Posted on by Sean O'Reilly

Report: MAV State Council

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Date: Friday 16 May 2025
Location: Melbourne Town Hall, Swanston Street, Melbourne

Authors:
• Cr Sean O’Reilly
• Marjan Hajjari, Executive Manager Strategic Growth & Advocacy

Address by the Minister for Local Government – Hon. Nick Staikos MP

The Minister addressed the assembly with key insights and updates affecting local government:

Councillor Behaviour and Governance

  • Six councils currently have monitors in place due to governance concerns.
  • Poor councillor behaviour negatively impacts decision-making, staff morale, and community trust.
  • Most misconduct involves interactions among councillors.
  • Personal attacks on social media are a growing concern.

CEO Recruitment Support

  • LGMap will assist councils in recruiting CEOs by offering best-practice tools and frameworks.

Key Policy and Operational Issues

Waste Management

  • Waste services remain a top statewide issue.
  • Graffiti removal is not considered a priority.

Rate Capping and Financial Sustainability

  • Hepburn Shire’s 10% rate cap variation was supported due to strong long-term planning.
  • Suggestion: Councils should seek advice or coaching from the Essential Services Commission (ESC) on the feasibility of rate cap variations.

Council Assets and Representation

  • Local governments manage over $140 billion in assets.
  • 28 councils have 50% women councillors; overall, about 43% of councillors are women.
  • Councils are encouraged to formally recognise women’s contributions to leadership.

Rates Collection and Financial Hardship

  • Financial hardship policies vary across councils.
  • A standardised approach is recommended to ensure equity.

Public Libraries

  • Public perception of libraries as community hubs has risen from ~50% in 2006 to ~80% in 2022.
  • A revised funding model for libraries is under consideration.

Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Updates

Financial Position

  • MAV is exploring an expansion of its fee-for-service model.
  • A small deficit was reported, attributed to service expansion.
  • Commercial Crime Fund and Liability Mutual Insurance (LMI) are still operational.
  • The LGE Health Plan reported a surplus.
  • The overall deficit was driven by LMI but is expected to recover in FY 2024–25.
  • MAV remains solvent and continues to invest to increase income.

Advocacy and Reform

  • MAV is advocating for reform of the Financial Services Levy (FSL).
  • The Emergency Services Levy has been criticised as a cost shift.
  • Planning reforms are currently in progress.

Strategic Planning and Innovation

  • The Future of Local Government Taskforce is exploring long-term sustainability.
  • MAV is investigating AI projects to improve efficiency.
  • A mayoral delegation to Canberra is planned for August to influence national policy.

Motions at MAV State Council

The MAV State Council session included debate on several strategic and contested motions:

Notable Motions

  1. Motion 13 – Waste Service Charge
    • Contested due to being viewed as insufficient.
  2. Debate on Toxic Online Media
    • Addressed councillor safety and integrity concerns.
  3. Debate on Asylum Seekers
    • Varied views were expressed on council roles in advocacy.

Date: 2 June 2025

END OF REPORT

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