Friday, 8 May 2009

As Councils prepare their own budgets with a minimum of four weeks of community consultation, it is interesting to reflect on the State Government budget process: weeks of anticipation, a media lock-up with mobile phones confiscated, 45 press releases, media saturated with analysis of a horse that has bolted.

I offer an analysis from the VLGA below, hopeful that engagement in the budget process in this way might one day make way for greater community participation in one of, if not, the most important decision of a government.

VLGA State Budget Analysis

Investing in communities - with some noticeable gaps

Councils across Victoria will welcome the spending on community services, transport and infrastructure in the 2009/10 Victorian budget.  However, the emphasis on job creation is tempered by a construction-centric approach to employment, an absence of environmental initiatives and a lack of clarity for the prioritisation of some infrastructure projects over others.  The equitable delivery of capital improvements is particularly necessary in regional Victoria where subsidies to fill the rapidly growing infrastructure gaps are critical to the financial sustainability of small Councils.

Communities

The budget promises considerable spending for community renewal and development matching the rhetoric of a fairer, more liveable and just Victoria.  Spending on health, legal aid, accessibility, homecare, children’s services, mental health, social housing and indigenous Victorians is welcome and Councils and communities will benefit from these initiatives.  Further funding for multicultural programs and CALD communities would be appropriate given the diversity of Victoria’s population.  Councils are currently under pressure to provide services in this area and require increased financial assistance.

Bushfires

The provision for bushfire recovery is necessarily generous with a particular emphasis on communications.  The learnings of the Royal Commission should continue to inform recovery assistance and budget allocations.  The rebuilding and rehabilitation tasks that lie ahead for local communities are immense and the $10M community recovery fund and $15M road and public transport restoration funds appear low.  There are no clear allocations of funds to local governments, although we are aware that funds can be made available to assist affected Councils on request.

Rural and regional Victoria

Rural and regional Victoria will benefit from funds for regional hospitals, schools and services as well as farming and drought assistance packages.  However, the extensive infrastructure renewal needs of regional Victoria will require years of prioritisation.   Schools, roads, housing and service in small rural towns require critical triage for survival. The more I speak with smaller rural Councils, the more frustrated I get with the significant funding problems they face.  The VLGA hopes that the State Government will tackle the issues of funding in the near future, as we’ve recommended in our last three State Budget submissions.

Jobs?

Employment underpins this budget – almost half of the 45 media statements released with the budget refer to the creation of 35,000 jobs.  The bulk of these jobs are in the construction industry offering marginal relief to rural and peri-urban areas affected by unemployment, drought related down-turn and the impact of the global financial crisis.

Transport

This budget fulfils an important first step in implementing the Victorian Transport Plan with improvements outlined in the plan funded in this budget – roughly split between improvements to roads and public transport.  However, the timeframes for some of the larger funded projects are unclear at this stage.  There are also some noticeable omissions:  the Regional Rail Link (a project that would build new rail track from Werribee to Tarneit to Sunshine, with the benefits of easing congestion and adding independence to the rail network) was a notable exception in the budget announcement.  Minister Kosky has indicated that Federal Government funds will precede any state announcements, compared with the Peninsula Link, which was announced, despite still the requirement of Federal funds.

Planning

The much-anticipated online planning project will receive considerable new funds which is to be welcomed. However, we would hope for further clarification about the purpose, role and decision-making frameworks for the Development Facilitation Unit – which will receive a considerable amount of funding to identify projects that the Minister can call in.

The $35,000 for each council to develop housing responses to Melbourne @ 5 million is also welcomed, although we are sure that this is only a fraction of the funds needed by many Councils.

Summary

While there are small increases in overall budget allocation to programs to benefit local communities through Councils, there are always projects that miss out. Just as for Councils, the State Government has to prioritise spending and so it is that response to bushfires and the GFC have been prioritised. Nevertheless, we have unfulfilled expectations of a more proactive response to climate change and meeting the needs of specific support for struggling rural communities and Councils.

Reminder of next Leading Edge Forum

Don’t forget our next Leading Edge Forum will be held next Thursday, 14^th May in Rosebud.

Please join us for dinner at 6pm, then a stimulating discussion including experiences of 3 existing rural-metro council and community partnerships and the potential for new ones from 7pm.

 

The venue will be the Mornington Peninsula Shire Offices at 90 Besgrove Street, Rosebud (Melways Map 170, A4).

