President’s Message
In last week’s eNews the VLGA provided an update on the Planning and Environment Amendment (Growth Areas Authority and Miscellaneous) Bill 2013. The Bill passed parliament last Thursday and will now go to the Governor for Royal Assent. Despite advocacy from some MPs and local governments, this Bill did not go through any consultation process with the sector and has raised concerns from a number of councils with changes to sections of the Act which deal with local government’s responsibilities. This is yet another example of the failure of the Victorian State Local Government Agreement and we urge the Minister for Local Government to advocate to her colleagues for dialogue with the local governments on legislation that impacts them. There’s a lot of other planning news this week with several announcements from Planning Minister Matthew Guy below. At our meeting on Thursday, the VLGA Board considered the first stage of our redeveloped strategic plan for the organisation and how we will support our members through advocacy and services. We look forward to providing you with more information over the coming weeks. I look forward to seeing many of you out and about and 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
Stopping racism in local communities
Several VLGA members have recently asked us for information about how local communities and individuals can tackle racism and hate. The recent media attention on this issue, prompted by outbursts and attacks on citizens using public transport has led to many people in the community being concerned about how to challenge such behaviour. There are some terrific resources from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission through their anti-hate campaign. It’s also worth checking out the Racism. It Stops with Me campaign from the Australian Human Rights Commission. The City of Darebin’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2012-2015 is featured as a case study on the campaign website. Frankston City Council has also announced ‘Multicultural Express,’ a plan to tackle racism and anti-social behaviour along the Frankston train line. This is a terrific example of a local government addressing racism and celebrating multiculturalism, creatively.
Victorian Auditor General’s reports tabled
On 17 April, the Victorian Auditor General’s Office (VAGO) tabled three reports in Parliament, including Managing Traffic Congestion. In this audit VAGO assessed whether traffic congestion is being effectively managed. The audit found that there is no state-wide congestion and demand management framework to guide investments in congestion relief. VAGO also found that it is not clear if planning and investment is soundly based, integrated and aligned.
UGB clarity
Planning Minister, Matthew Guy has released the Urban Growth Boundary Anomalies Advisory Committee report. Minister Guy said the “…completion of this review will lead to some urban boundary modifications where anomalies existed. This will see the boundary applied in a sensible way”. Submissions were received from local governments and landowners and the process had the oversight of an independent probity auditor. Approximately eight hectares are to be included in the Urban Growth Boundary.
Poorest are top spenders when it comes to gambling
A new report has found that people in some of Melbourne's poorest suburbs are spending more on gambling than on eating out and drinking. This article in The Australian discusses how ‘about $108 million was splurged on night-time gambling in the City of Greater Dandenong in 2011, while $102 million was spent on cafes and restaurants.’ Read the full article for more information.
Councils’ commitment to Aboriginal Victorians
Minister Powell released a consultation paper on 19 April as part of the commitment to improving engagement between Aboriginal people and Victoria’s 79 local governments. The paper includes nine principles on the issues of access and inclusion, participation in decision-making and the importance of cultural heritage for Aboriginal people and councils to collaborate on. The nine draft principles are a platform for building stronger relationships between local government and Aboriginal people and Minister Powell has called on local governments to affirm the principles and continue their commitment to reconciliation. Download the consultation paper.
New planning rules on contaminated sites
Minister Guy has also released the Potentially Contaminated Land Advisory Committee Report. In the future, old service stations, factories and contaminated sites that pose potential risk to human health and the environment will be audited following recommendations in the independent report. The Department of Planning and Community Development will implement a number of recommendations to improve the operation of the Environmental Audit Overlay and strengthen planning guidelines. The Victoria Planning Provisions will be amended and a new planning practice note will be published by the Department of Planning and Community Development.
Waste and recovery policy released
Getting full value: the Victorian Waste and Resource Recovery Policy was launched by Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Ryan Smith on 15 April. The Policy sets a 30 year vision for waste and resource recovery in Victoria with policy priorities that will guide actions over the next ten years. Download the Policy.
