VLGA Connect

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic and Julie Reid to discuss the week’s main local government stories, including a new CEO announced for the MAV; a Greater Geelong councillor resigns triggering the 43rd countback or byelection for the current Council term; severing a sister city relationship with Russia; the passing of a long term councillor and former mayor; and more council re...

Next up in the VLGA Connect Local Leaders, meet the Mayor of the City of Darebin, Cr Julie Williams. Cr Williams has been on council since 2012, and is in her first term as mayor of the city. In an open and times raw conversation, Julie talks about what drove her to become a councillor more than 10 years ago, and the legacy that she is working towards in her mayoral term. Support the show To learn...

VLGA Connect, TGU 26th May  Tony Raunic and Julie Reid join Chris Eddy on the TGU panel this week, with sector reaction to the Victorian state budget; a Merri-bek planning matter called in by the Minister; more councils move away from January 26 activities; plus residents’ love letters to trees. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and tra...

Victoria's Auditor General, Andrew Greaves, returns to VLGA Connect to discuss the insights from the last full year of local government financial statements. How is a shortage of skilled audit and finance professionals impacting audit timelines? And why has there been an increase in errors in found in statements this past year? Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and tr...

VLGA Connect, TGU - 19th May 2023 The weekly wrap of local government news with Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic. Topics this week include the appointment of a second monitor to Strathbogie Shire Council; a verbal stoush over libraries in Greater Geelong; Mayors gather to plan a response to the increasing number of disruptions to council meetings; the latest senior executive appointments and more. Spons...

Brent McAlister is our latest guest on the VLGA Connect Local Leaders series. Brent recently took up the role of CEO at Northern Grampians Shire after a stellar local government career across Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland and New Zealand. He talks to Chris Eddy about his local government background, and the challenges and opportunities for the sector and for his new role at Northern Grampi...

Joining Chris Eddy on the TGU panel this week are Julie Reid and Tony Raunic, discussing the week's local government happenings... and a bit more. Includes another final report from a municipal monitor; public toilet controversy and a creek renaming; a late motion calling for action on Council meeting disruptors; and much more. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and tr...

VLGA Connect, Episode 340 Infrastructure Victoria has released the results of an 18-month research project, looking at how and why people are making housing choices; and revealing what could be don to shift demand in new greenfield suburbs to established suburbs, closer to existing infrastruture. IV CEO Jonathan Spear talks to Chris Eddy about the report's findings and the range of proposed p...

VLGA Connect, episode 339  TGU is back with a rundown of the current local government issues, including the increase in disruptions to Council meetings and events; the Darebin Municipal Monitor report released; Geelong CEO recruitment restarts; a rural mayor under fire for duck hunting support and much more. Links: Darebin Municipal Monitor's report: https://www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/__d...

VLGA Connect, Episode 338 In the first of an ongoing series profiling Local Leaders, Chris Eddy is joined by the mayor of Nillumbik Shire Council, Ben Ramcharan. At 27, and a first term councillor, Ben is one of the youngest mayors in Victoria. He talks about what drove him to become involved in local government; what he aims to achieve while in the mayoral role; and his plans for the future. Supp...

VLGA Connect, Episode 338 Joining Chris Eddy on the program at Simon Harrex from the VLGA, and Jo Noesgaard from SGS Planning and Economics, to discuss a series of briefing papers designed to help local governments address the community and personal impacts from record gambling losses. Access the series of briefing here for free, after registering for an account: https://lgiu.org/?s=gambling Suppo...

It's an all-new episode of TGU from VLGA Connect, with lots for the team to discuss this week. Including: an ominous call for administrators at Greater Geelong; the Victorian Mayor considering a landmark defamation case; Councils impacted as a major construction company goes into voluntary administration; and Councillors nationwide join forces on electric vehicle advocacy. Plus the team'...

VLGA Connect, Episode 336 - In Conversation with Ken Weldin On VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined in conversation by Ken Weldin, the Joint Head of Audit and Assurance at PKF Melbourne. The topic is risk and governance, and how groups of intelligent people can sometimes make bad decisions. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governa...

Episode 335: This week, Tony Raunic joins Chris Eddy to discuss the local government happenings of the week, headed by a follow up review of governance issues at West Wimmera Shire Council; the release of the final Municipal Monitor's report at Horsham Rural City Council; conflict of interest concerns arising from a government contract process; a councillor denied a study tour over business c...

Cyber related crisis management for organisations has never been more important, and councils are no exception. Allan Briggs from Crisis Shield joins Chris Eddy today on VLGA Connect to talk about how private and public sector entities are investing in strengthening their IT systems, but run the risk of not being prepared to respond effectively in the event of a crisis. Support the show To learn m...

VLGA Connect, TGU - 24th March 2023 Chris Eddy and Tony Raunic unpack the week's big local government news stories on TGU, including a call for stronger anti-discrimination laws following last weekend's concerning displays of racism and intolerance;  Strathbogie's exit from the state school crossing supervisor program; does robust political debate include the right to offend? And mu...

VLGA Connect, Episode 332 VEC Deputy Commissioner Dana Fleming joins Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect to explain the process of electoral representation reviews.  39 Victorian Councils are due to undergo a review before the next Council elections. Dana explains the legislative requirements and the steps involved in reaching a final decision on the electoral structure to apply at each of those councils....

This week on an all-new TGU, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid join Chris Eddy to discuss the week’s local government happenings, including: A call to exit Yarrawonga from Moira Shire Yarra’s waste charge and Merri-bek animal registration fines in the news The Know Your Council website is….gone! A former CEO’s lost unfair dismissal case has a sequel Tony takes us to the movies, and Julie has a live music...

This week on In Conversation, Chris Eddy speaks with David Wolf Deputy Commissioner of IBAC on 'corruption risks associated with donations and lobbying'. David talks us through on some surveys and reports that have been recently published by IBAC such as: Corruption risks associated with donations and lobbying and IBAC's Victorian perceptions of corruption 2022. Click here to read m...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic and Julie Reid  the big talking point is the dismissal of Moira Shire Council following the release of a a Commission of Inquiry report. Among the highlights they discuss are: Political staffers issuing council related press releases More questionable councillor social media behaviour A legal threat to the use of Christian prayers at council mee...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic and Julie Reid with councillor behaviour in the spotlight.. again and on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are:  We hear about some current cases and a call from the sector for tougher penalties. Plus a new guide for councillors to understand heritage issues nepotism and cronyism in recruitment at Tasmanian councils...

On our first episode of In Conversation of 2023 , Chris Eddy and Kathryn Arndt speak with Medha Majumdar on the report she wrote - 'The Missing Women of Australian Politics'. Medha Majumdar was the Julia Gillard Next Generation Intern 2020-21 with EMILY’s List Australia, and author of The Missing Women of Australian Politics: How violence against women creates barriers to female represen...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Julie Reid on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: A new analysis from VAGO on councils' annual reports, with an increase in the number of errors found Final submissions made to VCAT in the alleged voter fraud case for the 2020 Moreland Council elections  A last minute reprieve for South Australian councillors who lost of...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: A former mayor find to have engaged in serious misconduct and suspended for two months A tick of approval for governance improvements at Yarriambiack Shire A housing success story from a southwest Victorian council Concerns raised about recruitment practices at Greater Geelon...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic and Julie Reid on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are:  A large number of councillors set to lose office in South Australia for failing to submit gift returns.  Monitors appointed at a Greater Geelong Council prayers and acknowledgements of country making news The Inspectorate releases figures on a busy 21/22 finan...