President’s Message
Welcome to autumn, the season of change! This is also the week in which we celebrate International Women’s Day (IWD) on Friday 8 March. I am aware that many local governments are supporting or have their own celebratory activities throughout the week. In 1911, IWD was honoured the first time in Austria, Denmark, Germany and Switzerland on 19 March. More than one million women and men attended IWD rallies campaigning for women's rights to work, vote, be trained, to hold public office and end discrimination. IWD is now an official holiday in many countries around the world. At the VLGA this week we will be reflecting on the success of the Think Women for Local Government 2012 Project and the achievements of women councillors and community board members who have gone before us over many years. Follow on Twitter @womensday #womensday. Last week the VLGA wrote to all the winners of the LGPro Awards for Excellence. I was very pleased to be a guest at the LGPro Conference dinner where the awards were presented and I congratulate LGPro and their President Dennis Hovenden and team on another successful conference. I look forward to seeing many of you around and about - please don’t hesitate to be in touch on 0407 364 509 if I can be of assistance.
Cr Samantha Dunn
President
Keeping you up to date
Planning the ‘twenty-minute’ city?
On Saturday, about 1000 people attended a planning forum in Melbourne which was opened by Premier Baillieu and Planning Minister Matthew Guy. The Premier talked about his vision of Melbourne as a ‘twenty-minute city’, and the option of developing a new metropolitan planning authority. VLGA members can still have their say on the Metropolitan Planning Strategy as the deadline for submissions has been extended to 28 March. The submission guidelines are available via Plan Melbourne. Don’t forget to register for the VLGA’s March Leading Edge Forum being held this Thursday: the Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Strategy - what does it mean for the future of Melbourne and Victoria? Scroll down to the Events section to register.
VLGA differential rates survey findings
During January, the VLGA conducted a survey on the current and future use of differential rates. The full survey report is available here. All local governments were invited to complete the survey, which provided an opportunity to express any issues or concerns about the introduction of Ministerial Guidelines on Differential Rates. Just over 60 per cent of Victorian local governments responded. The key finding of the survey is that differential rates are used as part of sophisticated long-term strategies rather than as ad hoc, short-term or politically motivated decision-making processes. Other findings include:
* many local governments indicated their concern or opposition to the introduction of the Ministerial power to prohibit certain differential rates
* differential rates are generally developed as part of a longer-term financial strategy and are based on sound taxation principles, with equity, capacity to pay and the unequal distribution of benefits to different ratepayer classes as key motivating factors
* differential rates are communicated and subject to scrutiny by residents and ratepayers - almost all are detailed in rating strategies, which explain rating decisions in publically available documents
* local governments would prefer guidelines which reinforce the relationship with strategy and policy outcomes rather than those which are prescriptive
* concerns about the lack of time to amend budgets currently in development means almost all local governments intend to proceed with current differential rates in their 2013-14 budgets.
Planning for resilience: councillors setting the agenda with strategy and policy
The VLGA will be providing a free training session on Monday 8 April for councillors, aimed at maximising councillor input across key plans and strategies and developing awareness of integrated approached to urban change. Part of our Resilient Neighbourhoods project councillor program is based on a training module which we are currently providing to officers. The session is provided as a follow up to the VLGA’s councillor training on council plans, the Council-CEO relationship, and how to tackle problem gambling. Find out how to register online. We will be announcing further dates shortly and we are currently planning a session in regional Victoria.
VLGA submission to inquiry into promotion of gambling in sport
Last week the VLGA made a submission to the Inquiry into the Advertising and Promotion of Gambling Services in Sport. In our submission we recommended:
* a national code for gambling advertising restrictions and sponsorship, similar to those for tobacco and alcohol, be developed
* a national harm minimisation program including a public awareness campaign to be broadcast during live sporting events and broadcasts
* that resources be allocated for research into how the gambling industry’s marketing strategies affect the behaviours of particular groups e.g. young male sports fans and children.
New handbook for Indigenous employment
Following on from the release of the VLGA’s recent Good Governance Grab ‘Creating an employment culture for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians’, we thought members might be interested to see that GenerationOne, Reconciliation Australia and Social Ventures Australia have released ‘Everybody's Business: A Handbook for Indigenous Employment’. The handbook was developed in close consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and organisations. It shares the knowledge and experiences of employers helping to break the cycle of disadvantage through employment. The handbook helps employers to make their recruitment processes more accessible to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders, and to tweak their practices to try and screen candidates in instead of out.
ACELG releases local government revenue paper
The Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) has released its latest Working Paper, ‘In Our Hands: Strengthening Local Government Revenue for the 21st Century’. The paper has been a collaborative effort of ACELG and many partners. It has been written for practitioners in local government, with the intent of stimulating thought and action. A two-page summary of the paper’s findings is also available.
