VLGA Connect

VLGA Connect, episode 298 On a special edition of VLGA Connect, Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy are joined by the new Federal Minister for Regional Development, Local Government and Territories, Kristy McBain, to talk about her approach to the role.  The Minister provides more detail on how the new government will engage with local governments around Australia,  a review of funding arrangements for t...

On this week's Governance Update from VLGA Connect, Chris and Steve talk about the impacts (or non-impacts) on Councils arising from the passing of Queen Elizabeth II; councillor social media behaviour making news again; good news for federal/local government relations; councillor election and CEO appointment news; and a potential Council merger to go to a vote in South Australia. Plus much m...

On a delayed Governance Update this week, Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper discuss the week's local government news, including a ground breaking collaboration between 4 councils and Barwon Water;  councils considering important service delivery decisions; Melbourne considering its 26th January options; a rural council's dangerous dog decision upheld by VCAT; and lots more in this week's...

VLGA Connect State Election Series 2022 Dr Jonathan Spear, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, joins Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy to talk about the 30 year infrastructure strategy for Victoria, and what the evidence says about current and future infrastructure needs across the state. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Assoc...

VLGA Connect: State Election Series 2022, Live Panel event Conducted Friday 26th August, with Shadow Minister for Local Government and Housing, Richard Riordan, and Shadow Minister for Planning, Ryan Smith. Questions were put to the panellists about the State Opposition's intended approach to a wide range of issues of relevance to the local government sector, including culture, planning refor...

VLGA Connect, Episode 293 - Governance Update This week, we track down Steve Cooper in Darwin to get his thoughts on the events of the week, including happenings in Canberra; a governance rules kerfuffle at Yarra; new alliances formed; senior executive news; a council demerger going ahead, and lots more news from around the local government sector. Support the show To learn more about the events,...

VLGA Connect, Episode 292: The Premier's Sustainability Awards finalists have been announced for this year. On this episode of VLGA Connect, we focus on two of the nominated Council projects that are demonstrating leadership and innovation in the local government sector. Scott Bryant outlines the City of Greater Bendigo's holistic approach to the circular economy; and then Claire Matthew...

Ep: 291: VLGA Connect Governance Update Our weekly dissection of governance news with Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper, including a call for your input on political behaviour that does not quite constitute a conduct breach but we just don't like it! Topics include the intersection of public art and Council policy; a councillor conduct panel result; leading the way on shared parental leave; constit...

Episode 290: VLGA Connect Governance Update: This week, we celebrate Steve's new career as a photographer; revisiting the vexed issues of 'leaves of absence' and councillor conduct; electoral representation reviews; a study of the impacts of councillor remuneration; controversial council decisions; resignations and appointments, and much more! Brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawye...

On this week's program, talking culturally diverse representation at the local government level; feedback from last week's conduct discussion; looking for clarity on councillor obligations when running for another level of government; appointing an internal referee for councillor disagreements - a coming trend?; the quaint practice of weighing the mayor; a CEO appointment and acknowledgi...

VLGA Connect, Episode 288 - Governance Update On this week's program, we unpack and dissect the Stonnington conduct outcomes; insights from the latest Global Executive Panel; Councils in the news over Australia Day, a golf course, Governance Rules, mayoral robes, sudden CEO departures, and much more! Stay with us to the end for late breaking news! For the Stonnington reports, see the agenda f...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, Episode 287 The weekly Governance Update is here, where Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper discuss the week's notable local government stories. More on the origins of Victorian council names; Darebin goes external to appoint a Councillor Conduct Officer; the controversial Rex Theatre sale decision at Hepburn Shire; a pending Supreme Court matter that may have broader...

VLGA Connect, Episode 286 - Governance Update, 15th July 2022 This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers: we follow up on attempts to have a definitive list of Victorian councils with Indigenous names; an erratum from Steve on his true crime knowledge; controversial council and council officer missteps in the news; a Koala and a publ...

VLGA Connect, Episode 285 Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect today is Greg Hannan from Powercor, discussing a new report that looks at how communities and councils can plan for and implement neighbourhood battery projects. The report looks at the various uses for batteries, the key factors to consider in their location, design and planning, as well as the commercial considerations for not only the...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, Episode 284 - 8th July 2022 On this week's Governance Update menu: a change of Prime Minister imminent in the UK; Steve's Wimbledon memories; Moreland a step closer to becoming Merri-bek; at least one addition to the municipal monitor list coming soon; major reforms on the way for local government in Western Australia; a backflip on a backflip in Queenslan...

This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, a local MP has called for a municipal monitor to be appointed to Horsham Rural City Council; farewell to Shaun Leane as Local Government Minister and we welcome Melissa Horne to the portfolio; a clear favourite for Moreland's new name emerges; three Vic Council CEO appointment developments this week; and much more in our w...

VLGA Connect, Episode 282: On VLGA Connect today, Chris Eddy speaks with Sarah Toohey, the CEO of the Community Housing Industry Association of Victoria about a new suite of tools designed to help councils deliver more social and affordable housing. It's a much watch for councillors, senior executives, planning practitioners and other council officers! Find out more here: https://chiavic.com....

VLGA Connect: Governance Update, 24th June 2022 Episode 281 Today on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. It's National Take Your Dog to Work Day! Apart from canine interruptus, we talk about the newly released Municipal Monitor's report in relation to Yarra City Council; A councillor donating her allowance accrued during a...

This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper, discussion topics include: Reaction to the State Government's threatened freeze out of Geelong Council; VLGA Board election results are in; Making the case for a new day of observance; Councils in the news over alleged conflicts of interest, inappropriate conduct and corrosive council work environments. The Governance Update...

VLGA Connect, Episode 279: This week, speculation about the identity of PRGuy hits the Governance Update. Plus, preparing your Governance Rules for new rules on remote meetings; new financial hardship legislation announced; Mayors step down and CEOs appointed; an EB is landed; Council culture and councillor behaviour exposed, and much more. Brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Links: 1. http...

VLGA Connect, Episode 278: It's the morning after the night before.... Chris and Steve reflect on the LGPro Conference Awards night and dinner, including multiple award wins for Gannawarra Shire; feedback to share from recent episodes; a contentious land sale proposal attracting attention at Macedon Ranges; new local government ministers at the federal level; a shortage of professional staff...

VLGA Connect, Episode 277 Hume City Council's Health Champions program has been awarded at the Welcoming Cities Awards, announced at the recent symposium in Canberra. In this episode, we find out more about the program, the challenges it sought to overcome, and its ultimate successes from Julie Andrews and Liz Shield. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training off...

On the weekly Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, Chris and Steve reflect on the federal election campaign from a local government perspective; lots of CEO level developments around the state; councils in the news over school gates and golf courses,  and much more to discuss. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local...

Governance Update: VLGA Connect Episode 275 This week on the Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers: 68 of 79 councils recognise IDAHOBIT Day; The culture project Insights Report is out; One council begins a process to hand back stolen lands, while another moves ahead with a renaming process; Federal election campaign outcomes and more work to be done to ensure local government ge...

VLGA Connect, Governance Update - Episode 273 This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, auditor generals in two states find room for improvement in Council fraud and audit processes; a loss in the Supreme Court for Hume City Council; election signage issues abound; Council meeting times in the news; an alleged murderer elected to a town board; and a special guest appea...