VLGA Connect

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy and Julie Reid are joined by guest panellist Kendrea Pope to discuss the week’s big local government stories, including: The potential return of sacked former councillors The impact of electoral representation reviews and ward boundary reviews on Victorian councils ahead of this year’s elections A council leads the way with its new AI policy New data suggests a weak li...

TGU is back for 2024 with Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid discussing some of the latest local government developments, including: Municipal monitors for Moonee Valley; a Darebin councillor suspended for misconduct; a CEO departs the sector for a state government role; a major review of the local government financial model in NSW; and should councils be sponsoring sporting clubs? Brought to...

On the final TGU for the year, the panel brings you the week’s big local government stories including a Council meeting that turned ugly; CEO and Councillor appointments, resignations and a sacking; Christmas goes missing in one municipality, and the return of the age-old debate on Christmas decorations. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victori...

On the agenda this week, the suspension of Strathbogie Shire and the installation of an interim administrator; a councillor facing a four month suspension after a conduct panel ruling; a new executive team announced sending ripples through three councils and a peak body; plus a damning Ombudsman report into public sector politicisation and a government intervention in a Canadian council. Support t...

The TGU team is back to unpack the week’s local government news, including the council position that nobody wants; councillors claim unsafe work environment; council work practices in question; a councillor passes; a CEO appointed and much more. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here ....

In a new episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy welcomes the recently appointed Victorian Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel for a conversation about his career journey, and the work that is underway preparing for next year's round of local government elections across the state. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance As...

This week on TGU with Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid, new conduct reforms announced for Victorian councils; the OHS implications of war-related motions; Councils fail to maintain quorum; a countback fails; and overseas, an increasing number of ‘neutrality motions’ and court rules guns are allowed in Council meetings! Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training o...

On the TGU agenda this week - Glenelg monitors revealed; a 30 kph speed limit extension; councils standing up to cost-shifting; the Ombudsman investigates a 7-year building permit saga; the 4-day working week on trial in Victoria and the UK; plus more of the week's local government news with Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and...

On TGU today, the team discusses Merri-bek Council’s controversial resolution on Gaza; tragedy strikes two council communities; monitors start Monday at Glenelg, but who are they?; Strathbogie Council asked to show why it shouldn’t be suspended; a NSW mayor suspended for serious corrupt conduct; should councils operate mobile speed cameras?; and much more on the agenda for your weekly discussion o...

Joining Chris Eddy on Local Leaders today is Cr Denise Massoud, a former mayor and deputy mayor at Whitehorse City Council, and the current President of the Victorian Local Governance Association. Denise talks about her passion for community and a story of frustration that led to her eventually becoming a councillor; how long-term councillors can continue to play an active role in the community; a...

On the TGU menu this week, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic discuss the pending appointment of municipal monitors to Glenelg Shire Council; a Council CEO responds to inaccurate media reporting on the removal of posters relating to the Israel/Gaza conflict; a Supreme Court rejects a former councillor’s appeal against an arbiter’s finding of misconduct; mayoral election results; a new CEO appointed; a uni...

Cr Jennifer Anderson is today's guest on Local Leaders. Cr Anderson has been mayor of Macedon Ranges Shire five times, and is the current deputy mayor. She speaks with Chris Eddy about how she manages balancing a busy GP practice with her local government career; how her approach to council leadership has changed over time; and the value her broader sector representation role brings to the lo...

Today's guest on Local Leaders is Cr Hadi Saab, the Mayor of Kingston City Council. Cr Saab is a Druze first-generation Australian born to Lebanese and Syrian parents. He talks to Chris Eddy about his motivations for getting into local government, the progress made this year on significant issues for the Kingston community, and his commitment to improving transparency and community consultati...

Today's guest on Local Leaders is Dr. Josh Fergeus, the Vice President of the VLGA and a councillor at the City of Monash. Josh has a background in social work and a doctorate in foster care and mental health, and is  passionate about social justice and the well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly children in the child protection system. He is also the CEO of the charity Kevin Hines...

On TGU this week, a call for an overhaul of planning laws in relation to developers; a councillor in court over a fire prevention order; a new homelessness initiative launched in Yarra; IBAC’s new commissioner announced; another councillor resignation; the NT council suspended by the government; deja vu out of New South Wales, and much more local government news. Support the show To learn more abo...

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 to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999

Jacqui Weatherill is the CEO of Greater Dandenong City Council, is the most multicultural municipality in Australia. She and her council are passionate about working with diverse and disadvantaged communities. Jacqui talks to Chris Eddy about her career path leading to her taking up the role at Greater Dandenong in late 2022. Her local government career began in the 1980s, and for a time Jacqui wa...

Join Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid for TGU, your weekly rundown of local government happenings from VLGA Connect. Topics for discussion this week include Australian councils reacting to events in the Middle East; the ongoing use of Council prayers; opening briefing sessions to the public; cat curfews; VCAT decisions; sector arrivals and departures; Roundup usage by Melbourne councils; the...

The Mayor of Melton City Council, Cr Lara Carli, joins Chris Eddy on Local Leaders to discuss the challenges and excitement of managing the fastest growing municipality in Australia. Cr Carli says the affordability of housing and the presence of hidden gems like wineries and parks are attracting people to Melton in ever increasing numbers. She emphasizes the importance of public transport and empl...

Recorded Thursday , 7th September 2023 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 to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999

VLGA Connect - TGU, 6th October 2023 Julie Reid returns to the TGU panel with Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic to look at the week in local government news. Stories include state government announcements about residential land tax and an extension of an e-scooter trial; a historic joint meeting of three councils in Melbourne’s north; Glen Eira considers closing council-run childcare centres; the council...

As a local government CEO, Carl Cowie keeps a low profile in the sector - preferring to focus his efforts on delivering for "the people who pay me." VLGA Connect has secured a rare interview with Carl, who made the move from the private sector to local government originally as CEO of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. He was recently signed up for a second term leading Nillumbik Shire C...

VLGA Connect: TGU, 29th September 2023 Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic unpack the latest local government news, including a change of Premier in Victoria and the likely impact on the sector; more reaction to the government’s housing and planning reforms; a new conduct panel decision leading to a three month councillor suspension; a mistake rectified after 12 years; the insurance market impacts on counc...

Today's guest on VLGA Connect's Local Leaders series is Brett Davis, the CEO of Moyne Shire Council in south west Victoria. Brett has a background in local government and planning, and his planning experience has helped him in his role as CEO. Moyne Shire has implemented innovative initiatives, such as key worker housing in caravan parks, to address housing challenges. The shire is also...

"There's a real awakening, especially amongst young people, about the fact that their world is changing and the circumstances in which they're living really need strong and in some cases, dare I say, radical interventions to ensure that their future and standard of living is not only commensurate with those of those of the people who came before them, but better in some ways."...