Our MAV - President's update
MAV President's Update - December 2023
A Christmas message from the MAV and Victoria's Mayors
Dear friends and colleagues,
As the year draws to a close, it's time to reflect on our achievements and challenges. And while we aren't quite ready to down tools and say "we’re there," we can say we have capitalised on some significant opportunities as a sector.
The key issue we have addressed since September is planning reform. The State Government's handing down of its housing statement and planning amendments, together with its plans for the development of the new Plan for Victoria (replacing Plan Melbourne), offer a rare opportunity.
The MAV has worked hard to put Victoria on the right footing for a climate resilient, socially connected and economically thriving future.
Our efforts have been many and varied. From State Council decision to the MAV Board briefing the Planning Minister and our Metro and Rural forums to ensure our members' are leading the way in creating strong, sustainable communities.
As discussed at the forums, the MAV has commissioned reports by SGS Economics and Planning addressing a new Plan Victoria. An advanced copy of the metro report is being sent to metro CEOs today and will be more broadly distributed next week. The same process will be followed after the regional and rural report is finalised next week.
We also recently welcomed the Grattan Institute’s independent analysis confirming there is a significant shortfall in local roads funding. Urgent action is required by other levels of government to address the deteriorating state of our local roads.We were a proud contributor at various stages of the project that recommended an injection of $1 billion to simply keep the network in its current state.
The last significant issue I would like to mention is that, as a sector, we are committed to stamping out poor councillor behaviour.
In doing so, we can ensure the amazing work that is done by so many in local government is not overshadowed by individual and isolated poor councillor behaviour.We welcomed the Local Government Minister’s reforms to address councillor behaviour and recommend that these changes complement the existing framework to deal with isolated and individual instances of poor behaviour. This includes council's internal mechanisms and municipal monitors.
This is our last President's Update for 2023. This publication will be back from February 2024 with the latest news and local government information for Mayors, Councillors and CEOs.
On behalf of the MAV Board, I would like to sincerely thank you all for your contribution and support of the MAV, and also acknowledge the Executive team and MAV’s staff for their expert guidance to the sector.
By now, you may have heard that our Executive Director, Policy and Advocacy, Troy Edwards, resigned from the MAV this week to take on the role of Executive Director, Corporate Services at the City of Greater Geelong.
Troy is a well-respected leader and has been instrumental in shaping the work of the MAV in supporting the Victorian local government sector over multiple years. He leaves a lasting legacy at the MAV and will no doubt continue to be a huge advocate for the work of the MAV a in his new role.
Troy’s last day will be Thursday 14 December and I know you will join me in wishing him every future success.
Christmas is here again, and there is no better time to catch up with family and friends. I hope your festive season is filled with laughter and good will.
Warm regards,
Cr David Clark
MAV President
In this issue
- Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan briefing session
- Supporting community health and wellbeing
- Meeting our Mayors and Deputy Mayors
- 2024 Council elections - Stand For Council
- New Mayors celebrated in the media
- Thank you from Minister Kristy McBain
Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan briefing session
Recycling Victoria (RV) is developing the Victorian Recycling Infrastructure Plan (VRIP), to be released in 2024. The VRIP will provide long-term strategic infrastructure planning to guide and inform decision-making in relation to waste, recycling and resource recovery infrastructure over the next 30 years.
Councillors and council officers are invited to join us online for a one-hour briefing at 11am next Tuesday, 19 December to hear from RV about their work on the plan to date and opportunities to influence the content over the next six months. Registration is essential, register here.
Under the Circular Economy (Waste Reduction and Recycling) Act 2021, Recycling Victoria (RV) is required to provide the first draft of the Plan to the MAV (as well as SV, EPA and others) for comment.
We understand from conversations with RV that we’ll likely receive the first draft prior to Christmas, with feedback due in January. RV have assured us that all councils as well as industry and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to provide feedback to the following draft prior to the VRIP’s finalisation – most likely in the first quarter of next year.
Supporting community health and wellbeing
A councillors’ leadership role is as important as it's ever been.
Reports show that household financial pressures, lack of available affordable housing and increasing pessimism about the future have resulted in a generally weaker sense of pride and belonging and trust in governments at all levels.
