VLGA President’s Message
On behalf of everyone at the VLGA, I congratulate the inductees to the 2012 Victorian Indigenous Honour Roll and their families. The inductees were named at a function in Melbourne on Thursday night by the Premier of Victoria, The Hon Ted Baillieu, and Minister for Aboriginal Affairs, The Hon Jeanette Powell. The Premier introduced the Honour Roll in February this year, honouring an election commitment, and inducted twenty outstanding Indigenous Victorians to the nation’s first-ever Indigenous Honour Roll. The new inductees join the inaugural people on this significant and historical record. Last Tuesday I joined current and past councillors and officers at an ALGWA Victoria luncheon at the Camberwell Civic Centre for their annual bursary award for a woman employee in local government. The 2012 winner is Samantha Dureau, Team Leader – Community and Corporate Planning, City of Whittlesea. Samantha is undertaking a Master of Business Administration at LaTrobe University. The ALGWA study award is awarded annually in memory of Marie Wallace OAM JP. Congratulations Samantha! Congratulations also to Moyne Shire Council and the people of Port Fairy – the town has been awarded the prestigious international LivCom award for the most liveable town with a population under 20,000. The United Nations-endorsed award was given to Moyne Shire’s Mayor Jim Doukas, Chief Executive David Madden and community representative Margaret Watt last Monday. Today is International Day of People with a Disability. I know many of you will be attending events in your communities to acknowledge the day. Please don’t hesitate to email or give me a call on 0407 364 509 if there’s anything you wish to discuss. I have taken a number of calls recently from new councillors with queries about how things work, and I am happy to help out or to refer you to a VLGA staff member for assistance if needed. Cheers.
Cr Samantha Dunn
President
Keeping you up to date
Pokies audio technology banned
The VLGA welcomes the Victorian Gaming Minister’s announcement yesterday that isolation audio technology on gaming machines has been banned for the next decade. The Hon Michael O’Brien said that the ban on earphones attached to pokies was made for the next ten years because they isolate gamblers and undermine responsible gambling practices. Other news of interest to VLGA members is that, according to a report on ABC radio today, there has been a $62 million drop in poker machine spending in Victoria, following a ban on ATMs in gaming venues. The VLGA has supported both of these initiatives in our past submissions to the Victorian Government.
Challenges and opportunities of managing urban growth
Last Wednesday the VLGA hosted Felix Dodds at a conversation roundtable with representatives from growth area local governments. Felix is the author of several books, his latest being Only One Earth, and he discussed the challenges facing growth area local governments and the ways in which they might work collectively on various possible solutions as a strategic alliance. People interested in hearing more about the session or joining a discussion list can contact Senior Policy Officer Jieh-Yung Lo by email. Members in growth areas might also like to read this excellent opinion piece which featured in the National Times newspaper, by the CEO of Whittlesea, David Turnbull.
What can my Council do for the 16 days of action?
Today is Day 9 in the VLGA’s 16 Days of Action, from the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, or White Ribbon Day (as we know it here), on 25 November through to International Human Rights Day on 10 December. To find out more on how your local government can take action for the days ahead, visit our website.
Victorian Government joins national push on violence
The VLGA supports the Victorian Coalition Government’s announcement last Thursday of their intent to join the Commonwealth and other states and territories in funding a new National Centre of Excellence to reduce violence against women. Minister for Women’s Affairs Mary Wooldridge advises that the Centre will be operating from 1 January 2013, and will develop a national research agenda to improve policy and service delivery in the prevention of violence against women across Australia. The Victorian Coalition Government will contribute more than $1 million over three years towards the Centre.
New state-wide smoking laws being debated
The Victorian Greens’ MP Colleen Hartland introduced a Private Members Bill to Parliament last week for state-wide bans on smoking in outdoor dining areas. A number of local governments in Victoria have taken initiatives to introduce local laws to support various outdoor smoking bans. This Bill is designed to bring Victoria in line with existing and new smoking laws currently operating in other states and territories. Watch this space.
Census on the Australian local government workforce
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) has co-ordinated a pilot local government workforce census with eight local governments across the country, with the full Australian Local Government Workforce and Employment Census for all 565 councils commencing last week. The census is the most ambitious local government data collection exercise undertaken so far in Australia. The opportunities offered by the collection of a national local government workforce dataset are significant, and will underpin a range of employment strategies nationally, as well forming the basis for funding for local government based training.
