BULLETIN

• Puppy farms: The MAV met with the Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. Jaala Pulford, this week to discuss councils’ concerns regarding the Domestic Animals Amendment (Puppy Farms and Pet Shops) Bill 2016. We reiterated our commitment to working in partnership with the State to review the bill to ensure that it’s workable for councils and effective in curbing poor breeding and animal sales practices.

• Federal Cabinet changes: Greg Hunt was announced as the new Federal Health Minister and Sport Minister yesterday, replacing Sussan Ley who resigned from Cabinet last week. Senator Arthur Sinodinos takes over as Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science.

• Australia Day resources: The National Australia Day Council (NADC) has developed an Australia Day stakeholder kit. The kit contains ideas and suggestions for engaging local communities to recognise and celebrate our country’s cultural diversity on Australia Day. The NADC is encouraging councils to share content on your social media channels that communicates the diversity and vibrancy of local Australia Day celebrations within your municipality.

The election for both MAV President and regional Board members will be held on Friday 3 March, with nominations opening on Tuesday 24 January and closing at 4pm on 10 February.

The President is elected at large while regional Board members are elected by the MAV representatives within each region. Voting will be via post.

Phillippa Heskett of the VEC has been appointed the Returning Officer.

In the event that the Returning Officer receives more than one nomination for the position of MAV President, the following MAV Presidential Candidate Forums will be held to allow MAV representatives to meet the candidates and ask questions about their election platforms:

BENALLA
Tuesday 14 February
6.00pm – 7.30pm
Benalla Performing Arts Centre
Meeting Room 3
57 Samaria Rd

MELBOURNE
Wednesday 15 February
6.00pm – 7.30pm
Meeting Room 1201
Municipal Association of Victoria
Level 12, 60 Collins St

STAWELL
Thursday 16 February
6.00pm – 7.30pm
Pleasant Creek Historic Precinct
Northern Grampians Council Chamber
70 – 72 Longfield St

Refreshments will be available upon arrival at each forum. You can register online, or contact Gavin Mahoney on 0419 486 646 or 9667 5564 if you would like more information about the forums.

Further information on the election process will be sent to all MAV representatives tomorrow (20 January) by the VEC Returning Officer. This information will include a copy of the nomination form.

The Victorian Government has released its response to the Independent Inquiry into the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).

The Government supports in full 40 of the 48 recommendations, with seven supported in principle, and one supported in part.

Legislative changes to modernise EPA's governance and overhaul the Environment Protection Act 1970 will be introduced in 2017 and 2018. The government has committed $45.5 million in 2016-17 and 2017-18 to kick-start a five year reform program.

In response to the recommendation that the Government establish a state-wide network of local government environmental protection officers to address localised pollution and waste complaints, the Government has committed $4.8 million to deliver a pilot local government environment protection officer program in 2017-18.

The response indicates that the Government will work out the design and implementation of the program in consultation with councils.

For further information contact Claire Dunn.

MAV, with the support of Local Government Victoria, is hosting a workshop to identify opportunities to progress the outcomes of Tomorrow's Library and the recent KPMG independent review into Victoria's public library funding.

We look forward to facilitating the collaborative development of a statewide library operational assessment and analysing sector needs now and into the future.

A Design Workshop on 9 March (10am-2pm at the MAV Office) will determine the scope of a financially competitive, integrated library management system in the context of current and future council needs and digital systems.

This free workshop presents an exciting opportunity for all councils, Regional Library Corporations and SWIFT Consortium members to think strategically about their future. You can register online now.

Councils are encouraged to send along one Director or Manager responsible for Libraries, Arts and Culture or IT.

For further information contact Francesca Valmorbida on (03) 9667 5579.

Further to the injection of $133 million into the Maternal and Child Health Service in the May State budget, the MAV sent a proposed updated Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for 2017-2020 to councils this week for feedback.

The Department of Education and Training is agreeable to extend the current MOU until 31 March 2017 to allow sufficient time for local government consultation, and to align with consultation on the overarching Early Years Compact also under development.

The MOU was first agreed with the State in 2000, and this latest update consolidates our work together to better support vulnerable families across Victoria, particularly following recommendations of the Royal Commission into Family Violence. It also builds in greater funding certainty for the service going forward and specified annual indexation from the State of 2.5 per cent.

If you have feedback or queries about the MOU, contact Kim Howland by Friday 17 February.

• Building Better Regions Fund: Applications are open for this Federal Government fund, which will provide grants to projects in regional Victoria, either for new infrastructure or upgrades under the Infrastructure Projects Stream or community activities with economic and social benefits under the Community Investments Stream.  Applications close 28 February. 

• Local Drug Action Teams: The Alcohol and Drug Foundation’s Local Drug Action Team (LDAT) program was launched in response to the 2015 National Ice Action Taskforce and Strategy. Alcohol and Drug Foundation grants of $21,000 to $40,000 are being offered to support LDATs to implement community action projects that have a harm reduction and prevention focus. The grant application consists of a two-step process, starting with a review of eligibility. If eligible you will progress to the grant application stage. Please submit your application by close of business 8 February 2017.

• New Energy Jobs Fund open: Councils and not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for round two funding from the New Energy Jobs Fund. Grants of between $20,000 and $1 million are available for projects that increase the uptake of renewable energy generation, with two separate streams for new energy technology community and industry. Applications must be received by 1 March 2017.