VLGA President’s Message
In the past few days, there has been an interesting and tense interplay between local government and the Victorian Farmers’ Federation. At the VLGA, we feel this highlights and adds weight to our argument that it’s time to review the local government sector in Victoria – there are many issues to be examined for our future governance, and one of those might be why we keep using a nineteenth century property tax to provide for twenty-first century people and property services. The Local Government Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2012 will continue the pattern of episodic amendment to the legislation without a comprehensive review. In fact, we think the proposed changes to differential rating may exacerbate the issue by having the potential to reduce even further the already limited capacity of councils to set rates at levels appropriate to meet their policy goals - the major reason that rates are levied - to deliver services and infrastructure for their communities. The VLGA sees the need for a Green Paper/White Paper process and we will keep advocating this to the Victorian Government. On a happier note, this week the VLGA welcomes our newest member local government – the Swan Hill Rural City Council. Swan Hill Rural City is principally an agricultural and horticultural region deriving its income from these industries and the businesses that service them. The municipality is bordered by the Murray River, Australia's greatest river, for over 300 kilometres and is highly dependent on it for irrigation, domestic and industrial water supplies as well as active and passive recreational pursuits. Swan Hill and Robinvale are the two largest service centres in the municipality; however a number of smaller towns such as Lake Boga, Manangatang, Nyah, Nyah West, Piangil, Ultima and Woorinen South offer a variety of lifestyles. VLGA members and friends enjoyed a stimulating Leading Edge Forum on Thursday evening – thanks to the large number of people who attended to hear about what makes Resilient Cities. You can watch the web cast here. Please don’t hesitate to email or give me a call on 0407 364 509 if there’s anything you wish to discuss. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Candidate workshops
The VLGA is offering some great activities for candidates in the upcoming 2012 local government elections, or for those who are interested and in the future – see the VLGA Events section below for more information on the Y Council? events in Melbourne and Bendigo, and the practical Candidate Workshop coming up on 9 August at the VLGA.
VLGA forums with international speaker in August!
The VLGA is bringing renowned international speaker, Tony Milne to Victoria in August. Tony is the National Manager of Public Health for the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand where he runs their local and central Government advocacy campaigns. Tony will be the keynote at our August Leading Edge Forum (see the VLGA Events section below). While in Melbourne, Tony will be delivering a workshop for local government officers and he will also do some specific work with VLGA staff. Tony's campaign work in and outside of the Problem Gambling sector led him to produce a booklet called Running and Winning Issue Campaigns - a simple 10 step plan. His booklet is designed as a simple 10 step plan for how groups or organisations might go about putting together a winning local campaign with and on behalf of the voiceless. As well as campaign work for The Problem Gambling Foundation, Tony spent several years working in Central Government for MPs and Ministers. He has worked on several political campaigns including as a volunteer for Barack Obama in Pennsylvania in 2008, Campaign Manager in 2010 for a Mayoral campaign in Christchurch and was the campaign co-ordinator for the successful Civil Union’s campaign in 2003.
VFF attacks local governments
Last week the Victorian Farmers Federation launched an extraordinary attack on local government, releasing a small survey of member’s views on municipal rates. Among allegations of waste and unnecessary spending, the VFF also criticised a group of Gippsland councils for undertaking research forecasting the impacts of climate change on the region and advised members to withhold payment of rates. This project was in fact the subject of a VLGA Leading Edge Forum held in Gippsland in May, and attracted wide interest and acclaim from the agribusiness community for its foresight. The Municipal Association of Victoria has rightly criticised the VFF survey and the attacks on councils. The VLGA believes this has been an unproductive way to address the budgetary challenges faced by rural and regional councils. It also fails to acknowledge how our sector works with communities. Councils engage with their local communities to frame rating strategies and develop budgets. The majority of rural councils have developed rating strategies which are designed to respond to the concerns of primary producers while ensuring council service provision meets community expectations.
Local governments act on TAFE and VET sector reform concerns
As we have noted in previous eNews bulletins, several VLGA member local governments have undertaken activity in their communities with regards to the reforms to funding in the TAFE and vocational education sectors. In addition to community forums, some members are carrying out their own analyses. The South East Councils starting from Kingston and going through to Bass Coast are undertaking research to demonstrate the economic and social impact of the TAFE/VET budget cuts. The research will take about 3 months to complete. Chisholm and Holmesglen TAFEs are still calculating the impact and this information will not be available until the end of the month/early August. Other local governments may be interested in this research model.
