Victorian History Community Awards

All Victorians have a story to tell and the Victorian Community History Awards 2009, proudly sponsored by Information Victoria, aims to keep these true stories alive.

If you have created a community history work that you'd like to enter, you can do so until Friday 27 February 2009.

There are some great prizes to be won, with $5,000 for the overall winner and six $1,000 prizes for the finalists of each category. The categories for 2009 are:

Best Collaborative/Community Work
Best Print/Publication
Best Audio-Visual/Multimedia
Best Exhibit/Display
Best Walk/Tour
Best Community Research, Registers and Records

The variety of categories acknowledges that history can be told in many formats. Entries are judged on content and presentation with a view to encouraging innovative ways of recording community history across the State to reach and enrich all Victorians.

Find out more about the Victorian Community History Awards.

Premier's Reading Challenge

All Victorian students in Prep to Year 10, including students who learn at home are invited to participate in the Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge.

The Challenge aims to promote a love of reading. It is not a competition, but a challenge to each student.

The 2009 Challenge opened on Monday 2 February and will close on Monday 31 August 2009.

Visit the Victorian Premier's Reading Challenge website.

2009 begins with improved access to planning information

Planning Call Centre moves to Information Victoria

As part of improving our service to the general public, the Department of Planning and Community Development is moving our first point of contact for planning enquiries to Information Victoria.

From 2 February 2009, general planning enquiries should be directed to Information Victoria at 1300 366 356 (local call cost) or email planning@diird.vic.gov.au.

Information Victoria provides a quality service in terms of directing callers to the relevant part of government (regardless of government structures).

We believe that this change will deliver a seamless service to the general public and look forward to the benefits it will provide to our stakeholders.

Remember, the DSE 136 186 number for planning will cease operation on 2 February 2009. Information Victoria at 1300 366 356 replaces this service.

Planning Matters

Subscriptions to the Planning Matters email alert service now number over 2200. Why not subscribe to this free weekly service and receive current information?

Previous editions of Planning Matters can be viewed on our web site via www.dpcd.vic.gov.au/planning/publications.

Archived planning information

All archived planning information has been transferred to the Public Record Office Victoria (PROV).

Historical planning information is now secure for the future and accessible to the public at no charge.

New Format Planning Scheme maps and ordinance from 1946 to 1997 are available in hardcopy format.

You can search the PROV web site at www.prov.vic.gov.au to identify the information you need and some of the information will be available online.

New Publications

Commercial Publications

Last Tram at 11 - Tramways of Ballarat Bendigo Geelong
by Scott, William F @ $59.95

Owners Corporation in Victoria
by Leshinsky, Rebecca & Libbis, Simon @ $49.95

Victorian Railways - The Way It Was
by Davies, Rod & Lloyd @ $49.95

New Legislation

To purchase official copies of legislation, please use the links below.

New Acts

Reprinted Acts

A7405	Summary Offences Act 1966 Rp 10	$15.75
A6213	Cancer Act 1958 Rp 8	$12.20
A53.98	Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Act 1998 Rp 6	$21.50
A10189	Dangerous Goods Act 1985 Rp 8	$18.65
A8750	Constitution Act 1975 Rp 19	$21.50
A6230	County Court Act 1958 Rp 13	$18.65
A9212	Crown Land (Reserves) Act 1978 Rp 9	$15.75
A109.97	Residential Tenancies Act 1997 Rp 5	$25.75
A36.01	Whistleblower's Protection Act 2001 Rp 2	$15.75
A49.91	Sentencing Act 1991 Rp 11	$30.10

Visit the Victorian Legislation and Parliamentary Documents website to view online versions of all Victorian acts and statutory rules.