VLGA Connect

On the TGU menu this week, stories from the campaign trail; the councillor who resigned to be able to speak freely during the election campaign; a live TV debate with Lord Mayoral candidates; help on the way for regional councils dealing with a shortage of municipal building surveyors; the candidate campaigning on having a beer and watching the football; councils cop another whack about the pace o...

The panel is back for more TGU from VLGA Connect, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Up for discussion this week -  new report from IBAC on an investigation in bribery and misconduct allegations at Moonee Valley City Council; vandalism and theft on the campaign trail in Victoria; a record number of candidates; why you should make you’re on the role and do the training first; Councils reveal the...

As we draw closer to the end of this council term, Chris Eddy, Kathryn Arndt and Rhys Thomas reflect on the last four years and the issues which shaped 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 podcast, please send us an email...

As we look back on some of the big issues of the last year, we revisit this discussion between Chris Eddy and CEO of the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) in the UK, Jonathan Carr-West. Chris and Jonathan look at LGIU research into the financial sustainability of the local government sector in the UK and similarities with the Victorian sector. Support the show To learn more about the events...

This week, we look back at an interview with Deputy Commissioner at IBAC, David Wolf.   David and Chris look at the risks associated with donations and lobbying in local government elections. In the lead up to the election period we revisit this issue, and much more.  Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA...

Access to safe and affordable housing is a basic human right, but the housing crisis is growing globally. With increasing cost pressures, and population growing faster than build times, what can local government do to address the crisis? This panel looks at barriers to housing accessibility, development, the role of all levels of government to work together and short and long term strategies counc...

This week, we look back at a conversation between Chris Eddy and the (then) newly elected Victorian Electoral Commissioner, Sven Bluemmel.  Chris and Sven discuss Sven’s career journey, from Victorian Information Commissioner to Victorian Electoral Commissioner, and consider the intensive work that was undertaken to prepare for this year’s local government elections across the state.  Support the...

Today on TGU, the panel looks at an exciting new waste to energy project;  Reaction to the government’s latest housing plans Concerns over a rental agreement in Yarra and the use of parking sensors in Maribyrnong; A Melbourne Council CEO is moving on A new program to address workforce shortages in local government, and a campaign to encourage more people to become planners Plus councils in NZ told...

This week, the TGU panel looks at a surprise move to ban hired e-scooters in Melbourne; a councillor resignation preceding an arbiter misconduct ruling; a municipal monitor for Horsham; a high five commotion in Yarra Ranges; interesting Notices of Motion from the past week; an innovative housing project; an interesting FOI decision; a monumental nomination debacle in New South Wales and much, much...

In what has been a heartbreaking week for the local government sector, Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid discuss the latest in the sector in this week's TGU.  This week, the devastating passing of two sitting councillors, a new model Code of Conduct is out for consultation, a contentious heritage proposal raises temperatures at Boroondara Council, the status of the CFMEU’s Fair Work Comm...

This week on TGU, Greater Geelong Council CEO Ali Wastie makes a stand in court against gendered abuse; A call for more resourcing for the Local Government Inspectorate; An extension of the term for municipal monitors at Moonee Valley, while the Minister rejects a call for a monitor at Northern Grampians; A CEO defends the editing of a council meeting recording; And new CEO appointments in regiona...

Chris Eddy, Julie Reid and Tony Raunic return to brighten your Friday with the latest in local government news!  This week the panel discuss, the first Victorian council to open briefing sessions to the public, the cost of asbestos clean up across parks in Hobsons Bay revealed, a councillor wants a municipal monitor appointed, e-scooters here to stay, the latest on Liverpool’s battle with the NSW...

Today, the sector mourns the passing of a local government legend; a likely suspension looms for Liverpool Council as a public inquiry is announced;  a misconduct finding against a councillor at Port Phillip;  the on-again, off-again filming of The Block in Daylesford is back on; And a controversy over a proposal to change a council’s Acknowledgement of Country. Support the show To learn more abou...

