBAC, Andrew McIntosh, said the Ombudsman will be given expanded jurisdiction to monitor Victoria’s 79 local governments. The VLGA understands that the Ombudsman, like the inspectorate, will investigate councillors and senior staff for breaches against the Local Government Act. Apparently the Ombudsman will not prosecute cases – prosecutions will be undertaken by Victoria Police or the Office of Public Prosecutions.
‘Tomorrow’s Library’ landmark review launched
Tomorrow’s Library, a consultation being conducted as part of a two year landmark review on the current and future roles of public libraries, was launched in Bendigo on Monday 5 March by the Chair of the bi-partisan Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries (MAC), David Morris MP (pictured), and Deputy Chair, Joanne Duncan MP. The event marked the beginning of a three-month consultation period and the start of the Tomorrow’s Library Roadshow. The Roadshow will provide an opportunity for the public library sector, local governments and the broader community to inform and shape the future of our public libraries. A discussion paper has been released for local governments and regional library corporations, and submissions are open until 31 May 2012. Community consultations will commence in April where individ
uals can respond to an online survey. Individuals can also join the conversation online now by connecting with Tomorrow’s Library on Facebook and Twitter. For further details go to www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/tomorrows-libraryor www.facebook.com/tomorrowslibrary
or www.twitter.com/2morrowslibrary.
Successful WILD forum in Geelong
Last Monday evening, around 50 women from across Geelong and district attended the ‘Women in Local Democracy’ (WILD) forum at Courthouse Arts. The forum was aimed at encouraging more women to run for council and other public leadership roles. The key note speaker was Gayle Tierney, Member for Western Victoria. The forum also included a panel comprising City of Greater Geelong Councillors Jan Farrell and Kylie Fisher and Surf Coast Shire Councillors Libby Mears and Rose Hodge. The forum was an initiative that stemmed from Geelong City Council’s adoption of the Women’s Charter in 2010, and was held as a precursor to a workshop for women candidates the City is hosting in May. The VLGA’s Women’s Policy Officer Linda Bennett will present the workshop for women candidates on 7 May as part of the Think women for local government 2012 project. Congratulations to all involved.
A Safer Bet – film competition for Responsible Gambling Awareness Week
All young creative people and aspiring film-makers (aged 18-29 years) have an opportunity to show their talents on an important community issue. Young people are being asked to develop a 30-second advertisement for television and cinema screens on taking a responsible approach to gambling. The finalist will also be shown at a Melbourne Youth Forum and Village Cinemas prior to films shown during Responsible Gambling Awareness Week (RGAW) in May 2012. As a means of prevention and early intervention, young people are a particular focus for RGAW 2012. Judges are looking for fresh, effective and well-targeted ideas to get the message across to young people about gambling responsibly. Go online for the full creative brief and an entry form.
Planning for Healthier Growth report
In November 2011, the University of Melbourne and the Brotherhood of St Laurence hosted the ‘Planning for Healthier Growth Workshop’. Now available online is the Planning for Healthier Growth: how can Metropolitan strategic planning address social infrastructure gaps in middle and outer suburban Melbourne? summary report along with the presentations from the day. See the report and presentations on the Brotherhood of St Laurence website. For more information contact Ilaisipa Paumolevuka at the University of Melbourne’s Engagement and Partnerships Office on (03) 8344 9335.
Seeking tidy towns, clean beaches and sustainable cities
Entries for the Sustainable Cities and Clean Beaches Awards programs close on 11 April 2012 with the Tidy Towns – Sustainable Communities Awards closing on 11 May 2012. Local governments, community groups and organisations, schools and individuals can enter initiatives. There are up to 11 categories ranging from community action and leadership to waste management to efficient energy and water. For more information, including an information kit and entry forms, see the KABV information online or phone the Awards Program Coordinator on 03 8626 8750.
