VLGA Connect

This week on the Governance Update, we're joined by Lucy Dalton from Local Government Victoria to talk about the cultural review and appointment of municipal monitors; plus a look at what a councillor or candidate should do about anonymous donations or gifts; and for some strange reason, Steve waxes lyrical about Kill Bill 2. I know, weird right? Support the show To learn more about the event...

This week on the VLGA Connect Newsroom, the results of the Strathbogie Shire countback; Maribyrnong Council's medicinal cannabis proposal; a new parliamentary committee report on social media usage; a new CEO for Kingston, and a new shadow LG minister in the Victorian Opposition. Plus more news in the spotlight from around the local government sector. Support the show To learn more about the...

This week, municipal monitor news for two Councils in Victoria; mayoral machinations in NSW; a Tasmanian council's CEO appointment in the news for the wrong reasons; the importance of effective stakeholder engagement for local governments; and lots more with Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper on the Governance Update, brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about th...

In the Newsroom this week, Kathryn Arndt highlight some of the latest stories of interest to the local government sector, including new low interest loans for Councils; growth funding and library project grants now open for applications; a new plan from Infrastructure Australia with a strong role for local councils; and upcoming events from the VLGA. Support the show To learn more about the events...

This week on the Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, Steve Cooper and Chris Eddy discuss a range of issues of relevance to the local government sector, including:Conflicts of Interest disrupt Melbourne council meetings; the review of Brisbane's bird management policies after the tragic death of a baby; a public inquiry announced for a NSW council; and a crackdown on disfu...

On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is in conversation with Leanne Williams, CEO of West Gippsland Regional Libraries and MYLI Community Library, discussing the transition from the former to the latter under the new legislative environment in Victoria.  Their innovative 24/7 library model is getting attention from around Australia and beyond, as is their pilot children's publishing project.  We hear...

This week in the VLGA Connect Newsroom, Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy discuss the latest issues impacting on the local government sector, including the new cultural review announced by the Local Government Minister; the potential impacts of planning reforms and the decriminalisation of sex work; the threat of cyber attacks on Council IT systems; CEO movements and more. Support the show To learn mor...

David Morris MLA, Shadow Minister for Local Government, joins Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy in conversation on VLGA Connect, to talk about issues impacting on the sector and his observations of the change in the sector in recent years. 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&apos...

On a 'Wear It Purple' edition of the Governance Update this week, we're joined by Richard Scougall, Special Counsel from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to brief us on variations to the Victorian Local Government Award; the Victorian local government cultural review gets underway; the misconduct finding against some NSW councillors; recent court happenings of relevance to the sector, and mu...

Victoria's Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, Justin Mohamed, is in conversation with Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect about the Commission's report and recommendations for the youth justice system; impacts of the pandemic on young people; and new child safe standards coming into effect next year with a focus on cultural safety for Aboriginal children and young people. Supp...

Join Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy in the VLGA Connect Newsroom for a discussion of the latest topics of interest to the local government sector, including a look at upcoming panel discussions and interviews. 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...

This week on the Governance Update, reflections on the global panel on community wealth building and the rise of the procurement specialist; viewer research on previous VCAT-Councillor behaviour decisions and the potential local government role in the national vaccine rollout; the Ombudsman to probe EPA decision-making; and more news from around the sector. Support the show To learn more about the...

This week in the VLGA Connect Newsroom with VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt: the ever increasing importance of local government's role in pandemic response; NSW government funding for local government job retention; the upcoming global panel on community wealth building; and new opportunities for corporate partnership with the VLGA and the latest professional development prospectus. Support the show T...

This week on the Governance Update, what can we learn from a social media kerfuffle in the cricket world? Steve Cooper has some ideas... plus we follow up on the action taken by the Inspectorate to seek an order from VCAT for a councillor to stand aside whilst legal proceedings are on foot.. and some of the latest people movements making news in the sector. Support the show To learn more about the...

It's a milestone 200th episode of VLGA Connect. For 18 months, we've kept the local government sector informed and engaged on the key issues, introduced a range of public sector leaders, and provided forums for discussion and exploration on the sector's current and future challenges. In episode 200, Kathryn Arndt, Steve Cooper and Chris Eddy reflect on how far we've come, and m...

It's our regular round up of news and issues of relevance to the local government sector, including the importance of accurate census data; vaccine incentive programs; the cost of potential rate exemptions for social housing; use of a new provision in the Local Government Act and lots more. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local...

The VLGA Connect Governance Update is back, this week talking about councillor issues in the news, extended mayoral terms due to deferred elections in NSW, Queensland's conflict of interest framework, engaging on asset management plans and much more. Links: Inspectorate moves against Yarra Councillor to step aside https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/watchdog-moves-against-councillor-a...

Our guest on VLGA Connect is Kate Symons, Chair of the Essential Services Commission, to talk about the commission's role in relation to local government; how it oversees the rate capping framework in Victoria; and the recently released outcomes report which provides information on the current financial sustainability of Victoria's councils. Support the show To learn more about the event...

On VLGA Connect, we meet the newly confirmed CEO of Land Use Victoria, the agency responsible for so many important but often unseen functions for the Victorian community. LUV looks after land registration, surveying, place naming, maps and spacial data. We talk about how the agency works with local government, and the exciting new Digital Twin Victoria project. Support the show To learn more abou...

Kathryn Arndt returns to the Newsroom for a discussion about the week's topical issues, including a new campaign to make Parliamentary sessions more inclusive; another deferral of council elections in New South Wales; barriers to female participation as Councillors in the news; and much more as we count down to 200 episodes of VLGA Connect. Support the show To learn more about the events, pro...

The new CEO of Victoria's Environment Protection Authority visits VLGA Connect to introduce himself, and talk about the new legislative environment in which the EPA is working with its stakeholders, including 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...

In this Governance Update, calls for NSW Council elections to be postponed; the sector is awash with no-confidence motions; a doyen of governance retires; and the latest news on CEO appointments. Links: 1. NSW Elections 2. Yarra no-confidence motion 3. Bathurst no-confidence motion 4. Darwin Turf Club report 5.  New Knox CEO appointed 6. Mildura CEO process halted Support the show To learn more ab...

Our guest in the VLGA Connect studio today is Terry Moran, AC, chair of the Centre for Policy Development, discussing confidence in our democratic institutions, local government's place in our democracy, and 'the lack of faith' at a federal level in the capacity of local government. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Loca...

Victoria's Local Jobs First Commission works to promote employment of apprentices, cadets and trainees on government projects, and oversees compliance of local content and job commitments in contractual arrangements for project delivery. On VLGA Connect, we speak with Acting Local Jobs First Commissioner Greg Wilson about his role, and how the commission could potentially assist local governm...

On this week's Governance Update, we discuss the fine line between ensuring transparency of decision making while meeting confidentiality obligations in procurement decisions; the Melbourne council setting the record straight on an ongoing legal matter; and the unique museum that has won the right to keep its scatological signage despite heritage concerns. Support the show To learn more about...