 Cleaning up to the tune of $6m After three years of lobbying and advocacy work, the MAV welcomes the recent Victorian Government announcement of a $6m package to undertake actions under the State's litter strategy, 'Creating cleaner, safer places'. The package will support public place recycling, employment of local government litter prevention officers and an enhanced litter prevention education program. The funding builds on the work of the Victorian Litter Action Alliance and the MAV, who will continue working to ensure funding and programs are sustainable over the long term. Detail of the package as it relates to local government will be available shortly. Contact Ben Morris National health reform - the LG effect Proposed reforms to the nation's hospital and health system announced by the Prime Minister has possible implications for local government. HACC and maternal and child health services are potentially 'in scope' as part of the Commonwealth's proposal to take funding and policy responsibility for primary health care. Negotiations between stakeholders and various levels of government will take place over the coming months, to confirm which services may be affected, and to resolve ongoing service provision issues. Details of the reform will be discussed at the April COAG meeting, at which MAV board member and ALGA President Cr. Geoff Lake will represent local government interests. Contact Clare Hargreaves Building in fire affected areas The Building Commission has distributed information to councils about the process for reimbursement of the building permit levy for bushfire affected owners rebuilding their home or small business. The MAV has expressed its concern that the building permit levy is only a small component of overall building permit fees and continues to talk to Government about a preferred process for the reimbursement of private building surveyor fees. The Building Amendment (Bushfire Construction-Short-Term Requirements) Regulations 2010 also came into effect on 9 March 2010. The main impact of the new regulations is to ensure that a site assessment for bushfire attack level undertaken at the planning permit stage is accepted by the relevant building surveyor. Contact Michelle Croughan, 9667 5541. Integrated Housing Strategy announces $177m spend The Victorian Integrated Housing Strategy was launched on 12 March 2010, along with an announcement for $177 million to build 4,500 new private rental homes in Victoria for low and moderate income families, forming part of the National Rental Affordability Scheme (NRAS). The Strategy includes the freeing up of surplus government land for more housing development, the continuation of the Government's 'faster' planning process for larger scale housing development, new minimum accessible housing design standard and the promotion of green housing. To speed up the redevelopment of these sites, the Government will introduce a new planning zone: the urban development zone. This zone will be available for large redevelopment sites and precincts in existing urban areas. It will operate in a similar way to the Urban Growth Zone in Melbourne's fringe by clearly designating sites suitable for redevelopment and accelerating development in existing urban areas. Contact Liz Johnstone, 9667 5585. State of Australian Cities 2010 The Hon Anthony Albanese has released a report by the Major Cities Unit into the current state of 17 major Australian cities - population over 100,000. The report sets the context for the Federal Government's urban policy statement and builds the case for their involvement in cities policy. The report details international comparisons; population and settlement; productivity; sustainability; liveability; social inclusion and governance. Significant challenges of population growth and demographic change, congestion, affordability, climate change, infrastructure needs and productivity are explored. The report suggests that 'the national economic good' may need to take precedence over local demands. Caravan parks - upwardly mobile The Department of Planning and Community Development (DPCD) has released an exposure draft of proposed Residential Tenancies (Caravan Parks and Movable Dwellings Registration and Standards) Regulations 2010 for comment. The objective of the regulations is to protect the health, safety and amenity of residents and occupiers of temporary dwellings. The MAV calls for councils to provide feedback for the MAV to raise with the state by 5th April, DPCD submissions closing Monday, 12 April 2010. Contact Rosemary Hancock MAV Step Records Management Improvement Program Driving improved productivity and cost savings, Enterprise Content Management (ECM) is critical to managing and using council records, documents and information more effectively. Over the last 12 months, the MAV and the Shared Services Records Management Steering Committee has established a number of initiatives to transition to a software based, shared services ECM system. To discuss progress to date, and to explain next steps, the MAV is hosting meetings for all councils in Melbourne, Ararat, Benalla and Bendigo. Register or contact John Hennessy Green Star Communities - draft for comment The MAV is participating in a technical working group to support the Green Building Council of Australia (GBCA) industry and government stakeholders to develop a rating tool for sustainable communities. The development of Green Star - Communities involves a two-staged process, including a national framework for sustainable communities and a rating tool for the assessment of sustainable communities against best practice principles. The Stage 1 Sustainable Communities Framework has been released for comment until the end of April 2010. Councils are encouraged to make a submission to the Green Building Council of Australia. Contact Liz Johnstone, 9667 5585 Helipad code of conduct workshop Invitations have been sent to councils most likely to have a direct interest in the amenity issues and management of helicopters. The workshop will bring together state government, local government and industry on March 25. The draft code will be circulated to interested councils for input. Contact Daniel Drum at DPCD, 9637 9600. Supporting women's leadership Victorian women will have the opportunity to develop their leadership skills with the help of 20 State Government Women's Leadership grants. Minister for Women's Affairs Maxine Morand said the grants, worth a total of $250,000, were to drive opportunities for women to broaden and diversify their leadership skills. Ms Morand said "These grants will provide resources to organisations that have the capacity to improve opportunities for women to have a leadership role." Calling all outstanding early year educators The Department of Education & Early Childhood Development (DEECD) is looking for inspiring early childhood educators who use innovative approaches to engage, stimulate and produce positive results among their "students" or their "workforce" The annual DEECD Innovation Showcase celebrates and shares innovative practices in Victorian education and early childhood settings. It will be held on Tuesday 11th May 2010 and is a great opportunity to highlight local government practices. Kindergarten Management Awards Nominations are open for $250,000 Kindergarten Cluster Management Best Practice Awards which recognise excellence and innovation in the professional management of kindergartens. Award winners will receive up to $10,000 towards the cost of professional development for staff in kindergarten services. |
|
