Readers may have noticed the ‘debate’ in the Sunday Herald Sun of 5 March about local government. Liam Houlihan, the Sunday Herald Sun’s Chief of Staff advocated abolishing local government altogether, while John Roskam from the Institute of Public Affairs proposed that local governments be broken up into smaller units in order to be closer to the community. The VLGA received a number of approaches requesting that the peak bodies respond. We have produced an opinion piece which we sought to have published by the Sunday Herald Sun and will submit to other relevant media outlets. While the VLGA encourages debate about good governance, community responsiveness and efficient service delivery, we are deeply concerned about the shallow and superficial offerings published in the Sunday Herald Sun. The VLGA is always keen to promote the sector and refute unwarranted criticism. I would certainly welcome your views on this. Have a wonderful Harmony Day this week. Many VLGA member local governments will be celebrating Harmony Day with this year’s theme of ‘Sport - play, engage, inspire’ which recognises the important role and positive influence that sport has in our multicultural nation, and how sport can unite people of all ages and fosters a sense of acceptance and understanding of other cultures. 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
Charter of Human Rights a core part of our democracy
Last week the VLGA welcomed the Victorian Government’s decision to retain the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities and its commitment to protecting the rights of all Victorians. We look forward to working with the Victorian Government to continue supporting local governments to provide leadership on human rights issues in Victoria. You can see our media release to see more about what we had to say.
VLGA welcomes organic and other waste funding for regions
On Thursday the VLGA welcomed the announcement by Environment and Climate Change Minister, Ryan Smith, of Victorian Government funding to assist reduction of food waste and organics ending up in landfills across the State through a $5.5 million package to be administered through Sustainability Victoria. The VLGA has encouraged the State Government to assist local governments to reduce organics in landfill. Aside from public lighting, emissions from landfill can be one of the greatest environmental issues for local governments. We are keen to hear more from the Minister about how metropolitan local governments can reduce organic waste in landfill and whether there will be a further announcement of funds to support them. You can view our media release here.
Constitutional Recognition of Local Government
A number of VLGA members have asked us about the status of the campaign for constitutional recognition of local government. The VLGA understands that the Federal Minister for Local Government Simon Crean is placing considerable weight on the outcome of a case currently before the High Court, Commonwealth v Williams and Others, stating it may have a substantial impact on how the issue of constitutional recognition of local government goes forward. To keep you up to date, we refer members to the latest information on this topic in a recent ALGA newsletter.
Good Governance Grab – Final year of term
Councils are now well into their last year of this term. While their formal focus is on delivering the Council Plan and the 2011/12 Budget, the reality is that the last year of the term brings on extra pressures. How to make this year as productive and as pleasant as possible is a challenge facing all councils, and has prompted questions from some of our members. See our latest Good Governance Grab on the challenges of the final year of the term.
Successful ‘Think women’ forum in Hobsons Bay
Last Thursday evening, around 30 women attended the Think women for local government forum at the Hobsons Bay Civic Centre. Guest speaker was Lynne Kosky, a Minister in the former Victorian Government, who shared her personal journey of becoming an elected representative. A panel discussion facilitated by Hobsons Bay’s Cr Luba Grigorovitch included contributions from Cr Kim McAliney, Mayor Wyndham; Cr Sarah C
arter from Maribyrnong; and Cr Angela Altair also from Hobsons Bay. The VLGA thanks Hobsons Bay for hosting this event.(Pictured L-R: Wyndham Mayor Kim McAliney; Hobsons Bay Cr Luba Grigorovitch; Lynne Kosky; Hobsons Bay Cr Angela Altair; and Maribyrnong Cr Sarah Carter)
Property Council of Australia’s National Planning Report Card released
VLGA members will be interested to learn that the Property Council of Australia’s 2012 National Planning Report Card was released last Thursday. The report states that while Victoria has had positive reforms such as the State Planning Policy Framework and the Victoria Planning Permit Activity Reporting System, a further focus is needed to provide more resources to VCAT and clearer direction in determining where high density development is located and how it is assessed. See the full recommendations for Victoria. In the VLGA’s submission to the Victorian Government’s review of the overall planning system we said that while the planning system is not fundamentally broken, significant reforms are required if it is to become more efficient and effective. Our submission argued the importance of ongoing community engagement, the integration of strategic land use planning with transport planning, adequate resourcing for local governments, especially small rural shires to manage planning schemes and a more comprehensive and congruent approach to strategic planning. We look forward to further discussions with the Minister for Planning about Victoria’s planning system.
What should we do about climate change?
Members may recall that last November, 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. In last week’s edition of The Conversation, David Schlosberg, Professor of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney says, “we can’t prevent climate change so what should we do?” In the article, Prof Schlosberg discusses the governance complexities of climate change and how to ‘distribute the burden’ in a socially just manner.
Public consultations on developing a national anti-racism strategy
The Australian Human Rights Commission and its partner agencies are holding public consultations around Australia over the next few months as part of developing the National Anti-Racism Strategy. The aim of the Strategy is to promote a clear understanding in the Australian community of what racism is and how it can be prevented and reduced. The Australian Government committed to developing a National Anti-Racism Strategy as part of Australia’s multicultural policy, The People of Australia. It is anticipated that the Strategy will be launched in July 2012 and implemented between 2012 and 2015. The Commission will be holding its Melbourne consultation on Friday 30 March, 10am-12pm in the Temlee Room, The Meadows, 80 Northcorp Blvd, Broadmeadows. There is no cost to attend the consultation but you must register as spaces are limited. To register, send an email or phone 1800 620 241 (TTY). Please advise when registering if you have any accessibility requirements or require an interpreter.
United Nations Association of Australia (Vic) – Business and Human Rights workshops
Embedding respect for human rights into business practices is critical for risk management and the achievement of corporate sustainability objectives. In the face of legal, operational, commercial and reputational risks, business leaders are taking proactive steps to implement human rights policies, risk assessment and management strategies in core business and throughout supply chains. This workshop series will provide participants with an understanding of the essential strategies and tools needed to develop and implement a corporate human rights policy and establish a human rights due diligence process in their own organisation. The workshops are designed for business, government, investor and NGO professionals responsible or accountable for corporate governance, CSR and human rights, as well as those working in corporate strategy/affairs, human resources, supply chain management, sustainability/environment, ethical investment, legal, compliance and risk management, and community engagement. 10th Anniversary of the Melbourne Awards
The Melbourne Awards celebrate the people and organisations whose vision and hard work shapes our city. Now in its tenth year, the Melbourne Awards honour a diverse range of contributions, focusing on individuals, community organisations and corporations who give their time selflessly for the benefit of our city. Three areas have been identified by the City of Melbourne as vital elements for securing Melbourne’s future as a thriving, forward thinking capital city. The awards honour significant contributions to Melbourne’s profile, community and sustainability. Within each of these areas, winners will be recognised within three separate divisions resulting in a total of nine award categories. Nominations close on 28 March. To get your nomination started please visit www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/melbourneawards or call 9658 9658 for more information.
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 online by Monday 26 March 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.
Sustainable Communities Forum for Local Government
Friday 30 March, 9.30am-4.00pm
Zinc @ Federation Square
The City of Melbourne and ICLEI Oceania are hosting a forum for local government focused on enabling sustainable communities, through innovative policy solutions and collaboration between key stakeholders. The Forum follows the C40 Workshop on Sustainable Communities and is aiming to inform and engage a wider audience of the workshop outcomes and to develop a local response for Australian local government. RSVP via email to Kim Lecerf by 5pm Friday 23 March.
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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