Vision Super – Defined Benefits Scheme
Last week’s Local Government Victoria newsletter provides some information on Vision Super and states that LGV and the Victorian Auditor General’s Office will provide guidance material on the appropriate treatment of the defined benefits liability in the Annual Financial Statements of councils.
Resilient Neighbourhoods
The Resilient Neighbourhoods project is continuing to engage with several local governments with a number of recent events including our Leading Edge Forum on 5 July, generating even more interest. If you haven't had a chance to attend one of our workshops but would like to share your experience and thoughts on what ingredients are needed to support resilient neighbourhoods, than another option is to complete our online survey. We'd love to hear from as many of you as possible so we can ensure the project delivers outcomes that will assist you and your community. Further information about the project can be found here or contact Micaela Drieberg on 9349 7999 or by email.
Mayors on Bikes 2012 – save the date!
In partnership with the Metropolitan Transport Forum and the City of Maribyrnong, this year’s VLGA Mayors on Bikes event will be held on 19 September from 10am around the inner city municipality of Maribyrnong. More information is on the way so stay tuned for your Mayor’s invitation to participate.
Census summaries for metropolitan suburbs
Census 2011 summaries of population and social conditions within all metropolitan Melbourne suburbs are now available via a partnership between the VLGA and Greater Dandenong City Council. Councillors, election candidates, local government officers and community members can use census summaries to get a snapshot of all suburbs in Melbourne. This information will be updated in early November, to include more detailed information about employment, occupations, industry and travel to work. It will also be expanded to include regional and rural suburbs and townships.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
Applying Human Rights Locally: Reporting what you are doing
Thursday 26 July, 9am-1pm
RMIT Building 13 (Emily McPherson Building), Level 3, Multipurpose Room, Cnr Victoria Parade and Russell St, Melbourne
RSVP 23 July!
A valuable workshop for local government officers who are charged with the responsibility to complete the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Annual Survey, and for local government managers or councillors with an interest in human rights at the local level. Facilitated by the Australian Centre for Human Rights Education and the VLGA, this practical workshop will focus on how to complete the Survey, considering both its requirements and the council approval process. To register, email or call 9349 7999.
‘Y’ Council?
Thursday 26 July, 5-7pm
Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, Melbourne
RSVP by 19 July
AND
Thursday 9 August, 5-7pm
Bendigo Town Hall
195-229 Lyttleton Tce, Bendigo
RSVP by 2 August
Are you interested in running for council in 2012?
Are you aged between 16-25?*
Are you interested in politics?
The VLGA and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) are teaming up to run a free interactive forum in Melbourne and Bendigo for any young people who are thinking about running for local government in the 2012 local government elections or in the future. Participants will have a chance to ask questions of young councillors in a Q&A session, followed by an opportunity to debate council motions on controversial issues and then amend and vote for them. These are FREE events and refreshments will be provided.
*Note: you cannot run for council until you are 18, but you are still very welcome to come along!
In the past few days, there has been an interesting and tense interplay between local government and the Victorian Farmers’ Federation. At the VLGA, we feel this highlights and adds weight to our argument that it’s time to review the local government sector in Victoria – there are many issues to be examined for our future governance, and one of those might be why we keep using a nineteenth century property tax to provide for twenty-first century people and property services. The Local Government Legislation Amendment (Miscellaneous) Bill 2012 will continue the pattern of episodic amendment to the legislation without a comprehensive review. In fact, we think the proposed changes to differential rating may exacerbate the issue by having the potential to reduce even further the already limited capacity of councils to set rates at levels appropriate to meet their policy goals - the major reason that rates are levied - to deliver services and infrastructure for their communities. The VLGA sees the need for a Green Paper/White Paper process and we will keep advocating this to the Victorian Government. On a happier note, this week the VLGA welcomes our newest member local government – the Swan Hill Rural City Council. Swan Hill Rural City is principally an agricultural and horticultural region deriving its income from these industries and the businesses that service them. The municipality is bordered by the Murray River, Australia's greatest river, for over 300 kilometres and is highly dependent on it for irrigation, domestic and industrial water supplies as well as active and passive recreational pursuits. Swan Hill and Robinvale are the two largest service centres in the municipality; however a number of smaller towns such as Lake Boga, Manangatang, Nyah, Nyah West, Piangil, Ultima and Woorinen South offer a variety of lifestyles. VLGA members and friends enjoyed a stimulating Leading Edge Forum on Thursday evening – thanks to the large number of people who attended to hear about what makes Resilient Cities. You can watch the web cast here. Please don’t hesitate to email or give me a call on 0407 364 509 if there’s anything you wish to discuss. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn, President
Keeping you up to date
Candidate workshops
The VLGA is offering some great activities for candidates in the upcoming 2012 local government elections, or for those who are interested and in the future – see the VLGA Events section below for more information on the Y Council? events in Melbourne and Bendigo, and the practical Candidate Workshop coming up on 9 August at the VLGA.
