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Municipal Association of Victoria

BULLETIN

All your local government news this week

Issue 1120: 6 April 2017
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Strategic priorities
  • State Council: MAV Representatives are reminded that State Council will be held on Friday 12 May in Melbourne, with all motions due to be submitted to the CEO by no later than 14 April. Motions should be submitted via email using the State Council Motion template and attendance at State Council should be registered online. For further information, contact Olivia Boddeus on (03) 9667 5528.

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The MAV seeks councils' participation in this year’s Rural and Regional Conference by submitting a 5-7 minute raw, unedited video of a planning initiative in your town. This video must demonstrate innovation, sustainability, community engagement or resilience, while also touching on the conference theme.

Videos that demonstrate these elements most effectively will be played in a segment at the conference, which is on 29-30 June at Inverloch.

The conference theme is ‘Through the looking glass: alternative approaches to planning’ and will explore the economic, social and environmental challenges that Victorian planners face now and in the future.

To share your video, contact Michelle Croughan on (03) 9667 5541.

Please note that your video can be made with your iPhone.

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As part of the Community Road Safety Grants program, VicRoads has now announced its Innovation Grants Program for 2017-18.

Up to $50,000 is available to councils for local projects that address community knowledge, attitudes and behaviours related to safe speeds. This program aims to boost community road safety in unique and community focused ways, and help us on our path Towards Zero.

In addition to the funding, successful applicants will be provided with ongoing support from a regional road safety advisor, a dedicated Innovation Agent, and support from Behaviourworks Australia.

Applications are open from 9am Tuesday 18 April to 4pm Thursday 4 May.

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The MAV recently met with the Department of Justice and Regulation about the implementation of the Royal Commission into Family Violence’s recommendations on reforms to the infringement system.

The Royal Commission recommended greater flexibility in the infringement system for victims of family violence, including adding family violence as a recognised special circumstance which could give rise to the withdrawal of an infringement and also providing the power to waive infringements where an offender is operating the victim’s vehicle.

The MAV has supported the recommendations and has worked cooperatively with the Department and other stakeholders to give effect to these important recommendations.

For more information, contact Owen Harvey-Beavis on (03) 9667 5584.

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Yesterday the MAV issued a media release about the centenary of the Maternal and Child Health Service, which included supportive comments from Minister Mikakos and Cr Amanda Stone, Mayor of the City of Yarra.

Councils are encouraged to send details of their local community celebrations to the MAV communications team, so they can be listed on the MCH Events page on our website. Thank you to those councils that have already done so.

Further information and resources, including details of the major State and local government celebration in June, will be provided to councils in coming weeks.

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The sharing economy

The MAV is holding a masterclass on the sharing economy on 26 April with sharing economy strategist Darren Sharp.

The masterclass will include a tour of the latest global trends in the sharing economy including recent client engagements to activate sharing communities in Australia.

Darren will also lead a co-design workshop that will challenge participants to create more shared stuff, space and skills in our cities, towns and communities. 

Participants will:

  • Learn about the rise of the sharing economy and the opportunities for local government to shape this game changing movement for better community outcomes
  • Discover case studies of Sharing Cities like Seoul, Amsterdam and Bologna that are designing services and programs to support the urban commons through greater citizen engagement
  • Get involved in a hands-on workshop to develop ideas for how to make city assets and infrastructure more amenable to sharing.

More information and registration details are available online.

LG Summit

Anyone with an interest in change and the future of local government is invited to attend a national summit being held on May 25-26.

Future shock is upon us, but our system of governance is disintegrating.

We are poised between an old world that no longer works and a new one struggling to be born. We need to strengthen local democracy so citizens have more control of their own lives, communities and services.

This year’s summit aims to launch a call to action to councils across Australia to design a ‘better way’, focussing on communities and places.

Summit highlights will include:

  • Jonathan Carr-West, CEO, Local Government Information Unit (UK)
  • Design Charrette 2030 with Jacyl Shaw
  • Great speakers, case studies and co-design activities.

More information and registration details are available online.

 

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  • Senior of the Year: Nominations are open for the Premier’s Award for Victorian Senior of the Year, the Promotion of Multiculturalism Award, the Healthy and Active Living Award, the Veteran Community Award and the Council on the Ageing Victoria Senior Achiever Awards. Nominations close on Friday 23 June.
  • Bridge renewal: The third round of the Federal Government’s Bridges Renewal Programme is open to support upgrades and repairs bridges to enhance access for local communities and facilitate higher productivity vehicle access. The Federal Government will contribute up to 50 per cent of the total project cost to successful projects. Applications for round three of funding close on 15 May.
  • Men’s Sheds: Grants of up to $60,000 are available for communities to build a new Men’s Shed, or up to $30,000 to refurbish an existing one. Community groups and local councils are encouraged to apply, and a public information session will be held in Melbourne on Tuesday 11 April. See the Men’s Shed Grant Guidelines (page 10) for more information about the grants and for details of the information session, or contact Daniel Pennefather at DHHS.

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New Urban Agenda

The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is sponsoring the Implementing the New Urban Agenda Conference ‘Making cities inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable’ from 4-5 May in Melbourne.

The New Urban Agenda sets a new global standard for sustainable urban development, and provides a framework for building more liveable communities to serve as engines of prosperity, and cultural and social well-being centres, while protecting the environment.

Anyone working in local government, planning, infrastructure, economic development, social inclusion, health, or sustainability – or those with an interest in sustainable urban development – is encouraged to attend.

Registration is now open, and the full conference program is available online.

Domestic Building Dispute Resolution

Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria (DBDRV) is a new impartial service to resolve building disputes without the cost and time often associated with courts and tribunals.

Commencing on 26 April, the service will be available to building owners, builders, and in some circumstances, architects and sub-contractors. It focuses on conciliation, which involves bringing both parties together to discuss and resolve matters in dispute.

All Victorian councils have been emailed instructions on how they can prepare for DBDRV’s commencement, which includes a DBDRV guide.

It is recommended that councils ensure that all appropriate staff are given the opportunity to review this information, and any relevant website content is updated on 26 April to reflect the new process.

If you have any queries, please contact David Stoppa at DOJ.

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  • The Victorian Government has released its 20-year Biodiversity Plan. `Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037’ is Victoria’s plan to stop the decline of our native plants and animals and improve our natural environment so it is healthy, valued and actively cared for. The Plan establishes a long-term vision and goals, with specific targets to deliver on the goals.  An Implementation Plan to accompany Protecting Victoria’s Environment – Biodiversity 2037 is in development, due for release in 2017.
  • The Fire Danger Period ends from 1am on Monday 10 April in a range of municipalities: Campaspe, Loddon Shire Council, West Wimmera (remainder), Horsham (remainder), Central Goldfields, Southern Grampians, Moyne, Warrnambool, Moorabool, Ballarat, Golden Plains, Greater Geelong, Surf Coast, Queenscliffe, Bass Coast, French Island, Wellington, Baw Baw, South Gippsland, Latrobe, and East Gippsland.
  • The State Government today announced the establishment of Development Victoria, a new agency to lead the development, renewal and revitalisation of public land. Development Victoria will operate as a statutory authority, reporting to a Board chaired by James MacKenzie.

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Social media and tech news...

In social media
  • NBN to double broadband speeds for regions
  • Self-healing material could make cracked phone screens thing of the past
  • Social media statistics for March

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