Here are the stories that featured in the Victorian Roundup segment of the latest episode of the Local Government News Roundup – episode #79.
Brimbank City Council has appointed Fiona Blair as its next CEO.
Ms Blair has a background in state and local government, most recently in a senior role with the Department of Transport, and previously as a senior executive at the City of Port Phillip.
She will take over from Warren Roberts, who was lured out of retirement earlier this year to fill the role on an interim basis after the retirement of previous CEO Helen Morrissey.
Fiona Blair commences at Brimbank on the 24th January.
There are now 8 Victorian councils with a vacancy for a permanent CEO, with more appointments expected to be announced soon. Source: Brimbank City Council
While we’re in Brimbank and Melbourne’s West, a key document setting out the state government’s vision and framework for Sunshine transport precinct has been released, and it has received a positive response from Brimbank City Council.
The Sunshine Precinct Opportunity Statement recognises Sunshine as the centre of Melbourne’s west, and sets goals and objectives for achieving transformational outcomes from the $20B in planned infrastructure investment, including Melbourne Airport Rail and Geelong Fast Rail.
Brimbank Mayor Jasmine Nguyen, said the statement recognises the Council’s efforts in advocating to government to ensure that transport infrastructure coming to the city is about community and people, not just commuters and places. Source: Brimbank City Council
Victoria’s peak body, the Municipal Association of Victoria, has expressed concerns about a lack of community consultation in relation to proposed reforms to the Victorian planning system.
MAV President Cr David Clark says there is genuine concern that the voice of the community, expressed through their elected councillors, may be lost.
He has cited examples of government action under the guise of pandemic recovery, that puts aside longer-term community aspirations.
Cr Clark says the planning system should not be overhauled for short-term economic benefit, and the MAV is ready to engage with the government on the reforms to ensure communities can express their concerns about planning decisions. Source: Municipal Association of Victoria
The Mayor of the City of Ballarat, Cr Daniel Moloney, has been elected as Chair of the Regional Capitals Australia advocacy group.
The group was formed 9 years ago to bring 51 regional capital cities together to present a unified voice to the federal government.
Cr Moloney takes over from the retired Albury mayor Kevin Mack who chaired the group for the past 12 months.
The composition of the board of Regional Capitals Australia has attracted some criticism in recent days, with gender advocates expressing disappointment in its all-male composition.
Mayors of member councils are eligible to represent their state on the board. Of the 51 regional capitals in Australia, 22 are current members of the group.
Of those 22, three of five Victorian member councils have a female mayor. There are no female mayors currently in office at any of the remaining member councils.
However, the mayoralties of the 7 NSW members are to be determined with elections taking place this weeked in that state. Source: City of Ballarat
There have been two appointments made to the Victorian Local Government Grants Commission.
Michael Ulbrick, a local government consultant and former Council CEO, has been reappointed for a further four years; and experienced state and local government executive Marg Allan has joined the commission.
Julie Eisenbise has completed her term as a member of the Commission, having been first appointed in 2013.
Mr Ulbrick and Ms Allan join Commission Chair John Watson, whose appointment runs until 31 October 2023. Source: Victorian Government Gazette p.2259
The state government has announced plans to purchase the Swinburne University site in Prahran as part of a long term plan to support an education and arts precinct in the area.
The announcement has been welcomed by the City of Stonnington as providing certainty for the community about how the site would be used in the longer term.
Mayor Jami Klisaris said securing the site as a long term education and arts hub will provide generational outcomes in Stonnington for residents and students. Source: City of Stonnington