VLGA forums with international speaker in August!
The VLGA is bringing renowned international speaker, Tony Milne to Victoria in August. Tony is the National Manager of Public Health for the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand where he runs their local and central Government advocacy campaigns. Tony will be the keynote at our August Leading Edge Forum (see the VLGA Events section below). While in Melbourne, Tony will be delivering a workshop for local government officers and he will also do some specific work with VLGA staff. Tony's campaign work in and outside of the Problem Gambling sector led him to produce a booklet called Running and Winning Issue Campaigns - a simple 10 step plan. His booklet is designed as a simple 10 step plan for how groups or organisations might go about putting together a winning local campaign with and on behalf of the voiceless. As well as campaign work for The Problem Gambling Foundation, Tony spent several years working in Central Government for MPs and Ministers. He has worked on several political campaigns including as a volunteer for Barack Obama in Pennsylvania in 2008, Campaign Manager in 2010 for a Mayoral campaign in Christchurch and was the campaign co-ordinator for the successful Civil Union’s campaign in 2003.
VFF attacks local governments
Last week the Victorian Farmers Federation launched an extraordinary attack on local government, releasing a small survey of member’s views on municipal rates. Among allegations of waste and unnecessary spending, the VFF also criticised a group of Gippsland councils for undertaking research forecasting the impacts of climate change on the region and advised members to withhold payment of rates. This project was in fact the subject of a VLGA Leading Edge Forum held in Gippsland in May, and attracted wide interest and acclaim from the agribusiness community for its foresight. The Municipal Association of Victoria has rightly criticised the VFF survey and the attacks on councils. The VLGA believes this has been an unproductive way to address the budgetary challenges faced by rural and regional councils. It also fails to acknowledge how our sector works with communities. Councils engage with their local communities to frame rating strategies and develop budgets. The majority of rural councils have developed rating strategies which are designed to respond to the concerns of primary producers while ensuring council service provision meets community expectations.
Local governments act on TAFE and VET sector reform concerns
As we have noted in previous eNews bulletins, several VLGA member local governments have undertaken activity in their communities with regards to the reforms to funding in the TAFE and vocational education sectors. In addition to community forums, some members are carrying out their own analyses. The South East Councils starting from Kingston and going through to Bass Coast are undertaking research to demonstrate the economic and social impact of the TAFE/VET budget cuts. The research will take about 3 months to complete. Chisholm and Holmesglen TAFEs are still calculating the impact and this information will not be available until the end of the month/early August. Other local governments may be interested in this research model.
Vision Super – Defined Benefits Scheme
Last week’s Local Government Victoria newsletter provides some information on Vision Super and states that LGV and the Victorian Auditor General’s Office will provide guidance material on the appropriate treatment of the defined benefits liability in the Annual Financial Statements of councils.
Resilient Neighbourhoods
The Resilient Neighbourhoods project is continuing to engage with several local governments with a number of recent events including our Leading Edge Forum on 5 July, generating even more interest. If you haven't had a chance to attend one of our workshops but would like to share your experience and thoughts on what ingredients are needed to support resilient neighbourhoods, than another option is to complete our online survey. We'd love to hear from as many of you as possible so we can ensure the project delivers outcomes that will assist you and your community. Further information about the project can be found here or contact Micaela Drieberg on 9349 7999 or by email.
Mayors on Bikes 2012 – save the date!
In partnership with the Metropolitan Transport Forum and the City of Maribyrnong, this year’s VLGA Mayors on Bikes event will be held on 19 September from 10am around the inner city municipality of Maribyrnong. More information is on the way so stay tuned for your Mayor’s invitation to participate.
