VLGA President’s Message
The VLGA’s thoughts are with everyone in Latrobe, Wellington and East Gippsland dealing with the flooding last week, and with the clean-up operations. There is never a dull moment in local government, and one of us somewhere in the State is dealing with an operation of this scale much of the time. On Tuesday, I had the honour of presiding over the Think women for local government 2012 media launch at Parliament House with Ministers Mary Wooldridge and Jeanette Powell. It was a terrific launch and along with the Ministers we heard from Cr Stefanie Perri, Mayor of Monash, Cr Diane Blackwood, Mayor of Baw Baw, and Cr Sue McMillan, former Mayor of Knox. You can see us in the picture above. View Minister Powell’s media release for the event here. There is also a great story from Cr Yvonne Jennings from Swan Hill on page 19 in the Autumn-Winter edition of the Rural Women’s Network magazine. On Thursday night the VLGA hosted our Reconciliation Week Leading Edge Forum; From little things…stories from the sector which can be viewed on web cast. It was a great event attracting many members and friends and I enjoyed seeing you there. Finally, our CEO Maree McPherson and I met with Public Transport Victoria’s Chair and Chief Executive Ian Dobbs to discuss the role of local government in advocacy for better public transport and infrastructure. I hope you had a relaxing long weekend. 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
2012 Queen's Birthday Honours
The VLGA congratulates all our members and friends who received recognition in the Queen's Birthday Honours yesterday. We congratulate current councillors who received Orders of Australia, Mary Fraser of Towong and Jean Wise of Yarriambiack, and Public Service Medal recipient Latrobe City CEO Paul Buckley. We also congratulate VLGA community chapter member and former Mayor of Northcote, David Redfearn OAM, and our friend Mary Crooks AO. Former local government councillors to be recognised in yesterday's Honours with Orders of Australia include Russell Bate (Mansfield); Peter Byrne (Mildura); Bruce Campbell (Bass Coast); Gerard Petrie (Kew); Gil Sheppard (East Gippsland); and Kristin Stegley (Bayside). Former Horsham Rural City Council CEO Kerryn Shade was also awarded a PSM. Well done to all of you! If VLGA members know of anyone else who was honoured that we haven't yet heard about, please let us know.
Election preparation advice from the Inspectorate
We noted that in last week’s Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate newsletter, the Inspectorate has already commenced preparations for the local government elections being held in October. Chief Municipal Inspector David Wolf said that “even if someone isn’t elected, there are significant obligations that must be met to ensure an open and transparent election process”. Part 3 of the Local Government Act stipulates the requirements of candidates and councils during election periods.
Shepparton leads election outreach to the community
Congratulations to the City of Greater Shepparton – not only are they hosting their Think More Women for Local Government Information Session tomorrow night, but on 20 June they will host a special Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Council Election Information Session, and on 27 June, another special Aboriginal Community Council Election Information Session. These initiatives demonstrate outreach to the diverse communities within Shepparton and surrounds, and include a co-operative effort with councillors from other municipalities. Well done!
Don’t forget the survey!
Don’t forget: your local government was recently asked to complete the Victorian Local Government Aboriginal Engagement and Reconciliation Survey by the Hon Jeanette Powell, Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. The survey was emailed by Local Government Victoria, and needs to be submitted by 22 June, so if your local government hasn’t yet responded, it’s time!
Sally Isaac Memorial Scholarship Fund
Applications for the Sally Isaac Memorial Scholarship Fund Award are now open. This year the $10,000 award has been broadened with applications open to all women aged 35 years and under who have demonstrated achievements in improving community life in the following areas: Local government; Social justice; Aboriginal affairs and Reconciliation; Arts and music; Community health; Culturally and linguistically diverse communities; Urban planning; or the Environment. The award is being facilitated through LG Pro with the winner announced at the LG Pro's annual Women's Network Dinner to be held on Thursday 26 July. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia. The successful recipient will use the scholarship to further her education by undertaking a component of a relevant tertiary course within Australia or at an overseas educational institution.
More on planning Melbourne’s future
The Victorian government is preparing a new Metropolitan Planning Strategy to manage growth and change. The strategy will cover a number of areas, including housing, people, transport, economic growth, environmental protection and infrastructure. Fact Sheets and Online Forums are now available online and ready for you to have your say. To find out more, visit the Plan Melbourne website or log on to Twitter or YouTube.
More on planning Victoria’s coasts
As reported in the media last week, Minister for Planning Matthew Guy, released a response to the Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee report on land use planning mechanisms to address the coastal impacts of climate change. The response is intended to provide opportunities for councils and communities to familiarise themselves with its recommendations prior to state planning policy changes later this month.
