VLGA President’s Message
Welcome to winter! Last Thursday, the VLGA met with Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell. We discussed the State Budget and the Green Light program, the Fire Services Levy and the Landfill Levy, the Minister’s decision to extend administration at Brimbank, and the need for more clarity around the development of the IBAC and where local government investigations will sit. Another important advocacy issue for the VLGA right now is the reform of the Victorian vocational education sector. A number of our members have contacted me about this matter and you can see more in an article below. On Wednesday afternoon, the VLGA hosted a Community Members Forum for our community chapter members. A large group enjoyed the facilitation of Mary Crooks from the Victorian Women’s Trust and we heard from Andrea Cook, a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, working on an ARC-funded research project on children’s independent mobility and active citizenship. We gained terrific insights into the things our members like most about the VLGA – such as our ‘agility’ in policy debate, our communication style and the diversity of our membership. We also learned some useful things about what you want to see more of and I feel we can capture those things quite quickly and easily. Thanks for all your contributions! Finally, before I sign off this week, I wanted to share with you a lovely story about Victoria’s Child Safety Commissioner, Bernie Geary, who spoke at the VLGA’s 2011 Annual General Meeting. Good on you Bernie – we really appreciate what you do for our community. 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
TAFE reforms concern local governments
A number of VLGA members have expressed strong concerns about the economic, social and educational implications of the reforms to TAFEs on their municipalities. The VLGA is aware of four local governments thus far that have resolved to advocate to the Victorian Government about the funding cuts to vocational education. Strong support has also come from the MAV State Council. A public meeting is being held in the Melbourne Town Hall on 20 June at 12 noon and we encourage concerned councillors to attend. The VLGA Board will also be considering this issue at their June meeting. This useful article, Victorian TAFE chaos: a lesson in how not to reform vocational education, from The Conversation, by Leesa Wheelahan, Associate Professor at the LH Martin Institute, University of Melbourne is worth a read.
Regulating dangerous consumptions: challenges for the new Victorian Gambling and Alcohol Regulator
Last Tuesday, our CEO Maree McPherson joined a panel at the Regulating Dangerous Consumptions forum hosted by Deakin University. Maree spoke about the VLGA’s Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG); the need for Victorians to see gambling as a public health issue like tobacco and alcohol consumption; and the concerns of many local governments about the impacts of increasing numbers of gaming machines being permitted by the Commission in vulnerable communities.
Online gambling review
The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy released an interim report on the review of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 last week. The report recommended the liberalisation of some online gambling and the introduction of a new regulatory system focused on harm minimisation. The VLGA, with support from LGWGOG, will be drafting a response to the interim report. To support the VLGA submission, we welcome ideas, recommendations, feedback and relevant case studies from your individual local governments and community groups. We believe the more feedback and case studies we receive, the stronger and more effective our submission will be. To submit comments and feedback, please contact VLGA Senior Policy Officer Jieh-Yung Lo via email or phone (03) 9349 7980 by COB Tuesday 12 June 2012.
Big Society?
The Centre for Policy Development has released an important report entitled Big Society and Australia by Dr James Whelan and colleagues. The report examines the consequences of initiatives introduced in the UK by the Cameron government which target the public sector. The findings and the implications for Australia are explored. The authors point to increasing interest in the ‘Big Society’ approach amongst Australian politicians. The VLGA is interested to hear members’ views on this topic.
Greater Shepparton hosts forum for women candidates
Congratulations to Greater Shepparton City Council and their Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee which has initiated a local event to encourage potential women candidates. The event is one element of Greater Shepparton’s action plan to implement the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter. The Think More Women for Local Government Information Session is on Wednesday 13 June 2012, from 6.45pm at the Council offices. Speakers include Cr Colleen Furlanetto of Strathbogie Shire, Mayor Alex Monk of Moira Shire and the Member for Shepparton and Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell.
Discover, explore & experience Hume!
Congratulations to Hume City Council and the tourism team on their Discover Your Own Backyard video featuring some of their local tourism attractions and residents. Great initiative!
Premier’s Sustainability Awards open
Entries are now open for the 10th anniversary year of the Premier’s Sustainability Awards. The Awards are an excellent opportunity for local governments to receive public recognition for innovation and leadership in sustainability and to encourage local communities to be recognised. Information sessions about the Awards and the application process will be held on Wednesday 13 June. To register your attendance email your name, organisation and preferred email address. You can download an entry kit from the Premier's Sustainability Awards website. Submissions close at 2pm on 13 July 2012. For further information contact James Selth on (03) 9668 5509 or via email.
Community initiatives to tackle Indigenous family violence
The VLGA congratulates the Victorian Government and Minister for Community Services, the Hon Mary Wooldridge on her announcement on Friday of $650,000 funding for the Community Initiative Fund grants for the Indigenous Family Violence Strategy. A full list of the successful projects can be found with the Minister’s media release online.
Reporting racism: what you say matters
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is running the Reporting racism: what you say matters survey which aims to learn about experiences of racism and racial and religious vilification in Victoria. This will help identify actions and solutions we can all take to help address racism and vilification. VEOHRC says it is important they capture as many experiences as they can and urge people to take the survey. You are not required to disclose your identity in order to fill in the survey. You can fill in the survey by going online and you can also download a hard copy of survey. This project has been developed in response to stakeholder feedback, research and complaints data and will inform VEOHRC’s input into the National Anti-Racism Strategy.
Environmental Design and Health
The Victorian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Planning tabled its report on Environmental Design and Public Health in Victoria on 24 May 2012. The report explores compelling evidence linking public health challenges to the planning and design of our urban environments and emphasises the importance of considering health in the design of our communities.
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 or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
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.
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
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.