Census summaries for metropolitan suburbs
Census 2011 summaries of population and social conditions within all metropolitan Melbourne suburbs are now available via a partnership between the VLGA and Greater Dandenong City Council. Councillors, election candidates, local government officers and community members can use census summaries to get a snapshot of all suburbs in Melbourne. This information will be updated in early November, to include more detailed information about employment, occupations, industry and travel to work. It will also be expanded to include regional and rural suburbs and townships.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
Applying Human Rights Locally: Reporting what you are doing
Thursday 26 July, 9am-1pm
RMIT Building 13 (Emily McPherson Building), Level 3, Multipurpose Room, Cnr Victoria Parade and Russell St, Melbourne
RSVP 23 July!
A valuable workshop for local government officers who are charged with the responsibility to complete the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission Annual Survey, and for local government managers or councillors with an interest in human rights at the local level. Facilitated by the Australian Centre for Human Rights Education and the VLGA, this practical workshop will focus on how to complete the Survey, considering both its requirements and the council approval process. To register, email or call 9349 7999.
‘Y’ Council?
Thursday 26 July, 5-7pm
Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston St, Melbourne
RSVP by 19 July
AND
Thursday 9 August, 5-7pm
Bendigo Town Hall
195-229 Lyttleton Tce, Bendigo
RSVP by 2 August
Are you interested in running for council in 2012?
Are you aged between 16-25?*
Are you interested in politics?
The VLGA and the Youth Affairs Council of Victoria (YACVic) are teaming up to run a free interactive forum in Melbourne and Bendigo for any young people who are thinking about running for local government in the 2012 local government elections or in the future. Participants will have a chance to ask questions of young councillors in a Q&A session, followed by an opportunity to debate council motions on controversial issues and then amend and vote for them. These are FREE events and refreshments will be provided.
*Note: you cannot run for council until you are 18, but you are still very welcome to come along!
August Leading Edge Forum – Running and winning issue campaigns
Thursday 2 August, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
We invite you to join us to hear our international guest speaker, Tony Milne. Tony is the National Manager of Public Health for the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand where he runs their local and central Government advocacy campaigns. His workshop will discuss some of Tony's campaign work in and outside of the Problem Gambling sector and the lessons he learnt along the way. Those lessons led him to produce a booklet called "Running and Winning Issue Campaigns - a simple 10 step plan". As well as campaign work for The Problem Gambling Foundation, Tony spent several years working in Central Government for MPs and Ministers. He has worked on several political campaigns including as a volunteer for Barack Obama in Pennsylvania in 2008, Campaign Manager in 2010 for a Mayoral campaign in Christchurch and was the campaign co-ordinator for the successful Civil Union’s campaign in 2003. We are delighted to have Tony joining us in Melbourne. Register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Candidate Workshop – ‘Practicalities between now and E-day’
Tuesday 7 August, 5.30-8.30pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St Carlton
This workshop is designed for candidates running in the October 2012 local government elections who want to learn about the practical work to be done before election day. The workshop will include tip sheets to take away, how to prepare your 150-word candidate statement, and a chance to hear from people with experience and success in campaigning at the local government level – what works and what doesn’t. For more information and to register, go here.
VLGA Facebook updates this week
Don’t forget to visit the VLGA Facebook page to stay up-to-date with VLGA news and activities. This week we post links to our new Understanding Working in Local Government web-page as well as the latest VLGA Good Governance Grab, Election Campaigning and the use of Council Resources. Visitors can also find links to the webcast of the Resilient Cities Leading Edge Forum and see photos from the event.
Other Events
Thursday 2 August, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
We invite you to join us to hear our international guest speaker, Tony Milne. Tony is the National Manager of Public Health for the Problem Gambling Foundation of New Zealand where he runs their local and central Government advocacy campaigns. His workshop will discuss some of Tony's campaign work in and outside of the Problem Gambling sector and the lessons he learnt along the way. Those lessons led him to produce a booklet called "Running and Winning Issue Campaigns - a simple 10 step plan". As well as campaign work for The Problem Gambling Foundation, Tony spent several years working in Central Government for MPs and Ministers. He has worked on several political campaigns including as a volunteer for Barack Obama in Pennsylvania in 2008, Campaign Manager in 2010 for a Mayoral campaign in Christchurch and was the campaign co-ordinator for the successful Civil Union’s campaign in 2003. We are delighted to have Tony joining us in Melbourne. Register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
Candidate Workshop – ‘Practicalities between now and E-day’
Tuesday 7 August, 5.30-8.30pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St Carlton
This workshop is designed for candidates running in the October 2012 local government elections who want to learn about the practical work to be done before election day. The workshop will include tip sheets to take away, how to prepare your 150-word candidate statement, and a chance to hear from people with experience and success in campaigning at the local government level – what works and what doesn’t. For more information and to register, go here.