Please RSVP to vlga@vlga.org.au if you are able to join us.

If you are not able to attend but still have an interest, on the night you can go to the following link to view the Live Webcast and join in the discussion:

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/vlga-leading-edge-forum  

Members’ Planning Day – May 23rd

The VLGA will be emailing PAs to Councillors and CEOs, as well as our individual and group members, a final copy of the Agenda for the Members’ Planning Day and our Draft Strategic Plan.

This Planning Day will be held on May 23^rd at the Box Hill Town Hall so please place this date in your diary.

Conflict of Interest

Watch out for some further advice next week as the VLGA continues to discuss issues with the Minister and his Department. We are glad to see that the Minister has indicated a willingness to consider some changes following the advocacy the VLGA and our members have taken to date.

 

Friday, 1 May 2009

Breast Cancer - Mother’s Day Classic

As a mum with a connection with breast cancer shared by so many Victorians, I would like to draw your attention to the many Mother’s Day Classic events being held around the state in regional and metro areas next Sunday 10^th May.

Proceeds go to the National Breast Cancer Foundation.  I know many Councils are actively supporting the events and thank you for this!  For more information see www.mothersdayclassic.org

 

A Right … or A Passage? Community Participation in Major Planning Reforms

Recently, Councils have been asked to respond to multiple reforms and changing practices with respect to Planning: new Residential Zones, new Activity Centre Zones, review of the Planning Act, introduction of the Development Assessment Committees (DACs) and more. 

Reviews are very welcome, but the VLGA is concerned where processes appear hurried, details unclear and the commitment to genuine partnership between local and state governments is questioned.

Consultation with Local Governments and community ownership of planning is vulnerable to competing pressures for quick legislative reforms, rapid development and responses to the global financial crisis, bushfires and population growth.  But substantial changes require substantial consultation and engagement with Local Governments and local communities.

The new Residential Zones have had a mixed reception from Councils with most requesting further details and resources for Councils to undertake necessary strategic to implement  the new Residential Zones across Victoria.

The VLGA also has concerns about the legislation currently before Parliament introducing the DACs.  The proposed structure of the DACs results in Local Governments losing decision-making control, but bearing the costs and responsibility for decisions of the DACs.

Moreover, in such a busy time for planning reform where strong community and government partnerships are sought, the most helpful public comments are those that focus on supporting Councillors and communities in the process of decision making rather than derision - as preferred by some recent commentators.  It’s not constructive for some of our own – including former Councillors and leaders taking pot-shots at our sector.

In the highly pressurised Local Government theatre, consultative planning can be pushed backstage.  Our task should be to prefer good planning with extensive participation from Councils and communities occurring prior to substantial change.

Placing Reconciliation In Council Plans

This week I will be writing to Mayors and CEOs demonstrating how easy it is for all of us to include references to Reconciliation in our Council Plans – regardless of whether we are currently doing things in this policy space. There are great examples of simple yet effective things we can all do so make sure you ask your Mayors and CEOs about this issue.

Important Diary Dates

Don’t forget the following events and dates as previously publicised:

1. VLGA Member’s Planning Day - 10am-4pm Saturday 23^rd May, Box Hill Town Hall

2. World Environment Day Masterclasses Friday 5^th June. Join author of KITCHEN TABLE SUSTAINABILITY – Practical Recipes for Community Engagement with Sustainability, to learn how to engage stakeholders in creating sustainable communities

You can get more details by visiting our website at www.vlga.org.au

New members – Mornington Peninsula Shire Council & Mildura Rural City Council

I would like to warmly welcome 2 new Local Government members to the VLGA - Mornington Peninsula Shire Council & Mildura Rural City Council.

Mornington Peninsula Shire

The Mornington Peninsula is located just over an hour’s drive from the city, is often described as Melbourne’s playground.

Mornington Peninsula Shire was formed in 1994 with the amalgamation of the Shires of Mornington, Flinders and Hastings. 

It is a 720 square kilometre boot-shaped peninsula separating Port Phillip and Western Port Bays.  The peninsula, as it’s affectionately known, is a mixture of urban areas, resort towns, tourist development and rural land. It also boasts more than 190 kilometres or 10 per cent of the state’s coastline.  The Shire aims to maintain a peninsula that is 70 per cent rural. 