Staying safe in a hotter Australia
The VLGA has been active in working with our members and partners in recent years on projects to support local governments and communities with adaptation to a changing climate through toolkits such as our Liveable and Just Toolkit and the Resilient Neighbourhoods training package development. In this interesting article from The Conversation, Hilary Bambrick, Associate Professor, Centre for Health Research at University of Western Sydney, explores whether Staying safe in a hotter Australia might depend on your income.
Funding opportunities
Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program
The Anzac Centenary Local Grants Program will enable and empower communities across Australia to commemorate the Centenary of Anzac in their own way. Communities are encouraged to start identifying local initiatives that recognise Australian service during the First World War. A committee will be created in each electorate to work alongside local Federal MPs on grant proposals. Grant funding will be available in 2013-14.
‘Tell us your Harmony story’ competition
To celebrate Harmony Day and this year’s theme ‘Many stories—One Australia’, SBS has partnered with the Department of Immigration and Citizenship to give all Australians the opportunity to share their story. There are two fantastic prize packs up for grabs in the Harmony Stories competition: first prize is a Canon EOS 110D SLR Camera Twin Lens Kit complete with memory card, tripod and case plus SBS’ ‘A Day in the Life’ photographic book. The second prize is an Apple iPad 4 with Retina Display 32GB WiFi + Cellular plus SBS’ A Day in the Life’ photographic book. Anyone can enter!
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
‘Putting Together Your First Council Plan’ – limited places available!
Wednesday 6 March, 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 your registration form today.
March ‘Leading Edge’ Forum: Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Strategy - what does it mean for the future of Melbourne and Victoria?
Thursday 7 March, 6-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
The Victorian Coalition Government is developing its Metropolitan Planning Strategy.
The public process and conversation began with the release of the Melbourne, let’s talk about the future discussion paper. This Leading Edge Forum will continue the conversation about the challenges and opportunities posed by our ever- growing metropolis. Panel speakers include Roz Hansen, Trevor Budge AM and Marcus Spiller. Register your attendance today.
*Note - where registration numbers are limited, VLGA members will be given priority
Tackling problem gambling – what can your council do?
Thursday 14 March, 5.30-8.30pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
As part of the VLGA’s ongoing advocacy on gambling reform, the Association is hosting an interactive forum for councillors to discuss the role of local governments in problem gambling policy in Victoria. Registered councillors are invited to bring an officer to the session. Register to attend online.
‘The Council – CEO Relationship: Managing Performance’
Wednesday 20 March 5.30-9pm
60 Leicester St, Carlton
Following this very successful Masterclass at the VLGA’s Essential Mayors’ Weekend, we are opening this session up for all councillors. Council’s role includes appointing and managing the CEO. This discussion workshop and panel will explore why performance management is important, why councillors have a role in providing quality feedback and how both parties can benefit from a strong process. Download the flyer and registration form.
Other Events
Youth participation and the Arts
Wednesday 13 March, 10am-1.30pm
YACVic boardroom, Level 2, 180 Flinders St, Melbourne
In this free session, Kate Duncan will team up with participants of Darebin City Council’s youth-led record label Decibels Records, to talk about how organisations can provide opportunities for young people interested in pursuing a career within the music industry. Chris Parkinson and Emily Mellon will draw from their experience developing the Yarra Youth Arts Program Action Plan 2012-2015, to discuss working with young people to inform a strategic approach to arts and cultural programming in a Local Government context. Lauren Oliver will share learnings from ‘As eye see it’, a photography project that has allowed young people in out-of-home care to share their experiences, have their voices heard, and bring about greater public understanding of children’s experiences in care. RSVP online is essential by Thursday 7 March.
IAP2 Victorian Leadership Breakfast ‘Push the Envelope’
Thursday 28 March, 7.15-9am
Zinc, Studio 2, Federation Square, Melbourne
Many practitioners are inspired by the link between community engagement and the practical exercise of governance with the community. You are invited to be part of an exciting conversation on how we can practice governance better. Join Myrna Lewis,Co-Founder of the Lewis Method of Deep Democracy; Iain Walker, Executive Director of the newDemocracy Foundation and Alistair Nairn, Victoria’s Environment Protection Agency Advisor on Community and Environmental Partners, in this stimulating IAP2 Leadership Breakfast. Register for the Leadership Breakfast online.
Waste Expo 2013
9 and 10 October
Melbourne Conference and Exhibition Centre
The need to manage waste and implement sustainable practice has become an integral part of business. From Government, Corporate and Hospitality to Transport and Healthcare, Waste Management, Recycling and Sustainable solutions are increasingly vital. Waste Expo 2013 presents a unique platform bringing together Australia's key solution providers in the waste, recycling and sustainability sectors. This is a free delegate event and you can register to attend Waste Expo 2013 online.
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