Published by Victorian Local Governance Association
Listen to VLGA Connect for news and interviews relating to the local government sector in Victoria.
Listen on Apple PodcastsThis week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to discuss another big week for the local government sector. This week he examines another interesting councillor conduct decision, the wash up from the Wyndham mayoral crisis and the current state of the proposed changes to the Local Government Act given this week's developments at Spring Street. As part of the VLGA's state election series we also chat with Cr Rob Amos from Rural Councils Victoria who shares the alliance's wish list from the major parties and candidates. Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Victorian Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel to set the scene for this year’s state election. We also chat with CEO of Moira Shire Council, Matthew Morgan, about how things are travelling at the only Victorian council currently under administration, and how he is preparing for the return of elected representation in 2028. Matthew also shares his insights on thought leadership and the current working landscape of local government. Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to unpack one of the biggest stories unfolding in local government - the governance crisis at Hepburn Shire Council. Chris is also joined by Kristen Desmond, the CEO of West Tamar Council in Tasmania, to discuss how AI was used to develop its strategic plan. They are the first council in Tasmania to develop their strategic plan using this technology. Sponsored by Hunt of Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy speaks with Hume City Council Mayor Cr Carly Moore about the cost to the community of illegal dumping and how council is tackling the issue. Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers is also back this week with the key takeaways from a couple of recent conduct rulings. He also discusses the major legal challenge by Bayside City Council in response to the new Victorian Government planning reforms and the impact on the areas activity centres. Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy speaks with the Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor, Cr Irene Grant, about council's push to improve the condition of rural and regional roads. Cr Grant shares what the latest safety data is telling us, which roads are of most concern to local residents and what funding commitments regional councils need now. We also catch up with the Acting CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, Jill Riseley AM ahead of the Victorian state election. She unpacks Infrastructure Victoria's strategy and highlights what candidates should commit to when it comes to climate resilience, public transport in growth areas and securing better value from the assets we already have. Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy speaks with Loddon Shire Mayor, Cr Dan Straub about his council's advocacy priorities ahead of the state election. Cr Straub shares his thoughts on the Murray Darling Basin Plan review process and the impact of water buybacks on his community. We also cross to Canberra where the annual National General Assembly has been underway this week. We get some insights on the ground about some of the most pressing issues councils are talking about across the country with VLGA Vice President Cr Janet Pearce and VLGA Board Member Damien Gallagher. Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy interviews Golden Plains Mayor Owen Sharkey to discuss how his municipality is dealing with growing pains and gearing up to make sure its voice is heard in the run down to this year’s state election. We also meet Mansfield Shire Council CEO, Kirsten Alexander who has just been reappointed for a further four years. And finally we chat to Tony Raunic and get his initial thoughts on the updated local government legislation introduced in Victorian Parliament earlier this week. Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy interviews Frankston City Council CEO Tennille Bradley on her first 6 months in the role, council's priorities and taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise awareness of homelessness and advocate for change in the community. Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to break down the decision from the Victorian Supreme Court which has ruled the suspension of the former Whittlesea Mayor invalid. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, Cr Lawrie Cox, Mayor of Whittlesea City Council chats with Chris Eddy about the council’s stand on road conditions in the region and its call for the state government to step up and do more to manage its assets. Cr Jodie Ashworth, the mayor of East Gippsland Shire Council, joins to talk about her leadership journey, and current issues and challenges happening for council which is one of the largest and diverse municipalities in the far eastern corner of the state. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, host Chris Eddy speaks with the mayor of Glen Eira City Council, Cr Simone Zmood, about the council’s successful application for a rate cap variation, the reasons behind the request and how they consulted with the community. To celebrate the launch of the 2026 Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government, Chris talks to last year’s inaugural winner Cr Kylie Spears from Maroondah City Council about why the awards are important and why people should nominate. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week, Mayor of Latrobe City Council, Cr Sharon Gibson joins Chris Eddy to discuss the unique challenge facing the Gippsland region due to the impacts of the closure of the power station and how the region is advocating for support to adapt. Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to give his thoughts on how councils can manage the issue of homelessness, looking at amendments made by the City of Port Phillip to their local laws. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by two mayors to break down both sides of the glass bin debate. Mayor of Merri-bek City Council, an early adoptor of the four-bin system, Cr Nat Abboud and Mayor of Manningham City Council, part of the coalition of councils lobbying the state government for an alternative before the 2027 deadline, Cr Jim Grivas, discuss the pros and cons of the scheme. Tony Raunic, Managing Principal at Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to discuss a controversial community decision at Yarra City Council. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