The majority of the residential population is clustered along the coastline of Port Phillip Bay, between Mount Eliza and Dromana.  Many beach holiday houses are based along the Port Phillip coastline, with the population swelling by up to 30 per cent in the summer months.

Much of the rural area is used for farms, orchards and market gardens.

The Shire is well known and loved for its many attractions, which include national and state parks, beaches, golf courses and first-class food and wine.

In the past eight years, the Shire has taken significant steps in implementing its commitment to a Sustainable Peninsula.  The Shire’s strategic plan supports this commitment by nurturing our local character and sense of place; protecting our environment and climate change; creating safe, healthy and engaged communities; supporting a sustainable peninsula economy and being responsive, accountable and forward looking. 

Mildura Rural City Council

Mildura Rural City is situated in Victoria’s north-west, and is home to around 60,000 residents.  Covering around 10 percent of the state’s area, its landscape ranges from precious Mallee vegetation to grain farms, intensive horticulture, vibrant towns and the beautiful banks of the Murray River.

It is a rapidly growing municipality that includes Mildura city as well as a number of other communities including Red Cliffs, Merbein and Irymple near the Murray River, and Ouyen and Murrayville further inland.  Mildura Rural City’s people are culturally diverse, and along with vibrant street life, local produce and strong arts community, give a unique cosmopolitan feel.

Positioned near the borders of three states, on the crossroads of transport links between three capital cities and near the meeting point of Australia’s two great rivers, the region’s strategic location continues to aid development and provides a distinctive regional flavour.  The district produces hundreds of millions of dollars in export revenue through sustainable, clean and green horticulture.  Significant commodities include dried fruits, olives, grains, vegetables, citrus, table grapes and wine; and the municipality includes significant education and health services including university and TAFE institutions, a number of hospitals and medical specialties.

Tuesday, 21 April 2009

My apologies for the length of this Blog entry but as you will see, there are some important issues and resources in which you will be interested. I also want to thank many of you who have emailed me your thanks, feedback and comments for this Blog.

STOP PRESS – Christine Nixon For VLGA Members Planning Day!

I am delighted to confirm that we have secured Christine Nixon as our Guest Speaker at our 2009 Members Planning Day, Saturday 23rd May at the Box Hill Town Hall. The day promises to be a landmark event with members informing the future strategic direction of the VLGA.

The Members Planning Day will be facilitated by Anne Dunne, who has been a Director and CEO in the Victorian, South Australian and Northern Territory public services as well as in Local Governments. Anne has many years of consultancy experience in facilitation, mediation, community consultation and organisational development, women and rural development. And did I mention Anne is lots of fun?

With a few surprises, this promises to be a fun day to be remembered! Please pencil this date into your diaries!

VLGA Tips and Shortcuts: Supporting and Promoting Accountability and Responsibility for Councillors (SPARC)

At the 2008 Local Government elections, over three hundred people became Councillors for the first time.  Being a Councillor is both a privilege and a responsibility, and we congratulate new Councillors on taking on the challenge and returning Councillors for their ongoing commitment.

At the VLGA, we aim to support Councillors to enable you to represent your communities effectively.  We offer training, support and an on-line library of useful information. 

We also promote useful resources. So we would like to bring to your attention the local leadership support pack that has been prepared by Local Government Victoria (LGV), and congratulate LGV for the useful information, references and tips.

Whether you are a first time or an experienced Councillor, we would like to recommend that you make use of the five booklets recently mailed to you:

1.  Local leadership

2. How it works

3. Account-ability

4. Meetings

5. The Acts

During our Annual Tour visits, the strong feedback from Councillors is that ‘Tips and Shortcuts’ accompanying lengthy reading material would be valuable. So, to assist you in getting the most out of the booklets, we have prepared these for each of LGV’s booklets. These Tips and Shortcuts identify key information that you might be looking for, and a quick reference to help you locate it.

You can find these on the Councillor & Officer Resources section of our website which is a button on the right hand side underneath the link to this Blog. Alternatively we can email these to you if you contact us at vlga@vlga.org.au

Advance Notice: World Environment Day Masterclasses – Kitchen Table Sustainability

We all know how crowded World Environment Day calendars can get, so I wanted you to have advance notice of our exclusive Councillor, Council Officer and Community Leader Masterclasses with renowned community engagement expert Wendy Sarkissian.