Advisory group focused on eliminating violence
Minister for Community Services, Mary Wooldridge has announced the Addressing Violence against Women and Children Advisory Group. Comprised of community and government leaders, the group will provide advice and input on strategies to eliminate violence against women and children.
Built environment policies and practices for health
This webinar presentation by Dr Karen Lee, Adjunct Professor, Schools of Public Health, University of Alberta and University of Toronto covers implementing built environment policies and practices to address chronic disease. The webinar is part of a seminar series hosted by the Victorian Department of Health, VicHealth, the Australasian Faculty of Public Health Medicine, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, the McCaughey Centre and the Heart Foundation. Dr Lee was heavily involved in the development and introduction of Active Design Guidelines in New York. Dr Lee does an excellent job of explaining the connections between planning, regulation, design and public health.
Forget fast food – slow down!
In this article by Lauren Williams and John Gernov (The Conversation, 15 April), the authors discuss what we can learn from the Slow Food movement and how to translate those learnings for wider social change. The article will be of interest to community, health and social planners working in food security and nutrition.
Funding opportunities
Community Environment Grants 2013-14
The Community Environment Grants program is part of the Australian Government’s Caring for our Country initiative. The 2013-14 Community Environment Grants round will provide funding to local community groups to help them take action to conserve and protect their natural environment. Applications are open to existing and emerging community groups, including Indigenous organisations, to undertake on-ground activities and projects that will increase the skills and capacity of their communities to protect the natural environment. Applications are close at midnight (12am AEST) on Wednesday 8 May 2013. For more information visit www.nrm.gov.au or phone 1800 552 008.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
Councillors’ Leadership Dinner – book early as numbers limited!
Wednesday 15 May@ 6.15 for a 6.30pm start, to 9.30pm
The Pumphouse Hotel, 128 Nicholson Street, Fitzroy
The VLGA is hosting a special members-only dinner for councillors at VLGA member councils. This as an opportunity for councillors to network and catch up with each other to discuss local government issues. In addition we have a wonderful guest speaker, Jennifer Gray, CEO of Zoos Victoria. We value the opportunity to meet with you and obtain your views on current issues and concerns, so we do hope you will be able to join us to meet and mingle with councillors from across Victoria and VLGA Board and staff. View the formal invitation and RSVP your attendance by Friday 10 May.
Reconciliation Week Leading Edge Forum
Thursday 6 June, 6-9pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
This year we will again partner with Reconciliation Victoria for our special Reconciliation Week Leading Edge Forum. More information will be available in forthcoming eNews. Please note that a Leading Edge Forum will not be held in May.
Other Events
13th Anniversary Fundraising Dinner – Friends of Aileu
Friday 3 May, 7pm for 7.30-10.30pm
Aghadeer Restaurant, 874 Sydney Rd, Brunswick
Tickets $50 pp for banquet, drinks at bar prices – bookings essential
Guest speaker, Peter McMullin, President of VECCI and International Business Adviser to the Timor-Leste Foreign Minister, will address the evening on the prospects for business in East Timor. There will be live East Timorese music, featuring the Mystic Trio, and a raffle with great prizes. For tickets, please email Richard Brown or phone 0407 091 004.
Local Government NBN & Future Online Services Conference 2013
May 8-9
The Menzies, 14 Carrington Street, Sydney
This conference will provide Australia’s local governments and regional development authorities with the latest knowledge and advice on how to ensure councils and their communities benefit from the roll-out of the National Broadband Network and availability of fast broadband services. It will provide valuable information and advice for councils and RDAs whose communities are yet to experience the NBN roll-out, as well as for those who are experiencing the roll-out and are now actively seeking to take advantage of high-speed broadband. Learn more and register.
ALGWA Vic State Conference & AGM – Going Bush in 2013
May 24-26
Euroa Butter Factory, 79 Boundary Rd North, Euroa
There is an exciting array of speakers at this year’s ALGWA Vic conference. You are encouraged to book early so as not to miss out on accommodation. This is also the 50th anniversary of the founding of the Victorian ALGWA branch. Conference details and registration information is available online.
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