VLGA Connect

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with Cr Kylie Spears - the inaugural winner of the Mary Rogers Award for women in local government. Our Meet the Board series continues, with a conversation with Cr Jane Karslake from Glen Eira City Council - a recent addition to the VLGA board. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and train...

This week on VLGA Connect, Maribyrnong Council CEO Celia Haddock joins Chris Eddy to talk about new local laws requiring authorised officers to be trained in the city's homelessness protocol; her challenge to property owners about landbanking in central Footscray, and more. Continuing the Meet the Board series, Chris sits down for a chat with Cr Mia Shaw from Wyndham City Council, after her r...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by the CEO of the Independent Broad Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) Alison Byrne to discuss the latest perceptions of corruption report and findings released by the agency.  Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to discuss a move to limit Notices of Motions at the City of Whittlesea and the implications of that, along with a newly...

On VLGA Connect this week, Chris Eddy meets the mayor of Corangamite Shire, Cr Kate Makin, to talk about a number of local and regional challenges council is actively advocating on including the condition of regional roads, some initiatives in waste collection, renewable energy projects and the importance of reliable connectivity in regional areas as we enter fire season.  Cr Dr Josh Fergus is her...

Chris Eddy and Julie Reid unpack the biggest planning reforms in decades have been introduced to the Victorian Parliament and explain what they mean for councils. Plus, we put the spotlight on one of the country’s fastest growing areas - Mitchell Shire Council Mayor John Dougall joins me to talk about his community’s priorities ahead of next year’s state election. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawy...

This week, Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and Chris Eddy discuss some breaking news from the sector this week, including a proposal to introduce term limits for councillors, new Aged Care Act responsibilities for councillors, and as mayoral election season gets under way, is it a good idea to have position statements for mayors and deputy mayors? Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Sup...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with VEC Commissioner Sven Bluemmel to talk through the official report on the conduct of last year’s Victorian council elections, and the recommendations for future elections. Chris then speaks with the mayor of Strathbogie Shire Council, Claire Ewart-Kennedy about some of the shire’s current challenges and priorities. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt L...

This week on VLGA Connect, the Mayors of Merri-bek City Council and Nillumbik Shire Council join Chris Eddy to talk about a joint councils campaign to raise awareness on transport issues in the fast growing northern metropolitan region and the Northern Council's Alliance's efforts to advocate to the state government for better connectivity. After a big week in the sector, Tony Raunic ret...

As the VLGA launches the 2025 Victorian Councillor Census, VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt and John Armitage from QDOS Research join Chris Eddy to talk about this year’s Census - how does it work, and how will the information be used? Deputy mayor of Wellington Shire Council, Cr Cindy Madeley, also joins the program to chat about life in the shire and an important ongoing conversation with the community ab...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with Merri-bek Mayor Cr Helen Davidson to discuss the priorities and challenges for the inner city municipality as her mayoral term draws towards a close. Adam McSwain, the newly commenced CEO at Golden Plains joins Chris to chat about his career journey, and his approach to the role as the council comes out of a period of instability. Sponsored by H...

This week on VLGA Connect, Cr Sophie Price, Mayor of Indigo Shire, joins Chris Eddy to discuss how the northeast region is recovering from recent events, and gives us an update on the ongoing fight for better hospital and health services in the region. Tony Raunic returns to discuss the latest legal and governance issues from across the sector, including a new arbiter decision that has led to the...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris is joined by City of Greater Bendigo CEO Andrew Cooney to talk about a major customer service survey, and how the organisation is meeting the demands of a rapidly growing regional centre. Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to discuss on recent issue of a governance and legal nature, including a move at Frankston to extend the term of the current mayor...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats with Cr Stefan Koomen, Mayor of Casey City Council on leading the new council in its first term since a long period of administration, and how the long running Operation Sandon investigation has impacted the new councillor group. Then, we learn more about a metro Melbourne circular economy first with Sarah Furnell, Brimbank Circular Economy Officer as sh...

This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy interviews Mark Stoermer, CEO Mornington Peninsula Shire Council on how he is settling in as CEO, his priorities for the role, including an announced restructure, and the pending release of the Board of Inquiry report into the McCrae landslip - with potential sector-wide implications. Cr Karen Foster, Mayor of Moyne Shire Council returns to the program to discu...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic break down the latest in local government news including the appointment of monitors to Kingston City Council and the standing down of Maribyrnong City Council Mayor under the provisions of the Local Government Act. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victo...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy gets to know the new CEO of Strathbogie Shire Council, Rachelle Quatrocchi to hear about her visions for the new role. Tony Raunic and Chris catch up on the recent issues affecting the sector, including a significant local law decision at Casey Council and new legal reforms dealing with perceived invasions of privacy. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Supp...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats with Gail Gatt the new CEO at Horsham Rural City Council about how she is settling into her new role and the key issues facing her community. Chris also catches up with Port Phillip City Council Mayor Cr Louise Crawford about an innovative solution the council has developed to prevent and reduce damage to public bins.  Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyer...

Today on the program Chris Eddy sits down with the Mayor of West Wimmera Shire Tim Meyer to talk about how he is finding this mayoral term. Mary Agostino, Chief Executive Officer of Mitchell Shire also joins us to talk about what is happening in her community and the key issues council is addressing.  Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, a...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats to Don Henderson, Mayor of Hepburn Shire Council on what's happening in the region, the challenges council faces and what he sees are the priorities for this term.  Chris then speaks to Ryan Allott, Manager Compliance & Environmental Health at Whittlesea City Council on an innovative program council has implemented to tackle their stray cat popu...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic break down the latest from across the local government sector including an arbiter decision at Wyndham, a loss at VCAT for Moorabool Council, and Hume Council’s call for greater enforcement powers in relation to dangerous dogs. Chris also interviews Ballarat City Council deputy mayor Cr Ben Taylor on council's recent announcement of a 0% r...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down for an in-depth discussion with the Mayor of the City of Yarra, Stephen Jolly, on his first mayoral term, responding to criticism, and why he won’t be seeking another term as mayor. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA),...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris chats to Campaspe Shire Council mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell on the implementation of a zero tolerance policy to prevent inappropriate behaviour towards staff and councillors. Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to discuss all the big news this week in the local government sector.  Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offer...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats to Cr Kris Bolam, mayor of Frankston City Council on their friendly city and sister city arrangements and how they impact the community.  Chris then speaks to Wyndham City Council mayor Cr Mia Shaw on council's partnership with RMIT University, to deliver a unique AI and analytics capability development program for businesses.  Sponsored by Hunt &am...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic discuss some significant decisions released this week, including the return of a Kingston councillor from suspension.  Chris also interviews Swan Hill Rural City Council mayor Stuart King on the recent changes made to liquor licencing which while designed to remove red tape, cut councils from the decision-making process. Together they will expl...

This week on VLGA Connect, Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to chat with Chris Eddy about the latest issues facing the local government sector including the parking fine error at Merri-bek council and  recent election related decisions at VCAT. Matt Collins, CEO of the Planning Institute of Australia discusses the recent survey which highlighted the severe shortage of qualified pla...