PODCAST

VLGA Connect

Victorian Local Governance Association

Listen to VLGA Connect for news and interviews relating to the local government sector in Victoria.

government

All Episodes

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...

en-au

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...

en-au

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...

en-au

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...

en-au

46:41

VLGA Connect - Friday 21 November 2025

VLGA Connect ·

2025/11/21

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by the CEO of the Independent Broad Based Anti-Corruption Commission (IBAC) Alison Byrne to discuss the latest perceptions of corruption report and findings released by the agency. Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to discuss a move to limit Notices of Motions at the City of Whittlesea and the implications of that, along with a newly released municipal monitor report into Horsham Rural City Council. Continuing the Meet the...

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24:44

VLGA Connect - Friday 14 November 2025

VLGA Connect ·

2025/11/14

On VLGA Connect this week, Chris Eddy meets the mayor of Corangamite Shire, Cr Kate Makin, to talk about a number of local and regional challenges council is actively advocating on including the condition of regional roads, some initiatives in waste collection, renewable energy projects and the importance of reliable connectivity in regional areas as we enter fire season. Cr Dr Josh Fergus is here to talk about his approach to his new role as President of the VLGA - kicking off a “Meet ...

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40:48

VLGA Connect - Friday 7 November 2025

VLGA Connect ·

2025/11/07

Chris Eddy and Julie Reid unpack the biggest planning reforms in decades have been introduced to the Victorian Parliament and explain what they mean for councils. Plus, we put the spotlight on one of the country’s fastest growing areas - Mitchell Shire Council Mayor John Dougall joins me to talk about his community’s priorities ahead of next year’s state election. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Vic...

en-au

36:11

VLGA Connect - Friday 31 October 2025

VLGA Connect ·

2025/10/31

This week, Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and Chris Eddy discuss some breaking news from the sector this week, including a proposal to introduce term limits for councillors, new Aged Care Act responsibilities for councillors, and as mayoral election season gets under way, is it a good idea to have position statements for mayors and deputy mayors? Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Loc...

en-au

37:18

VLGA Connect - Friday 24 October 2025

VLGA Connect ·

2025/10/24

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with VEC Commissioner Sven Bluemmel to talk through the official report on the conduct of last year’s Victorian council elections, and the recommendations for future elections. Chris then speaks with the mayor of Strathbogie Shire Council, Claire Ewart-Kennedy about some of the shire’s current challenges and priorities. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the ...

en-au

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VLGA Connect

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