VLGA President’s Message
Last week the VLGA publicly expressed our concern about a decision by Minister Powell to introduce legislation to extend the Administration of the Brimbank City Council through until March 2015. In September 2009, the VLGA advocated to the former State Labor Government for the return of elected representatives at the latest by October 2012, on the basis that the required organisational changes recommended in the Ombudsman's report would be put in place within that timeframe. Our strong preference is to see the people of Brimbank able to cast a vote in October 2012, just as the people of every other Victorian municipality will have the chance to do. The VLGA is calling on the Minister to give an undertaking to the people of Brimbank that the restoration of elected councillors be brought forward and ensure the newly appointed administrators achieve the required objectives in a shorter time frame. We will raise our concerns directly with Minister Powell when we meet with her at the end of the month. We have lots of news from our members this week, and I look forward to seeing you soon. Please don’t hesitate to email or give me a call on 0407 364 509. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Victorian Government’s response to the review of the Planning System
As reported in last week’s eNews, Planning Minister Matthew Guy released the Victorian Government’s response to the Initial Report of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on the Victorian Planning System. The report provided a number of key recommendations for the Victorian Government to consider and adopt. While the VLGA welcomes the Minister’s commitment to improve planning processes, we urge the Victorian Government to provide further information and clarity on the next steps of the review. We invite you to contact our CEO Maree McPherson via email if you have comments on the report. The VLGA will continue to keep members informed of our views, and the VLGA Board will consider the Government’s response at their May meeting.
‘Get it Right on Bin Night’
On Saturday, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith launched a new campaign to divert recyclable material from ending up in landfill. The ‘Get it Right on Bin Night’ campaign will ensure Melbourne residents are provided with practical information to improve the amount of household waste recycled on bin night, and is a partnership between the Victorian Government, Sustainability Victoria, the Metropolitan Waste Management Group, the Australian Packaging Covenant and metropolitan local governments. Through recent submissions, the VLGA has advocated for more funds to be spent on education campaigns to assist Victorians reduce their environmental impacts through better waste management.
From Tuscany to Victoria: Some Determinants of Sustainability Reporting by Local Councils
Local governments in Victoria may not have much in common with their equivalents in Tuscany, but in both regions there is a growing interest in sustainability reporting. From Tuscany to Victoria: Some Determinants of Sustainability Reporting by Local Councils is a collaboration between Dr Nick Sciulli from Victoria University, Melbourne, and Dr Giulio Greco and Professor Giuseppe D’Onza from Italy's University of Pisa. The study investigates what motivates Victorian and Tuscan local councils to introduce sustainability reporting. To find out more about the research, contact Dr Nick Sciulli on 03 9919 4424.
Monash pushes for pokies legislative reform
The VLGA is delighted that last Friday, at the MAV State Council meeting, Monash City Council’s call for change to pokies legislation was strongly supported by so many other local governments. Congratulations to Monash Mayor, Cr Stefanie Perri who was interviewed in a feature on Friday night’s ABC 7.30.
Strathbogie benefits from Expo
The 2012 Regional Victoria Living Expo ran for three days from 27-29 April, and many local governments from regional Victoria participated with displays and information about their communities. VLGA members and Strathbogie Shire Council have reported to us that the Expo has had a direct impact for them already – around 2,000 contacts were received on site, six sales of land and buildings have been made since the Expo, and a local estate agent has 15 new customers booked in for inspections as a direct result of the Expo. The Goulburn River and Ranges group of councils (Benalla, Murrindindi, Mitchell, and Strathbogie) won the Rural Councils Victoria top award for Collaboration of Councils at the Expo.
Hume Integrated Land Use and Transport Strategy
Hume City Council has finalised the Hume Integrated Land Use and Transport Strategy (HILATS) designed to tackle the major transport challenges in Hume which include:
* reducing carbon pollution
* ensuring transport is affordable despite increasing oil prices
* ensuring transport is accessible, especially for the disadvantaged in the community
* helping to create healthy active communities.
For further information, contact Hume’s Strategic Planning Department via email or phone on 9205 2200.
Darebin examines fast food
Darebin City Council is considering a differential rate for fast food restaurants. Darebin has the highest incidence of Type 2 diabetes in all of Victoria, and Council has agreed to investigate what it can do to improve residents’ health.
13th Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence
The VLGA congratulates all this years’ finalists and winners in the 13th Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence hosted by the Victorian Coastal Council on 26 April 2012. A snapshot of the Awards can be found here.
