VLGA Connect

This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy interviews Mark Stoermer, CEO Mornington Peninsula Shire Council on how he is settling in as CEO, his priorities for the role, including an announced restructure, and the pending release of the Board of Inquiry report into the McCrae landslip - with potential sector-wide implications. Cr Karen Foster, Mayor of Moyne Shire Council returns to the program to discu...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic break down the latest in local government news including the appointment of monitors to Kingston City Council and the standing down of Maribyrnong City Council Mayor under the provisions of the Local Government Act. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victo...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy gets to know the new CEO of Strathbogie Shire Council, Rachelle Quatrocchi to hear about her visions for the new role. Tony Raunic and Chris catch up on the recent issues affecting the sector, including a significant local law decision at Casey Council and new legal reforms dealing with perceived invasions of privacy. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Supp...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats with Gail Gatt the new CEO at Horsham Rural City Council about how she is settling into her new role and the key issues facing her community. Chris also catches up with Port Phillip City Council Mayor Cr Louise Crawford about an innovative solution the council has developed to prevent and reduce damage to public bins.  Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyer...

Today on the program Chris Eddy sits down with the Mayor of West Wimmera Shire Tim Meyer to talk about how he is finding this mayoral term. Mary Agostino, Chief Executive Officer of Mitchell Shire also joins us to talk about what is happening in her community and the key issues council is addressing.  Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, a...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats to Don Henderson, Mayor of Hepburn Shire Council on what's happening in the region, the challenges council faces and what he sees are the priorities for this term.  Chris then speaks to Ryan Allott, Manager Compliance & Environmental Health at Whittlesea City Council on an innovative program council has implemented to tackle their stray cat popu...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic break down the latest from across the local government sector including an arbiter decision at Wyndham, a loss at VCAT for Moorabool Council, and Hume Council’s call for greater enforcement powers in relation to dangerous dogs. Chris also interviews Ballarat City Council deputy mayor Cr Ben Taylor on council's recent announcement of a 0% r...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down for an in-depth discussion with the Mayor of the City of Yarra, Stephen Jolly, on his first mayoral term, responding to criticism, and why he won’t be seeking another term as mayor. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA),...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris chats to Campaspe Shire Council mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell on the implementation of a zero tolerance policy to prevent inappropriate behaviour towards staff and councillors. Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to discuss all the big news this week in the local government sector.  Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offer...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats to Cr Kris Bolam, mayor of Frankston City Council on their friendly city and sister city arrangements and how they impact the community.  Chris then speaks to Wyndham City Council mayor Cr Mia Shaw on council's partnership with RMIT University, to deliver a unique AI and analytics capability development program for businesses.  Sponsored by Hunt &am...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic discuss some significant decisions released this week, including the return of a Kingston councillor from suspension.  Chris also interviews Swan Hill Rural City Council mayor Stuart King on the recent changes made to liquor licencing which while designed to remove red tape, cut councils from the decision-making process. Together they will expl...

This week on VLGA Connect, Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to chat with Chris Eddy about the latest issues facing the local government sector including the parking fine error at Merri-bek council and  recent election related decisions at VCAT. Matt Collins, CEO of the Planning Institute of Australia discusses the recent survey which highlighted the severe shortage of qualified pla...

Sally Jones, Interim CEO of Central Goldfields Shire Council returns to VLGA Connect this week to update Chris Eddy on the latest from the Federal Court hearing into the combined enterprise bargaining arrangements.  Cr Karen Foster, Mayor of Moyne Shire Council then joins the show to discuss the significant drought in the region, and the calls for more action to support communities. Sponsored by H...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats to Mayor of Murrindindi Shire Council, Cr Damien Gallagher about what he sees are the opportunities and challenges unique to the region, and to the sector as a whole.  Leonie Martens, Manager Family and Children's Services at Baw Baw Shire Council joins Chris to discuss council's partnership with Casey and Cardinia Councils in maternal and chil...

With the Victorian Government announcement of a Commission of Inquiry into Whittlesea City Council, Chris Eddy sits down with Tony Raunic of Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to look at how the Inquiry will work and what can be expected. Chris also speaks with Mayor of Port Phillip City Council, Cr Louise Crawford on the recent report into community safety commissioned by council, and their response to the re...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with Kingston City Council Mayor Georgina Oxley to discuss council's position on the Suburban Rail Loop and the effect of the project on the municipality, along with some key changes they would like to see made to improve outcomes for community.  With the Victorian State Budget released this week, Kathryn Arndt, CEO of the Victorian Local Govern...

It has been a big week in the local government sector!  This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic break down this week's big issues including the voiding of the election of a councillor from Whittlesea City Council and the suspension of the mayor of Baw Baw Shire Council. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governa...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with the Mayor of Manningham City Council, Cr Deirdre Diamante to discuss the implications of plans to mandate kerbside glass collection and the push by a group of councils across the state to look at alternative options.  Chris is also joined by Tony Raunic to discuss the release of some significant monitors reports and their recommendations, as wel...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks to Simone Zmood, Mayor of Glen Eira City Council on their recent advocacy activities to both the state and federal government. We learn about the key issues facing the Glen Eira community and what support the Council is seeking from the other tiers of Government.    Then, Chris sits down with Alan Getley, the Mayor of Buloke Shire Council and Brent McAl...

This week on the program Chris Eddy sits down with David Jackson, Director of Customer and Corporate Services at Moorabool Shire Council, to learn more about the use of AI  and the benefits the introduction of this technology is having for a smaller council.   Later in the program Chris speaks with Mayor of Cardinia Cr Jack Kowarzik about Outer Melbourne Councils – a group of 10 councils that form...

With Chris Eddy on leave, Victorian Local Governance Association CEO Kathryn Arndt steps into the VLGA Connect hosting chair, as Chris interviews Johnathan Spear, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria to discuss the recently launched draft Victorian 30-year infrastructure strategy.  Julie Reid re-joins the panel to discuss the recent planning scheme reforms.  And, Helen Healy the Mayor of Mildura joins u...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with the Mayors of Indigo Shire and Wodonga City Councils to discuss the fight for a new hospital development in the Albury Wodonga region, after a recent rally to Parliament in Melbourne.  Chris also chats to Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers on the startling document leaked on the redevelopment of the Rex in Hepburn Shire Council, and dissects...

This week in a Special Edition of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Victorian Local Governance Association CEO Kathryn Arndt to interview The Hon. Nick Staikos MP, Minister for Local Government. 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 podc...

Chris Eddy brings you this week's latest local government news in this week's VLGA Connect, including safety concerns at council meetings across the state.  Joining Chris this week is Bradley Thomas, CEO of Hepburn Shire Council to outline council's request to increase rates above the state government's rate cap to assist with the council's financial sustainability. Tony R...

Join us for a special edition of VLGA Connect, as we come to you live from the launch of the results from the VLGA's Victorian Councillor Census.  Hear from John Armitage at QDOS Research as he and Chris Eddy discuss how the census was conducted, and the key insights the data found. Mike Gooey from LGV joins to chat about how the state government will use the data to guide its policy decision...