VLGA Connect – Details, episodes & analysis

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

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 Haussegger, 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 Lawyers and networking sponsor, Jenny Scicluna Facilitation and Consulting.

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

Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect from London is Jonathan Carr-West, Chief Executive of the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU), to discuss a stark new report on the financial state of the UK local government sector.

With a number of UK councils having already declared effective bankruptcy, and more likely to follow, Jonathan reveals the reasons for the crisis and how the sector is responding. The survey reveals a disturbing low level of confidence from within councils about their capacity to stave off serious financial decline in the coming years without significant intervention.

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, with Chris Eddy away on a mystery international assignment, regular panellists Julie Reid and Tony Raunic are joined by Steve Cooper to dissect the week’s local government news.

The panel discuss the mooted local government conduct changes, VEC ward boundary reviews, emergency management, vandalism of public art, a contentious planning application and some Scottish push-back against central government interference.

The episode includes an interview with South Gippsland Shire CEO Kerryn Ellis about Kerryn’s experiences in responding to a major emergency, with some telling messages around leadership and culture.

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

The TGU panel dissects the week’s local government news, including a tweak to existing use rights in Victorian planning schemes; more meetings disrupted over ceasefire calls; a council clean up initiative rubbished in the media; a councillor’s call for a charge on dog waste bags; and councils on the frontline of recovery efforts after more storms and bushfires.

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

VLGA Connect's popular Local Leaders is back for a new season in 2024.
First up this year is the four-term Mayor of Horsham Rural City Council, Cr Robyn Gulline, who shares with Chris Eddy her approach to the role as a first-term councillor, thoughts of dealing with conduct issues across the sector, local challenges and future plans.

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 TGU, Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid discuss the week’s major local government news, which includes the announcement of structural changes for 39 Victorian councils ahead of elections later this year.

Also: monitors start work at Brimbank and finish up at Greater Geelong; conflict in the Middle East continues to impact local council meetings; a major event in Mornington Peninsula relocated, while a city mayor makes a plea to Taylor Swift.

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 TGU, Chris Eddy and Julie Reid are joined by guest panellist Kendrea Pope to discuss the week’s big local government stories, including:
The potential return of sacked former councillors
The impact of electoral representation reviews and ward boundary reviews on Victorian councils ahead of this year’s elections
A council leads the way with its new AI policy
New data suggests a weak link between short-stay rentals and housing supply
A UK council planning mistake leads to reputational damage, and
Economic juggernaut Taylor Swift rolling into town and a council’s unique plan to celebrate.

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

TGU is back for 2024 with Chris Eddy, Tony Raunic and Julie Reid discussing some of the latest local government developments, including:

Municipal monitors for Moonee Valley; a Darebin councillor suspended for misconduct; a CEO departs the sector for a state government role; a major review of the local government financial model in NSW; and should councils be sponsoring sporting clubs?

Brought to you by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers and VLGA Connect.

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