VLGA Connect

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid catch up on local government news, including a Supreme Court decision with relevance for arbiters’ outcomes; the case against Yarra Ranges Shire dismissed; a council’s call for respectful behaviour towards staff; a GM sacked and reinstated within 24 hours; and a potential legal challenge as a council drops the prayer. Support the show To lea...

Today on Local Leaders, our guest is Cr Rosie Annear, the Mayor of Mount Alexander Shire Council. "There is nothing that you can't come back from, you've just got to ride out the hard times." Cr Annear has a background in hospitality and teaching. Rosie decided to run for council because she wanted to make a difference and represent the diverse community of Mount Alexander Shir...

Today's guest on VLGA Connect's Local Leader series is Marcia Timmers-Leitch, the Mayor of Knox City Council. Cr Timmers-Leitch tells Chris Eddy about her reasons for getting involved in local government, and talks about current challenges and projects, including her council's consideration of its future in delivering kindergarten services. Support the show To learn more about the e...

Join Chris Eddy, Julie Reid and Tony Raunic for a wrap up of the week’s local government happenings on TGU from VLGA Connect. On the menu this week, trees disappearing from the suburbs under cover of darkness; a plan to silence local objections towards housing projects; Councils consider their position on kindergarten delivery; the high cost of supporting a community campaign; a call to stamp out...

Joining us on the VLGA Connect Local Leaders series today is Cr Angelica Panopoulos, Mayor of Merri-Bek City Council. "I love being on council. It is such a great, great experience." Cr Panopoulos is the youngest ever mayor of Merri-bek City Council (formerly Moreland). She became involved in local government through her activism for refugee rights. Angelica talks about the challenges of...

Today's guest on Local Leaders is Cr Annette Death, the Mayor of Macedon Ranges Shire Council in central Victoria. "How do we manage to keep women involved in these roles beyond that, beyond their first term? And then how do we diversify that even more?" Cr Death is a first-term councillor and has found the experience to be rewarding and challenging. Annette decided to run for local...

This week, the TGU panel discusses the latest developments in the TechnoPark issue in Hobsons Bay; a court win for Merri-bek; an ‘absurd’ bidding war in Port Phillip; countback results; a NSW MP under pressure to give up his councillor position; a panel divided on pet remains in cemeteries; and lots more of the week’s local government news. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs...

As part of the VLGA Connect Operation Sandon series, Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt speak with IBAC Deputy Commissioner to get the IBAC perspective on the process of forming its 34 recommendations. David responds to the reaction following the release of the report, and talks about likely next steps. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Loca...

"We need to tell our story to our ratepayers." The Mayor of Glen Eira, Cr Jim Magee, is passionate about the state of the local government sector and the challenges it faces. Cr Magee has had discussions with mayors from across Victoria and interstate, and they all face similar problems in their municipalities. He believes that councils need more support from state and federal government...

Joining us on VLGA Connect is the CEO of Recycling Victoria, Tony Circelli. In his first year in the role, Tony tells us about his background and the current priorities for his organisation - including the rollout of the new container deposit scheme and how RV is working with councils on  recycling initiatives and the circular economy. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and...

The TGU panel is back to dissect the week’s local government news, including councils blindsided and sidelined by state government interventions; Yarra Ranges Shire Council in the Supreme Court; another Greater Geelong councillor resigns; the Queensland CEO terminated after less than three months in the job; and the French mayor who wants local dogs to have a passport and submit to DNA testing! Su...

"Collaboration in local government is where good outcomes are going to come from when it's done right." Cr Isabelle Tolhurst is the mayor of the Borough of Queenscliffe. She has faced challenges in her role, including dealing with community issues and calls for intervention. One of the biggest challenges she has faced is a motion of no confidence in the council, which raised concern...

A special edition of VLGA Connect unpacking the IBAC Operation Sandon report, and what the 34 recommendations could mean for the way councils function in future in Victoria. On the panel for this discussion is Kathryn Arndt, CEO of the VLGA; Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers; and Steve Cooper, governance consultant from Civic Mind. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs,...