Call for papers – Racisms in the New World Order conference
Conference convenors are calling for papers for the Racisms in the New World Order: Realities of Culture, Colour and Identity conference, being held in Cairns in August. Proposals for paper presentations at the conference are invited from practitioners, researchers, policy makers, educators and academics, government and non-government services, community groups and individual community members from across Australia and internationally.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
June Leading Edge Forum: 'From little things... Stories from the sector'
Thursday 7 June, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
In partnership with co-host Reconciliation Victoria, we invite you to join us for this Reconciliation Week Leading Edge Forum, featuring representatives from three local governments who will share their stories of inspiring reconciliation projects in their communities. RSVP online by Monday 4 June or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities: a guide for government employees
Monday 4 June, 9.30am-12.30pm
Level 3, 204 Lygon St Carlton
Understanding human rights in Victoria will help you identify opportunities to improve your services and create opportunities for people to participate more fully in community life. For more details and to register go here.
Problem Gambling in the EMR: Addressing the social risk factors in our community
Thursday 7 June, 9am-12noon
Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley
The Inner East Primary Care Partnership invites you to find out about the emerging trends of gambling within the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR), prevention initiatives at a local level, early intervention, and treatment options and services. This forum is open to HACC services, education services, youth and family services, health promotion and social planners within local government, gamblers help services, community health services and anyone working within the EMR who has an interest in problem gambling prevention. See the Inner East PCP website for flyer and registration details.
Plans that Work
Wednesday 13 June, 4pm for 4.15pm start
Seminar Room 1, State Library of Victoria, Latrobe St, Melbourne
There’s a lot of cynicism around today about the effectiveness of urban planning. Many would have us believe that planning rarely achieves its objectives and usually results in nothing more than a tangle of red tape. This seminar will look at plans that made, and promise to make, a difference to quality of life, prosperity and environmental sustainability. RSVP via email or call Rebecca Stroud on (03) 8616 0331.
Place School Masterclass 2012
Friday 22 June, time TBA
Venue TBA
Village Well and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), a UK organisation for local economic development and local governance, are coming together to present an exciting and vital Masterclass in Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra. Email Village Well for more information or phone (03) 9032 3415.
Last week the VLGA publicly expressed our concern about a decision by Minister Powell to introduce legislation to extend the Administration of the Brimbank City Council through until March 2015. In September 2009, the VLGA advocated to the former State Labor Government for the return of elected representatives at the latest by October 2012, on the basis that the required organisational changes recommended in the Ombudsman's report would be put in place within that timeframe. Our strong preference is to see the people of Brimbank able to cast a vote in October 2012, just as the people of every other Victorian municipality will have the chance to do. The VLGA is calling on the Minister to give an undertaking to the people of Brimbank that the restoration of elected councillors be brought forward and ensure the newly appointed administrators achieve the required objectives in a shorter time frame. We will raise our concerns directly with Minister Powell when we meet with her at the end of the month. We have lots of news from our members this week, and I look forward to seeing you soon. Please don’t hesitate to email or give me a call on 0407 364 509. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Victorian Government’s response to the review of the Planning System
As reported in last week’s eNews, Planning Minister Matthew Guy released the Victorian Government’s response to the Initial Report of the Ministerial Advisory Committee on the Victorian Planning System. The report provided a number of key recommendations for the Victorian Government to consider and adopt. While the VLGA welcomes the Minister’s commitment to improve planning processes, we urge the Victorian Government to provide further information and clarity on the next steps of the review. We invite you to contact our CEO Maree McPherson via email if you have comments on the report. The VLGA will continue to keep members informed of our views, and the VLGA Board will consider the Government’s response at their May meeting.
‘Get it Right on Bin Night’
On Saturday, Environment and Climate Change Minister Ryan Smith launched a new campaign to divert recyclable material from ending up in landfill. The ‘Get it Right on Bin Night’ campaign will ensure Melbourne residents are provided with practical information to improve the amount of household waste recycled on bin night, and is a partnership between the Victorian Government, Sustainability Victoria, the Metropolitan Waste Management Group, the Australian Packaging Covenant and metropolitan local governments. Through recent submissions, the VLGA has advocated for more funds to be spent on education campaigns to assist Victorians reduce their environmental impacts through better waste management.
