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.

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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