VLGA Connect - TGU, 28th July 2023 The panel gives a first-look response to the findings of Operation Sandon. Plus a long running court case dropped; an arbiter suspends a councillor for misconduct; gender neutral bathrooms in Surf Coast; a third councillor resignation at Strathbogie Shire; and more local government news of the week on TGU. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs...

VLGA Connect Local Leaders - with Pauline Gordon, the CEO of Campaspe Shire Council "Working together and collaborating to deliver good outcomes for the community." Pauline Gordon is the CEO of Campaspe Shire Council in Northern Victoria. She has been in the role since late last year and started during the flood crisis. More than 50% of the staff at Campaspe Shire Council were directly i...

This week on TGU with Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid, reaction from councils to the cancellation of the 2026 Commonwealth Games in regional Victoria; a last minute bid to delay the Operation Sandon report; a council bans fossil fuel advertising while another wants a ban on commercial kangaroo shooting; a twist in outcome of the extraordinary election at Strathbogie; and practising our best...

Next up on the VLGA Connect Local Leaders series is Cr Tina Samardzija, the Mayor of Monash City Council. "This is your local community and you're a part of it." Tina Samardzija is the Mayor of the City of Monash in Victoria, Australia. She was elected as a councillor in 2020 and became Deputy Mayor before being elected as Mayor. Tina's main motivation for joining local governm...

This week, the TGU panel looks into an emotive planning issue in Hobsons Bay; highlighting another cost shift to local government; councillor departures continue; a gain for Noosa is a loss for Victoria; intelligent sensing switched on in Baw Baw; a council forcing workers back to the office 5 days per week; and more UK councils on brink of bankruptcy. Support the show To learn more about the even...

VLGA Connect Local Leaders Series Rebecca McKenzie, CEO Glen Eira City Council "The local government sector is addictive." Rebecca McKenzie has been the CEO of Glen Eira City Council since 2016. McKenzie has a background in HR and is one of the few CEOs in Victoria with that background. She has been the chair of Zoos Victoria for the past two years. Glen Eira City Council has been recogn...

VLGA Connect - TGU, 7th July 2023 This week on TGU, the imminent release of the Operation Sandon report; “testing the market” through Council CEO appointment processes; disaster recovery funding arrangements prompt an angry response; how councils are dealing with meeting disruptions; an innovative work week trial stopped in its tracks; and the Mexican mayoral tradition that probably won’t catch on...

TGU, 30th June 2023, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers On the TGU menu this week, the appointment of Greater Geelong’s new CEO; countback results at Greater Geelong and Queenscliffe councils; a no-confidence motion and call for a municipal monitor at Queenscliffe Borough Council unsuccessful; an arbiter finds a Golden Plains councillor committed misconduct for using derogatory and disrespectful...

Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic unpack the week’s local government news in your weekly dose of TGU, including the appointment of the new Stonnington CEO; renewed calls for better governance training for incoming councillors; more Councils reviewing services such as kindergarten and home care; and a councillor banned from standing at the next election. TGU is sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support...

TGU, 16th June 2023 Tony Raunic and Julie Reid join Chris Eddy to discuss this week’s local government news, including: King’s Birthday honorees from around the sector; National Local Government Award winners announced; Councillors subject to a lobbying complaint; Councils face tough challenges with housing and homelessness; A council’s High Court challenge fails Two SA councillors removed from of...

This week on TGU, the team discusses the big local government stories of the week, including: A panel of administrators appointed to Moira Shire Council;  IBAC to review its practices after a coroner’s report into the death of a former mayor;  Is the release of the Operation Sandon report imminent? Knox City Council reviewing its involvement in kindergartens; Another Drag Storytime event moves onl...

Hear a roundtable discussion with the Mayor of Greater Shepparton, Shane Sali; Mayor of Campaspe Shire, Rob Amos; and CEO of Mildura Rural City Council, Martin Hawson - discussing the impact of last year's floods on community and infrastructure, and the lasting effects that are still being dealt with six months on. From a VLGA Connect Live Panel session, held 12th May 2023. Support the show T...