VLGA President’s Message
I wish to extend our thoughts on behalf of all at the VLGA to Mayor Scott Rosetti, councillors and officers at the Shire of Wellington, as they experience the ongoing impact of the fire in the Glenmaggie district. One life has been lost and more than 20 homes destroyed along with large numbers of stock, farm buildings and fences. The fire is also impacting the Shire of Baw Baw, and has burned more than 59,000 hectares at time of writing. We will all be thinking of you this week. On a happier note, I enjoyed seeing so many mayors last week at the VLGA’s Essential Mayors’ Weekend at Fingal on the Mornington Peninsula. We benefited from the insights of Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell and Shadow Minister Richard Wynne. There were also high-quality masterclasses on leading the rates debate, governing with the council team, surviving and thriving, and managing CEO relationships and performance. We understand that the guidelines for differential rates, as discussed by Minister Powell on Thursday night, will be released by her today. Also last week, the VLGA gave evidence to the Inquiry into Constitutional Recognition of Local Government Public Hearing. The Joint Select Committee on the Constitutional Recognition of Local Government is exploring the possible consequences of changing the Australian Constitution to provide for the financial recognition of local government, following the findings of an independent expert panel. The Committee sought evidence about, and views on, the proposed amendment to Section 96 of the Constitution. In our evidence, we made several key points:
* we support the majority finding of the Expert Panel including amending section 96 of the Constitution to ensure financial recognition of local governments
* there are several pre-conditions to ensuring a successful referendum, namely bi-partisan support; significant support from governments at all levels; and most importantly, a large scale public campaign communicating to Australians information about financial recognition and what it means for them as citizens, ratepayers, and service users. This is the crucial element to ensure the success of a referendum.
The VLGA will make our submission by the due date 15 February 2013. Don’t forget to register for our councillor development sessions coming up in February: ‘Putting Together Your First Council Plan’, designed for both new and experienced councillors, and ‘Being Deputy Mayor’ are both detailed below in the VLGA Events section. I trust you all enjoy the week ahead and have successful Australia Day festivities in your local communities.
Cr Samantha Dunn
President
Keeping you up to date
VLGA Board Elections
The VLGA Voters’ Roll closed on 18 December 2012, and nominations for Board positions for the February 2013-January 2015 term will open on 24 January 2013 at 9am. Visit our website to see the Election Guide.
New powers for planning Minister?
According to an article in today’s Age newspaper, Minister for Planning Matthew Guy will gain new powers to approve planning decisions deemed to be economically significant to Victoria. The VLGA will be keen to see more news from the Minister’s department on this matter and the implications for local governments and their communities. Late last year, the Government released Securing Victoria’s Economy – Planning, Building, Delivering to outline 70 key economic reforms. Planning reform and land development are included in the document and we encourage all VLGA members to look at the sections on local government and planning.
Tool to assist people affected by disasters
Many VLGA members wonder what ‘tips’ might be available when speaking with people who have been directly impacted or deeply moved by their experiences of natural and other disasters. A helpful booklet developed by the Australian Psychological Society Ltd and Australian Red Cross can be found here.
Differential rates
Further to the item in last week’s eNews, we understand the Ministerial guidelines are due for release today and will provide the focus for the consultation over January and February. Thanks to the many local governments for their rapid responses to our survey on this issue. Our December roundtable and the survey will help us formulate the recommendations we will put forward in the government’s consultative process.
Human Rights reporting for local government
The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is preparing its 2012 report on the operation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. Each year the VEOHRC asks local governments to report on how they are complying with the Charter through an online survey. You can find a link to the survey and information on the VLGA website here. Reports from local governments are due by Friday 15 March 2013.
State of the Environment Foundation Paper 1 – Climate Change
Late last year the Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Victoria released the first foundation paper in the State of the Environment Report 2013. Victoria: the science, our people and the state of play can be downloaded here.
New mental health toolkit for Casey youth
The VLGA congratulates the Casey Youth Suicide Steering Committee on the launch of their Suicide Awareness Youth Focused ToolKit (SAYFT). The toolkit draws on a wide and diverse range of materials available on the topic and was developed to support young people, parents and professionals to access current, accurate and useful information about youth mental health.
Regional Australian infrastructure shortfall highlighted
Catalysing Local Infrastructure Renewal was launched by the Regional Australia Institute (RAI) in December. The report calls for the establishment of a new national organisation to tackle the shortfall in infrastructure investment and boost the regions’ capacity to contribute to national economic growth. It recommends the establishment of Local Infrastructure Australia as the most effective way of overcoming the backlog in local government infrastructure investment now estimated at between $12 and $15.5 billion.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
‘Putting Together Your First Council Plan’
Thursday 14 February, 5.30-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
As the key strategic document, the Council Plan guides the direction of the local government into the future. Developing the four-year Council Plan is a crucial opportunity for councillors to set strategy and determine the priorities for the organisation. This training will focus on assisting all councillors to maximise their input into the new Plan, how to monitor and evaluate progress, and how to work with their colleagues and the administration to deliver an effective Council Plan that reflects issues and priorities. Hear from experienced councillors and officers, learn about successful approaches to working with colleagues and have the opportunity to draw on the experience of others to prepare for the Council Plan process. Download the registration form here.
‘Being Deputy Mayor’
Thursday 21 February, 5.30-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
The VLGA is offering our popular development session for those serving as Deputy Mayor in 2013. There is no uniform role for Deputy Mayors, and this can be particularly challenging. The session will include time to explore your individual needs and circumstances and those of your local government.
Other Events
Reinventing Community Organisations for a New Century – National Conference
Monday 25 March
Angliss Conference Centre, cnr King and Latrobe Sts, Melbourne
This conference will explore the process of corporatisation in community organisations and not-for-profits, and examine alternative directions for community organisations in the coming century. Community leaders and participants, community organisations and not-for-profits, service practitioners, researchers, policy makers, government staff and social entrepreneurs are warmly invited to participate. Expressions of interest are invited in presenting papers, workshops, and activity and strategy proposals. Abstracts of no more than 300 words should be submitted by 31 January 2013. Click here to register or click here to express an interest in presenting a paper or other contribution.
Save the date – ALGWA Vic State Conference 2013
24-26 May 2013
Strathbogie Shire
The ALGWA Vic branch State Conference will be held in the Shire of Strathbogie. 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.
2013 Local Government Research Forum – call for papers
6-7 June 2013
University of Adelaide
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government will host the 2013 Local Government Researchers Forum. This event builds on the very successful national Local Government Researchers Forum held at UTS in December 2011 and state-based forums held in Perth and Brisbane.
The Australian Men’s Shed 5th National Conference
27-29 October 2013
Ballarat Lodge and Convention Centre
This Conference aims to promote the spread of Men’s Sheds throughout the nation and showcase the Australian Men's Shed movement across the world. This year will focus on sharing knowledge and providing practical support through the conference theme, Men's Sheds: A Sustainable Future. It will highlight the success that Men's Sheds have achieved and look to future growth and development.
No comments:
Post a Comment