VLGA Connect

This week in the VLGA Connect Newsroom, Kathryn Arndt talks with Chris Eddy about the upcoming HART awards, happening online this Friday; a tool to help councils embed alcohol management measures in their Health and Wellbeing Plans; Intro to Gender Equity sessions in high demand; and lots more including upcoming sessions on audit committees and learning about the role of local government administr...

Steve Cooper and Chris Eddy are back for another Governance Update, this week looking at events in Dubbo, Mt Isa, follow up from the Ombudsman's financial hardship report, and the latest sector movements. 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...

On this special edition of Newsroom, Kathryn Arndt, Steve Cooper and Chris Eddy take you through the State and Federal Budget initiatives of most relevance to the local government sector. 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, please...

On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is in conversation with Sherryn Prinzi, Chair of the Victorian Child Friendly Cities and Communities Advisory Group - an alliance of local governments and other agencies, working to empower children as active and engaged citizens. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please...

VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt joins Chris Eddy for a discussion with the Victorian Ombudsman, Deborah Glass, about her new report looking at how Councils administer financial hardship policies. She highlights good and poor examples leading to a series of recommendations to improve the way the sector handles cases of hardship. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered...

For this week's Governance Update, Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper take a look at the state budget from a local government perspective, and there's lots to see. The Victorian Ombudsman's report into Councils' hardship policies is also on the agenda, plus there's more to report on the senior executive front. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and trainin...

On VLGA Connect, we are in conversation with Anna Cronin, Victoria's Commissioner for Better Regulation, and Chair of the expert panel conducting a wide ranging review of the state's building system. Anna outlines the scope of the review, the process to be undertaken, timing and consultation activities to ensure local government has input into the resulting recommendations. Support the s...

Join us in the VLGA Newsroom, where Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy unpack some of the week's big local government and public sector news stories, including federal and state budget news; a new Ombudsman report on councils' financial hardship policies; Victoria's new Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commissioner announced; and the appointment of the historic Truth Telling Commission....

On the Governance Update this week, after a false start that our editor kindly left in, we dissect the Kingston probity review report, and share some news on recent senior appointment in the sector. Link to Kingston Council release: https://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/About-Us/Media/Proactive-planning-review-findings-made-public Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training o...

On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is in conversation with Angus Clelland, CEO of Mental Health Victoria, about the unprecedented investment from federal and state governments in mental health services; and the importance of ensuring local councils are participants in the solution. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Associatio...

"Two Pups and a Little White Duck" Join Kathryn Arndt in the VLGA Newsroom for discussion on current local government topics including a visionary plan for the Yarra River's northbank; new CEOs taking office and a count back coming up this week; the legacy of a VLGA champion; and an opportunity to learn about what makes a well designed public library. Support the show To learn more...

The weekly governance update touches on the cultural review of local government in Victoria; how a conflict resolution specialist was no match for local council and its bus stop problem; a restoration of order in Tumby Bay; a new CEO for Murrindindi; and somehow a noise complaint leads to a recitation about English countryside cricket. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and...

On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is in conversation with Mark Coulton, the Federal Minister for Local Government, checking in on how the sector across the country has dealt with the challenges of COVID; the need to grow skills and capabilities to meet the unprecedented demand for workers in regional areas; and the opportunity to reform the Federal Assistance Grants system. Support the show To learn mor...

From the VLGA Newsroom this week, Kathryn Arndt provides perspective on the big local government stories of the week, including the newly announced cultural review of the Victorian local government sector; the new Gender Equality Advisory Committee which has met for the first time;  Councils speaking out on poker machine losses; and the finalists announced for this year's HART Awards. Support...

On this week's Governance Update, we're joined by Hannah Duncan-Jones from Local Government Victoria for an update on the rollout of LGA2020, including new procurement policy requirements, annual budgets and Council Plans, plus work to align the sector with the requirements of the new Gender Equality Act. Then Steve Cooper and Chris Eddy discuss this week's governance happenings, wi...

On this Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper, councillor behaviour in the spotlight in South Australia, Queensland and England! Plus some current legal cases that bear mentioning, and we add to the list of things that we really should come back to....at some point. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Associ...

The Victorian Auditor-General, Andrew Greaves, returns to VLGA Connect to talk about the findings and observations from recent audits, including now Councils are meeting their local roads obligations, the completed financial audits, and opportunities arising from the report on the activities of Service Victoria. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the...

Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt are joined by Ken Smith, Dean and CEO of the Australia New Zealand School of Government for a wide-ranging discussion about our system of government, and the opportunity to reimagine the way governments serve their constituents. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please c...

Welcome back to the VLGA Newsroom, where this week Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy discuss the role of the First People's Assembly and how local government needs to be involved; the Child Friendly Cities alliance; renewal time for VLGA membership; the new Gender Equality Act and more. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governanc...

Chris Eddy speaks with Aunty Geraldine Atkinson, Co-Chair of Victoria's First People's Assembly, to explore the purpose and establishment of the Assembly, the work conducted to date, and how local government will play an important role in the development of localised treaties in the future. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian L...

This week's topics include Victoria's newest Councillor; fraud charges dropped against former Logan City councillors in Queensland; and Hume City Council decides to take legal action over a decision of the state's planning minister. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here...

On a special edition of VLGA Connect, we meet the new Executive Director of Local Government Victoria, Julie Reid. With 32 years in local government in Australia and the UK, and considerable senior executive experience, Julie tells us about her approach to the role and the challenges ahead for the sector. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victor...

VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt joins Chris Eddy in the VLGA Connect Newsroom to talk about current local government issues, including a review of the building legislative and regulatory system in Victoria; the VLGA supported research project getting national attention; a Council Director becomes the first woman President of the Melbourne Football Club; and lots more. Links: 1. Victorian Building System Re...

This week, the Governance Update looks at the potentials and perils of social media in the context of codes of conduct and social media policies; 'Cancel Culture' - is it a thing in Australia? (Hint: Yes it is); and standby by a stellar list of finalists for this year's HART Awards! Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Loca...

It's your Easter edition of the Governance Update, with Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper. This week's discussion list includes the resumption of Operation Esperance; the NSW Council safe from dismissal over asbestos management; we ponder a Council's power to act in relation to carriage horses in Melbourne's CBD; the parliamentary inquiry that finds a government funding program to be...