VLGA Connect

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: A councillor takes a fight against a court decision to the Supreme Court A council meeting closed and police called after unruly public outbursts Concerns over the timeline for representation reviews Social media posts lead to a councillor’s suspension A mayor rejects having...

The municipal monitor at South Gippsland Shire Council has released the final report, after the transition from administration back to elected representatives. The Council's CEO Kerryn Ellis speaks with Chris Eddy about the report's finding and observations, and the transferable learnings for the broader local government sector. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs,...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic and Julie Reid on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: The pending appointment of monitors to the City of Greater Geelong Council media policies make news An arbiter finding of misconduct reactivates discussion about acceptable robust political debate This episode of TGU was brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyer...

VLGA Connect   Episode 320 Special Edition: Mayor of Hume City Council, Joseph Haweil - Responding to a poll that claims most Victorians want to see local councils abolished  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 e...

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 poll that claims most Victorians want to see local councils abolished.  Rate caps jump to 3.5% to account for higher inflation.  Countbacks for Yarra City Council, City of Stonnington and Colac Otway Shire  The review of councils' compliance with the Lo...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic, Steve Cooper and Julie Reid  comes together to discuss the week's big local government stories, and for a retrospective look at the highs and lows of the year.  This episode of TGU was brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers.  Links: Corangamite CEO appointment: https://www.corangamite.vic.gov.au/Council/News-and-Media/Latest-News/CEO-An...

VLGA Connect, Episode 317 - In Conversation with Cr Jim Magee Cr Jim Magee is the Mayor of Glen Eira and has called for a major shake-up of the local government sector in Victoria - including a look at cost shifting, the services provided by councils, and the decisions taken by the State Government that impact on the sector. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training o...

This week on TGU, Chris Eddy speaks with Tony Raunic on all things Local Government. Among the highlights they discuss are: We have countback results from two councils The new state cabinet set with no change for the local government portfolio Glen Eira mayor Jim Magee joins us to call for a major shake up of the sector One council’s Christmas Tree goes viral.  This episode of TGU was brought to y...

VLGA Connect, Episode 315 - Governance Update This week, Chris Eddy is joined by guest co-host Julie Reid, a former Council CEO and Executive Director at LGV, to unpack the local government news of the week. Topics include councillors elected to State Parliament (note there have been updates since the recording of this episode); approaching the finish line of mayoral election season in Victoria; a...

VLGA Connect, Episode 314 This week on the Governance Update from VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by special guest co-host Tony Raunic to discuss the latest local government happenings, including: councils in court; more mayoral election results; a local government stalwart retires; and what we can learn from happenings in other states. All that and more with thanks to our sponsors, Hunt &...

Councillor Moira Berry, Chair of Peri Urban Councils Victoria, joins Steve Cooper on today's Election Special episode. Moira talks about advocacy program of Peri Urban Councils Victoria in the run-up to the State Election; in particular its advocacy program around Placemaking, Job Creation, Tourism, Digital Connectivity and Transport Connectivity. Find out more at https://periurban.com.au/ Su...

Councillor Andrea Metcalf, Chair of Regional Cities Victoria, joins Steve Cooper on today's Election Special episode.  Andrea talks about advocacy program of Regional Cities Victoria in the run-up to the 2024 State Election; particularly the four pillars of the advocacy program - Economic Growth, Connectivity, Liveability and Sustainability.  Find out more at  https://www.regionalcitiesvictor...

Councillor Mary-Ann Brown, Chair of Rural Councils Victoria, joins Steve Cooper on today's Election Special episode. Mary-Ann talks about advocacy program of Rural Councils Victoria in the run-up to the 2024 State Election; the financial and social economics of rural communities; the importance of funding roads and other infrastructure; and the very specific characteristics of rural municipal...

