VLGA Connect

VLGA Connect, Episode 286 - Governance Update, 15th July 2022 This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers: we follow up on attempts to have a definitive list of Victorian councils with Indigenous names; an erratum from Steve on his true crime knowledge; controversial council and council officer missteps in the news; a Koala and a publ...

VLGA Connect, Episode 285 Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect today is Greg Hannan from Powercor, discussing a new report that looks at how communities and councils can plan for and implement neighbourhood battery projects. The report looks at the various uses for batteries, the key factors to consider in their location, design and planning, as well as the commercial considerations for not only the...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, Episode 284 - 8th July 2022 On this week's Governance Update menu: a change of Prime Minister imminent in the UK; Steve's Wimbledon memories; Moreland a step closer to becoming Merri-bek; at least one addition to the municipal monitor list coming soon; major reforms on the way for local government in Western Australia; a backflip on a backflip in Queenslan...

This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, a local MP has called for a municipal monitor to be appointed to Horsham Rural City Council; farewell to Shaun Leane as Local Government Minister and we welcome Melissa Horne to the portfolio; a clear favourite for Moreland's new name emerges; three Vic Council CEO appointment developments this week; and much more in our w...

VLGA Connect, Episode 282: On VLGA Connect today, Chris Eddy speaks with Sarah Toohey, the CEO of the Community Housing Industry Association of Victoria about a new suite of tools designed to help councils deliver more social and affordable housing. It's a much watch for councillors, senior executives, planning practitioners and other council officers! Find out more here: https://chiavic.com....

VLGA Connect: Governance Update, 24th June 2022 Episode 281 Today on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. It's National Take Your Dog to Work Day! Apart from canine interruptus, we talk about the newly released Municipal Monitor's report in relation to Yarra City Council; A councillor donating her allowance accrued during a...

This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper, discussion topics include: Reaction to the State Government's threatened freeze out of Geelong Council; VLGA Board election results are in; Making the case for a new day of observance; Councils in the news over alleged conflicts of interest, inappropriate conduct and corrosive council work environments. The Governance Update...

VLGA Connect, Episode 279: This week, speculation about the identity of PRGuy hits the Governance Update. Plus, preparing your Governance Rules for new rules on remote meetings; new financial hardship legislation announced; Mayors step down and CEOs appointed; an EB is landed; Council culture and councillor behaviour exposed, and much more. Brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Links: 1. http...

VLGA Connect, Episode 278: It's the morning after the night before.... Chris and Steve reflect on the LGPro Conference Awards night and dinner, including multiple award wins for Gannawarra Shire; feedback to share from recent episodes; a contentious land sale proposal attracting attention at Macedon Ranges; new local government ministers at the federal level; a shortage of professional staff...

VLGA Connect, Episode 277 Hume City Council's Health Champions program has been awarded at the Welcoming Cities Awards, announced at the recent symposium in Canberra. In this episode, we find out more about the program, the challenges it sought to overcome, and its ultimate successes from Julie Andrews and Liz Shield. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training off...

On the weekly Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, Chris and Steve reflect on the federal election campaign from a local government perspective; lots of CEO level developments around the state; councils in the news over school gates and golf courses,  and much more to discuss. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local...

Governance Update: VLGA Connect Episode 275 This week on the Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers: 68 of 79 councils recognise IDAHOBIT Day; The culture project Insights Report is out; One council begins a process to hand back stolen lands, while another moves ahead with a renaming process; Federal election campaign outcomes and more work to be done to ensure local government ge...

VLGA Connect, Governance Update - Episode 273 This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, auditor generals in two states find room for improvement in Council fraud and audit processes; a loss in the Supreme Court for Hume City Council; election signage issues abound; Council meeting times in the news; an alleged murderer elected to a town board; and a special guest appea...

VLGA Connect, Episode 274: Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect is Felicity Macchion, Manager of Libraries at Yarra City Council, to talk about the innovative Open Library concept that has been introduced to two of Yarra's libraries over recent months. Library members who have gone through an induction process are able to access library services during unserviced hours, in a model of service th...

VLGA Connect, Episode 272: On today's episode, Chris Eddy is joined by Shannon Smyth and Dian Lipiarski from Sustainability Victoria, to talk about the Recycled First Local Government Program, and how is connecting councils with resources and information to buy recycled product and participate in the circular economy. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training off...

VLGA Connect, Episode 271: This week on the Governance Update, Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper discuss the week's local government happenings, including a former mayor's federal election campaign on hold; local government well represented in the latest Top 50 Public Sector Women honourees; election signage continues to be an issue for councils; council employees called on to provide their vi...

VLGA Connect, Episode 270: Kathryn Arndt and Steve Cooper of the VLGA join Chris Eddy in the annual budget analysis special from VLGA Connect. They share insights into how local government fared in the 2022 Victorian State Budget, and some of the reaction from around the sector. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Associ...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, Episode 269: This week on the Governance Update,  a COVID-affected Steve wants to refine some of his comments from last week; plus monitors, tenuous links abound, we revisit the West Wimmera controversy; and discussion on councils and councillors in the news. Links: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-26/edenhope-rsl-shows-support-to-gay-and-trans-community/10101660...

VLGA Connect, Episode 268: On today's episode, Chris Eddy is joined by Victoria's LGBTIQ+ Communities Commissioner, Todd Fernando. Learn about his background and how he came into the role; his bout of imposter syndrome; challenges and disappointments; and what lies ahead for Australia's first openly queer and Aboriginal Commissioner. Support the show To learn more about the events,...

VLGA Connect, Episode 267: Governance Update, 22nd April 2022 On this week's Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, a rural council's decision not to fly the Rainbow Flag sparks debate and alarm; a successful Mayoral Easter charity event; modern slavery act obligations on NSW Councils come into effect; differing council approaches to election signage regulation in the s...

VLGA Connect, episode 266: Emily Maguire, the CEO of Respect Victoria, joins Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt on today's episode to talk about the role of her organisation, how it engages with local government, and about the opportunities for more connection and involvement through such initiatives as the 16 Days of Activism. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training...

VLGA Connect, Episode 265: Professor Liam Smith is a leading authority on behaviour change. On today's VLGA Connect, he speaks with Chris Eddy about how an understanding of human behaviour and how to influence it can be helpful for councils in getting the outcomes they're looking for. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local G...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, episode 264: This week we unpack the announcement of municipal monitors to be appointed to three more Victorian Councils; the sector reaction to the Commonwealth Games coming to regional Victoria in 2026; and more news from around the sector on our weekly Governance Update. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victor...

VLGA Connect Episode 262: On today's program, Chris Eddy speaks with Dr Tim Johnson about Treenet, an independent non-profit organisation working with organisations including councils to improve the urban forest. We talk about the origins of the organisation, how it assists councils and communities to appreciate the values of the urban forest, and some of the current issues of relevance to th...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, 8th April 2022: On the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper this week, we unpack the Latrobe Councillor Code of Conduct Panel process and outcomes; plus news from around the sector including a new LGV Executive Director appointment; a guest appearance from Moira Shire Mayor Cr Libro Mustica talking about cross border cooperation; an ex Victorian CEO...