VLGA Connect - Friday 28 March 2025 VLGA Connect podcast

23:48

This week on the program Chris Eddy sits down with David Jackson, Director of Customer and Corporate Services at Moorabool Shire Council, to learn more about the use of AI and the benefits the introduction of this technology is having for a smaller council. Later in the program Chris speaks with Mayor of Cardinia Cr Jack Kowarzik about Outer Melbourne Councils – a group of 10 councils that form a ring around metropolitan Melbourne that was formed to advocate for better services and infrastructure to about 1.6 million residents. 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

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VLGA Connect - Friday 4 April 2025 54:52

13 days ago54:52

54:52

With Chris Eddy on leave, Victorian Local Governance Association CEO Kathryn Arndt steps into the VLGA Connect hosting chair, as Chris interviews Johnathan Spear, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria to discuss the recently launched draft Victorian 30-year infrastructure strategy. Julie Reid re-joins the panel to discuss the recent planning scheme reforms. And, Helen Healy the Mayor of Mildura joins us to talk about the Nature Strip Showdown - a unique annual community competition where residents showcase their creatively maintained nature strips. 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…

VLGA Connect

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VLGA Connect - Friday 28 March 2025 39:55

20 days ago39:55

39:55

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with the Mayors of Indigo Shire and Wodonga City Councils to discuss the fight for a new hospital development in the Albury Wodonga region, after a recent rally to Parliament in Melbourne. Chris also chats to Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers on the startling document leaked on the redevelopment of the Rex in Hepburn Shire Council, and dissects the Model Governance Rules which have been released to the sector for feedback. All this, plus 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…

VLGA Connect

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VLGA Connect - Friday 21 March 2025 - Special Edition: The Hon Nick Staikos MP 31:48

27 days ago31:48

31:48

This week in a Special Edition of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Victorian Local Governance Association CEO Kathryn Arndt to interview The Hon. Nick Staikos MP, Minister for Local Government. 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

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VLGA Connect - Friday 14 March 2025 31:27

5 weeks ago31:27

31:27

Chris Eddy brings you this week's latest local government news in this week's VLGA Connect, including safety concerns at council meetings across the state. Joining Chris this week is Bradley Thomas, CEO of Hepburn Shire Council to outline council's request to increase rates above the state government's rate cap to assist with the council's financial sustainability. Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and Chris Eddy analyse the leaked letters reported in the media between the CEO and Mayor at the City of Whittlesea, as well as the monitor's report into Buloke Shire Council. 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…

VLGA Connect

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VLGA Connect - Friday 7 March 2025 - Special Edition: The Victorian Councillor Census 25:15

6 weeks ago25:15

25:15

Join us for a special edition of VLGA Connect, as we come to you live from the launch of the results from the VLGA's Victorian Councillor Census. Hear from John Armitage at QDOS Research as he and Chris Eddy discuss how the census was conducted, and the key insights the data found. Mike Gooey from LGV joins to chat about how the state government will use the data to guide its policy decisions moving forward. Chris also chats to Councillors Jane Karslake, Mia Shaw, Jack Kowarzik and Kylie Spears about how the data reflects their own councillor experience. Joining in the flesh, Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers discusses how the data could make a difference to the sector now and into the future. Learn more about why this work is so important here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQNkaC56WQs and read the full Census Report here: https://bit.ly/vlga_cr_census 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

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VLGA Connect - Friday 28 February 2025 42:00

7 weeks ago42:00

42:00

Join Chris Eddy and the team for the new VLGA Connect where each week we bring you the latest local government news and take a deep dive into issues affecting the sector. This week, Kendrea Pope joins Chris to break down the new mandatory professional development requirements facing councillors, and discuss their impact on the sector. Michael Annear, Director Infrastructure & Development at Mount Alexander Shire Council outlines the groundbreaking shared services agreement with Hepburn Shire Council and the potential for these to be used to increase efficiencies in local government. Also, Chris speaks to Mansfield Shire Council Mayor Cr Steve Rabie on the state government's planned Emergency Services Volunteer Fund and its impact on councils. Proudly 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…

VLGA Connect

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VLGA Connect - Friday 21 February 2025 54:09

8 weeks ago54:09

54:09

This week on VLGA Connect, Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers joins Chris Eddy to break down the recent disruption of the Casey City Council meeting and the no confidence motion against City of Whittlesea mayor. Following on from last week's segment on open briefings, two councillors Cr Anthony Marsh, Mayor Mornington Peninsula Shire and Cr Rhonda Garad of Greater Dandenong City Council join Chris Eddy to discuss their point of view. All this, plus the latest in local government news. 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

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VLGA Connect - 14 February 2025 34:55

9 weeks ago34:55

34:55

Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect is Mark Dupe, former CEO of Baw Baw Shire Council to take a deep dive into the move by some councils towards open briefings. Mark and Chris discuss whether this is a shift towards greater transparency, or a limit to councillors receiving detailed advice. Chris interviews Sally Jones, interim CEO of Central Goldfields Shire Council on the move to take a proposal to conduct combined enterprise bargaining to the Federal Court. All this, plus the week's local government news. 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

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VLGA Connect - Friday 7 February 39:19

10 weeks ago39:19

39:19

New year - new program! In 2025 the VLGA is proud to re-launch The Governance Update as VLGA Connect - your weekly program covering the latest news, analysis and deep dives into the current issues shaping the local government sector. This week, Chris Eddy is joined by Cr Jo Armstrong, Mayor Ararat Rural City Council to get the latest on the recovery efforts following the Grampians bushfires, and Tony Raunic to look at the latest consultation from the state government into lobbying reforms. 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

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TGU - Reflections, predictions and poetry 58:32

18 weeks ago58:32

58:32

This week on the TGU final episode for the year, the panel looks at this week’s news and reflects on the year and the previous Council term. Plus, predictions for what might be ahead in the new year, and Rhys Thomas shares some special poetry treats! 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

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TGU: Councils unite as more CEOs leave 56:53

18 weeks ago56:53

56:53

On the agenda this week, councils unite on healthcare; two Gippsland council CEOs have announced their departure; councils getting tough on illegal dumping and unregistered cat breeding; and a review of Parks Victoria announced… what could that mean for councils? Loaded with gratuitous movie titles, Rhys will comment on a few recommendations from the recent Parliamentary Enquiry into local government. 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

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TGU: Funding reforms, and the perils of poor process 51:42

20 weeks ago51:42

51:42

On the agenda this week, the wrap up of mayoral elections; a parliamentary report into local government funding makes 48 recommendations; criticism of the increasing use of municipal monitors; Yarra City Council’s 36 point omnibus motion passes after a marathon session; and should 16 year olds be able to vote in council elections? 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

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TGU: Hands in the air for the mayor 53:27

21 weeks ago53:27

53:27

This week, the team discuss the push to overhaul council elections, the mayoral elections taking place around the state, a notice of motion to overturn 35 previous decisions of council, a push from rural councils for a better deal from the Federal Government, the suspension of the Townsville mayor, and a mayor ordered to complete training to better understand the role. Rhys Thomas discusses an issue that has arisen with a number of Councillors failing to take the oath/affirmation correctly, including three at one Council, as well as what the Inspectorate is planning to do about it. 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

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TGU: A pattern of irregularities 49:20

22 weeks ago49:20