VLGA Connect

This week, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic are joined on the TGU panel by Kendrea Pope to discuss the week’s local government news, including: The release of the municipal monitors’ report for Glenelg Shire Council A councillor under fire for an appearance at a pro-Palestine rally More parks closed due to asbestos contamination CEOs and GMs caught up in political dramas The cost of a Queensland mayoral...

The TGU panel this week looks at the latest appointment of municipal monitors to the City of Greater Geelong. Plus more suburban parks closed after the discovery of asbestos; a council to stop maintaining state government assets in a push back against cost-shifting; the call for an overhaul of disaster recovery funding to councils; and much more on the list of the week’s local government related n...

Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect Local Leaders today is the Mayor of Kingston City Council, Cr Jenna Davey-Burns. Hear about Cr Davey-Burns' journey to local government leadership, her dedication as a foster carer, her commitment to fostering positive relationships with other levels of government, and her thoughts on how to tackle the rising incivility and hostile behaviour targeting politi...

The TGU team is back and taking a walk down memory lane as the sector marks 30 years since the amalgamation of Victorian councils. Also this week, new Council CEOs appointed, another resigns, a rescission motion is lost, and a council Facebook page disappears. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), pleas...

On TGU this week, the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne announces her departure; a Council CEO moving on to a new role; a new Chair appointed to the Local Government Grants Commission; Geelong returns to the G21 fold; and much more local government news to discuss on the TGU panel. Plus a bonus interview special with Tony Raunic and Scott Hodges. Support the show To learn more about the events,...

On TGU this week, reflections on AI risk management for councils; the state government responds to Operation Sandon and releases new green wedge management plans; a new inquiry announced into the sustainability of local government and much more. Brought to you by the VLGA and Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Story list with links in Transcript Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and...

On TGU this week, a new conduct finding leads to another councillor suspension; a place naming policy becomes controversial in regional Victoria; Yarra’s push to charge owners of large vehicles higher parking fees; Warrnambool expresses its concerns after offshore wind farm announcement; a new mayoral advisory panel announced; and much more including the council that is trying to ban scrolling in...

Welcome to the 8th March edition of TGU The Governance Update with the ‘A Team’ of Julie Reid and Tony Raunic, joined this week again by Steve Cooper. TGU is proudly presented by the Victorian Local Governance Association. On this International Women’s Day the Panel discussed the VLGA Event on 5 March to release the 2023 findings of the ARC Linkage Grant Research Project, ‘Women in Local Governmen...

Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect from London is Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), to discuss a stark new report on the financial state of the UK local government sector. With a number of UK councils having already declared effective bankruptcy, and more likely to follow, Jonathan reveals the reasons for the crisis and how the sector is respondin...

This week, with Chris Eddy away on a mystery international assignment, regular panellists Julie Reid and Tony Raunic are joined by Steve Cooper to dissect the week’s local government news. The panel discuss the mooted local government conduct changes, VEC ward boundary reviews, emergency management, vandalism of public art, a contentious planning application and some Scottish push-back against cen...

The TGU panel dissects the week’s local government news, including a tweak to existing use rights in Victorian planning schemes; more meetings disrupted over ceasefire calls; a council clean up initiative rubbished in the media; a councillor’s call for a charge on dog waste bags; and councils on the frontline of recovery efforts after more storms and bushfires. Support the show To learn more about...

VLGA Connect's popular Local Leaders is back for a new season in 2024. First up this year is the four-term Mayor of Horsham Rural City Council, Cr Robyn Gulline, who shares with Chris Eddy her approach to the role as a first-term councillor, thoughts of dealing with conduct issues across the sector, local challenges and future plans. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs,...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid discuss the week’s major local government news, which includes the announcement of structural changes for 39 Victorian councils ahead of elections later this year. Also: monitors start work at Brimbank and finish up at Greater Geelong; conflict in the Middle East continues to impact local council meetings; a major event in Mornington Peninsu...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy and Julie Reid are joined by guest panellist Kendrea Pope to discuss the week’s big local government stories, including: The potential return of sacked former councillors The impact of electoral representation reviews and ward boundary reviews on Victorian councils ahead of this year’s elections A council leads the way with its new AI policy New data suggests a weak li...

TGU is back for 2024 with Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid discussing some of the latest local government developments, including: Municipal monitors for Moonee Valley; a Darebin councillor suspended for misconduct; a CEO departs the sector for a state government role; a major review of the local government financial model in NSW; and should councils be sponsoring sporting clubs? Brought to...

On the final TGU for the year, the panel brings you the week’s big local government stories including a Council meeting that turned ugly; CEO and Councillor appointments, resignations and a sacking; Christmas goes missing in one municipality, and the return of the age-old debate on Christmas decorations. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victori...

On the agenda this week, the suspension of Strathbogie Shire and the installation of an interim administrator; a councillor facing a four month suspension after a conduct panel ruling; a new executive team announced sending ripples through three councils and a peak body; plus a damning Ombudsman report into public sector politicisation and a government intervention in a Canadian council. Support t...

The TGU team is back to unpack the week’s local government news, including the council position that nobody wants; councillors claim unsafe work environment; council work practices in question; a councillor passes; a CEO appointed and much more. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here ....

In a new episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy welcomes the recently appointed Victorian Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel for a conversation about his career journey, and the work that is underway preparing for next year's round of local government elections across the state. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance As...

This week on TGU with Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid, new conduct reforms announced for Victorian councils; the OHS implications of war-related motions; Councils fail to maintain quorum; a countback fails; and overseas, an increasing number of ‘neutrality motions’ and court rules guns are allowed in Council meetings! Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training o...

On the TGU agenda this week - Glenelg monitors revealed; a 30 kph speed limit extension; councils standing up to cost-shifting; the Ombudsman investigates a 7-year building permit saga; the 4-day working week on trial in Victoria and the UK; plus more of the week's local government news with Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and...

On TGU today, the team discusses Merri-bek Council’s controversial resolution on Gaza; tragedy strikes two council communities; monitors start Monday at Glenelg, but who are they?; Strathbogie Council asked to show why it shouldn’t be suspended; a NSW mayor suspended for serious corrupt conduct; should councils operate mobile speed cameras?; and much more on the agenda for your weekly discussion o...

Joining Chris Eddy on Local Leaders today is Cr Denise Massoud, a former mayor and deputy mayor at Whitehorse City Council, and the current President of the Victorian Local Governance Association. Denise talks about her passion for community and a story of frustration that led to her eventually becoming a councillor; how long-term councillors can continue to play an active role in the community; a...

On the TGU menu this week, Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic discuss the pending appointment of municipal monitors to Glenelg Shire Council; a Council CEO responds to inaccurate media reporting on the removal of posters relating to the Israel/Gaza conflict; a Supreme Court rejects a former councillor’s appeal against an arbiter’s finding of misconduct; mayoral election results; a new CEO appointed; a uni...

Cr Jennifer Anderson is today's guest on Local Leaders. Cr Anderson has been mayor of Macedon Ranges Shire five times, and is the current deputy mayor. She speaks with Chris Eddy about how she manages balancing a busy GP practice with her local government career; how her approach to council leadership has changed over time; and the value her broader sector representation role brings to the lo...