Time is running out to register for the MAV Environment Conference.

On the 12-13 July we will be heading to Melbourne Park to explore Living and Leading in a Warming World. Highlights will include:

• Rob Gell, Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society: Welcome to the `New World’ – what does a sustainable future really mean?
• Dr Richard Denniss, the Australia Institute: The Politics of Climate Change - Where to from here?
• Anthony Carbines, Parliamentary Secretary for the Environment
• Alexi Lynch, ICLEI et al: Post Paris - Setting Greenhous Gas Reduction Goals for Corporate and the Community
• Dr Catherine Ball: Soaring to new heights – the use of drones in ecology, conservation and extreme weather events
• Dr Dominque Hes, Melbourne School of Design: Designing to thrive
• Steve Lambert, NAB: Impact investing and green bonds.

Councils will also share their adaptation work in urban, coastal and rural scenarios. There will also be valuable panel sessions on renewable energy projects, and cooling and greening our towns and cities.

We are now offering single day registrations which can be made online.

Water for Victoria discussion paper: MAV final submission

Thank you to all councils that provided feedback for the MAV’s submission to the Water for Victoria discussion paper.

Our submission covers a broad range of issues highlighting the many areas of interest councils have in long-term water policy and planning for the state.

In other water-related news, the MAV has had a number of staff changes on water policy. Rosemary Hancock has taken over responsibility for water policy and Nicky Kindler has commenced as a senior policy and engagement officer. This position, funded by DELWP, will enable us to bring a local government perspective to the development of the new Victoria Water Plan and its implementation.

As climate change, urbanisation and rapid population growth pose major challenges for water supply, quality and use, water policy is an area of ongoing interest for local government. To help us understand how we can best communicate with you about our work and receive your input, please complete this short survey.

Building Statement of Intent

The Victorian Building Authority (VBA) has circulated a Statement of Intent relating to building enforcement. Its purpose is to provide greater clarity about how the VBA and local government will work together to administer and enforce the Building Act 1993.

The MAV Insurance Legal Counsel has reviewed the document and made amendments to address concerns raised by councils and the Victorian Municipal Building Surveyors Group. The VBA has accepted these changes and will distribute a revised document over the next couple of weeks.

Based on the VBA’s willingness to address council concerns, we encourage councils to consider the document. We hope this document, along with a willingness to work together, can be used as a mechanism to improve the relationship between the VBA and councils over time.

Consistent with a resolution from the MAV’s State Council, we are progressing a conversation with the State Government about the need for a review of the building system.

Infrastructure Victoria options paper

The MAV has prepared a submission to Infrastructure Victoria’s All Things Considered options paper. Our submission attempted to filter the options on the basis on high priority local government matters and was developed with feedback from member councils.

Planning fees

Following the MAV planning and subdivision fee workshop on 6 June, we prepared a submission to the Regulatory Impact Statement. Our submission was finalised after feedback from councils and submitted on 24 June.

Commonwealth Government Smart Cities Plan

The MAV made a submission to the Commonwealth Government Smart Cities Plan. Our submission called for the program to draw on existing strategies and governance structures that identify and prioritise planning, infrastructure and services. We also called for the government to brief the sector on this important program.

The MAV Rural and Regional Planning Conference

The Rural and Regional Planning Conference in Bendigo on 23-24 June was a great success with more than 220 delegates in attendance. All presentation will be available on our website shortly. The MAV would like to thank the City of Bendigo for hosting the conference this year and assisting us to develop the program. We would also like to thank our sponsors Spiire, Glossop, Planisphere and Maddocks.

Interesting tid bits

• In tribute to our recent sojourn to Bendigo, this article shows the impact of the Marilyn Monroe exhibition.
• An interesting take on what Brexit might mean for planning and development in the UK.
• For those of you interested in coastal matters, particularly following the NSW storms, the national Coast to Coast conference is being held in Melbourne from 29 August – 1 September.