VLGA President’s Message
Last Thursday night’s VLGA Leading Edge Forum featured high-quality presentations and stimulated lively debate amongst the audience about a crucial part of our sector – the rating system. The forum explored the question of whether our current rating system is appropriate and sustainable. Our speakers, who included Andrew Evans from the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office, Danny Wain from FinPro, Peter Hunt from the Victorian Farmers Federation, and keynote speaker John Comrie from Deloitte Access Economics, brought a diversity of views and expertise. Danny, Peter and John participated in a facilitated Q&A session following the forum. The VLGA will be commenting further on rates and sector reform more broadly throughout this year. I congratulate Mayor of Marion in South Australia, Felicity-ann Lewis who was elected last week as the ALGA President, following the retirement of long-serving Mayor of North Sydney and ALGA President since November 2010, Genia McCaffery. Well done Felicity-ann. Today is an important day – it’s World Suicide Prevention Day. I know that suicide prevention, especially amongst our young people, is an issue that focuses the minds of many councillors and community members across Victoria, and many of you are active in networks dedicated to prevention activities. On Thursday it’s also R U OK?Day – a national day dedicated to inspiring all people of all backgrounds to regularly ask each other ‘Are you ok?'. By raising awareness about the importance of connection and providing resources throughout the year, the R U OK? Foundation aims to prevent isolation by empowering people to support each other through life's ups and downs. I encourage VLGA members to view the R U OK?Day website and find out more. 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
Mayors on Bikes 2012
The City of Maribyrnong with the VLGA and the Metropolitan Transport Forum is hosting Mayors on Bikes in 2012. Mayors on Bikes provides an informal networking and information sharing opportunity that is invaluable to any Mayor interested in transport and planning issues. The event involves Mayors and other representatives from metropolitan local governments and State Government authorities joining together in a leisurely bike ride through the cycling highlights of Maribyrnong. The ride, on Wednesday 19 September, will focus on some of the recent cycling upgrades as well as the challenges faced by Maribyrnong and other local governments. Officers engaged in cycling issues are also encouraged to attend. For further information and to RSVP to this event, please contact Gael Reid at Maribyrnong City Council, on 9688 0416 or via email by Monday 10 September. Please advise of any special dietary requirements.
Financial Assistance Grants to be reviewed
Federal Local Government Minister Simon Crean recently announced a review of the Commonwealth Financial Assistance Grants (FAGS) for local government. The review is focused on the equity and efficiency of grants distributed to local government. While FAGS are a key component of local government revenue, the grants remain inadequate. The VLGA believes the review should examine the indexation method and assess whether the grants are adequate.
More planning changes
The Victorian parliament is currently considering yet another package of amendments to the planning system. The Planning and Environment Amendment (General) Bill 2012 proposes a number of changes including the abolition of Development Assessment Committees, changes to the permit application and referral process and changes to the planning scheme amendment process and the handling of VCAT permits.
The future of TAFE?
Today’s Age newspaper reports that the TAFE Reform Panel has asked local governments to respond by this Wednesday to a range of questions about the future of education in Victoria, by providing feedback about their local communities. The VLGA understands that many local governments have already passed resolutions condemning the funding cuts to the vocational education sector in Victoria, and we highlighted the NTEU and the AEU's TAFE4All campaign in last week’s eNews.
Does local government matter?
Following the local government elections in New South Wales on the weekend, we found this article about local government that puts forward the views of several commentators in that State. It makes interesting reading.
National Food Plan Green Paper released
The Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry has released a National Food Plan Green Paper. The aim of the National Food Plan is to foster a sustainable, globally competitive, resilient food supply that supports access to nutritious and affordable food.
Funding package to tackle family violence
The Victorian Coalition Government has announced new measures to help protect and support women and children who have experienced family violence and sexual assault. The package of $16 million over four years will provide expanded services to help the increasing numbers of victims who are reporting family violence incidents to police.
