Podcast · News

VLGA Connect

by Victorian Local Governance Association · English · News

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

New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 41 min
Latest: 9 Oct 2026
Language: English

Latest episode

9 Oct 2026 · 25 min

36-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 2 October 2026

In this week's episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks to the Lord Mayor of the City of Melbourne, Nick Reece, about the challenges facing the M9 group of councils as they expect to accommodate up to a million more residents by 2051. Chris also chats to Simon Harrex (Victorian Local Governance Association) and John Armitage (QDos) about the launch of the 2026 Victorian Councillor Census, who tell us more about how the census is conducted and what the data is used for. Sponsored by Hunt &am...

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Earlier episodes 29 most recent

S6 · E35 · 4 Oct 2026 · 23 min
35-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 2 October 2026
In this week's special episode of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy interviews the new Local Government Minister in Victoria, the Hon Tim Richardson MP. Together they discuss his approach to the portfolio and what he sees as the sector's priorities in the months ahead, with the November state election fast approaching. 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 c...
S6 · E34 · 28 Sep 2026 · 43 min
34-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday, 25 September 2026
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to unpack two recent Council conduct decisions. Chris also chats with Surf Coast Shire Mayor, Cr Libby Stapleton, about the push for a rapid transit link between Geelong and Torquay, and an innovative trial to improve the availability of longer term rental homes in the tourist town of Lorne. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and trai...
S6 · E32 · 17 Sep 2026 · 14 min
32-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday, 11 September 2026
This week on a special edition of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by 2026 Mary Rogers Award Winner Councillor Melina Sehr from Stonnington City Council. Cr Sehr received the honour at a special Award ceremony at Queen's Hall, Parliament House last week. This is the second year the VLGA has delivered the Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government, in partnership with the Victorian Government. Named after Mary Rogers – the first woman to be elected to a Victorian Municipal Counci...
S6 · E31 · 7 Sep 2026 · 42 min
31-26- VLGA Connect - Friday 4 September 2026
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by General Manager of Murrumbidgee Council in NSW, John Scarce, to discuss the council’s decision to trial a four-day working week. Chris also sits down with Merri-bek City Council Mayor Cr Nat Abboud about a new national guide and toolkit to help local councils across Australia create healthier, happier open streets around schools. This is joint initiative between Merri-Bek and Kingston City Council. Sponsored by Hunt and Hunt Lawyer...
S6 · E30 · 28 Aug 2026 · 56 min
30-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 28 August 2026
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to discuss the latest developments on new legislation to amend the Local Government Act. They also unpack two new councillor conduct decisions out of Kingston City Council - including a councillor suspension. Chris is also joined by Greater Dandenong City Council Chief Executive Officer Jacqui Weatherill, and independent facilitator Dr Tania Miletic from Melbourne University, to talk through ...
S6 · E29 · 21 Aug 2026 · 41 min
29-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 21 August 2026
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers to discuss the latest developments at Hepburn Shire and the related Supreme Court case. They also review the status of the Government’s new local government bill and look at how it compares to the Opposition’s alternative bill. Chris is also joined by Dr Heather Holmes-Ross, President of South Australia’s Local Government Association and Mayor of the City of Mitcham, to discuss how the five-month delay...
S6 · E28 · 14 Aug 2026 · 44 min
28-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 14 August 2026
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Greater Geelong City Council Mayor, Dr Stretch Kontelj to find out more about his push for a special economic zone pilot in central Geelong, similar to what has been rolled out in Ireland and China. Chris also sits down with Dawn Bray from the VLGA, and Sally Clarke, a global expert on burnout and culture, to discuss the VLGA’s Councillor Professional Development Program, including Mayoral Leadership, and its focus this year on the...
S6 · E27 · 7 Aug 2026 · 43 min
27-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 7 August 2026
This week on VLGA Connect, and as part of the VLGA's state election series, Chris Eddy is joined by Shadow Minister for Local Government, Bev McArthur MLC, to discuss the opposition’s view on a range of local government issues, including rate capping and legislative loopholes. Chris also chats with the mayor of South Gippsland Shire, Cr Nathan Hersey, about a shared council approach to FOGO services in Gippsland, and his recent trip to Singapore to put his region on the world stage. Sponsored...
S6 · E26 · 31 Jul 2026 · 32 min
26-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 31 July 2026
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to discuss another big week for the local government sector. This week he examines another interesting councillor conduct decision, the wash up from the Wyndham mayoral crisis and the current state of the proposed changes to the Local Government Act given this week's developments at Spring Street. As part of the VLGA's state election series we also chat with Cr Rob Amos from Rural Councils Victoria ...
S6 · E25 · 24 Jul 2026 · 44 min
25-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 24 July 2026
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Victorian Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel to set the scene for this year’s state election. We also chat with CEO of Moira Shire Council, Matthew Morgan, about how things are travelling at the only Victorian council currently under administration, and how he is preparing for the return of elected representation in 2028. Matthew also shares his insights on thought leadership and the current working landscape of local government. Spon...
S6 · E24 · 17 Jul 2026 · 52 min
24-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 17 July 2026
