VLGA Connect

24:56

16-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 22 May 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/05/22

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....

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40:47

15-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 15 May 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/05/15

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...

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48:16

14-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 8 May 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/05/08

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...

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48:16

13-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 1 May 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/05/01

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 offe...

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39:46

12-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 24 April 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/04/24

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 we...

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35:40

11-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 17 April 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/04/17

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 ...

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40:46

10-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 10 April 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/04/10

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 s...

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53:43

09-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 3 April 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/04/07

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 roa...

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35:44

08-26 - VLGA Connect - The VLGA Victorian Councillor...

VLGA Connect ·

2026/03/30

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 communi...

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43:55

07-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 20 March 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/03/23

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 abo...

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56:15

06-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 13 March 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/03/13

This week on VLGA Connect, Murrundindi Shire Council Mayor Damien Gallagher gives an update on the recovery efforts following the January bushfires which affected a large area of the region. Northern Grampians Shire Council CEO Brent McAlister speaks about a new initiative which is bringing together Wimmera and Mallee councils to ensure the region is ready for significant investment in regional projects across energy, transmission and mining. And Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawye...

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15:19

05-26 - VLGA Connect - FastTrack 2026 Special Edition

VLGA Connect ·

2026/03/04

Join us at the RACV City Club for FastTrack 2026: Incivility - A threat to local democracy for this special episode of VLGA Connect. Hear from panellists Dr Josh Fergeus, Virginia Haussagger, Anne Wickham, Steve Huff and Liz Gillies about their contributions to this important discussion, as well as attendees about why these conversations are so critical to their role as elected leaders. FastTrack 2026 was sponsored by principal sponsor Payble, panellist sponsor Hunt & Hunt L...

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28:19

04-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 27 February 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/02/27

This week on VLGA Connect, Marlo Baragwanath, the Victorian Ombudsman, sits down with Chris Eddy to discuss a joint paper, prepared with the IBAC Commissioner and the Auditor-General, titled 'Advancing budget transparency for Victoria’s core integrity agencies’. Mayor of Swan Hill, Cr Stuart King, also joins the program to talk about the Murray Basin Plan review, and why it’s such a critical process for communities all along the Murray River. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Supp...

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55:29

03-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 20 February 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/02/20

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Warren Davies, the Unbreakable Farmer. Warren is a farmer, a writer and keynote speaker, and a podcaster, shining a light on capacity building, resilience and recovery in the face of increasing natural disasters and setbacks, especially in the rural Australian context. Cr Steve Rabie, Mayor of Mansfield discusses issues affecting his community - from the controversial Emergency Services Volunteer Fund to the state government's planning...

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33:13

02-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 13 February 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/02/13

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy interviews the Victorian Information Commissioner, Sean Morrison, about the risks and pitfalls of using generative AI from a privacy principles perspective - a relevant conversation for every councillor in particular. Also, Tony Raunic returns to unpack new ministerial guidelines in place for Councils in Victoria to deal with ratepayers experiencing hardship . Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, program...

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34:37

01-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 6 February 2026

VLGA Connect ·

2026/02/06

VLGA Connect is back for 2026! VLGA President Dr Josh Fergeus and CEO Kathryn Arndt join host Chris Eddy to give a sneak peek into the VLGA’s premier leadership conference - FastTrack - focusing on the topic of Incivility. The mayor of Mount Alexander Shire Council, Cr Toby Heydon, drops by to explain why he’s dancing up a storm on social media! Also returning for 2026 is Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Managing Principal Tony Raunic to give his take on a ground-breaking new employee agreeme...

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52:26

VLGA Connect - Friday 19 December 2025

VLGA Connect ·

2025/12/19

For the final episode of the year, Tony Raunic, Managing Principal of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt join Chris Eddy to wrap up what has been an action packed first year of the council term. The team looks at the major issues and events of 2025 and look forward to what we may expect to see in the sector in 2026. Completing our Meet the Board series, Chris chats to VLGA Treasurer, Mike Blake about his fascinating journey from Africa to the Australian public sector. Sponso...

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33:22

VLGA Connect - Friday 12 December 2025

VLGA Connect ·

2025/12/12

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks to Kerryn Ellis and Dan Nicholson from the Victorian Ombudsman about a recently released report into flood risk decisions relating to two housing estates, with broader implications for councils. The VLGA's Meet the Board series continues with independent member Louise Hill joins the program for a discussion about how she contributes to the board, and her work in and beyond the local government sector. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Suppor...

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26:15

VLGA Connect - Friday 5 December 2025

VLGA Connect ·

2025/12/05

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with Cr Kylie Spears - the inaugural winner of the Mary Rogers Award for women in local government. Our Meet the Board series continues, with a conversation with Cr Jane Karslake from Glen Eira City Council - a recent addition to the VLGA board. 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 l...

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18:51

VLGA Connect - Friday 28 November 2025

VLGA Connect ·

2025/11/28

This week on VLGA Connect, Maribyrnong Council CEO Celia Haddock joins Chris Eddy to talk about new local laws requiring authorised officers to be trained in the city's homelessness protocol; her challenge to property owners about landbanking in central Footscray, and more. Continuing the Meet the Board series, Chris sits down for a chat with Cr Mia Shaw from Wyndham City Council, after her recent election to the board of the VLGA. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show T...

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