More on planning permit applications
In a busy week, the Minister for Planning also introduced into parliament legislation which will enable the fast-track assessment of applications for minor subdivisions, building fences, managing vegetation, erecting a pergola, development in a flood risk area and erecting small advertising signs in a residential zone. Local councils and communities will no doubt be eager to understand how this process will work. The VLGA will provide further analysis once the legislation is available.
Federal funding for heating costs
Last Wednesday, the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Mayor Genia McCaffery welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to provide a one-off grant to support local communities with heating costs. Mark Dreyfus, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, said $24 million will be used to establish a Local Government Energy Efficiency Program to help local councils install solar or heat pump hot water systems in community facilities. Mayor McCaffery said “the funding allocation available to each council will be dependent on size and while the guidelines are still being finalised as part of consultations in developing the Program, it’s understood that small and rural councils can apply for $25,000; medium and regional councils can apply for $40,000; and metropolitan and large regional councils can apply for $73,000”.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
July Leading Edge Forum: Resilient Cities: What ingredients are needed to support sustainable urban change?
Thursday 5 July, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
We invite you to join us for this practical and informative Leading Edge Forum which will look at how local governments can facilitate sustainable urban change and help build resilient communities for the future. Featuring presentations from three diverse speakers, the forum will share current best practice approaches in integration, community engagement and sustainable development. RSVP online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
UNAA Business & Human Rights Workshop 3
Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence: Assessment and integration of human rights impacts
Thursday 21 June, 9am-1pm
Hosted by Allens, 101 Collins St, Melbourne
This workshop, part of a series, invites professionals from diverse backgrounds wanting to learn more about business and human rights and how to apply the UN Guiding Principles in practice. The workshops build capacity to monitor and manage corporate human rights impacts and risks, and provide practical guidance on how to integrate human rights considerations into everyday business practices. Registration is essential by 15 June. More information and online registration here.
Place School Masterclass 2012; Creating great and resilient communities for turbulent times
Friday 22 June
DLA Piper, Level 21, 140 William St Melbourne
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.
The VLGA’s thoughts are with everyone in Latrobe, Wellington and East Gippsland dealing with the flooding last week, and with the clean-up operations. There is never a dull moment in local government, and one of us somewhere in the State is dealing with an operation of this scale much of the time. On Tuesday, I had the honour of presiding over the Think women for local government 2012 media launch at Parliament House with Ministers Mary Wooldridge and Jeanette Powell. It was a terrific launch and along with the Ministers we heard from Cr Stefanie Perri, Mayor of Monash, Cr Diane Blackwood, Mayor of Baw Baw, and Cr Sue McMillan, former Mayor of Knox. You can see us in the picture above. View Minister Powell’s media release for the event here. There is also a great story from Cr Yvonne Jennings from Swan Hill on page 19 in the Autumn-Winter edition of the Rural Women’s Network magazine. On Thursday night the VLGA hosted our Reconciliation Week Leading Edge Forum; From little things…stories from the sector which can be viewed on web cast. It was a great event attracting many members and friends and I enjoyed seeing you there. Finally, our CEO Maree McPherson and I met with Public Transport Victoria’s Chair and Chief Executive Ian Dobbs to discuss the role of local government in advocacy for better public transport and infrastructure. I hope you had a relaxing long weekend. 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
2012 Queen's Birthday Honours
The VLGA congratulates all our members and friends who received recognition in the Queen's Birthday Honours yesterday. We congratulate current councillors who received Orders of Australia, Mary Fraser of Towong and Jean Wise of Yarriambiack, and Public Service Medal recipient Latrobe City CEO Paul Buckley. We also congratulate VLGA community chapter member and former Mayor of Northcote, David Redfearn OAM, and our friend Mary Crooks AO. Former local government councillors to be recognised in yesterday's Honours with Orders of Australia include Russell Bate (Mansfield); Peter Byrne (Mildura); Bruce Campbell (Bass Coast); Gerard Petrie (Kew); Gil Sheppard (East Gippsland); and Kristin Stegley (Bayside). Former Horsham Rural City Council CEO Kerryn Shade was also awarded a PSM. Well done to all of you! If VLGA members know of anyone else who was honoured that we haven't yet heard about, please let us know.
