On Thursday evening, the VLGA hosted an informal dinner in North Melbourne for member councillors, to thank them for their service to their local communities and to the wider sector. A number of councillors who attended are not re-standing, and others are awaiting the results from their campaigning on or soon after 27 October. It was a lovely evening and we are delighted to have hosted you and spent time with you. Please again accept our sincere thanks for your service, your support to the VLGA and your friendship, and for those of you not standing again, we hope we can assist you to remain involved with local government through the VLGA. Best wishes for the week ahead, and I trust we will see a number of you at our November Leading Edge Forum with Minister Powell, and our Essential Councillor Weekend.
Maree McPherson
Chief Executive Officer
Keeping you up to date
VLGA Tally Room
The VLGA will be running an election tally room blog from Saturday afternoon. We will provide up to date news and commentary on the results as they come in. Many candidates have agreed to share information from their scrutineers, but we still need more contacts to provide us with information about what is happening as the ballots are counted. If you are able to help, please contact our Director Policy, Toby Archer via email.
An update on Constitutional recognition of local government
Last week, the President of the Australian Local Government Association (ALGA), Felicity-ann Lewis welcomed Federal Local Government Minister Simon Crean's intention to move a motion in Parliament later this month to establish a Joint Select Committee on constitutional recognition of local government. The ALGA is seeking an amendment to Section 96 of the Australian Constitution so that it would read: 'Parliament may grant financial assistance to any state or local government body formed by or under a law of a state or territory on such terms and conditions as the Parliament sees fit'. See more in the ALGA’s media release. VLGA members might also like to read an article from the 19 October edition of The Conversation, Constitutional recognition for councils: a better governed Australia, by The Hon Dr Ken Coghill, Associate Professor at Monash University.
Congratulations Northern Grampians
Northern Grampians Shire Council last week received the DSE’s Water Efficiency Improvements Award at the Regional Achievement & Community Awards 2012. Well done!
Vale Cr Ray Hewitt
The VLGA has been advised that Cr Ray Hewitt, former Mayor, and current councillor at Northern Grampians Shire passed away suddenly on Saturday morning after a short illness. Ray was seen by many as a fierce advocate for local government and as having made an exemplary contribution to the Shire. Ray served as Mayor of the Shire in 2010-11, and had just completed his second term as a councillor. He had announced in the lead up to the 2012 election that he would not be standing again. The VLGA’s thoughts are with Ray’s family, current Mayor Cr Dorothy Patton, councillors and staff at this time.
Draft report released – Inquiry into Social and Economic Costs of Problem Gambling in Victoria
The draft report Counting the Cost: Inquiry into the Costs of Problem Gambling was released on Friday by the VCEC for its inquiry into the social and economic costs of problem gambling in Victoria. The VCEC has estimated that problem gambling has cost the Victorian economy up to $2.7 billion a year, and says most of the cost is being borne by problem gamblers and their families. The VCEC seeks stakeholder views on its approach and suggestions for a future research agenda related to the costs of problem gambling. Submissions on the draft report can be made to the Commission via email by 16 November 2012.
2012 VLGA Essential Councillor Weekend – ‘Year one… here we go!’
Registrations are coming in and we have limited places – book early to avoid disappointment. We are offering local governments the opportunity to book a couple of ‘nameless’ places before this week’s elections, as we realise you won’t know exactly who might be attending. See the VLGA events section below for more details.
Public Libraries Ministerial Advisory Council
The Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries (MAC) held its most recent meeting on 15 October. Stage One of the review of Victorian public libraries being conducted by the MAC is due to be completed by the end of the year, and a Stage One report is due to be released in late November 2012. A comprehensive consultation and submission process was undertaken, commencing in February when the Tomorrow’s Library discussion paper was released. Over 1500 formal submissions and community contributions responding to the discussion paper were received. The MAC met with more than 55 councils and all 12 regional library corporations during the consultation process, and 12 roadshow events were also held around Victoria, attended by more than 400 community members.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
November Leading Edge Forum: Meet the new councillors
Thursday 1 November, 6-9pm
Carlton
Join us and our special guest The Hon Jeanette Powell MP, Minister for Local Government, who will welcome newly elected councillors to their four-year term. Register online or phone (03) 9349 7999.
2012 VLGA Essential Councillor Weekend – ‘Year one… here we go!’
23-24 November
The Wyndham Resort, Torquay
Numbers are limited – so get in quickly. You can download the program and registration form from our website. These two days will feature a number of expert-led practical workshops and networking opportunities relevant to how councillors approach the first year of the new council term. To find out more contact Sarah Colgan, Member Resources Officer via email or telephone (03) 9349 7983.
Other Events
Community Newspaper Association of Victoria
7th annual conference – Pushing the Boundaries
26-28 October
Comfort Inn, Nagambie
The CNAV annual conference is being held at Nagambie this year. For conference inquiries contact Mary Jo Fortuna via email or phone 5856 1311 (AH) or Elizabeth Hart via email.
ALGWA National Conference
8-10 November
Ipswich, Qld
The ALGWA National Conference will feature speakers including Thérèse Rein, founder and Managing Director, Ingeus; The Hon Margaret Reynolds, Chair, ACELG; Mayor Lynette De Santis, Tiwi Island Shire Council; Tim Eltham, Ipswich City Council; and many more. The ALGWA conference is for all women and men in local government – whether elected officials or council staff. Register for the conference here.
Planning for Food – an essential ingredient for Victoria’s Metropolitan Planning Strategy
Friday 9 November, 9.30am-12.30pm
William Angliss, 555 Latrobe St Melbourne
Limited places
The Food Alliance and the Heart Foundation have prepared the document Planning for Food to inform debate around this topic. This forum offers the opportunity to learn from international and interstate examples of linking planning and food, and also provides the opportunity to hear about local programs informing work here in Victoria. Register for the forum here. For more information email or phone (03) 9321 1537
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.
Standing Firm for Change: A Journey to Justice – National Conference
21-23 November
Jasper Hotel, Elizabeth St Melbourne
Standing Firm for Change: A Journey to Justice is a national conference organised by the Aboriginal Family Violence Prevention & Legal Service Victoria, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisation focused on providing access to justice for victims/survivors of family violence and sexual assault. The conference is a significant opportunity for Aboriginal community members, leaders, workers and policy makers to confront the complexities of family violence in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and propose resolutions for change. The conference coincides with FVPLS Victoria’s 10 years’ service in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in Victoria.
VEOHRC Local Government forums
November-December
Melbourne, Wangaratta, Ararat, Mildura
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is holding a series of human rights forums for local government in November and December. Local governments have asked for more support, training and information to help in their efforts to implement the Charter so these forums are geared towards developing skills to put human rights into practice in governance and service delivery roles. The four forums will be held on:
* 23 November in Melbourne
* 28 November in Wangaratta
* 5 December in Ararat
* 12 December in Mildura
Sustainability Accord Showcase
30 November
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is holding an event to showcase recently completed Victorian Local Sustainability Accord (Accord) funded projects, and provide an opportunity to build knowledge and foster connectivity across sustainability and climate change driven projects. The event will feature presentations and displays hosted by those directly involved with Accord projects. Local and State Government staff, and industry professionals from across Victoria are invited to attend. In addition, a live stream of presentations and Q&A sessions will be available. For more information about the live stream and to register for the event, go here.
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