VLGA Connect

Join Chris Eddy and the team for the new VLGA Connect where each week we bring you the latest local government news and take a deep dive into issues affecting the sector.  This week, Kendrea Pope joins Chris to break down the new mandatory professional development requirements facing councillors, and discuss their impact on the sector. Michael Annear, Director Infrastructure & Development at M...

This week on VLGA Connect, Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers joins Chris Eddy to break down the recent disruption of the Casey City Council meeting and the no confidence motion against City of Whittlesea mayor.  Following on from last week's segment on open briefings, two councillors Cr Anthony Marsh, Mayor Mornington Peninsula Shire and Cr Rhonda Garad of Greater Dandenong City Council...

Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect is Mark Dupe, former CEO of Baw Baw Shire Council to take a deep dive into the move by some councils towards open briefings. Mark and Chris discuss whether this is a shift towards greater transparency, or a limit to councillors receiving detailed advice.  Chris interviews Sally Jones, interim CEO of Central Goldfields Shire Council on the move to take a proposal...

New year - new program! In 2025 the VLGA is proud to re-launch The Governance Update as VLGA Connect - your weekly program covering the latest news, analysis and deep dives into the current issues shaping the local government sector.  This week, Chris Eddy is joined by Cr Jo Armstrong, Mayor Ararat Rural City Council to get the latest on the recovery efforts following the Grampians bushfires, and...

This week on the TGU final episode for the year, the panel looks at this week’s news and reflects on the year and the previous Council term. Plus, predictions for what might be ahead in the new year, and Rhys Thomas shares some special poetry treats! Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click he...

On the agenda this week, councils unite on healthcare; two Gippsland council CEOs have announced their departure; councils getting tough on illegal dumping and unregistered cat breeding; and a review of Parks Victoria announced… what could that mean for councils? Loaded with gratuitous movie titles, Rhys will comment on a few recommendations from the recent Parliamentary Enquiry into local governm...

On the agenda this week, the wrap up of mayoral elections; a parliamentary report into local government funding makes 48 recommendations; criticism of the increasing use of municipal monitors; Yarra City Council’s 36 point omnibus motion passes after a marathon session; and should 16 year olds be able to vote in council elections? Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and trai...

This week, the team discuss the push to overhaul council elections, the mayoral elections taking place around the state, a notice of motion to overturn 35 previous decisions of council, a push from rural councils for a better deal from the Federal Government, the suspension of the Townsville mayor, and a mayor ordered to complete training to better understand the role.  Rhys Thomas discusses an is...

The TGU panel returns to discuss the wrap up of Victorian council elections, and allegations of suspected postal vote tampering in two Council wards. Plus a change of leadership for the sector’s peak bodies, mayoral elections underway, a controversial CEO resignation and a push in NSW to ban confidential councillor briefing sessions. Rhys Thomas joins Chris Eddy to talk about some of the trends we...

This week, the TGU panel unpacks the provisional council election results that we know so far. The winners, the losers, the surprises and what’s still to come. Plus municipal monitors appointed to three councils, and the latest CEO to announce a new career move. Rhys Thomas talks about the gap between the council election day and the swearing in of councillors and the limits on the powers of counc...

This week on TGU, the panel attempts to pull together interim results from the Victorian council elections; strike action mooted at Greater Geelong council; a council’s concerns about a fast tracked planning decision; and Rhys Thomas unpacks the detail of Victoria’s new governance and integrity regulations. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Vict...

The TGU panel is back to look at the new governance and integrity regulations which have dropped this week, along with a raft of planning and building announcements that have taken councils by surprise. The election period is coming to an end and voting will soon commence in Victorian council elections.  Is a post-Covid mentality responsible for more poor council governance, and how many councils...

On the TGU menu this week, stories from the campaign trail; the councillor who resigned to be able to speak freely during the election campaign; a live TV debate with Lord Mayoral candidates; help on the way for regional councils dealing with a shortage of municipal building surveyors; the candidate campaigning on having a beer and watching the football; councils cop another whack about the pace o...

The panel is back for more TGU from VLGA Connect, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Up for discussion this week -  new report from IBAC on an investigation in bribery and misconduct allegations at Moonee Valley City Council; vandalism and theft on the campaign trail in Victoria; a record number of candidates; why you should make you’re on the role and do the training first; Councils reveal the...

As we draw closer to the end of this council term, Chris Eddy, Kathryn Arndt and Rhys Thomas reflect on the last four years and the issues which shaped 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 podcast, please send us an email...

As we look back on some of the big issues of the last year, we revisit this discussion between Chris Eddy and CEO of the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) in the UK, Jonathan Carr-West. Chris and Jonathan look at LGIU research into the financial sustainability of the local government sector in the UK and similarities with the Victorian sector. Support the show To learn more about the events...

This week, we look back at an interview with Deputy Commissioner at IBAC, David Wolf.   David and Chris look at the risks associated with donations and lobbying in local government elections. In the lead up to the election period we revisit this issue, and much more.  Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA...

Access to safe and affordable housing is a basic human right, but the housing crisis is growing globally. With increasing cost pressures, and population growing faster than build times, what can local government do to address the crisis? This panel looks at barriers to housing accessibility, development, the role of all levels of government to work together and short and long term strategies counc...

This week, we look back at a conversation between Chris Eddy and the (then) newly elected Victorian Electoral Commissioner, Sven Bluemmel.  Chris and Sven discuss Sven’s career journey, from Victorian Information Commissioner to Victorian Electoral Commissioner, and consider the intensive work that was undertaken to prepare for this year’s local government elections across the state.  Support the...

Today on TGU, the panel looks at an exciting new waste to energy project;  Reaction to the government’s latest housing plans Concerns over a rental agreement in Yarra and the use of parking sensors in Maribyrnong; A Melbourne Council CEO is moving on A new program to address workforce shortages in local government, and a campaign to encourage more people to become planners Plus councils in NZ told...

This week, the TGU panel looks at a surprise move to ban hired e-scooters in Melbourne; a councillor resignation preceding an arbiter misconduct ruling; a municipal monitor for Horsham; a high five commotion in Yarra Ranges; interesting Notices of Motion from the past week; an innovative housing project; an interesting FOI decision; a monumental nomination debacle in New South Wales and much, much...

In what has been a heartbreaking week for the local government sector, Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid discuss the latest in the sector in this week's TGU.  This week, the devastating passing of two sitting councillors, a new model Code of Conduct is out for consultation, a contentious heritage proposal raises temperatures at Boroondara Council, the status of the CFMEU’s Fair Work Comm...

This week on TGU, Greater Geelong Council CEO Ali Wastie makes a stand in court against gendered abuse; A call for more resourcing for the Local Government Inspectorate; An extension of the term for municipal monitors at Moonee Valley, while the Minister rejects a call for a monitor at Northern Grampians; A CEO defends the editing of a council meeting recording; And new CEO appointments in regiona...

Chris Eddy, Julie Reid and Tony Raunic return to brighten your Friday with the latest in local government news!  This week the panel discuss, the first Victorian council to open briefing sessions to the public, the cost of asbestos clean up across parks in Hobsons Bay revealed, a councillor wants a municipal monitor appointed, e-scooters here to stay, the latest on Liverpool’s battle with the NSW...

Today, the sector mourns the passing of a local government legend; a likely suspension looms for Liverpool Council as a public inquiry is announced;  a misconduct finding against a councillor at Port Phillip;  the on-again, off-again filming of The Block in Daylesford is back on; And a controversy over a proposal to change a council’s Acknowledgement of Country. Support the show To learn more abou...