VLGA Connect

On this week's Governance Update, Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper discuss the latest Ombudsman report into Council parking fine reviews; the VEC's failure to vote process; a useful tool for Councils incorporating climate change into their Council Plans; the People Matters survey extended to councils; and Kingston appoints an Interim CEO. Support the show To learn more about the events, progr...

Victorian Planning Authority CEO Stuart Moseley speaks with Chris Eddy about the program for the year ahead for his agency, and how the demand for land for homes and jobs is continuing to grow across Melbourne and key regional areas. 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'...

Recorded on the day of March4Justice, Kathryn Arndt speaks to the issues of gender equality as they relate to local government and looks ahead to future discussions on this topic and others on VLGA Connect and in our next live international forum. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here...

This week on the Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, local government consultant Mark Davies drops by to unpack the recently released rating system review. We discuss the conflict issues, or lack thereof, in relation to a Council vote on an alleged misconduct matter and more. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Go...

This week in the Newsroom, we look back on a successful Fast Track Leadership day for Councillors; discuss the Federal Labor leader's election pledge to return local government to the National Cabinet; and look at the election of a new board and President for the Municipal Association of Victoria. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian...

This week's Governance Update is different! We recorded our discussion at the VLGA FastTrack Leadership Day, with topics including the role of the Mayor; how to ensure the Code of Conduct is a useful tool; hot topics with the Local Government Minister and more. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA),...

This week in the Newsroom with Kathryn Arndt, we got a bit excited and borrowed the new opening titles for the general VLGA Connect episodes. But they're too nice to share! We'll go back to our own Newsroom titles next week. Oh, and we talk about the news stories of the week from around local government too! Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered...

This week, Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper are joined by Hannah Duncan-Jones from Local Government Victoria for an update on LGA 2020 implementation; new guidance on personal interest returns; and a review of mandatory candidate training. We also discuss this week's LGPRo virtual conference, and a study that reveals the conflicted, harassed and insecure life of a council CEO. Support the show T...

On this week's Newsroom in the VLGA Connect Summer Series, Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy discuss a selection of news stories from the world of local government and beyond. Including new reporting requirements for Councils; a fall in life expectancy as a result of COVID-19; electric vehicle charging stations rolling out in regional areas; and so much more. Support the show To learn more about t...

This week, lots of local government news, interspersed with Paul Kelly bingo!? Has the Governance Update officially jumped the shark? You be the judge. 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.a...

A special VLGA Connect, with Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy speaking with Associate Professor Tom Daly from the Melbourne School of Government about the impacts of COVID-19 on representative democracy. This wide-ranging conversation looks at how the pandemic has sharpened the focus on role of elected representatives, the debate about directly elected vs indirectly elected mayors, and the emergence o...

On this episode of VLGA Connect Newsroom, we highlight some of this week's stories from around local government, including a new Chair for Regional Cities Victoria; outdoor dining leads to reduced revenue for Councils; and communities about to be surveyed for their thoughts on how their local Council is performing. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offere...

Governance is back! Talking Codes of Conduct troubles, more CEO movements in the sector, model working documents for finance practitioners, and induction prompted conflict of interest quandaries. Join Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper for another mostly useful discussion now. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (...

The VLGA Connect Summer Series lives on, with another edition of Newsroom where Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy highlight some handpicked local government-related news stories from the past week.  On this episode, a new gender equality advisory committee; the Melbourne School of Government's policy briefs on governing through crises; promising signs of a return to busy-ness in Melbourne's C...

On this week's Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, discussion points include:  Ballarat City Council's Governance and Culture Review; the schedule of milestones due under the Local Government Act 2020; how do we define what it means to operate in a principles based environment; and the upcoming VLGA Fast Track Leadership day. Support the show To learn more about the eve...

Victorian Auditor-General Andrew Greaves, and Commissioner for Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Kristen Hilton join us for an in-depth discussion about the findings of the VAGO audit of how sexual harassment matters are handled in the Victorian local government sector. The audit found that Councils do not provide workplaces that are free from sexual harassment. We discuss the recommendations, th...

On the weekly Governance Update, we're joined by Hannah Duncan-Jones from Local Government Victoria to discuss upcoming deadlines under the Local Government Act 2020, including adoption of new Councillor Codes of Conduct and Community Engagement Policies; some new definitions in the Register of Interest forms; and setting policies to give effect to the financial management principles in the A...

The VLGA Newsroom program is back for 2021, with Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy, and a more newsy format. This week, calls for local government to have a seat at the National Cabinet; a mayor calls for Councillors to have more operational powers; and the debate over going to the polls in the UK during COVID-19 lockdowns. Plus a big few weeks of VLGA events ahead. See the comments for story links, an...

Infrastructure Victoria has released its draft 30 year strategy, and is looking for feedback prior to 26 February 2021. We speak with IV's Manager Strategy and Policy, Llewellyn Reynders, about how the strategy was developed, and what it means for local government. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VL...

Joining us on the VLGA Connect Summer Series is Martine Letts, CEO of the Committee for Melbourne, to talk about the 25th year of the emerging civic leaders' program Future Focus Group, and the visionary concept of an East Coast Megaregion to deliver a range of social and economic benefits. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local...

The weekly Governance Update is back for 2021 as part of the VLGA Connect Summer Series. Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper discuss recent significant appointments in the sector, and the program of LGA2020 implementation with key deadlines looming. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If y...

On our final Newsroom for 2020, we look back the origins of VLGA Connect and recall some of the conversations and topics that we explored with people from across the local government sector and beyond this year. 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 a...

It's our first year-end review on the Governance Update. Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper look back on the highlights and lowlights of the year, including COVID-19, Council elections, and introduction of the new Local Government Act. We touch on where the integrity agencies were focused, and look at some of the learnings for the sector - all with an appropriately festive feel! Support the show To...

This week from the VLGA Newsroom, Kathryn Arndt updates us on current VLGA activities, including induction of new Councils; preparing for the annual FastTrack leadership program; new State Govt affordable housing processes; and getting ready for our live Global CEO Panel on 17 December. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governanc...

As the governance year grinds towards a brief hiatus, we purport to diligently present the penultimate edition of VLGAConnect Governance Update for 2020. Stephen Cooper shares some observations from his part physical/ part virtual induction road trip, with Councillors coming to grips with conflict of interest provisions, apprehended bias issues and standards of conduct that will underpin new Counc...