Congratulations to Monash on VicHealth funding
With MonashLink and the Victorian Health Promotion Foundation (VicHealth), the Monash City Council has announced a successful tender for a ground-breaking $1 million preventing violence against women project over three years. The project is the first of its kind in Australia in that it will be an integrated program across the community to promote respectful relationships and ultimately prevent violence against women. It aims to embed and drive cultural change within the community through trial and education, potentially involving workplaces, schools, youth services, health services and community education programs. The demonstration site is being trialled in the City of Monash in the hope of creating a transferable model to be used in other municipalities across Victoria.
Communicating and engaging with Multicultural Victoria
The Victorian Local Government Multicultural Issues Network (VLGMIN) in partnership with LGPro’s PR Network is organising a forum titled ‘Communicating and Engaging with Multicultural Victoria’. The forum will be held on Thursday 18 October and will be hosted by the City of Hume at the Hume Global Learning Centre. It aims to showcase best practice models for working with diverse communities and promoting access, equity and participation for all. The organising group is encouraging relevant local government staff to attend, and for local governments to make a financial contribution of $600 or more, to enable the VLGMIN to cover forum costs and free attendance. For further information and to pledge support, contact Sarah Jennings via email.
Low Income Energy Efficiency Program – Round Two information sessions
In preparation for Round Two of the Low Income Energy Efficiency Program (LIEEP), the Department of Climate Change and Energy Efficiency will be hosting a number of information sessions in capital cities during September 2012. The two-hour sessions will address the LIEEP guidelines, EOI guidance, draft funding agreement, and tips on developing a data collection and analysis plan. There will be additional time at the end of each information session to speak with program staff and network with other attendees. The sessions will focus on LIEEP only and will not provide information relating to the Community Energy Efficiency Program (CEEP) or the Energy Efficiency Information Grants Program (EEIGP).
Redesigning local democracy
What is local democracy? How can Councils operate differently to maximize local common good outcomes? Can “voters” and “customers” become citizen “makers” and
“shapers” of their local communities? These questions are tackled in a new user-friendly E-Guide for all those interested in making local democracy work better in the 21st century. The Guide presents a democratic framework for developing and sustaining community wellbeing. Redesigning Local Democracy by Jenny Wills with Kate Nash is a free 2012 E-publication from the Local Government Community Development & Services Association of Australia.
Unstable weather means unstable food prices?
New research commissioned by Oxfam suggests that food prices in the future will fluctuate dramatically as the number of extreme weather events increases due to climate change. This year’s US drought has shown how vulnerable the world food system is to an extreme weather event in one important food producing region. Previous research on the relationship between climate change and food prices has largely focussed on how average prices will rise over time as the climate gradually changes. The relationship between extreme weather events, sudden price spikes, and food security has not really been previously explored.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
VLGA Annual General Meeting
Thursday 4 October, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
Pencil this date into your diary and join us to reflect on the challenges and the achievements of the last year. We will formally present our financial statements and Annual Report, and our guest speaker is Alan Attwood, editor of The Big Issue. For more information contact the VLGA’s Member Resources Officer, Sarah Colgan, via email or on (03) 9349 7983.
Other Events
2012 Not For Profit Summit
18 October
Simonds Stadium, Kardinia Park, South Geelong
The 4th annual Not For Profit Summit is a high profile event that includes workshops, presentations, networking and exhibits. This year's theme, ‘Change – Challenge & Choice’, will deliver information on workforce, funding and sector development – all key topics for the community sector.
Thriving Neighbourhoods 2012
12-14 November
Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre, Southwharf
Thriving Neighbourhoods is an international conference on emerging approaches to the planning, design and management of local neighbourhoods that are set to radically improve health, social engagement, environmental quality and productivity in communities. As a conference supporter, VLGA members are entitled to significant discounts: up to $260 off the full registration fee, and further discounts on early bird registration, which closes on 17 September! To register and find out more go here.
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