VLGA Connect

Today's guest on Local Leaders is Cr Hadi Saab, the Mayor of Kingston City Council. Cr Saab is a Druze first-generation Australian born to Lebanese and Syrian parents. He talks to Chris Eddy about his motivations for getting into local government, the progress made this year on significant issues for the Kingston community, and his commitment to improving transparency and community consultati...

Today's guest on Local Leaders is Dr. Josh Fergeus, the Vice President of the VLGA and a councillor at the City of Monash. Josh has a background in social work and a doctorate in foster care and mental health, and is  passionate about social justice and the well-being of vulnerable populations, particularly children in the child protection system. He is also the CEO of the charity Kevin Hines...

On TGU this week, a call for an overhaul of planning laws in relation to developers; a councillor in court over a fire prevention order; a new homelessness initiative launched in Yarra; IBAC’s new commissioner announced; another councillor resignation; the NT council suspended by the government; deja vu out of New South Wales, and much more local government news. Support the show To learn more abo...

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.au or call us on 03 9349 7999

Jacqui Weatherill is the CEO of Greater Dandenong City Council, is the most multicultural municipality in Australia. She and her council are passionate about working with diverse and disadvantaged communities. Jacqui talks to Chris Eddy about her career path leading to her taking up the role at Greater Dandenong in late 2022. Her local government career began in the 1980s, and for a time Jacqui wa...

Join Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid for TGU, your weekly rundown of local government happenings from VLGA Connect. Topics for discussion this week include Australian councils reacting to events in the Middle East; the ongoing use of Council prayers; opening briefing sessions to the public; cat curfews; VCAT decisions; sector arrivals and departures; Roundup usage by Melbourne councils; the...

The Mayor of Melton City Council, Cr Lara Carli, joins Chris Eddy on Local Leaders to discuss the challenges and excitement of managing the fastest growing municipality in Australia. Cr Carli says the affordability of housing and the presence of hidden gems like wineries and parks are attracting people to Melton in ever increasing numbers. She emphasizes the importance of public transport and empl...

Recorded Thursday , 7th September 2023 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.au or call us on 03 9349 7999

VLGA Connect - TGU, 6th October 2023 Julie Reid returns to the TGU panel with Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic to look at the week in local government news. Stories include state government announcements about residential land tax and an extension of an e-scooter trial; a historic joint meeting of three councils in Melbourne’s north; Glen Eira considers closing council-run childcare centres; the council...

As a local government CEO, Carl Cowie keeps a low profile in the sector - preferring to focus his efforts on delivering for "the people who pay me." VLGA Connect has secured a rare interview with Carl, who made the move from the private sector to local government originally as CEO of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council. He was recently signed up for a second term leading Nillumbik Shire C...

VLGA Connect: TGU, 29th September 2023 Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic unpack the latest local government news, including a change of Premier in Victoria and the likely impact on the sector; more reaction to the government’s housing and planning reforms; a new conduct panel decision leading to a three month councillor suspension; a mistake rectified after 12 years; the insurance market impacts on counc...

Today's guest on VLGA Connect's Local Leaders series is Brett Davis, the CEO of Moyne Shire Council in south west Victoria. Brett has a background in local government and planning, and his planning experience has helped him in his role as CEO. Moyne Shire has implemented innovative initiatives, such as key worker housing in caravan parks, to address housing challenges. The shire is also...

"There's a real awakening, especially amongst young people, about the fact that their world is changing and the circumstances in which they're living really need strong and in some cases, dare I say, radical interventions to ensure that their future and standard of living is not only commensurate with those of those of the people who came before them, but better in some ways."...

VLGA Connect - TGU, 22nd September 2023 It was the week the government unveiled its new housing statement and reforms to the Victorian planning system. How has the local government sector responded?  Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic look at the major changes and reactions so far. Also this week, waste charges take the media spotlight, new data shows most council-run airports are running at a loss and ne...

Today's guest on Local Leaders with Chris Eddy is the CEO of Baw Baw Shire Council, Mark Dupe. Mark has a background in finance and IT, with experience in the private sector before joining local government. He lived and worked in various locations around the world, including Lisbon, Hong Kong, and the United States, before taking up his first local government tole in 2001. Mark believes in em...

On TGU from VLGA Connect this week: The Block pulls out of Hepburn Shire; a new statewide levy short stay accommodation mooted; a council to withdraw fines over a technicality; councils align on regional advocacy and funding programs; a GM’s sacking remains on hold; and do we feed the peacocks? Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local G...

Sitting down with Chris Eddy for today's Local Leaders episode is Cr Karen Foster, the mayor of Moyne Shire Council in southwest Victoria. "There's nothing wrong with being a good and decent person and a kind person. There's nothing wrong with being prepared to listen to other perspectives. It may just shift your own a little bit." Cr Foster is a first term councillor and...

Today's guest on Local Leaders is Cr Rob Amos, the Mayor of Campaspe Shire Council. "I love what I do. It's very, very busy, particularly this year with the floods recovery stuff.  But I absolutely love it." Cr Amos is in his first term as a councillor. He talks about the challenges of learning and adapting to the role, while dealing with challenges such as floods and  the ongo...

As part of the VLGA Connect Operation Sandon series, Kathryn Arndt and Chris Eddy are joined by Roberta Ryan, professor of local government at the University of Newcastle. Prof. Ryan was an expert witness during the Operation Sandon enquiry, and gives her perspective on proposed changes to the planning framework and recommendations to bring more independence to council's management of the CEO...

VLGA Connect, TGU - 8th September 2023 This week on TGU, a regional councillor ordered to apologise for social media activity; the narrative on councils’ role in housing shortages challenged; new research on perceptions of corruption; what keeps CEOs awake at night; and Julie Reid reports from Scotland on current local government issues and challenges. Support the show To learn more about the even...

Joining Chris Eddy on today's Local Leaders episode is Cr Tammy Radford, mayor of Cardinia Shire, one of the fastest growing areas in Victoria. "Push yourself. Just because you're feeling nervous and you're not sure about something, don't hide away from it, just push yourself." The rapid population growth has led to a need for critical infrastructure improvements. Cr...

Today's Local Leaders guest is Kerryn Ellis, CEO of South Gippsland Shire Council, which was under administration for over two years before returning to elected representation in October 2021. Kerryn tells Chris Eddy about the transition from administration to elected representation that required extensive induction and transition processes for the new councillor group. The organisation faced...

On this week’s episode of TGU with Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic, catch up on recent sector developments, including: a councillor pleads guilty to misuse of position and is spared conviction; Hume City Council withdraws an appeal against a VCAT ruling on councillor conduct; Moonee Valley councillors caught up in an IBAC investigation; sunlight wins in a precedent setting VCAT decision; and a council...

Joining Chris Eddy on today's episode of Local Leaders is Lucy Roffey, the CEO of Central Goldfields Shire Council. "Local government gives you so much experience in such a broad range of things." Lucy Roffey has a unique background, having worked in the film industry and running a luxury day spa in Canada before transitioning to local government.  Lucy emphasises the importance of...

Today's guest on the VLGA Connect Local Leaders series is Bernie O'Sullivan, CEO of Macedon Ranges Shire Council. "I'm loving the local government sector. I've done a full circle... back to where I was ultimately going to be. It's a very privileged position to have." Bernie has a background in agriculture, public service, and local government, and is focused on p...