Advancing local government leadership
Ron Exiner, the VLGA’s Director Governance attended the ACELG Advancing Local Government Leadership Roundtable on 28 November. ACELG is looking for coordination and cross-fertilisation amongst the various leadership programs and courses that are developing in and around the sector. The VLGA’s interest is ensuring that the content is informed by the nature of the local government sector, how it does and should operate, and ensuring that there are programs that meet councillors’ needs as well as those of officers.
Funding for Neighbourhood Houses announced
On Wednesday, Minister for Community Services Mary Wooldridge announced that Neighbourhood Houses across Victoria will receive almost $700,000 in funding from the Victorian Coalition Government. Forty-five Neighbourhood Houses and Neighbourhood House Networks will receive funding through the Creating Modernised and Inclusive Neighbourhood Houses program.
New Regional Competitiveness Index on the way
The Regional Australia Institute (RAI) is undertaking a comprehensive assessment of the global competitiveness of Australia's regions. The assessment will consider the competitiveness of regions in terms of governance, services, infrastructure, people and the economy. RAI is now seeking advice and input from users of this work as we move towards an initial release of the index in early 2013. Please take some time to review the document and send RAI any input you might have via email.
App for livable housing
On 27 November, Parliamentary Secretary for Disabilities and Carers, Jan McLucas, launched the Livable Housing Design Guidelines with a new iPhone and iPad application to be developed with the help of $60,000 in Australian Government funding. The Livable Housing Design Guidelines help guide the residential and building industry and all levels of government to build homes that are easier to enter, safer to move around in and more cost effective to adapt when life circumstances change. Under these guidelines there are three performance ratings: Silver, Gold and Platinum, with Platinum the highest level. For further information on Livable Housing Australia and the Livable Housing Design Guidelines go here.
Victorian Women’s Governance Scholarships – applications open
Minister Wooldridge has announced that applications for the Victorian Women's Governance Scholarships are now open. In a joint initiative of the Victorian Government and the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD), 34 scholarships for women will be offered, providing the opportunity to attend the Company Directors Course. Scholarship recipients also receive complimentary twelve months membership of the AICD. Only women who are current board members of not-for-profit organisations that are in receipt of Victorian State Government funding will be considered. Applications close at 5pm on Friday 11 January 2013.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
2012 VLGA Members’ Christmas ‘thank you and celebration’
Thursday 6 December, 6-8pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
Our final VLGA gathering for 2012 will be held on Thursday 6 December. Members are invited to join us for our end-of-year thank you and celebration with local government, community and government colleagues. We will also present the 2012 John Jago Award for Good Governance. Register online today!
2013 VLGA Essential Mayors’ Weekend: Leading from the start of the new council term
17-19 January 2013
Peppers Moonah Links, Fingal, Mornington Peninsula
For the past decade, the VLGA has conducted our Essential Mayors’ Weekend. Each year, mayors come together for an intensive three-day program. The 2013 dinner speakers include The Hon Jeanette Powell, Minister for Local Government, and The Hon Richard Wynne, Shadow Minister. There will also be opportunities for mayoral mentoring with experienced mayors from across the State. This is a not-to-be-missed development event, which builds connections and relationships for the mayoral term. The full program and registration details will follow very soon. Comments from 2012 participants include:
“I can't imagine getting much more value out of two days.”
“As usual, excellent and relevant speakers. Great interaction between speakers and Mayors.”
“It gets better every year.”
To find out more contact Member Resources Officer Sarah Colgan on 9349 7983 or via email.
Employment Opportunity
Victorian Local Sustainability Accord – Policy Officer
The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is recruiting a Policy Officer from local government to work with the DSE Accord policy team for twelve months to assist the development of the next phase of the Accord. Through this opportunity the successful candidate will gain an appreciation of how State government works and how State policy is developed. DSE will gain invaluable insight from a local government perspective as it works to refocus and refresh the Accord.
Other Events
Tipping Point: Engagement beyond the fridge magnet
Metropolitan Waste Management Group conference
5-6 March 2013
MCG, Melbourne
Waste and litter management is currently at a tipping point of change. Social media, new technologies, population growth, urban expansion and the review of several key state and federal strategies and policies are pushing educators to develop new skills and explore new territory to engage and create valuable programs for their constituents. Tipping Point will feature a range of keynote speakers, case studies, workshops and a day of site tours covering the following themes in relation to waste and litter management. Registration information will be available soon.
Save the date – ALGWA Vic State Conference 2013
The ALGWA Vic branch State Conference will be held in the Shire of Strathbogie from Friday 24 to Sunday 26 May 2013. Minister for Local Government, the Hon Jeanette Powell, will open the Conference. The full program is to be confirmed and further details will be available soon. For more information contact ALGWA Vic via their website.
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