VLGA Connect

This week on VLGA Connect, mayor of Kingston City Council, Georgina Oxley joins Chris Eddy to talk about why Kingston is expanding its presence in aged care service delivery while many other councils are going in the other direction. The mayor of Gannawarra Shire Council, Garner Smith discusses a number of current issues impacting his area, including the fuel crisis, renewable energy projects, and...

This week on VLGA Connect, host Chris Eddy is joined by Hayden Raysmith, Liana Thompson and Dr Josh Fergeus to reflect on 30 years since the return of elected representatives following the council amalgamations that led to the creation of the VLGA, and an eye to the future. Chris also discusses the latest campaign from Brimbank City Council with mayor Virginia Tachos as more than one hundred local...

Join us for a special episode of VLGA Connect this week as we unpack the results of the latest VLGA Victorian Councillor Census.  Chris Eddy is joined by VLGA President Dr Josh Fergeus; John Armitage from Qdos Research, and Dawn Bray from the VLGA for a panel discussion about what the results are telling us, and how this latest data will be used by the VLGA and government to inform policy and rela...

Discussing a report tabled to Parliament this week, Victorian Ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath returns to chat to Chris Eddy and unpack the outsourcing by councils of "under-excess" small claims. Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Managing Principal Tony Raunic gives his thoughts on some high profile mayoral issues making news this week, as well as the progress of new bills that will bring some signific...

This week on VLGA Connect, Murrundindi Shire Council Mayor Damien Gallagher gives an update on the recovery efforts following the January bushfires which affected a large area of the region. Northern Grampians Shire Council CEO Brent McAlister speaks about a new initiative which is bringing together Wimmera and Mallee councils to ensure the region is ready for significant investment in regional pr...

Join us at the RACV City Club for FastTrack 2026: Incivility - A threat to local democracy for this special episode of VLGA Connect.  Hear from panellists Dr Josh Fergeus, Virginia Haussegger, Anne Wickham, Steve Huff and Liz Gillies about their contributions to this important discussion, as well as attendees about why these conversations are so critical to their role as elected leaders.  FastTrac...

This week on VLGA Connect, Marlo Baragwanath, the Victorian Ombudsman, sits down with Chris Eddy to discuss a joint paper, prepared with the IBAC Commissioner and the Auditor-General, titled 'Advancing budget transparency for Victoria’s core integrity agencies’.  Mayor of Swan Hill, Cr Stuart King, also joins the program to talk about the Murray Basin Plan review, and why it’s such a critical...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Warren Davies, the Unbreakable Farmer. Warren is a farmer, a writer and keynote speaker, and a podcaster, shining a light on capacity building, resilience and recovery in the face of increasing natural disasters and setbacks, especially in the rural Australian context.  Cr Steve Rabie, Mayor of Mansfield discusses issues affecting his community -...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy interviews the Victorian Information Commissioner, Sean Morrison, about the risks and pitfalls of using generative AI from a privacy principles perspective - a relevant conversation for every councillor in particular. Also, Tony Raunic returns to unpack new ministerial guidelines in place for Councils in Victoria to deal with ratepayers experiencing hardship ....

VLGA Connect is back for 2026!  VLGA President Dr Josh Fergeus and CEO Kathryn Arndt join host Chris Eddy to give a sneak peek into the VLGA’s premier leadership conference - FastTrack - focusing on the topic of Incivility. The mayor of Mount Alexander Shire Council, Cr Toby Heydon, drops by to explain why he’s dancing up a storm on social media! Also returning for 2026 is Hunt & Hunt Lawyers...

For the final episode of the year, Tony Raunic, Managing Principal of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt join Chris Eddy to wrap up what has been an action packed first year of the council term. The team looks at the major issues and events of 2025 and look forward to what we may expect to see in the sector in 2026. Completing our Meet the Board series, Chris chats to VLGA Treasure...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks to Kerryn Ellis and Dan Nicholson from the Victorian Ombudsman about a recently released report into flood risk decisions relating to two housing estates, with broader implications for councils. The VLGA's Meet the Board series continues with independent member Louise Hill joins the program for a discussion about how she contributes to the board, a...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with Cr Kylie Spears - the inaugural winner of the Mary Rogers Award for women in local government. Our Meet the Board series continues, with a conversation with Cr Jane Karslake from Glen Eira City Council - a recent addition to the VLGA board. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and train...