Election preparation advice from the Inspectorate
We noted that in last week’s Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate newsletter, the Inspectorate has already commenced preparations for the local government elections being held in October. Chief Municipal Inspector David Wolf said that “even if someone isn’t elected, there are significant obligations that must be met to ensure an open and transparent election process”. Part 3 of the Local Government Act stipulates the requirements of candidates and councils during election periods.
Shepparton leads election outreach to the community
Congratulations to the City of Greater Shepparton – not only are they hosting their Think More Women for Local Government Information Session tomorrow night, but on 20 June they will host a special Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Council Election Information Session, and on 27 June, another special Aboriginal Community Council Election Information Session. These initiatives demonstrate outreach to the diverse communities within Shepparton and surrounds, and include a co-operative effort with councillors from other municipalities. Well done!
Don’t forget the survey!
Don’t forget: your local government was recently asked to complete the Victorian Local Government Aboriginal Engagement and Reconciliation Survey by the Hon Jeanette Powell, Minister for Local Government and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs. The survey was emailed by Local Government Victoria, and needs to be submitted by 22 June, so if your local government hasn’t yet responded, it’s time!
Sally Isaac Memorial Scholarship Fund
Applications for the Sally Isaac Memorial Scholarship Fund Award are now open. This year the $10,000 award has been broadened with applications open to all women aged 35 years and under who have demonstrated achievements in improving community life in the following areas: Local government; Social justice; Aboriginal affairs and Reconciliation; Arts and music; Community health; Culturally and linguistically diverse communities; Urban planning; or the Environment. The award is being facilitated through LG Pro with the winner announced at the LG Pro's annual Women's Network Dinner to be held on Thursday 26 July. Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents of Australia. The successful recipient will use the scholarship to further her education by undertaking a component of a relevant tertiary course within Australia or at an overseas educational institution.
More on planning Melbourne’s future
The Victorian government is preparing a new Metropolitan Planning Strategy to manage growth and change. The strategy will cover a number of areas, including housing, people, transport, economic growth, environmental protection and infrastructure. Fact Sheets and Online Forums are now available online and ready for you to have your say. To find out more, visit the Plan Melbourne website or log on to Twitter or YouTube.
More on planning Victoria’s coasts
As reported in the media last week, Minister for Planning Matthew Guy, released a response to the Coastal Climate Change Advisory Committee report on land use planning mechanisms to address the coastal impacts of climate change. The response is intended to provide opportunities for councils and communities to familiarise themselves with its recommendations prior to state planning policy changes later this month.
More on planning permit applications
In a busy week, the Minister for Planning also introduced into parliament legislation which will enable the fast-track assessment of applications for minor subdivisions, building fences, managing vegetation, erecting a pergola, development in a flood risk area and erecting small advertising signs in a residential zone. Local councils and communities will no doubt be eager to understand how this process will work. The VLGA will provide further analysis once the legislation is available.
Federal funding for heating costs
Last Wednesday, the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Mayor Genia McCaffery welcomed the Australian Government’s commitment to provide a one-off grant to support local communities with heating costs. Mark Dreyfus, Parliamentary Secretary for Climate Change and Energy Efficiency, said $24 million will be used to establish a Local Government Energy Efficiency Program to help local councils install solar or heat pump hot water systems in community facilities. Mayor McCaffery said “the funding allocation available to each council will be dependent on size and while the guidelines are still being finalised as part of consultations in developing the Program, it’s understood that small and rural councils can apply for $25,000; medium and regional councils can apply for $40,000; and metropolitan and large regional councils can apply for $73,000”.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
July Leading Edge Forum: Resilient Cities: What ingredients are needed to support sustainable urban change?
Thursday 5 July, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
We invite you to join us for this practical and informative Leading Edge Forum which will look at how local governments can facilitate sustainable urban change and help build resilient communities for the future. Featuring presentations from three diverse speakers, the forum will share current best practice approaches in integration, community engagement and sustainable development. RSVP online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
UNAA Business & Human Rights Workshop 3
Corporate Human Rights Due Diligence: Assessment and integration of human rights impacts
Thursday 21 June, 9am-1pm
Hosted by Allens, 101 Collins St, Melbourne
This workshop, part of a series, invites professionals from diverse backgrounds wanting to learn more about business and human rights and how to apply the UN Guiding Principles in practice. The workshops build capacity to monitor and manage corporate human rights impacts and risks, and provide practical guidance on how to integrate human rights considerations into everyday business practices. Registration is essential by 15 June. More information and online registration here.
Place School Masterclass 2012; Creating great and resilient communities for turbulent times
Friday 22 June
DLA Piper, Level 21, 140 William St Melbourne
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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