BULLETIN

• Last chance to attend MAV Environment Conference: There is still time to book a ticket to our Environment Conference on 12-13 July. We are also taking single-day registrations for those who can’t attend both days. Book now to avoid disappointment. Further conference details are available below.

• Review of ESC rate capping process: The Essential Services Commission (ESC) has appointed former Moreland City CEO, Peter Brown to undertake an independent review of its process in implementing the ‘Fair Go Rates System’. The terms of reference for the review are available online. The MAV will continue to work with the ESC, including through a technical working group, to improve the process, and we will also seek to meet with Peter Brown to ensure the sector’s experience of the first year of rate capping is well represented in the review.

• Federal Election: While the AEC continues counting votes, the Coalition is continuing conversations with cross benchers and independents with the aim of forming a minority government in the event they don't secure the 76 seats needed to form a majority government. Recounting is likely to occur in a small number of seats due to tight margins, and legislation requires the AEC to allow postal votes to be received until 15 July (13 days after the election). The AEC has until 8 August to finalise the Senate vote.

The latest edition of CiVic Magazine has been sent to all councils and is available online.

This issue covers a range of topics including pop-up shops, fast-tracking upgrades to female sports facilities, workplace bullying and local art.

To submit local government story ideas for future editions please contact CiVic editor Kristi High.

The MAV has made a submission to the Victorian State Disability Plan 2017-2020 discussion paper.

Our submission draws on previously articulated positions and focuses on the state and local government long-standing partnership in building inclusive communities.

For further information, contact Jan Black.

The State Government has confirmed kindergarten and pre-school field officer funding rates for 2016/17. This follows finalisation of the current National Partnership on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education with the Commonwealth, and approval of new early childhood enterprise bargaining agreements by the Fair Work Commission.

Included in the rates are the new ratio supplement for eligible service providers delivering a sessional program with 23 or more enrolments.

All service providers have been advised via letter. For further information please contact Jan Barrett or Wendy Allen.

The free trial of the latest Built Environment Sustainability Scorecard (BESS) tool has now ended for all Victorian councils. Subscribing councils will continue to receive BESS reports for developments within their municipality.

BESS is an online sustainability assessment tool purpose-built for preparing sustainable design reports to submit with planning applications, managed by the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE), which is a network of Victorian councils auspiced by the MAV.

If your council is interested in the BESS tool, contact the CASBE Executive Officer for more information.

Three metropolitan Melbourne councils will fast-track their transition to community-led liveable cities with the Neighbourhood Project, a practical program to inspire councils and citizens to work together to transform vacant or underused land into well-loved public spaces.

The councils selected to take part in the inaugural round of the Neighbourhood Project are Whitehorse, Cardinia, and Hobsons Bay.

Led by not-for-profit CoDesign Studio, with support from the Myer Foundation, the program underscores the important role that local residents play in establishing thriving neighbourhood spaces. The MAV is a program partner.

• Applications are now open for the 2016 Fire Awareness Awards. The Awards acknowledge the great work of individuals, community groups and organisations who deliver projects that help reduce the incidence and impact of fire in Victoria. Entries close on 15 September.

• As part of the State Government’s Graffiti Prevention Grants Program, 23 councils will share in $430,000 for graffiti prevention projects developed in partnership with Victoria Police and community groups across Victoria.

• Councils can encourage farming communities to apply for the State Government’s Farm Risk Management Grants program, to assist planning, identify skill gaps, address management practices and implement on-farm infrastructure that improves preparedness. Applications will close on 30 June 2017.

• Photos taken at the National General Assembly are now available for downloading via ALGA's Flickr account until 5 August. The ALGA team is also updating its website with the full resolutions of the NGA and presentations from the event.

• Clearwater and Stormwater Victoria are holding a Water Drinks networking event on 28 July. It will be an opportunity to network with colleagues working on Integrated Water Management across Victoria.

• Councils and communities can utilise a National Equine Database to support the needs of animal owners living in bushfire prone areas.

• The program for the third Australian Regional Development Conference is now available. It will be held in Canberra from 5–6 September and will explore opportunities for innovation in regional Australia.