President’s Message
A good sized group of mayors, councillors, former councillors, candidates and interested community members joined us on Thursday night at our special Leading Edge Forum workshop session Strengthening democracy: improving local government elections. Thanks to all of you for attending and to the many people who have sent us their comments if they couldn’t attend. With the 2012 local government elections completed, the VLGA Board believes it is time to reflect on how local democracy can be improved. In the coming weeks, we will be continuing our public conversation to enhance our collective understanding of the challenges of local government and opportunities for improvement. We will be drawing on the insights of councillors, election candidates, local government officers, community activists and voters at large to develop a stronger evidence base about what is working in local government elections and how things can be improved. The range of feedback we received on Thursday night will contribute to our final discussion paper, so keep the information coming in! National Youth Week has kicked off with a brilliant message to young people: Be active. Be happy. Be you. For activities and updates follow the official Twitter @NYWau and #nyw2013 and visit the official website.
It’s the last week of school holiday break, and I look forward to seeing you about the place at various events in the next few weeks 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
Council visits – VLGA on the road again…
VLGA CEO Maree McPherson visited the CEO, Mayor and councillors at the Shire of Yarra Ranges last Tuesday and this week she will be at the Shire of Indigo and stopping in at Wangaratta. More visits are planned for May. If you are interested in having Maree with your council, please email Member Relations Officer, Chelsea Ayling or call (03) 9349 7983.
Voting by councillors at council meetings
Local Government Victoria (LGV) has issued a practice note for councillors and officers regarding voting by councillors at council meetings. This follows the changes made in late 2012 to the Local Government Act regarding abstentions from voting. The VLGA and our member local governments still hold very strong views about this legislative change and the message came through loud and clear from many mayors at the Essential Mayors’ Weekend in January. While we acknowledge that LGV is seeking to provide clarification, we argue that the change was impractical and confusing, as evidenced by the need for the practice note. For interest, you can also read the Good Governance Guide on voting at council meetings.
VLGA 2012 local government elections survey of women candidates
The VLGA has just published the report from our survey of the record number of women candidates in the 2012 local government elections in Victoria. In 2011, the VLGA initiated the Think Women for Local Government Project with the support of the Victorian Government and local governments across the sector. The aim of the project was to encourage more women to put up their hand for candidacy. A record 662 Victorian women nominated, 215 of which were elected to councils.
‘Gamblification’ of everyday life
VLGA members might also be interested in this article Sport, Tom Waterhouse and the ‘gamblification’ of everyday life (The Conversation, 4 April) by Charles Livingstone, Senior Lecturer in Global Health and Society, in the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University. Charles is a regular presenter at the VLGA’s Local Government Working Group on Gambling.
Unlocking tourism potential of public land?
Over the Easter break, the Victorian Coalition Government released guidelines on Tourism Investment Opportunities of Significance in National Parks. The Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Hon. Ryan Smith MP, says the guidelines are intended to help grow the tourism sector and attract more international visitors to Victoria. The release follows the Government’s response in 2012 to the final report from the Victorian Competition and Efficiency Commission (VCEC) inquiry into the Victorian tourism industry. The guidelines attracted much media attention in the past week, and we know a number of VLGA member local governments and other members will have a strong interest in how this policy progresses.
Minimum standards for rooming houses
New laws have commenced which provide rooming house residents with a right to minimum privacy, security, safety and amenity standards. For the first time in Victoria, residents have the ability to take legal action to enforce these rights at VCAT. Local governments also have increased powers to refuse to register rooming houses which do not comply with minimum standards. The VLGA welcomes these rights however, in our view, all levels of government must take a proactive approach to compliance and enforcement, to ensure these rights are meaningful to the vulnerable Victorians relying on rooming house accommodation.
New local government resource for ‘Heart Healthy’ communities
The Heart Foundation (Victoria) has developed a new local government resource Creating heart healthy communities, with programs and policies that address risk factors for heart disease. Included in the document are actions councils may consider when preparing Municipal Public Health and Wellbeing Plans, Municipal Strategic Statements and Council Plans. The resource outlines three Heart Foundation priority areas for local government including food and nutrition, active living and smoke-free outdoor areas.
Smart parking
According to a blog from Greg Rucks of the Rocky Mountain Institute, “In 2007, city drivers in a pint-sized 15-block district in Los Angeles drove more than 950,000 miles, emitted 730 metric tons of carbon dioxide, and burned 47,000 gallons of gas searching for parking”. VLGA metropolitan member councillors and officers will find Greg’s blog of interest as he discusses new technology being used for parking solutions in cities around the world.
Funding opportunities
Community Safety Grants
Local councils and community groups are urged to become actively involved in local crime prevention programs by applying for the State Coalition Government’s Community Safety Fund grants. Minister for Crime Prevention Andrew McIntosh has launched the third round of the grants, which provides a total of $1 million in funding. The Community Safety Fund provides grants of up to $10,000 for community groups and councils to implement crime prevention projects. Learn more and apply by 29 May 2013.