Welcome to winter! Last Thursday, the VLGA met with Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell. We discussed the State Budget and the Green Light program, the Fire Services Levy and the Landfill Levy, the Minister’s decision to extend administration at Brimbank, and the need for more clarity around the development of the IBAC and where local government investigations will sit. Another important advocacy issue for the VLGA right now is the reform of the Victorian vocational education sector. A number of our members have contacted me about this matter and you can see more in an article below. On Wednesday afternoon, the VLGA hosted a Community Members Forum for our community chapter members. A large group enjoyed the facilitation of Mary Crooks from the Victorian Women’s Trust and we heard from Andrea Cook, a PhD candidate at the University of Melbourne, working on an ARC-funded research project on children’s independent mobility and active citizenship. We gained terrific insights into the things our members like most about the VLGA – such as our ‘agility’ in policy debate, our communication style and the diversity of our membership. We also learned some useful things about what you want to see more of and I feel we can capture those things quite quickly and easily. Thanks for all your contributions! Finally, before I sign off this week, I wanted to share with you a lovely story about Victoria’s Child Safety Commissioner, Bernie Geary, who spoke at the VLGA’s 2011 Annual General Meeting. Good on you Bernie – we really appreciate what you do for our community. 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
TAFE reforms concern local governments
A number of VLGA members have expressed strong concerns about the economic, social and educational implications of the reforms to TAFEs on their municipalities. The VLGA is aware of four local governments thus far that have resolved to advocate to the Victorian Government about the funding cuts to vocational education. Strong support has also come from the MAV State Council. A public meeting is being held in the Melbourne Town Hall on 20 June at 12 noon and we encourage concerned councillors to attend. The VLGA Board will also be considering this issue at their June meeting. This useful article, Victorian TAFE chaos: a lesson in how not to reform vocational education, from The Conversation, by Leesa Wheelahan, Associate Professor at the LH Martin Institute, University of Melbourne is worth a read.
Regulating dangerous consumptions: challenges for the new Victorian Gambling and Alcohol Regulator
Last Tuesday, our CEO Maree McPherson joined a panel at the Regulating Dangerous Consumptions forum hosted by Deakin University. Maree spoke about the VLGA’s Local Government Working Group on Gambling (LGWGOG); the need for Victorians to see gambling as a public health issue like tobacco and alcohol consumption; and the concerns of many local governments about the impacts of increasing numbers of gaming machines being permitted by the Commission in vulnerable communities.
Online gambling review
The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy released an interim report on the review of the Interactive Gambling Act 2001 last week. The report recommended the liberalisation of some online gambling and the introduction of a new regulatory system focused on harm minimisation. The VLGA, with support from LGWGOG, will be drafting a response to the interim report. To support the VLGA submission, we welcome ideas, recommendations, feedback and relevant case studies from your individual local governments and community groups. We believe the more feedback and case studies we receive, the stronger and more effective our submission will be. To submit comments and feedback, please contact VLGA Senior Policy Officer Jieh-Yung Lo via email or phone (03) 9349 7980 by COB Tuesday 12 June 2012.
Big Society?
The Centre for Policy Development has released an important report entitled Big Society and Australia by Dr James Whelan and colleagues. The report examines the consequences of initiatives introduced in the UK by the Cameron government which target the public sector. The findings and the implications for Australia are explored. The authors point to increasing interest in the ‘Big Society’ approach amongst Australian politicians. The VLGA is interested to hear members’ views on this topic.
Greater Shepparton hosts forum for women candidates
Congratulations to Greater Shepparton City Council and their Women’s Charter Alliance Advisory Committee which has initiated a local event to encourage potential women candidates. The event is one element of Greater Shepparton’s action plan to implement the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter. The Think More Women for Local Government Information Session is on Wednesday 13 June 2012, from 6.45pm at the Council offices. Speakers include Cr Colleen Furlanetto of Strathbogie Shire, Mayor Alex Monk of Moira Shire and the Member for Shepparton and Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell.
Discover, explore & experience Hume!
Congratulations to Hume City Council and the tourism team on their Discover Your Own Backyard video featuring some of their local tourism attractions and residents. Great initiative!
Premier’s Sustainability Awards open
Entries are now open for the 10th anniversary year of the Premier’s Sustainability Awards. The Awards are an excellent opportunity for local governments to receive public recognition for innovation and leadership in sustainability and to encourage local communities to be recognised. Information sessions about the Awards and the application process will be held on Wednesday 13 June. To register your attendance email your name, organisation and preferred email address. You can download an entry kit from the Premier's Sustainability Awards website. Submissions close at 2pm on 13 July 2012. For further information contact James Selth on (03) 9668 5509 or via email.
Community initiatives to tackle Indigenous family violence
The VLGA congratulates the Victorian Government and Minister for Community Services, the Hon Mary Wooldridge on her announcement on Friday of $650,000 funding for the Community Initiative Fund grants for the Indigenous Family Violence Strategy. A full list of the successful projects can be found with the Minister’s media release online.
Reporting racism: what you say matters
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is running the Reporting racism: what you say matters survey which aims to learn about experiences of racism and racial and religious vilification in Victoria. This will help identify actions and solutions we can all take to help address racism and vilification. VEOHRC says it is important they capture as many experiences as they can and urge people to take the survey. You are not required to disclose your identity in order to fill in the survey. You can fill in the survey by going online and you can also download a hard copy of survey. This project has been developed in response to stakeholder feedback, research and complaints data and will inform VEOHRC’s input into the National Anti-Racism Strategy.
Environmental Design and Health
The Victorian Parliamentary Standing Committee on Environment and Planning tabled its report on Environmental Design and Public Health in Victoria on 24 May 2012. The report explores compelling evidence linking public health challenges to the planning and design of our urban environments and emphasises the importance of considering health in the design of our communities.
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 or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Other Events
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.
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
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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