VLGA Connect

VLGA Connect Special Edition, Episode 260: Insights from Professor Carolyn Hendricks, former MP and communications consultant Bill Forwood, and Associate Professor Andrea Carson, who participated in the FastTrack 2022 panel discussing what trust in leadership looks like. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (V...

VLGA Connect Episode 259: VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt joins Chris Eddy for a conversation with Victoria's Shadow Minister for Local Government, Richard Riordan. Topics include the local government rating system, the cultural review of the sector, the perception of councils at other levels of government, and the value or otherwise of council alliances. Support the show To learn more about the event...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, Episode 258: On the program this week: Why is the Local Government Minister so impressed with Gippsland councils? Victoria Police back to basics initiative to include more engagement with councils  Is the distribution of political freebies a local laws issue for councils? The report from the independent review of workplace equality at Ambulance Victoria is out The M...

VLGA FastTrack 2022 Special Edition: Professor Anna Armstrong and LGV Executive Director Julie Reid reflect on the process to review the culture of the local government sector in Victoria. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, pleas...

VLGA Connect, Episode 256: On a special episode recorded at FastTrack 2022, some Victorian Mayors share their insights into what they've learned during time as councillors that would have been useful to know when they were starting out. With thanks to: Cr Kim O'Keeffe, Mayor, Greater Shepparton City Council Cr Jasmine Nguyen, Mayor, Brimbank City Council Cr Chrissy Weller, Mayor, Campasp...

VLGA Connect, Episode 255: On the Governance Update this week, Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper are joined by Andrew Gunter from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to discuss the Supreme Court judgment in the political signage case of Badger vs Bayside City Council. The outcome is relevant for all councils in Victoria. Plus news on councillor movements, with a Deputy Mayor and a Mayor resigning their positions...

VLGA Connect, Episode 254: This week on the Governance Update, analysing the new Victorian councillor allowance regime; a further countback needed to fill Moreland vacancy; lessons from a tragic boarding house fire; a Tasmanian councillor in court and a damning cultural review into another Tasmanian council; Central Coast Council sacked and new elections required for three NSW Councils. Links: htt...

VLGA Connect, Ep 253: VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt joins Chris Eddy to discuss last week's International Women's Day event, and to talk through the key points of the VLGA's submission to the review of culture in the Victorian local government sector. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please...

VLGA Connect, Episode 252: Today on the program, Chris Eddy is joined by Aleem Ali, the CEO of Welcoming Australia, and Sebastian Geers, Manager of Welcoming Cities Project to talk about their organisation supports local governments to advance communities where everyone can belong, and to participate in social, cultural, economic and civic life. Find out more at welcomingcities.org.au Support the...

VLGA Connect, Episode 251: On the Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, the latest on Bayside political signage dispute in the Supreme Court; Yarra removes controversial elements from its proposed Code of Conduct and announces its new CEO; councillor allowances announced with a new category for Deputy Mayors; countback results, developing future women councillors and more. More...

VLGA Connect, episode 250: Today's guest on VLGA Connect is Leanne Williams, President of Public Libraries Victoria, speaking with Chris Eddy about the recently launched Libraries Health and Wellbeing Strategic Framework 2024 - targeting the impact areas of social connection, physical health and mental wellbeing to drive health and wellbeing improvements in Victorian communities. Support the...

A new initiative out of Deakin University is working to promote healthy eating, and to help people find retailers that provide a healthy food environment. The project, known as Nourish Network, sees engagement with local government as a key to its success. Our guest on this episode of VLGA Connect is Anna Peeters, a Professor of Epidemiology and Equity in Public Health at Deakin University, and th...

VLGA Connect, episode 248: Governance Update. Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper discuss the governance news of the week, including a dispute over the display of political signage in Bayside City Council; the collapse of a property reform package and a social housing rates exemption along with it; a new councillor for Yarra Ranges; and legal action over the removal of a heritage property in Stonnington...

VLGA Connect, Episode 247 - Chris Eddy speaks with Cr Jim Memetic, Chair of the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum. The taskforce has launched the 'Back Your Neighbour' campaign in the lead up to a federal election, highlighting the treatment of people seeking asylum who are living in the community. More information at www.backyourneighbour.com.au Support...

In this episode, the VLGA's Inclusion and Diversity Lead, Deborah Wu, outlines a new project in conjunction with Welcoming Cities to tell the stories of Victorian councillors from diverse cultural backgrounds. 'Stories for Success' will celebrate their achievements and encourage further participation by culturally diverse people in local government. Support the show To learn more ab...

This week on the Governance Update, Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper are joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to discuss the implications for councils from the new Decriminalisation of Sex Work Act;  plus, a countback to proceed despite ongoing legal proceedings; real estate agents warned over ballot pack irregularities; a council trialling public councillor briefings; and lots more new...

Today on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Chris Buckingham, the newly appointed CEO of the Latrobe Valley Authority. Chris talks about the work of the authority in fostering the economic transition of the Latrobe Valley, and how he is bringing his local government and tourism background to the role. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victori...

Today on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks with Kieran McMahon, the manager of a new charity initiative that aims to reduce the number of used bikes going to landfill, while supporting the work of Brainwave Australia. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact...

This week on the #VLGAConnect Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, discussion topics include conflict of interest, grey corruption and a huge software scandal in the UK. Plus, a councillor and a CEO resign, mayors in support of asylum seekers, and get set for a ‘regional’ Commonwealth Games. All that and more, brought to you by the VLGA and sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Li...

This week on the Governance Update, two councillor resignations this week for very different reasons; cricket is back in the news; revisiting the culture review; lessons for councils from recent legal cases; indemnity provisions for decisions made in good faith; and more news from around the sector. Links to stories referenced: https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/councillor-resigns-followi...

From 26 October 2021: On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is in conversation with Peter Kartsidimas, Director Networks and Planning at Infrastructure Victoria. We learn more about the development of IV's 30 Year Strategy, and its recommendations in relation to growth area infrastructure, urban infill and developing regional areas. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and trainin...

From 27 September 2021: On VLGA Connect, IBAC Deputy Commissioner David Wolf joins Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt to look at the IBAC report into perceptions of corruption and integrity by people who work in local government. We discuss the key findings and observations, and the implications for Councillors and council organisations. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and tra...

This week on the Governance Update, with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, the latest news from around the sector, including culture review update; the 'party gate' report is out; councils band together to fight graffiti; advocacy asks in an election year; by-election updates; e-scooter trial learnings; and much more. Links: Sue Gray Report Councils partner to fight graffiti Wyndham schools...

From 22 September 2021: Yoo-rrook Justice Commissioner Sue-Anne Hunter joins Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt to discuss the important truth-telling work of the commission, and how local government might expect to be involved and assist. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'...

From 3rd August 2021: Our guest on VLGA Connect is Kate Symons, Chair of the Essential Services Commission, to talk about the commission's role in relation to local government; how it oversees the rate capping framework in Victoria; and the recently released outcomes report which provides information on the current financial sustainability of Victoria's councils Support the show To learn...