Wendy’s most recent book - Kitchen Table Sustainability – Practical Recipes for Community Engagement with Sustainability will be one resource used to explore strategies to engage stakeholders in creating sustainable communities.

Numbers are limited for these 3 Masterclasses, so go to our website www.vlga.org.au  to download the details including a registration form today.

VLGA Seeking Extension To Planning & Environment Act Review & Consultations

I have raised the possibility of the Planning Minister extending the deadline for submissions for at least an extra month beyond May 1st.

This request follows strong feedback from our members that the breadth and complexity of issues included in this Review mean the May 1st deadline will be a significant barrier to the majority of Councils and Community Leaders participating in a meaningful way.

The VLGA has been invited to sit on several Working Groups relating to the Review and we will be taking this invitation up to ensure that the views of our members are reflected at the highest levels. 

To this end, we invite member councils to send the VLGA comments or copies of your submissions to the review.

I will keep you informed about our request for an extension. 

New Members – Hindmarsh and Glen Eira

The relevance and importance of the VLGA’s unique role continues to strike a chord with more Councils indicating their intention to join.

Hindmarsh

Home to around 6,316 residents, Hindmarsh is located in central North West Victoria and is bounded in the north by the Big Desert/Wyperfeld National Park and in the south by the Little Desert National Park. The northern section of the Shire lies in the Mallee region. Its largest town is the well-known Nhill followed by Dimboola, Rainbow and Jeparit.

A major focus for Hindmarsh is to preserve the indigenous vegetation remnants, protect bio-diversity via planted corridors (bio-links) linking the Big and Little Deserts, and to generally increase the amount of cover, by revegetation on private land, landcare projects, as well as improved agricultural and land use practices. Major crops include wheat, barley, oats, lupins, field peas, chick peas, canola, vetches, lentils and faba beans. Hindmarsh Shire also produces over 80% of all ducks in Victoria. Wool and sheep meat are also significant.

The estimated number of visitors to the Shire is 85,000 - 110,000 per year. These people visit the Little Desert National Park, Wyperfeld National Park, Big Desert Wilderness, Little Desert Nature Lodge, Wimmera River, Lake Hindmarsh, Lake Albacutya, Ebenezer Mission, Wimmera Mallee Pioneer Museum, John Shaw Neilson Cottage, Yurunga Homestead, Pella Church, Pink Lake, fauna & flora, walks, drives, picnic grounds, accommodation, tours, arts, crafts, collectibles, gifts, host farms and major events such as the Wimmera German Fest, the Nhill Duck and Jazz Festival and performances of the play ‘Dimboola’.

Glen Eira

Home to more than 123,000 residents, Glen Eira covers 38.7 square kilometres in inner south-east metropolitan Melbourne. It was formed from the City of Caulfield and the northern part of the City of Moorabbin.

Glen Eira includes the suburbs of Bentleigh, Bentleigh East, Carnegie, Caulfield, Caulfield South, Caulfield North, Caulfield East, Elsternwick, Gardenvale, Glen Huntly, McKinnon, Murrumbeena, Ormond, and part of St Kilda East. An established area, it is Renowned for its abundance of beautiful parks and reserves - 163 hectares or enough to fill 80 MCGs. Glen Eira is also recognised for the many leisure opportunities the city has to offer, including abundant walking and cycling opportunities.

Glen Eira’s 5,953 registered business and commercial enterprises offer a diverse range of opportunities in education, health and community services, finance and property, and retail and wholesale trade — with a flourishing home-based business sector. More than 32,000 people are employed in the City and the unemployment rate is well below Victoria’s average.

Council has an active interest in managing its own growth and has developed Urban Village Structure Plans for each of the City’s three sub-regional shopping centres (Bentleigh, Carnegie, and Elsternwick). These have been included in the Glen Eira Planning Scheme as local policies. The Urban Villages Policy provides a framework for future land use and development within each centre, and identifies areas where mixed use and medium density redevelopment potential exists.

Human Rights Matters Locally

Last week the VLGA hosted a lunch with the Attorney General Rob Hulls and Parliamentary Secretary for Justice Brian Tee and the five Local Governments involved in our project to date -  Boroondara, Hume,  LaTrobe, Port Phillip and Wodonga.

This was a wonderful opportunity to share progress and feedback. The Attorney General used the lunch to announce a further $90,000 for this important Human Rights work. We are currently trying to locate extra funding to not only continue working with these 5 Local Governments, but to undertake wider work to  facilitate the implementation of the Charter across all 79 Local Governments. Watch this space for further announcements.

