BULLETIN

• Women in local government: Our CEO attended the inaugural Local Government Ministerial Women’s Roundtable this week. It focused on practical changes to lift the number of women in senior roles in the sector. This work builds on our ongoing work in the gender equity space, which includes a push for more female council candidates as part of our Stand for Council campaign, and the recent allocation of State funding for our Local Government Prevention of Violence Against Women grants. We look forward to attending future roundtables and contributing to achieving gender equality in local government.

• Extreme weather: Following continued wild weather across the state, disaster assistance has been provided for councils and communities in 39 municipalities by the state and federal governments. Again, we would like to commend councils on their efforts to ensure community safety during and after the recent storms and flooding. Councils are reminded there is information available via the 'flood' tab on the Emergency Management Victoria relief and recovery page that could be useful to help further inform communities about emergency relief and recovery assistance.

• Transport for Victoria: The State Government has introduced legislation to establish Transport for Victoria - a new overarching transport agency to coordinate Victoria’s road and public transport system and plan for its future. TfV will bring together the planning, management and coordination of Victoria’s transport system, including VicRoads and Public Transport Victoria.

The Victorian Government has released its response to the Intensive Animal Industries Advisory Committee (AIAC). The AIAC was tasked with providing advice on the role and function of the planning system in supporting the establishment and expansion of animal industries.

While we are still examining the detail, it is pleasing that the government has agreed to establish a panel of animal industries specialists to provide technical advice to local government when assessing planning applications.

Other major recommendations include amending the Victoria Planning Provisions to clarify land use definitions for extensive and intensive animal husbandry; provide for planning and development assistance through the Agribusiness Development Facilitation program for planning permit applicants; and updating the Codes of Practice.

We look forward to working with the relevant departments over the coming months on this important reform. Timeframes to deliver the 12 actions, and frequently asked questions are available on the Agriculture Victoria website.

The MAV has welcomed results of an Alliance for Gambling Reform survey of council election candidates. The Alliance received 519 responses from over 85 per cent of municipalities.

The MAV is a founding supporter of the Alliance, along with more than 20 councils, and a range of community organisations.

The results showed that 99 per cent of candidates supported removing all misleading and deceptive features programmed into electronic gaming machines, and 98 per cent supported councils having proper authority over where machines are placed in communities.

The Alliance has set up a petition that calls on candidates to support poker reforms.

We would like to thank councils that provided comments on our draft submission to the Victorian Climate Change Adaptation Plan Directions Paper.

The Directions Paper is very high level and lacks detail on how the various goals, principles and action areas will be progressed, particularly in relation to roles and responsibilities, and funding.

Our response noted the State’s decision not to circulate a draft plan for public comment was a missed opportunity to gather more targeted input for the final plan.

Our final submission is available on our website.

Councils are encouraged to participate in the State Government’s Take Action and Go Orange day on 25 November as part of the second Victoria Against Violence 16 Days of Activism campaign.

To assist participation in the day, the MAV will circulate campaign resources to councils on behalf of the State Government when they become available.

The day forms part of the government’s commitment to support local action to prevent family and gender violence in the community. Many councils got involved last year by illuminating town halls, council buildings and other significant landmarks or monuments in orange.

Orange is the colour designated by the United Nations Secretary-General’s UNiTE to End Violence against Women campaign. Bright and optimistic, the colour represents a future free from violence against women and girls.

• The closing date for applications to the Rural and Regional Local Government Youth Engagement Program has been extended to 21 October to ensure that flood-affected communities can still take part.

• Additional disaster assistance has been activated for a further 12 local government areas in response to floods affecting Victoria.

• Round 1 of the Living Heritage Grants Program is open until 7 November for places and objects included on the Victorian Heritage Register. Councils are eligible to apply for grants of up to $200,000.