VLGA launches councillor Coaching and Mentoring Prospectus
The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) has launched a new Coaching and Mentoring program to support councillors throughout the duration of their council term. This program is in addition to our Councillor Professional Development Program. Feedback received from councillors through our 2024 and 2025 VLGA Victorian Councillor Census, indicated they were seeking additional external support
The return of elected councils in Victoria – 30 years on
This week marks 30 year since the return of elected councils in Victoria – a significant win for local democracy and a testament to the VLGA’s commitment to ensuring elected councils were returned in Victoria in March 1996. The VLGA was formed in 1994, off the back of forced council amalgamations by the former Kennett State Government. VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt said for more than 30 years the VLGA ha
Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal to undertake comprehensive determination on local government allowances
The VLGA is pleased to advise that following our Submission to the 2025 Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal in relation to the proposed Determination on the annual adjustments to the values of the allowancesset for Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors (Victoria) – and in particular the recommendation we made that a comprehensive determination on local government allowances for mayors, dep
Victorian Gambling Loss Figures Released
Last week the latest gambling loss figures experienced through Electronic Gaming Machines (EGMs) in Victoria were released – and the numbers were alarming. A record $3.15 billion was lost through machines being operated in Victorian hotels and clubs. This is a rise of $115 million on the previous year. The figures were recently shared at the VLGA’s Local Government Working Group on Gambling meetin
Rethinking local economies – five key takeaways from our latest Global Executive Live Panel
At a time when councils are being asked to do more with less, financial sustainability has become a defining challenge for local government. That was the clear theme of the latest Global Executive Live Panel – a collaboration between the Local Government Information Unit (LGIU) and the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) – where council chief executives and policy experts from the UK and
2025 VLGA Board Election Results
The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) would like to congratulate its two newly elected board members, Cr Jane Karslake and Cr Mia Shaw. Both will commence their three-year term on the VLGA Board as of 1 July 2025. Cr Jane Karslake is a second term councillor at Glen Eira City Council and Cr Mia Shaw is currently Mayor at the Wyndham City Council and is currently in her third term as a
Congratulations to all King’s Birthday Honours recipients
The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) extends its warm congratulations to the following Victorians who were recognised as part of this year’s King’s Birthday Honours List. Bill Forrest received a Medal of the Order of Australia in recognition of his contribution to urban planning, the arts and to communities while working at Nillumbik Shire Council, Wyndham City Council and Moonee Vall
Civility in public life: A Global Executive Live Panel reflects on challenges and solutions
Many of the challenges that local government faces are shared with colleagues in other countries. Pooling learning and adapting emerging innovation to fit local circumstances will be key to how the sector around the world finds solutions to ensure a sustainable future for councils everywhere. Global Executive Live Panel discussions – run in partnership with the Local Government Information Unit (
VLGA Statement on the Victorian State Budget
At a time when Victorian councils are facing increasing challenges to their financial sustainability, and are being asked to deliver more with less, it is disappointing the Victorian state budget has failed to deliver much-needed investment to the local government sector. Local Government is the closest tier of government to community and is well positioned to successfully tackle the issues commun
A look at FastTrack 2025 – VLGA’s Signature Professional Development Event
The success of the Local Government sector is dependent on the willingness for key agencies, councils and other tiers of government to work together. At our FastTrack annual leadership conference earlier this month, the VLGA was instrumental in bringing together people from across Local Government in Victoria including Local Government Minister Nick Staikos, Lord Mayor of Melbourne Nick Reece, the