VLGA Connect

This week the TGU panel discusses new governance and integrity measures for local government in Victoria; the appointment of municipal monitors to Darebin City Council; plans to remove council planning powers if they don’t meet housing targets; and much more of the week’s local government news. TGU from VLGA Connect is sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. 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

This week’s TGU panel discussions looks a sexist newspaper cartoon about a female Council CEO; Ballarat Council’s rejection of a policy on formal positions; the challenges of national standardisation of kerbside bins; falling levels of public trust in government in the UK; a council’s warning about Brazilian Butt Lifts and more! Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. 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

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 CouncilA councillor under fire for an appearance at a pro-Palestine rallyMore parks closed due to asbestos contaminationCEOs and GMs caught up in political dramasThe cost of a Queensland mayoral induction questionedBrought to you by the VLGA and sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers 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

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 news stories. 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

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 political leaders. 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

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), 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

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, 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

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 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

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 public. Brought to you by the VLGA and Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. 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

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 Government:Understanding Their Political Trajectories’ with researchers Professors Leah Ruppaner and Andrea Carson. The recent Arbiter report that resulted in suspension of Cr Susan Bissenger at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council was also unpacked. The Panel noted some terrific work on affordable housing at Yarriambiack Shire council, noted the reappointment of Peter Stephenson as Administrator at Strathbogie Shire Council; noted the extraordinary case of the Queensland councillor seeking re-election while fighting a murder charge and pointed to a customer service initiative at Melbourne City Council. Two upcoming events were also noted, Fast Track 2024: Leading Under Pressure (15 March) and the VLGA & LGiU Global Executive Panel - Increasing Gender Equity in Local Government (21 March). Registration links below. Erratum Apologies to the community of Minyip, the prime filming location for ‘The Flying Doctors’. Not Murtoa, 20 minutes away. 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

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 responding. The survey reveals a disturbing low level of confidence from within councils about their capacity to stave off serious financial decline in the coming years without significant intervention. 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

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 central government interference. The episode includes an interview with South Gippsland Shire CEO Kerryn Ellis about Kerryn’s experiences in responding to a major emergency, with some telling messages around leadership and culture. 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

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 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'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, 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

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 Peninsula relocated, while a city mayor makes a plea to Taylor Swift. 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

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 link between short-stay rentals and housing supply A UK council planning mistake leads to reputational damage, and Economic juggernaut Taylor Swift rolling into town and a council’s unique plan to celebrate. 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

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 you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and VLGA Connect. 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

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 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

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 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

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. 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