Events for your diary
VLGA Events
Planning for resilience: councillors setting the agenda with strategy and policy- last chance to book
TONIGHT Monday 8 April @ 5.30pm for a 6pm start, to 9pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
The focus of this training is to assist councillors with: understanding and applying sustainable approaches to urban change, facilitating community engagement with key strategic documents, maximising your input across council plans, public health plans and land use planning strategies and working with your councillor colleagues and the administration to deliver integrated plans and strategies that reflect your issues and priorities. RSVP by email or call (03) 9349 7999.
Pokies Assessments: a ‘how to’ short course
Wednesday 10 April@ 9.30am-4pm
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
Members $264, non-members $297
Part of the VLGA's advocacy on gambling reform, this workshop will consider gambling and local government holistically, including processes, context, social and economic impacts and practical local government case studies. The session is designed for councillors, statutory planners, social and community planners, social researchers and health professionals. View the agenda and download the registration form.
‘Resilient Neighbourhoods: Integrated approaches to urban change’ Forum – almost full!
Thursday 11 April @ 9.30am-12.30pm (including light refreshments)
VLGA, 60 Leicester St, Carlton
With Greater Melbourne's population growing at a rapid pace, local governments increasingly need to review and improve their strategies for sustainably managing growth and urban change. If you would like to learn more about how other local government teams and professional disciplines are working effectively together with the community to assist sustainable urban change, then this important forum is for you. The forum will showcase current practice, feature case studies and cover:
* sustainable approaches to urban change
* integration models and processes
* community engagement
* enablers and barriers
RSVP by email or call (03) 9349 7999.
Councillors’ Leadership Dinner – for councillors at VLGA member councils – 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. Come along to enjoy a three-course meal and guest speaker Jennifer Gray, CEO Zoos Victoria. View the formal invitation and RSVP your attendance by Friday 10 May.
Other Events
Women’s Leadership Program – a course for women
Throughout 2013
Various locations
Do you want to be part of a project that puts women in the centre of building community harmony? Do you want to be part of a team of women that is passionate in forming, connecting and strengthening women’s networks? Do you support women in community leadership roles? If yes, then this course is for you! The Victorian Immigrant and Refugee Women’s Coalition in partnership with Learn Local is running the Women’s Leadership Course at a select group of Neighbourhood Houses and Learning Centres in 2013. Learn more about the course, see the locations and register.
Sustainable Event Management training
15 & 16 April, 9am-4pm both days
William Angliss Institute, 55 La Trobe St, Melbourne
Cost $600
This training is applicable to everyone involved in the planning, procurement, production, measurement, reporting and communications of events and venues. Brought to you by GreenShoot Pacific – a specialist event sustainability consultancy and training academy whose key clients include Sydney Festival, Sydney Entertainment Centre, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Luna Park, South East Arts Organisation, Sydney Convention and Exhibition Centre, WA Department Sport and Recreation, Melbourne Knowledge Week 2012 and over 70 regional and metropolitan local councils. Learn more online.
Public forum: ‘After the Race Discrimination Case’
16 April, 5.30pm
Law Institute Victoria, 470 Bourke St, Melbourne
In the second half of 2013, the Victorian public will be able to take part in a Victoria Police review that will examine policy on ‘field contact’ person checks and its cross-cultural training system. This review provides an opportunity for police to implement training, policy and practice reforms to prevent racial bias and discrimination when dealing with Victoria’s diverse communities. This important forum for legal, human rights, police, youth and community sector organisations will provide insights into the nature, extent and impacts of racial profiling and the steps we can take to end the practice. Register online for this free event.
2013 Regional Victoria Living Expo
19 – 21 April
Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre
This expo will showcase the outstanding opportunities available in regional and rural Victoria. Come along and speak to more than 100 exhibitors and gather important information on careers, education, housing, health and the great lifestyle available in the regions. Pre-register for this FREE Expo and learn more about what the expo offers.
'Going bush in 2013’ – save the date!
ALGWA Conference
26-26 May
Euroa
Going bush in 2013 has something for everyone, and begins with a dinner on Friday night with guest speakers Federal MP Dr Sharman Stone and Melbourne Cup hero/winegrower Gerry Ryan. The conference will be opened on Saturday morning by Local Government Minister (and ALGWA Life Member) The Hon Jeanette Powell, who will then be joined in a panel with Pam Robinson OAM. Pam, a former Violet Town Shire President and ALGWA Victoria President, is currently an environment officer in the Northern Territory. Other Saturday speakers include Victoria’s Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability Prof Kate Auty; Dr Bill Sykes MP, and ALGWA bursary winner Sam Durreau of Whittlesea. Cr Colleen Furlanetto will talk about Strathbogie’s domestic violence initiatives, to be followed by a panel of six local female mayors. Sunday speakers include shadow local government minister Richard Wynne and Vanessa Robinson, Founder and Chair of the Chase and Tyler Foundation.
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