VLGA President’s Message
The VLGA held the first of our Campaign Training: Essential campaigning for local government elections sessions on Saturday and it was a fabulous day, with interactive discussion, great feedback and already some social media posts about the event. It’s not too late to register for next Saturday’s session on 28 April for everything you need to know about successful campaigning and what you need to do between now and Election Day. Congratulations to ALGWA (Vic) on their successful conference last week at Manningham. I really enjoyed seeing many of you there. Last week, the VLGA wrote to the Treasurer about the Fire Services Levy, seeking clarification on a number of matters that have been raised by our members directly with me or with our staff. The VLGA does not support collection of the Levy by local governments. In the event that local governments are directed to collect the Levy, we believe there are a range of issues which still need to be addressed, and you can see our letter here. I look forward to seeing you about the place this week. In the meantime, please don’t hesitate to give me a call on 0407 364 509, or drop me an email. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Adapting to new environments: opportunities to improve food security, agriculture and jobs growth in a region
On our recent regional tours a number of local governments have asked us for more information about growing regional employment in the food industry, especially in a changing climate. Our May Leading Edge Forum will be held in Morwell and we will hear from speakers including Dr Robert Faggian, Future Farming Research Division, DPI; Derek Robertson, Traralgon Factory Manager, Brancourts P/L; and Howard Vella, Manufacturing Manager – Morwell, from Lion. You can RSVP online by Monday 30 April or phone (03) 9349 7999, and you can see more details in the events section below.
Performance reporting in local government
Last Wednesday, Victoria’s Auditor-General tabled several reports in Parliament including a report on Performance Reporting in Local Government. The VLGA strongly supports the concept of accountability and the role that performance reporting plays in this context. As members know, we worked closely with the Essential Services Commission (ESC) in its development process and commended the ESC’s commitment to consultation with stakeholders and recognition that any new reporting system should involve a significant rationalisation of existing performance reporting requirements. We are pleased that the Auditor-General recognises the work undertaken by the ESC. In our view, performance reporting must take into account that local government is a level of democratic government accountable to its communities, not simply a service delivery agency. We feel that local government is generally doing a good job in maintaining and improving service delivery and significantly improving the identification and addressing of infrastructure maintenance in a climate of financial restraint and continued cost-shifting. The quality and variability of performance reporting will to some extent reflect that local governments have different goals and objectives and ever changing requirements from the State Government. There does need to be a continued recognition of the cost of performance reporting. It doesn’t seem to be a coincidence that two of the councils which are commended in the VAGO report as having made the most progress are large metropolitan, relatively well-resourced local governments. We look forward to working with the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office on the next stages of their performance reporting development process.
Category winners announced for 2012 National Awards for Local Government
Federal Minister for Local Government Simon Crean has announced the category winners of the 2012 National Awards for Local Government. The 27 category winners were judged by independent judging panels and include 11 winners from small local governments with fewer than 15,000 rateable properties. The VLGA congratulates Victorian local governments for their fabulous achievements – see the Minister’s website for details of award winners and commendations, including:
Cardinia, Frankston, Golden Plains, Indigo, Melbourne, Moreland, Northern Grampians, Stonnington, Towong, Wellington, and Yarra City.
City of Monash determined to change pokies legislation
The City of Monash has received a decision by the Victorian Commission for Gambling and Liquor Registration (VCGLR) in relation to a case for a further seven pokie machines to be introduced in Clayton. The additional machines are expected to extract an extra $1,719,694 per year from its residents of Clayton and surrounds. The City of Monash believes that if the Victorian Government is serious about protecting vulnerable communities, three changes to the Gambling Regulation Act 2003 are required. For more details, read the City of Monash media release.
Local Government Reform Fund projects – aligning capacity, strategy and sustainable outcomes
Across Victoria 20 local governments are actively participating in Local Government Victoria’s (LGV) Local Government Reform Fund projects. This Victorian State Government funded initiative (worth $1.5 million) is designed to assist local governments to improve their financial and resource management capabilities and business practices. The Local Government Reform Fund projects aim to deliver cost savings and process improvements to the sector and are overseen by a steering committee made up of LGV representatives, council CEOs and peak and professional associations.
Latest local government ABS information
The latest ABS statistics for local government were released on 12 April. The data includes regional population estimates and local government finance news in addition to other useful resources.
Scholarships now open – IWC Water Leadership Program
Scholarships for the 2012/13 round of the IWC Water Leadership Program are now open. Applications can be made online until 30 June 2012 and the next program will begin in December 2012. Designed for emerging water leaders at the project to middle management level, this program is customised for the water sector through sound research and collaboration with experienced industry practitioners. Several full, half and quarter merit-based scholarships are available in 2012 to Australian citizens and permanent residents of Australia.
Social Traders announces Round 3 of The Crunch
Social Traders is a not-for-profit organisation committed to the development and support of social enterprises in Australia, and they are pleased to announce that the third round of The Crunch, their flagship development initiative, will be held in 2012/13. In the previous rounds of The Crunch, Social Traders provided 15 early-stage social enterprises with support to undertake a feasibility assessment of their idea and develop a rigorous business plan, and the opportunity to access start-up funds.
Your organisation may be perfect for The Crunch if:
1. You have an idea that will achieve a social, environmental, cultural or economic community benefit for Victorians (and possibly others);
2. Achievement of the community-benefit purpose involves significant trading activity (selling goods or services to customers); and
3. Your plan is to direct the majority of any profits/surpluses back to your community-benefit purpose.
If you tick all three boxes, more information about The Crunch is available online. Applications close 3 July 2012.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
Campaign Training: Essential campaigning for local government elections
Saturday 28 April, 9am-5pm
60L meeting rooms, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
This full-day training program has been specifically designed for anybody considering standing for election in October 2012. Everything you need to know about successful campaigning, including:
* Communications basics and beyond – strategies to assert your points of difference
* Media basics and beyond – what the media and voters want to know
* Preferences and voting
* Tips for 150-word candidate statements
* Street stalls and doorknocking
* What you need to do between now and Election Day
Registration form and program available on the VLGA website.
Pokies Assessments: a ‘how to’ short course
Monday 30 April or Thursday 3 May, 9.30am-4pm
60L meeting rooms, 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, ‘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. Download the flyer, program and registration form from the VLGA website.
Leading Edge Forum – Adapting to new environments: opportunities to improve food security, agriculture and jobs growth in a region
Thursday 3 May, 6-9pm
Nambur Wariga Meeting Room, Latrobe City Council HQ, 141 Commercial Road, Morwell
We invite you to join us in the City of Latrobe to learn how the Gippsland region is generating employment in the food industry, feeding the nation, and forecasting for the future. Hear from speakers including Dr Robert Faggian, Future Farming Research Division, DPI; Derek Robertson, Traralgon Factory Manager, Brancourts P/L; and Howard Vella, Manufacturing Manager – Morwell, from Lion. RSVP online by Monday 30 April or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
Friends of Alieu 12th Anniversary Dinner
4 May, 7pm
Hume Global Learning Centre, 1093 Pascoe Vale Rd, Broadmeadows
In association with the Melbourne East Timor Activity Centre, the Friends of Aileu invite you to join them for their 12th Anniversary Dinner with a traditional East Timorese banquet. Entry is by donation. For more information and to book, contact Richard Brown on 0407 091 004.
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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