VLGA Connect

Councillor Mary-Ann Brown, Chair of Rural Councils Victoria, joins Steve Cooper on today's Election Special episode. Mary-Ann talks about advocacy program of Rural Councils Victoria in the run-up to the 2024 State Election; the financial and social economics of rural communities; the importance of funding roads and other infrastructure; and the very specific characteristics of rural municipal...

VLGA Connect, Episode 310 - Governance Update Up for discussion this week, the outcome of an internal arbitration process at Darebin City Council; drawing a line between robust political debate and misconduct;  a monitor’s term comes to an end; why we won’t use "grandfathering" any more; mayoral election results and much more. Links: Racial history of the grandfather clause https://www.n...

This week on the  Governance Update, Steve Cooper and Chris Eddy discuss the local government news of the week, including Councils under the pump trying to keep on top of long grass; a mayor ambushed on live television; the Moira Commission of Inquiry appointed; news on councillor resignations and mayoral elections; councils making challenging decisions, and much more. The Governance Update is bro...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, Episode 308 Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper are back together for the weekly Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Included in this week's discussion: a Commission of Inquiry into Moira Shire Council; concerns over unallocated growth area funding; controversy over the handling of a petition to fly the rainbow flag at Gannawarra Shire; a council e...

A new Budget week VLGA Governance Update with thanks to Hunt & Hunt Lawyers.  Steve Cooper talks with  special guest Jo Noesgaard, Senior Associate at SGS Economics and Planning, Jo is a planner with a drive to shape communities that are accessible and equitable for all. Jo has recently joined SGS Economics and Planning after a successful career in Victorian Local Government. She brings a deep...

A new rather different Governance Update with Steve Cooper and special guest Sarah Rey, Founding Partner at Justitia Lawyers. Sarah is an employment lawyer providing advice on risk, governance and compliance with extensive experience in investigations into misconduct and bullying, including within local government. This week there is just one topic, but it’s a big one. Steve talks with Sarah about...

A new Governance Update with Stephen Cooper and special guest Allison Watt. The team take a  look behind the governance news of this very wet week including: venue announcements for the Commonwealth Games; prayers and diversity statements; ongoing legal manoeuvres relating to a CEO termination; an IBAC report goes to Parliament; movement on electoral representation reviews; some important events;...

 On an all-new Governance Update Steve Cooper visits the offices of our sponsor, Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, and talks with Managing Partner Tony Raunic.   Tony and Steve unpack the governance news of the week including:  Governance mis-steps at the Essendon Football Club;  a new High Court Judge and some wisdom from RBG; some topical legal goings-on; the proposed Air BNB waste charge in Tasmania; a...

On an all-new Governance Update with Stephen Cooper and special guest Allison Watt, a look behind the governance news of the week, including:  CEO side hustles, a super-quick road name change in Geelong, Merri-bek City Council is now official, a Tasmanian Council makes an interesting call on Air BnB waste charges, conduct issues referred to Council meetings at Gannawarra and Wyndham, an addendum o...

On an all-new Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, a look behind the governance news of the week, including: a big advocacy win for councils in Melbourne's west; new MAV rules endorsed; award wins for Casey, Greater Bendigo and Darebin; senior executive news and more. The Governance Update from VLGA Connect is sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn mo...

VLGA Connect, Episode 301: The era of deliberative engagement in local government is here, and the team at Mosaic Lab has literally written the book on it. They live and breathe deliberative engagement - or as co-founder Keith says, "We really dork out on this stuff!" On this episode of VLGA Connect, Chris speaks with Keith and Nicole from Mosaic Lab about their new Big Book of Deliberat...

VLGA Connect, State Election Series - Episode 300 As part of the VLGA's State Election Series, the Victorian Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne took questions from an audience of mayors and councillors from around the state, on a wide range of questions. Topics discussed included planning issues, affordable housing provision, councillor behaviour, infrastructure challenges, local gov...