Conference to examine job options
Agribusiness Gippsland is helping stage the Gippsland Trades and Labour Council’s Gippsland Industries in Transition Conference on 3-4 April at Kernot Hall, Morwell. Deputy Premier Peter Ryan will open the first day proceedings and sessions will include expert speakers on topics such as the employment growth prospects in agriculture. Other sessions will discuss energy, manufacturing/maintenance, tourism and forestry. Co-sponsors include Latrobe City, the Regional Growth Fund, Monash and RMIT Universities, the Victorian Government, VECCI and the Gippsland Climate Change Network. For more information send an email.
Framlingham Aboriginal Community Tour
In partnership with Brunswick Neighbourhood House, you can visit sites, meet community members and hear stories, explore the Aboriginal-owned Framlingham Forest and inspect traditional eel traps. The next tour is being planned for 24-25 March and to book or find out more contact Kerri-Ann Tipping via email or go online.
VLGA Events
Leading Edge Forum – Future Waste: emerging issues and collaborations
Thursday 29 March, 6-9pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
We invite you to join us at our next Leading Edge Forum. Come along and hear the new CEO of Sustainability Victoria Stan Krpan outline his vision for SV, joining with Cr Heinz Kreutz, VLGA Board Member and Chair of the Metropolitan Waste Management Group, to talk about emerging synergies and opportunities for collaboration between the State Government and local governments. Agnieszka Kleparska from HealthWest Partnerships will showcase a terrific case study that saw western suburbs local governments collaborate on food security projects. Download the flyer and RSVP by Monday 26 March online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Pokies Assessments: a ‘how to’ short course
Monday 30 April or Thursday 3 May
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Everything you ever wanted to know about assessing the social and other impacts of pokies, and the context and history of pokies. This is the most comprehensive training program ever put together in Victoria and includes:
* Practical case studies, tools and guides
* Local Government Initiatives Marketplace – talk to people who’ve achieved results
* Gaming and planning processes
* Understanding community wellbeing
Designed for statutory and strategic planners, social and community planners, social researchers, health professionals and consultants, as well as councillors, this short course includes a comprehensive 120-page ‘step by step’ Training Manual. There will be two opportunities to attend this full-day training program (please choose one) – either Monday 30 April or Thursday 3 May at the VLGA. Cost is $245 VLGA Members and project contributors, $275 for non-members. Download the flyer, program and registration form from the VLGA website.
Other Events
Social Enterprise and Community Building in Sport – National Conference
26-27 March
Angliss Conference Centre, Cnr King & Latrobe Sts, Melbourne
Exploring social enterprise, social capital, and community building through sport. Find out more about this conference and see the program here and register online.
Green Buildings – are they living up to expectations?
Wednesday 28 March, 5.30 for 6pm
Treasury Theatre, Lower Plaza, 1 Macarthur St, East Melbourne
An unfortunate trend to emerge in the built environment is that many buildings designed to meet a high rating often don’t reach the standard expected of them. Indeed, some fall dramatically short. This forum will examine four green building case studies, comparing their predicted performance with actual results to determine whether or not they are reaching their potential, and if not, ascertain the reasons why. Register online.
Local Government Forum – Sustainable Transport
Friday 30 March, 9.30-11.30am
Sustainability Victoria, Level 28, 50 Lonsdale St, Melbourne
Local governments can influence the sustainability of transport options for both their community and in their own operations. For rural local governments, fleet can account for over eighty per cent of their energy use. This forum looks at the latest theory for developing sustainable transport options. The forum will be webcast. RSVP essential by Tuesday 27 March, including for the webcast, via email.
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.
4th Annual Victorian Transport Infrastructure Conference
28-29 May
Melbourne Convention Exhibition Centre
Victoria is experiencing an infrastructure backlog to meet growing economic and community needs. The State Government has begun planning and investment to address the backlog and realise Victoria's potential. This conference will discuss the prioritisation, planning and delivery of critical transport infrastructure in Victoria.
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