The TGU team return with the latest in this week's local government news.  This week, another municipal monitor appointed to a Victorian council, an interstate Council CEO appointment with a Victorian and sporting connection, Melbourne Councils in the news over flood modelling and climate emergency planning, the rise of abusive behaviour towards elected officials and council staff raises conc...

On TGU this week, the panel unpacks recent conduct decisions at Brimbank City Council; a former councillor avoids a jail sentence; a long term councillor resigns and a high profile CEO announces retirement; councils cracking down on an unsafe EV charging practice; and the mayor locked out of town hall for 3 and a half years. Plus Rhys Thomas updates on the passage of new conduct legislation and th...

On TGU today,  Melbourne has a new Lord Mayor; Melbourne’s west mayors react to the Airport Rail Link mediation outcome Concerns over Suburban Rail Loop planning, and integrity issues raised at two Melbourne councils We’ve had a Council CEO resignation this week And Townsville’s embattled mayor was back at work this week, reigniting calls for his resignation Plus we’ll check in with Rhys Thomas wh...

This week, on TGU Chris Eddy, Julie Reid and Nick Miller chat about the new Victorian Government conduct reforms made law, draft housing targets for all Victorian councils announced, Port Phillip, Yarra, Greater Geelong councils in the news, Community Satisfaction Survey results released and a 1 metre long ballot paper for a by-election in Canada. Rhys Thomas returns to reveal the “mystery of the...

This week the TGU panel discusses recent media reports about interventions at Victorian councils; local government elections targeted by more extremist candidates; Merri-bek Council’s proposal to double rates for landlords; a new Chair Administrator and a long term councillor to step aside; the council ordered to return $36M to the government; and a councillor’s unfortunate exposure during an onli...

Join the TGU team for a look at the week’s local government news, including a councillor suspension for serious misconduct; governance concerns at Brimbank; a coffee van row prompts calls for the amalgamation of Queenscliffe borough; the return of a merry Christmas at Stonnington; an update on the passage of conduct reforms through Parliament; and a look at anomalies in electoral roll legislation...

Chris Eddy and Julie Reid are joined by Nick Miller from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers for this week’s panel discussion on the week’s local government news, including new legislation, wards boundaries, an arbiter decision, housing challenges, planning winners and much more. Plus, introducing a new segment with Rhys Thomas reporting on the latest important happenings from the VLGA. Support the show To le...

On TGU this week, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, the panel discusses the latest council concerns about funding for state-owned roads; a mayor puts pressure on Melbourne Airport and the government to get serious about an airport rail link; permanent and interim CEO appointments announced; wicked housing problems and collapsing roads; and the neighbours who don't like living next to a br...

This week the TGU panel looks at sector reaction to the Federal Budget; concerns of a massive loss of open space from the state government’s Big Build; a council’s wicked housing problem; the overturning of Cumberland’s controversial library book ban; a capital city mayor takes issue with her own council’s decision; and much more of the week’s local government news. Support the show To learn more...

On TGU this week, the panel looks at sector reaction to the Victorian State Budget; yet another Council has a monitor installed; CEO announcements; waste collection dilemmas; a council’s controversial library book ban creates backlash; turning off Facebook comments; and Jeremy Clarkson upsets his local council again. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered b...

This week the TGU panel discusses new governance and integrity measures for local government in Victoria; the appointment of municipal monitors to Darebin City Council; plans to remove council planning powers if they don’t meet housing targets; and much more of the week’s local government news. TGU from VLGA Connect is sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the...

This week’s TGU panel discussions looks a sexist newspaper cartoon about a female Council CEO; Ballarat Council’s rejection of a policy on formal positions; the challenges of national standardisation of kerbside bins; falling levels of public trust in government in the UK; a council’s warning about Brazilian Butt Lifts and more! Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more...