VLGA Connect, Governance Update - Episode 299 On this week's program, Chris and Steve discuss noteworthy local government happenings, including the official renaming of Moreland City Council; unauthorised use of Monash City Council's logo; a confession from a Whitehorse ratepayer; Councillors using FOI to access Council documents; and much more from a big week if local government news. S...

VLGA Connect, episode 298 On a special edition of VLGA Connect, Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy are joined by the new Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain, to talk about her approach to the role.  The Minister provides more detail on how the new government will engage with local governments around Australia,  a review of funding arrangements for t...

On this week's Governance Update from VLGA Connect, Chris and Steve talk about the impacts (or non-impacts) on Councils arising from the passing of Queen Elizabeth II; councillor social media behaviour making news again; good news for federal/local government relations; councillor election and CEO appointment news; and a potential Council merger to go to a vote in South Australia. Plus much m...

On a delayed Governance Update this week, Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper discuss the week's local government news, including a ground breaking collaboration between 4 councils and Barwon Water;  councils considering important service delivery decisions; Melbourne considering its 26th January options; a rural council's dangerous dog decision upheld by VCAT; and lots more in this week's...

VLGA Connect State Election Series 2022 Dr Jonathan Spear, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, joins Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy to talk about the 30 year infrastructure strategy for Victoria, and what the evidence says about current and future infrastructure needs across the state. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Assoc...

VLGA Connect: State Election Series 2022, Live Panel event Conducted Friday 26th August, with Shadow Minister for Local Government and Housing, Richard Riordan, and Shadow Minister for Planning, Ryan Smith. Questions were put to the panellists about the State Opposition's intended approach to a wide range of issues of relevance to the local government sector, including culture, planning refor...

VLGA Connect, Episode 293 - Governance Update This week, we track down Steve Cooper in Darwin to get his thoughts on the events of the week, including happenings in Canberra; a governance rules kerfuffle at Yarra; new alliances formed; senior executive news; a council demerger going ahead, and lots more news from around the local government sector. Support the show To learn more about the events,...

VLGA Connect, Episode 292: The Premier's Sustainability Awards finalists have been announced for this year. On this episode of VLGA Connect, we focus on two of the nominated Council projects that are demonstrating leadership and innovation in the local government sector. Scott Bryant outlines the City of Greater Bendigo's holistic approach to the circular economy; and then Claire Matthew...

Ep: 291: VLGA Connect Governance Update Our weekly dissection of governance news with Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper, including a call for your input on political behaviour that does not quite constitute a conduct breach but we just don't like it! Topics include the intersection of public art and Council policy; a councillor conduct panel result; leading the way on shared parental leave; constit...

Episode 290: VLGA Connect Governance Update: This week, we celebrate Steve's new career as a photographer; revisiting the vexed issues of 'leaves of absence' and councillor conduct; electoral representation reviews; a study of the impacts of councillor remuneration; controversial council decisions; resignations and appointments, and much more! Brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawye...

On this week's program, talking culturally diverse representation at the local government level; feedback from last week's conduct discussion; looking for clarity on councillor obligations when running for another level of government; appointing an internal referee for councillor disagreements - a coming trend?; the quaint practice of weighing the mayor; a CEO appointment and acknowledgi...

VLGA Connect, Episode 288 - Governance Update On this week's program, we unpack and dissect the Stonnington conduct outcomes; insights from the latest Global Executive Panel; Councils in the news over Australia Day, a golf course, Governance Rules, mayoral robes, sudden CEO departures, and much more! Stay with us to the end for late breaking news! For the Stonnington reports, see the agenda f...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, Episode 287 The weekly Governance Update is here, where Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper discuss the week's notable local government stories. More on the origins of Victorian council names; Darebin goes external to appoint a Councillor Conduct Officer; the controversial Rex Theatre sale decision at Hepburn Shire; a pending Supreme Court matter that may have broader...