VLGA Connect, Episode 310 - Governance Update Up for discussion this week, the outcome of an internal arbitration process at Darebin City Council; drawing a line between robust political debate and misconduct;  a monitor’s term comes to an end; why we won’t use "grandfathering" any more; mayoral election results and much more. Links: Racial history of the grandfather clause https://www.n...

This week on the  Governance Update, Steve Cooper and Chris Eddy discuss the local government news of the week, including Councils under the pump trying to keep on top of long grass; a mayor ambushed on live television; the Moira Commission of Inquiry appointed; news on councillor resignations and mayoral elections; councils making challenging decisions, and much more. The Governance Update is bro...

VLGA Connect Governance Update, Episode 308 Chris Eddy and Steve Cooper are back together for the weekly Governance Update, sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Included in this week's discussion: a Commission of Inquiry into Moira Shire Council; concerns over unallocated growth area funding; controversy over the handling of a petition to fly the rainbow flag at Gannawarra Shire; a council e...

A new Budget week VLGA Governance Update with thanks to Hunt & Hunt Lawyers.  Steve Cooper talks with  special guest Jo Noesgaard, Senior Associate at SGS Economics and Planning, Jo is a planner with a drive to shape communities that are accessible and equitable for all. Jo has recently joined SGS Economics and Planning after a successful career in Victorian Local Government. She brings a deep...

A new rather different Governance Update with Steve Cooper and special guest Sarah Rey, Founding Partner at Justitia Lawyers. Sarah is an employment lawyer providing advice on risk, governance and compliance with extensive experience in investigations into misconduct and bullying, including within local government. This week there is just one topic, but it’s a big one. Steve talks with Sarah about...

A new Governance Update with Stephen Cooper and special guest Allison Watt. The team take a  look behind the governance news of this very wet week including: venue announcements for the Commonwealth Games; prayers and diversity statements; ongoing legal manoeuvres relating to a CEO termination; an IBAC report goes to Parliament; movement on electoral representation reviews; some important events;...

 On an all-new Governance Update Steve Cooper visits the offices of our sponsor, Hunt & Hunt Lawyers, and talks with Managing Partner Tony Raunic.   Tony and Steve unpack the governance news of the week including:  Governance mis-steps at the Essendon Football Club;  a new High Court Judge and some wisdom from RBG; some topical legal goings-on; the proposed Air BNB waste charge in Tasmania; a...

On an all-new Governance Update with Stephen Cooper and special guest Allison Watt, a look behind the governance news of the week, including:  CEO side hustles, a super-quick road name change in Geelong, Merri-bek City Council is now official, a Tasmanian Council makes an interesting call on Air BnB waste charges, conduct issues referred to Council meetings at Gannawarra and Wyndham, an addendum o...

On an all-new Governance Update with Chris Eddy and Stephen Cooper, a look behind the governance news of the week, including: a big advocacy win for councils in Melbourne's west; new MAV rules endorsed; award wins for Casey, Greater Bendigo and Darebin; senior executive news and more. The Governance Update from VLGA Connect is sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn mo...

VLGA Connect, Episode 301: The era of deliberative engagement in local government is here, and the team at Mosaic Lab has literally written the book on it. They live and breathe deliberative engagement - or as co-founder Keith says, "We really dork out on this stuff!" On this episode of VLGA Connect, Chris speaks with Keith and Nicole from Mosaic Lab about their new Big Book of Deliberat...

VLGA Connect, State Election Series - Episode 300 As part of the VLGA's State Election Series, the Victorian Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne took questions from an audience of mayors and councillors from around the state, on a wide range of questions. Topics discussed included planning issues, affordable housing provision, councillor behaviour, infrastructure challenges, local gov...

VLGA Connect, Governance Update - Episode 299 On this week's program, Chris and Steve discuss noteworthy local government happenings, including the official renaming of Moreland City Council; unauthorised use of Monash City Council's logo; a confession from a Whitehorse ratepayer; Councillors using FOI to access Council documents; and much more from a big week if local government news. S...