VLGA Connect

This week, as a plethora of Council Plans are adopted, we look at some topical governance stories, including the resignation of Swan Hill's unvaccinated CEO; insights from IBAC's Operation Turon report; local councils top the list of complained about agencies in the Victorian Ombudsman's annual report; the Local Government Inspectorate finds councillor compliance with personal inter...

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 training offered by the Victo...

This week on the Governance Update, we arrive at the intersection of IBAC, ICAC, VCAT, the OIA and local government. It's a big congested here this week, so please bear with us as we navigate through the traffic and attempt to make sense of it all! Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click...

A special edition of VLGA Connect, in conversation with Rose O'Leary and Angela Savage in the lead up to Gambling Harm Awareness Week. We celebrate the Libraries After Dark program and how it is supporting communities with few recreation alternatives to local pokies venues. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Associ...

On VLGA Connect today, Chris Eddy is in conversation with Keiran Brophy from Play Australia about 1000 Play Streets - a national movement to reconnect socially isolated communities and to encourage more play for all on our quiet residential streets. The concept has been piloted in four states with six local governments, leading to a free toolkit for local governments with advice on how to support...

On this week's Governance Update, Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper discuss the local government news of the week, including: the Victorian Ombudsman's report into Kingston City Council planning processes; a parliamentary inquiry releases its report about the closure of a food company and the role of government officials; the opposition move to stop local councils imposing new fees on small...

This week, mandated vaccinations for local government workers is the hot topic, with announcements from two Councils and more expected to follow. Richard Scougall from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers joins Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper to discuss the implications and legal ramifications of these mandates. Plus we look at a unique legal case out of NSW where confidentiality and law enforcement procedures c...

This week on the Governance Update, Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper explore some of the latest issues to surface in the local government sector, including a growing number of defamation cases and complaints arising from social media usage. Steve makes a link between this week's Australian Story on ABC and local government culture; plus the impact on culture when CEO behaviour doesn't meet...

Infrastructure Australia recently released its 15 year plan, calling for a new wave of infrastructure reform to drive COVID-19 recovery around the nation. How was the plan developed, and what does it mean for local governments across the country?  In this episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt speak with the CEO of Infrastructure Australia, Romilly Madew, to find out what's in...

From the VLGA Connect Newsroom this week, updates on sector happenings with CEO Kathryn Arndt.  Plus we're joined by Hannah Duncan-Jones and Madeline Di Pietrantonio from Homes Victoria to discuss local government's role in the Big Housing Build, and the $80 million to address a critical housing shortage in regional Victoria. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and...

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. Link: https://www.ibac.vic.gov.au/publications-and-resources/article/corruption-and-integr...

This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper - the Tasmanian Government pursuing structural reform of the local government sector; a general manager and mayor bring defamation action against an individual over social media material; nuggets from the latest IBAC newsletter; plus more news and views from around the sector. The Governance Update is brought to you by Hunt &amp...

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'd like to contact us abo...

This week on the Governance Update, we're joined by Lucy Dalton from Local Government Victoria to talk about the cultural review and appointment of municipal monitors; plus a look at what a councillor or candidate should do about anonymous donations or gifts; and for some strange reason, Steve waxes lyrical about Kill Bill 2. I know, weird right? Support the show To learn more about the event...

This week on the VLGA Connect Newsroom, the results of the Strathbogie Shire countback; Maribyrnong Council's medicinal cannabis proposal; a new parliamentary committee report on social media usage; a new CEO for Kingston, and a new shadow LG minister in the Victorian Opposition. Plus more news in the spotlight from around the local government sector. Support the show To learn more about the...

This week, municipal monitor news for two Councils in Victoria; mayoral machinations in NSW; a Tasmanian council's CEO appointment in the news for the wrong reasons; the importance of effective stakeholder engagement for local governments; and lots more with Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper on the Governance Update, brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about th...

In the Newsroom this week, Kathryn Arndt highlight some of the latest stories of interest to the local government sector, including new low interest loans for Councils; growth funding and library project grants now open for applications; a new plan from Infrastructure Australia with a strong role for local councils; and upcoming events from the VLGA. Support the show To learn more about the events...

This week on the Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, Steve Cooper and Chris Eddy discuss a range of issues of relevance to the local government sector, including:Conflicts of Interest disrupt Melbourne council meetings; the review of Brisbane's bird management policies after the tragic death of a baby; a public inquiry announced for a NSW council; and a crackdown on disfu...

On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is in conversation with Leanne Williams, CEO of West Gippsland Regional Libraries and MYLI Community Library, discussing the transition from the former to the latter under the new legislative environment in Victoria.  Their innovative 24/7 library model is getting attention from around Australia and beyond, as is their pilot children's publishing project.  We hear...

This week in the VLGA Connect Newsroom, Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy discuss the latest issues impacting on the local government sector, including the new cultural review announced by the Local Government Minister; the potential impacts of planning reforms and the decriminalisation of sex work; the threat of cyber attacks on Council IT systems; CEO movements and more. Support the show To learn mor...

David Morris MLA, Shadow Minister for Local Government, joins Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy in conversation on VLGA Connect, to talk about issues impacting on the sector and his observations of the change in the sector in recent years. 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&apos...

On a 'Wear It Purple' edition of the Governance Update this week, we're joined by Richard Scougall, Special Counsel from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to brief us on variations to the Victorian Local Government Award; the Victorian local government cultural review gets underway; the misconduct finding against some NSW councillors; recent court happenings of relevance to the sector, and mu...

Victoria's Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, Justin Mohamed, is in conversation with Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect about the Commission's report and recommendations for the youth justice system; impacts of the pandemic on young people; and new child safe standards coming into effect next year with a focus on cultural safety for Aboriginal children and young people. Supp...

Join Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy in the VLGA Connect Newsroom for a discussion of the latest topics of interest to the local government sector, including a look at upcoming panel discussions and interviews. 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...

This week on the Governance Update, reflections on the global panel on community wealth building and the rise of the procurement specialist; viewer research on previous VCAT-Councillor behaviour decisions and the potential local government role in the national vaccine rollout; the Ombudsman to probe EPA decision-making; and more news from around the sector. Support the show To learn more about the...