From Tuscany to Victoria: Some Determinants of Sustainability Reporting by Local Councils
Local governments in Victoria may not have much in common with their equivalents in Tuscany, but in both regions there is a growing interest in sustainability reporting. From Tuscany to Victoria: Some Determinants of Sustainability Reporting by Local Councils is a collaboration between Dr Nick Sciulli from Victoria University, Melbourne, and Dr Giulio Greco and Professor Giuseppe D’Onza from Italy's University of Pisa. The study investigates what motivates Victorian and Tuscan local councils to introduce sustainability reporting. To find out more about the research, contact Dr Nick Sciulli on 03 9919 4424.
Monash pushes for pokies legislative reform
The VLGA is delighted that last Friday, at the MAV State Council meeting, Monash City Council’s call for change to pokies legislation was strongly supported by so many other local governments. Congratulations to Monash Mayor, Cr Stefanie Perri who was interviewed in a feature on Friday night’s ABC 7.30.
Strathbogie benefits from Expo
The 2012 Regional Victoria Living Expo ran for three days from 27-29 April, and many local governments from regional Victoria participated with displays and information about their communities. VLGA members and Strathbogie Shire Council have reported to us that the Expo has had a direct impact for them already – around 2,000 contacts were received on site, six sales of land and buildings have been made since the Expo, and a local estate agent has 15 new customers booked in for inspections as a direct result of the Expo. The Goulburn River and Ranges group of councils (Benalla, Murrindindi, Mitchell, and Strathbogie) won the Rural Councils Victoria top award for Collaboration of Councils at the Expo.
Hume Integrated Land Use and Transport Strategy
Hume City Council has finalised the Hume Integrated Land Use and Transport Strategy (HILATS) designed to tackle the major transport challenges in Hume which include:
* reducing carbon pollution
* ensuring transport is affordable despite increasing oil prices
* ensuring transport is accessible, especially for the disadvantaged in the community
* helping to create healthy active communities.
For further information, contact Hume’s Strategic Planning Department via email or phone on 9205 2200.
Darebin examines fast food
Darebin City Council is considering a differential rate for fast food restaurants. Darebin has the highest incidence of Type 2 diabetes in all of Victoria, and Council has agreed to investigate what it can do to improve residents’ health.
13th Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence
The VLGA congratulates all this years’ finalists and winners in the 13th Victorian Coastal Awards for Excellence hosted by the Victorian Coastal Council on 26 April 2012. A snapshot of the Awards can be found here.
Call for papers – Racisms in the New World Order conference
Conference convenors are calling for papers for the Racisms in the New World Order: Realities of Culture, Colour and Identity conference, being held in Cairns in August. Proposals for paper presentations at the conference are invited from practitioners, researchers, policy makers, educators and academics, government and non-government services, community groups and individual community members from across Australia and internationally.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
June Leading Edge Forum: 'From little things... Stories from the sector'
Thursday 7 June, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
In partnership with co-host Reconciliation Victoria, we invite you to join us for this Reconciliation Week Leading Edge Forum, featuring representatives from three local governments who will share their stories of inspiring reconciliation projects in their communities. RSVP online by Monday 4 June or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
The Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities: a guide for government employees
Monday 4 June, 9.30am-12.30pm
Level 3, 204 Lygon St Carlton
Understanding human rights in Victoria will help you identify opportunities to improve your services and create opportunities for people to participate more fully in community life. For more details and to register go here.
Problem Gambling in the EMR: Addressing the social risk factors in our community
Thursday 7 June, 9am-12noon
Monash Civic Centre, 293 Springvale Road, Glen Waverley
The Inner East Primary Care Partnership invites you to find out about the emerging trends of gambling within the Eastern Metropolitan Region (EMR), prevention initiatives at a local level, early intervention, and treatment options and services. This forum is open to HACC services, education services, youth and family services, health promotion and social planners within local government, gamblers help services, community health services and anyone working within the EMR who has an interest in problem gambling prevention. See the Inner East PCP website for flyer and registration details.
Plans that Work
Wednesday 13 June, 4pm for 4.15pm start
Seminar Room 1, State Library of Victoria, Latrobe St, Melbourne
There’s a lot of cynicism around today about the effectiveness of urban planning. Many would have us believe that planning rarely achieves its objectives and usually results in nothing more than a tangle of red tape. This seminar will look at plans that made, and promise to make, a difference to quality of life, prosperity and environmental sustainability. RSVP via email or call Rebecca Stroud on (03) 8616 0331.
Place School Masterclass 2012
Friday 22 June, time TBA
Venue TBA
Village Well and the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES), a UK organisation for local economic development and local governance, are coming together to present an exciting and vital Masterclass in Melbourne, Adelaide and Canberra. Email Village Well for more information or phone (03) 9032 3415.
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