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

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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

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 Lawyers returns to break down the latest arbiters reports tabled at two councils.

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

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.

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 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 reforms. Fresh off the recovery efforts from recent bushfires, Mayor Rabie shared his perspectives on what he sees as unfair policies impacting rural Victoria.

Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers gives his insights to two recent arbiter decisions and any lessons which can be learned from the outcomes.

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 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, 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 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 agreement in Tasmania that may have implications for the entire local government sector.

Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers.

FastTrack: Incivility: A Threat to Local Democracy

https://www.vlga.org.au/%2Fcivicrm%2Fevent%2Finfo%3Fid%3D557%26reset%3D1

Mayor Toby Heydon’s dance video on Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/share/r/1DJMb26ACn/

City of Launceson 4 day week enterprise agreement:

https://www.launceston.tas.gov.au/News-Media/City-of-Launceston-and-ASU-reach-agreement-in-principle-on-landmark-Enterprise-Agreement

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