VLGA Connect

Sally Jones, Interim CEO of Central Goldfields Shire Council returns to VLGA Connect this week to update Chris Eddy on the latest from the Federal Court hearing into the combined enterprise bargaining arrangements.  Cr Karen Foster, Mayor of Moyne Shire Council then joins the show to discuss the significant drought in the region, and the calls for more action to support communities. Sponsored by H...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats to Mayor of Murrindindi Shire Council, Cr Damien Gallagher about what he sees are the opportunities and challenges unique to the region, and to the sector as a whole.  Leonie Martens, Manager Family and Children's Services at Baw Baw Shire Council joins Chris to discuss council's partnership with Casey and Cardinia Councils in maternal and chil...

With the Victorian Government announcement of a Commission of Inquiry into Whittlesea City Council, Chris Eddy sits down with Tony Raunic of Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to look at how the Inquiry will work and what can be expected. Chris also speaks with Mayor of Port Phillip City Council, Cr Louise Crawford on the recent report into community safety commissioned by council, and their response to the re...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with Kingston City Council Mayor Georgina Oxley to discuss council's position on the Suburban Rail Loop and the effect of the project on the municipality, along with some key changes they would like to see made to improve outcomes for community.  With the Victorian State Budget released this week, Kathryn Arndt, CEO of the Victorian Local Govern...

It has been a big week in the local government sector!  This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic break down this week's big issues including the voiding of the election of a councillor from Whittlesea City Council and the suspension of the mayor of Baw Baw Shire Council. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governa...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with the Mayor of Manningham City Council, Cr Deirdre Diamante to discuss the implications of plans to mandate kerbside glass collection and the push by a group of councils across the state to look at alternative options.  Chris is also joined by Tony Raunic to discuss the release of some significant monitors reports and their recommendations, as wel...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks to Simone Zmood, Mayor of Glen Eira City Council on their recent advocacy activities to both the state and federal government. We learn about the key issues facing the Glen Eira community and what support the Council is seeking from the other tiers of Government.    Then, Chris sits down with Alan Getley, the Mayor of Buloke Shire Council and Brent McAl...

This week on the program Chris Eddy sits down with David Jackson, Director of Customer and Corporate Services at Moorabool Shire Council, to learn more about the use of AI  and the benefits the introduction of this technology is having for a smaller council.   Later in the program Chris speaks with Mayor of Cardinia Cr Jack Kowarzik about Outer Melbourne Councils – a group of 10 councils that form...

With Chris Eddy on leave, Victorian Local Governance Association CEO Kathryn Arndt steps into the VLGA Connect hosting chair, as Chris interviews Johnathan Spear, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria to discuss the recently launched draft Victorian 30-year infrastructure strategy.  Julie Reid re-joins the panel to discuss the recent planning scheme reforms.  And, Helen Healy the Mayor of Mildura joins u...

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with the Mayors of Indigo Shire and Wodonga City Councils to discuss the fight for a new hospital development in the Albury Wodonga region, after a recent rally to Parliament in Melbourne.  Chris also chats to Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers on the startling document leaked on the redevelopment of the Rex in Hepburn Shire Council, and dissects...

This week in a Special Edition of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Victorian Local Governance Association CEO Kathryn Arndt to interview The Hon. Nick Staikos MP, Minister for 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 like to contact us about the podc...

Chris Eddy brings you this week's latest local government news in this week's VLGA Connect, including safety concerns at council meetings across the state.  Joining Chris this week is Bradley Thomas, CEO of Hepburn Shire Council to outline council's request to increase rates above the state government's rate cap to assist with the council's financial sustainability. Tony R...

Join us for a special edition of VLGA Connect, as we come to you live from the launch of the results from the VLGA's Victorian Councillor Census.  Hear from John Armitage at QDOS Research as he and Chris Eddy discuss how the census was conducted, and the key insights the data found. Mike Gooey from LGV joins to chat about how the state government will use the data to guide its policy decision...

Join Chris Eddy and the team for the new VLGA Connect where each week we bring you the latest local government news and take a deep dive into issues affecting the sector.  This week, Kendrea Pope joins Chris to break down the new mandatory professional development requirements facing councillors, and discuss their impact on the sector. Michael Annear, Director Infrastructure & Development at M...

This week on VLGA Connect, Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers joins Chris Eddy to break down the recent disruption of the Casey City Council meeting and the no confidence motion against City of Whittlesea mayor.  Following on from last week's segment on open briefings, two councillors Cr Anthony Marsh, Mayor Mornington Peninsula Shire and Cr Rhonda Garad of Greater Dandenong City Council...

Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect is Mark Dupe, former CEO of Baw Baw Shire Council to take a deep dive into the move by some councils towards open briefings. Mark and Chris discuss whether this is a shift towards greater transparency, or a limit to councillors receiving detailed advice.  Chris interviews Sally Jones, interim CEO of Central Goldfields Shire Council on the move to take a proposal...

New year - new program! In 2025 the VLGA is proud to re-launch The Governance Update as VLGA Connect - your weekly program covering the latest news, analysis and deep dives into the current issues shaping the local government sector.  This week, Chris Eddy is joined by Cr Jo Armstrong, Mayor Ararat Rural City Council to get the latest on the recovery efforts following the Grampians bushfires, and...

This week on the TGU final episode for the year, the panel looks at this week’s news and reflects on the year and the previous Council term. Plus, predictions for what might be ahead in the new year, and Rhys Thomas shares some special poetry treats! Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click he...

On the agenda this week, councils unite on healthcare; two Gippsland council CEOs have announced their departure; councils getting tough on illegal dumping and unregistered cat breeding; and a review of Parks Victoria announced… what could that mean for councils? Loaded with gratuitous movie titles, Rhys will comment on a few recommendations from the recent Parliamentary Enquiry into local governm...

On the agenda this week, the wrap up of mayoral elections; a parliamentary report into local government funding makes 48 recommendations; criticism of the increasing use of municipal monitors; Yarra City Council’s 36 point omnibus motion passes after a marathon session; and should 16 year olds be able to vote in council elections? Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and trai...

This week, the team discuss the push to overhaul council elections, the mayoral elections taking place around the state, a notice of motion to overturn 35 previous decisions of council, a push from rural councils for a better deal from the Federal Government, the suspension of the Townsville mayor, and a mayor ordered to complete training to better understand the role.  Rhys Thomas discusses an is...

The TGU panel returns to discuss the wrap up of Victorian council elections, and allegations of suspected postal vote tampering in two Council wards. Plus a change of leadership for the sector’s peak bodies, mayoral elections underway, a controversial CEO resignation and a push in NSW to ban confidential councillor briefing sessions. Rhys Thomas joins Chris Eddy to talk about some of the trends we...

This week, the TGU panel unpacks the provisional council election results that we know so far. The winners, the losers, the surprises and what’s still to come. Plus municipal monitors appointed to three councils, and the latest CEO to announce a new career move. Rhys Thomas talks about the gap between the council election day and the swearing in of councillors and the limits on the powers of counc...

This week on TGU, the panel attempts to pull together interim results from the Victorian council elections; strike action mooted at Greater Geelong council; a council’s concerns about a fast tracked planning decision; and Rhys Thomas unpacks the detail of Victoria’s new governance and integrity regulations. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Vict...

The TGU panel is back to look at the new governance and integrity regulations which have dropped this week, along with a raft of planning and building announcements that have taken councils by surprise. The election period is coming to an end and voting will soon commence in Victorian council elections.  Is a post-Covid mentality responsible for more poor council governance, and how many councils...