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy is joined by Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers to unpack one of the biggest stories unfolding in local government - the governance crisis at Hepburn Shire Council. Chris is also joined by Kristen Desmond, the CEO of West Tamar Council in Tasmania, to discuss how AI was used to develop its strategic plan. They are the first council in Tasmania to develop their strategic plan using this technology. Sponsored by Hunt of Hunt Lawyers ...
S6 · E23 · 9 Jul 2026 · 37 min
23-26 VLGA Connect - Thursday 9 July 2026
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy speaks with Hume City Council Mayor Cr Carly Moore about the cost to the community of illegal dumping and how council is tackling the issue. Tony Raunic from Hunt and Hunt Lawyers is also back this week with the key takeaways from a couple of recent conduct rulings. He also discusses the major legal challenge by Bayside City Council in response to the new Victorian Government planning reforms and the impact on the areas activity centres. Sponsored by Hunt...
3 Jul 2026 · 35 min
22-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 3 July 2026
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy speaks with the Rural City of Wangaratta Mayor, Cr Irene Grant, about council's push to improve the condition of rural and regional roads. Cr Grant shares what the latest safety data is telling us, which roads are of most concern to local residents and what funding commitments regional councils need now. We also catch up with the Acting CEO of Infrastructure Victoria, Jill Riseley AM ahead of the Victorian state election. She unpacks Infrastructure V...
26 Jun 2026 · 47 min
21-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 26 June 2026
This week on VLGA Connect Chris Eddy speaks with Loddon Shire Mayor, Cr Dan Straub about his council's advocacy priorities ahead of the state election. Cr Straub shares his thoughts on the Murray Darling Basin Plan review process and the impact of water buybacks on his community. We also cross to Canberra where the annual National General Assembly has been underway this week. We get some insights on the ground about some of the most pressing issues councils are talking about across the countr...
19 Jun 2026 · 48 min
20-26 VLGA Connect - Friday 19 June 2026
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy interviews Golden Plains Mayor Owen Sharkey to discuss how his municipality is dealing with growing pains and gearing up to make sure its voice is heard in the run down to this year’s state election. We also meet Mansfield Shire Council CEO, Kirsten Alexander who has just been reappointed for a further four years. And finally we chat to Tony Raunic and get his initial thoughts on the updated local government legislation introduced in Victorian Parli...
S6 · E19 · 12 Jun 2026 · 41 min
19-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 12 June 2026
This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy interviews Frankston City Council CEO Tennille Bradley on her first 6 months in the role, council's priorities and taking part in the Vinnies CEO Sleepout to raise awareness of homelessness and advocate for change in the community. Tony Raunic from Hunt & Hunt Lawyers returns to break down the decision from the Victorian Supreme Court which has ruled the suspension of the former Whittlesea Mayor invalid. Sponsored by Hunt & Hunt Lawyer...
S6 · E18 · 5 Jun 2026 · 34 min
18-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 5 June 2026
This week on VLGA Connect, Cr Lawrie Cox, Mayor of Whittlesea City Council chats with Chris Eddy about the council’s stand on road conditions in the region and its call for the state government to step up and do more to manage its assets. Cr Jodie Ashworth, the mayor of East Gippsland Shire Council, joins to talk about her leadership journey, and current issues and challenges happening for council which is one of the largest and diverse municipalities in the far eastern corner of the state. ...
S6 · E17 · 29 May 2026 · 32 min
17-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 29 May 2026
This week on VLGA Connect, host Chris Eddy speaks with the mayor of Glen Eira City Council, Cr Simone Zmood, about the council’s successful application for a rate cap variation, the reasons behind the request and how they consulted with the community. To celebrate the launch of the 2026 Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government, Chris talks to last year’s inaugural winner Cr Kylie Spears from Maroondah City Council about why the awards are important and why people should nominate. Sp...
S6 · E16 · 22 May 2026 · 25 min
16-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 22 May 2026
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....
S6 · E15 · 15 May 2026 · 41 min
15-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 15 May 2026
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...
S6 · E14 · 8 May 2026 · 48 min
14-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 8 May 2026
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...
S6 · E13 · 1 May 2026 · 48 min
13-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 1 May 2026
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...
S6 · E12 · 24 Apr 2026 · 40 min
12-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 24 April 2026
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...
S6 · E11 · 17 Apr 2026 · 36 min
11-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 17 April 2026
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 ...
S6 · E10 · 10 Apr 2026 · 41 min
10-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 10 April 2026
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...
S6 · E9 · 7 Apr 2026 · 54 min
09-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 3 April 2026
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...
S6 · E8 · 30 Mar 2026 · 36 min
08-26 - VLGA Connect - The VLGA Victorian Councillor Census Launch - Special Edition
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...
S6 · E7 · 23 Mar 2026 · 44 min
07-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 20 March 2026
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...
S6 · E6 · 13 Mar 2026 · 56 min
06-26 - VLGA Connect - Friday 13 March 2026
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...

About VLGA Connect

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

VLGA Connect is a English news podcast from Victorian Local Governance Association. Melo plays each episode straight from the publisher's own feed — no ads added, no account needed — and remembers where you stopped, in this browser only.

Publisher: Victorian Local Governance Association
Language: English
Category: News
New episodes: Weekly
Typical length: 41 min
Latest episode: 9 Oct 2026
Feed: RSS — paste into any podcast app
Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1525309619

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