VLGA Facebook updates this week
Don’t forget to visit the VLGA Facebook page to stay up-to-date with VLGA news and activities. This week we post links to our new Understanding Working in Local Government web-page as well as the latest VLGA Good Governance Grab, Election Campaigning and the use of Council Resources. Visitors can also find links to the webcast of the Resilient Cities Leading Edge Forum and see photos from the event.
Other Events
Think women for local government 2012 forums
The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (Vic) branch (ALGWA) is working with the VLGA to conduct four new ‘Think women’ forums in regional Victoria. The forums will be held in:
Pyrenees - Beaufort Community Development Centre, 1 Lawrence Street Beaufort, July 14 at 10am; &
Hepburn – Daylesford Town Hall, July 14 at 2pm;
For further information on these forums, please contact Cr Cheryl Bromfield on 0448 024 755 or via email.
Yarriambiack – Warracknabeal Shire Function Room, July 16, from 5.30pm &
Hindmarsh – Nhill Shire Offices, July 30, from 5.30pm
For further information on these forums, please contact Cr Jean Wise OAM via email.
Hope talks: the social environment and youth suicide
Despite appearances of prosperity, we are losing our young people at an alarming rate. Continual cyber bullying, long term mental illness, family breakdown, increasing lack of hope and a pervasive feeling of being overwhelmed. P4T (Partnering for Transformation), YFC, Sophia Think Tank and the Australian Media Engagement Project are hosting conversations aimed at raising awareness and moving towards solutions.
Urban Conversation - FREE
Sunday 29 July, 6pm
Café Hamodava, Westwood Place (near 614 Bourke St) Melbourne
RSVP 26 July via email specifying this event, OR
World Café Facilitated Conversation - $30 per person
Tuesday 4 September, 9.30am-4pm
Venue TBC
RSVP 30 July via email specifying this event.
Law Enforcement and Public Health conference (LEPH2012)
11-14 November
Melbourne
This important event, the first international conference on law enforcement and public health, will take place in Melbourne. More details, including the draft program are found here.
The Australian Local Government Women’s Association (Vic) branch (ALGWA) is working with the VLGA to conduct four new ‘Think women’ forums in regional Victoria. The forums will be held in:
Pyrenees - Beaufort Community Development Centre, 1 Lawrence Street Beaufort, July 14 at 10am; &
Hepburn – Daylesford Town Hall, July 14 at 2pm;
For further information on these forums, please contact Cr Cheryl Bromfield on 0448 024 755 or via email.
Yarriambiack – Warracknabeal Shire Function Room, July 16, from 5.30pm &
Hindmarsh – Nhill Shire Offices, July 30, from 5.30pm
For further information on these forums, please contact Cr Jean Wise OAM via email.
Hope talks: the social environment and youth suicide
Despite appearances of prosperity, we are losing our young people at an alarming rate. Continual cyber bullying, long term mental illness, family breakdown, increasing lack of hope and a pervasive feeling of being overwhelmed. P4T (Partnering for Transformation), YFC, Sophia Think Tank and the Australian Media Engagement Project are hosting conversations aimed at raising awareness and moving towards solutions.
Urban Conversation - FREE
Sunday 29 July, 6pm
Café Hamodava, Westwood Place (near 614 Bourke St) Melbourne
RSVP 26 July via email specifying this event, OR
World Café Facilitated Conversation - $30 per person
Tuesday 4 September, 9.30am-4pm
Venue TBC
RSVP 30 July via email specifying this event.
Law Enforcement and Public Health conference (LEPH2012)
11-14 November
Melbourne
This important event, the first international conference on law enforcement and public health, will take place in Melbourne. More details, including the draft program are found here.
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