Friday, 3 April 2009

Conflict Of Interest Leading Edge Forum 

– Recorded Webcast Now Available!

Last night 60 mayors, councillors, CEOs, council officers and community members joined us in person, along with others viewing the live webcast online.

There were many clarifications provided, questions posed and ideas for future VLGA advocacy. I would like to thank John Rantino from Maddocks Lawyers and the CEO of Greater Geelong Kay Rundle for presenting. As always our talented staff turned on a great night, especially Ron Exiner and Liana Thompson.

We have recorded the live webcast so all you have to do is find the time to go to the link I sent you last week http://www.ustream.tv/channel/vlga-leading-edge-forum

Then scroll down on your left hand side until you see VLGA's Video Clips (18). Then click on the left hand side image entitled LEF April 2 2009 Conflict Of Interest.

We will load presentations on our website soon.

While I know you are very busy please participate in our brief online survey on Conflicts of Interest at http://surveys.infoxchange.net.au/s?s=1586

New Members - Central Goldfields & Glenelg Shires

It is with great pleasure that I can announce that the Central Goldfields and Glenelg Shires have just joined the VLGA.

Central Goldfields
Home to around 13,000 residents, Central Goldfields lies in the heart of the Victorian Goldfields surrounded by many historic townships and villages which began during the 1850s gold rush.

Already renowned for a rich history, this region is rapidly emerging as a place where visitors can find a wide variety of fine food and wine whilst also indulging their passions for fine art, architecture, craft or following family history.

Maryborough is the Shire’s major business centre with a population of around 8000. Other towns in the Shire include Bealiba, Carisbrook, Dunolly, Majorca, Talbot, Timor and the rural districts surrounding these centres and are famous for their heritage architecture and significant agriculture industries.

Glenelg
Home to just over 20,000 residents, Portland is Glenelg Shire’s largest town (10,000), with smaller town centres including Casterton, Heywood, Dartmoor and Nelson.

Whether you choose to live in a coastal environment or in a rural setting, the diverse nature of the Glenelg Shire makes it a wonderful place to live, work and raise a family. Live by the sea, in town or on a farm – the choice is yours.

Glenelg’s economic profile reveals a diverse industry base with significant involvement in manufacturing, community and health services, tourism, education, transport and retail. It is made up of friendly and vibrant communities with a large number of sporting, community and cultural organisations to participate in.

For the families there are a large number of first class primary and secondary schools, a TAFE campus and the Warrnambool campus of Deakin University is just an hour away.

We welcome Central Goldfields and Glenelg Shires and look forward to working closely with them – particularly on economic and social planning as well as the changing needs of smaller rural settlements.

Human Rights Charter Report Tabled In Parliament

The VLGA was present on Tuesday to see the Victorian Equal Opportunity & Human Rights Commission’s 2008 report on the operation of the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities introduced into the Victorian Parliament.

The report is not yet available on-line, but we will load this onto our website soon.

We were particularly involved in the development of the VEOHRC survey and made a number of recommendations to the Commission prior to the survey being distributed to Local Governments.

Our work on a number of projects is highlighted throughout the Local Government section of the Report and our leadership in this area is documented.

At the launch the Attorney General and VEOHRC’s CEO, Dr Helen Szoke highlighted Local Government as an area of concern; particularly that there is a risk for the implementation of the Charter not only to stall, but to ‘go backwards’ with the pressures of bushfires and the financial crisis heavily impacting on the implementation of the Charter”.

While our efforts have been recognized in the report and the VLGA is clearly at the Human Rights forefront for Victorian Local Governments, much more still needs to be done and we will keep you informed.

Improving Energy Supplies in Rural & Regional Victoria

In October last year the VLGA supported the Consumer Utilities Advisory Centre (CUAC) to hold a Forum on this important issue.

Poor energy supply in rural and regional communities places real and immediate constraints on their capacity to expand local business, attract new investment and offer energy security to residents. In Victoria, communities and consumers face a number of problems in securing better access to energy supplies.

The Forum explored these problems as well as solutions including tips on how to build the case for renewable energy.

A Forum Summary Report has been prepared and can be viewed on our website at http://www.vlga.org.au/resources/items/2009/04/272130-upload-00001.pdf