This week on VLGA Connect, Maribyrnong Council CEO Celia Haddock joins Chris Eddy to talk about new local laws requiring authorised officers to be trained in the city's homelessness protocol; her challenge to property owners about landbanking in central Footscray, and more. Continuing the Meet the Board series, Chris sits down for a chat with Cr Mia Shaw from Wyndham City Council, after her r...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by the CEO of the Independent Broad Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) Alison Byrne to discuss the latest perceptions of corruption report and findings released by the agency.  Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to discuss a move to limit Notices of Motions at the City of Whittlesea and the implications of that, along with a newly...

On VLGA Connect this week, Chris Eddy meets the mayor of Corangamite Shire, Cr Kate Makin, to talk about a number of local and regional challenges council is actively advocating on including the condition of regional roads, some initiatives in waste collection, renewable energy projects and the importance of reliable connectivity in regional areas as we enter fire season.  Cr Dr Josh Fergus is her...

Chris Eddy and Julie Reid unpack the biggest planning reforms in decades have been introduced to the Victorian Parliament and explain what they mean for councils. Plus, we put the spotlight on one of the country’s fastest growing areas - Mitchell Shire Council Mayor John Dougall joins me to talk about his community’s priorities ahead of next year’s state election. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawy...

This week, Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and Chris Eddy discuss some breaking news from the sector this week, including a proposal to introduce term limits for councillors, new Aged Care Act responsibilities for councillors, and as mayoral election season gets under way, is it a good idea to have position statements for mayors and deputy mayors? Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Sup...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with VEC Commissioner Sven Bluemmel to talk through the official report on the conduct of last year’s Victorian council elections, and the recommendations for future elections. Chris then speaks with the mayor of Strathbogie Shire Council, Claire Ewart-Kennedy about some of the shire’s current challenges and priorities. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt L...

This week on VLGA Connect, the Mayors of Merri-bek City Council and Nillumbik Shire Council join Chris Eddy to talk about a joint councils campaign to raise awareness on transport issues in the fast growing northern metropolitan region and the Northern Council's Alliance's efforts to advocate to the state government for better connectivity. After a big week in the sector, Tony Raunic ret...

As the VLGA launches the 2025 Victorian Councillor Census, VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt and John Armitage from QDOS Research join Chris Eddy to talk about this year’s Census - how does it work, and how will the information be used? Deputy mayor of Wellington Shire Council, Cr Cindy Madeley, also joins the program to chat about life in the shire and an important ongoing conversation with the community ab...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with Merri-bek Mayor Cr Helen Davidson to discuss the priorities and challenges for the inner city municipality as her mayoral term draws towards a close. Adam McSwain, the newly commenced CEO at Golden Plains joins Chris to chat about his career journey, and his approach to the role as the council comes out of a period of instability. Sponsored by H...

This week on VLGA Connect, Cr Sophie Price, Mayor of Indigo Shire, joins Chris Eddy to discuss how the northeast region is recovering from recent events, and gives us an update on the ongoing fight for better hospital and health services in the region. Tony Raunic returns to discuss the latest legal and governance issues from across the sector, including a new arbiter decision that has led to the...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris is joined by City of Greater Bendigo CEO Andrew Cooney to talk about a major customer service survey, and how the organisation is meeting the demands of a rapidly growing regional centre. Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to discuss on recent issue of a governance and legal nature, including a move at Frankston to extend the term of the current mayor...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats with Cr Stefan Koomen, Mayor of Casey City Council on leading the new council in its first term since a long period of administration, and how the long running Operation Sandon investigation has impacted the new councillor group. Then, we learn more about a metro Melbourne circular economy first with Sarah Furnell, Brimbank Circular Economy Officer as sh...