With the release of the state budget this week, Chris Eddy speaks to Mayor Stefan Koomen from the City of Casey to hear the views of the Outer Melbourne Councils on the pros and cons from the budget for this rapidly growing area. Mayor of Mildura Rural City Council, Cr Ali Cupper discusses what is happening in the north west of the state, and gives a frank assessment of how the budget has fallen short for regional communities and ways the council are educating their community on the division of responsibility between local and state government. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy chats with Evan King, CEO of the City of Ballarat to talk about how the ongoing fuel crisis is having a financial impact on council as well as the implications of a recent ruling on contracts from the Fair Work Commission. Also this week, Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to give his take on recent developments in the sector. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
With a state election just around the corner, Regional Cities Victoria has made a $3B pitch as part of its advocacy campaign to secure the future of regional Victoria. Chair of RCV and Mayor of Warrnambool City Council Ben Blain joins Chris Eddy to explain more about the campaign and where they think the funding is most required. Victoria’s Auditor General Andrew Greaves also drops by to discuss the annual report on councils’ audit performance, and gives his observations on what’s working well, and where there is still room for improvement. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, James Collins, CEO from Cardinia Shire Council reflects on his first six months in the role and talks with Chris Eddy about how things are travelling in a rapidly changing municipality with some big interface and growth-related challenges. Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to review some significant recent legal decisions with implications for councils including a $15M Supreme Court judgment against the City of Whittlesea, and a Fair Work Commission ruling in favour of Hobsons Bay City Council. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, mayor of Kingston City Council, Georgina Oxley joins Chris Eddy to talk about why Kingston is expanding its presence in aged care service delivery while many other councils are going in the other direction. The mayor of Gannawarra Shire Council, Garner Smith discusses a number of current issues impacting his area, including the fuel crisis, renewable energy projects, and the Murray Darling Basin Plan Review. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
This week on VLGA Connect, host Chris Eddy is joined by Hayden Raysmith, Liana Thompson and Dr Josh Fergeus to reflect on 30 years since the return of elected representatives following the council amalgamations that led to the creation of the VLGA, and an eye to the future. Chris also discusses the latest campaign from Brimbank City Council with mayor Virginia Tachos as more than one hundred locals rallied at Taylors Road in Delahey saying the daily gridlock has become a safety risk on a road never built for today’s traffic. Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to catch up on governance issues, including the Wyndham mayoral crisis, the release of an arbiter report at Moonee Valley City Council, and the latest on the court case involving Hepburn Shire’s CEO and a councillor. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
Join us for a special episode of VLGA Connect this week as we unpack the results of the latest VLGA Victorian Councillor Census. Chris Eddy is joined by VLGA President Dr Josh Fergeus; John Armitage from Qdos Research, and Dawn Bray from the VLGA for a panel discussion about what the results are telling us, and how this latest data will be used by the VLGA and government to inform policy and related sector discussions in order to enhance the outcomes councillors deliver for the communities they represent, as well as improve the working landscape for elected representatives. You can download the full Census report here: https://www.vlga.org.au/sites/default/files/Census%20Report%202026_final.pdf Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999
Discussing a report tabled to Parliament this week, Victorian Ombudsman Marlo Baragwanath returns to chat to Chris Eddy and unpack the outsourcing by councils of "under-excess" small claims. Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Managing Principal Tony Raunic gives his thoughts on some high profile mayoral issues making news this week, as well as the progress of new bills that will bring some significant changes to the Local Government Act. As the cost of living takes greater effect, we find out more about the City of Greater Dandenong’s sector-leading approach to flexible rates payments, particularly for those experiencing hardship. You can view the Victorian Ombudsman report here: https://www.ombudsman.vic.gov.au/our-impact/investigation-reports/outsourcing-small-claims-handling Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here . If you'd like to contact us about the podcast, please send us an email to vlga@vlga.org.au or call us on 03 9349 7999