In turn, there is concern that this will impact social cohesion, and the latest Scanlon Research Institute Mapping Social Cohesion 2023 report provided the lowest score since the survey began in 2007.
Current international events are also impacting many communities - either directly for those who have family overseas - and those seeking to respond and help prevent the horror and bloodshed we’re witnessing in the Middle East and other parts of the world. First Nations people are still coming to terms with the results of the recent Voice referendum.
We appreciate that your council staff are also having to deal with difficult situations and conversations - supporting staff wellbeing and safety is a priority.
Councillors are at the heart in responding to these issues within our communities. Your local leadership in fostering respectful consideration of all community perspectives is vital to maintain and protect community harmony.The principles of the MAV’s Commitment to Cultural Diversity, which was endorsed in 2012, continue to be relevant today. These are:
- Social justice and human rights
- Access and equity
- Social inclusion and equal opportunity for participation
- Strong and healthy communities
- Freedom from structural and individual discrimination and racism
- Addressing diversity as central to all aspects of policy development and program design
- Gender equity.
More information and resources are available on the MAV diversity and inclusion web-page.
Meeting our Mayors and Deputy Mayors
The rewards and challenges of being elected Mayor or Deputy Mayor came into focus at our Mayoral Induction this week.
No doubt, before accepting a Mayoral nomination, most people know the role of Mayor requires a diverse set of skills - it is so much more than a figure-head role. In my experience, people will trust what a mayor is saying – sometimes, more so than a state or federal Minister.
People know you are a part of the community, they expect you to know the community’s needs and expectations, so, you already have an imbued sense of standing from the community.
With this standing comes great responsibility.
We, at the MAV, are here to support Victoria's Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors, through the tough times and the good, as they serve our communities.
Our efforts are focused on making our homes, our workplaces, our smallest towns and our largest cities safe, sustainable and great places to live.
2024 Council elections - Stand For Council
The MAV will once again proudly present its Stand for Council program to encourage Victorians to participate in the election process and consider being a candidate.
We have begun briefing your council’s staff and will support our participating members with:
- a series of Stand for Council - Candidate and Community Information Sessions
- the delivery of a Citizen to Councillor Guide, revised and updated to include the Local Government Act 2020.
- a Stand for Council communications campaign toolkit to promote the elections and information sessions - editable artwork, social media tiles and template media releases and website copy.
For those of not contesting the next election, we may ask you to consider featuring in a video presentation on “a day in the life of a councillor”. It will be shown at our Candidate and Community Information Session to lend a “voice of experience” on how the role was an opportunity to communicate their values, hopes and ideas for their community.
Additionally, the MAV, as part of its promotion of the 2024 elections, will establish a “Community Ambassador Program” to emphasise the importance and value of local democracy. We are approaching committed, motivated and passionate people that reflect the diversity of our communities (and they won’t be standing for council themselves).
Finally, as we all know, strong, healthy and inclusive democracy is underpinned by diversity and inclusion so we will host a series of bespoke Stand for Council sessions. These sessions will be held to attract under-represented groups such as young people, people with a disability, women, CALD community representatives and people who identify as LGBTQIA+.
We do hope your council chooses to partner with us.
New Mayors celebrated in the media
It has been a busy end of the year period for local government, with many issues impacting the sector being covered by metro and local media.
There was substantial coverage across the state during mayoral elections, celebrating new and re-elected mayors.
The MAV also explained why the increased federal funding for roads is so critical on 7 News, in the Weekly Times, and ABC radio news grabs.
The role councils are playing in tobacco sale compliance was highlighted in the Herald Sun and then on ABC radio as our President Cr David Clark explained the local government perspective on Breakfast, which was then used for news clips throughout the day.
The Guardian covered pending changes to the Community Benefit Statement’s pokies venues adhere to, the MAV explained why it needs to be changed.
Thank you from Minister Kristy McBain
Minister for Local Government The Hon Kristy McBain MP has expressed her thank you to councils that have hosted her this year.
"I have travelled extensively across Australia and met with hundreds of local government representatives, participated in multiple conferences and events, and talked to thousands of people, each with their own challenges, and each with an intense passion and purpose.
I have had rich, honest, intelligent and, at times, difficult conversations, and I am grateful for them all. The national conversation is certainly richer for these exchanges.
I look forward to continuing our work in 2024, and further robust and honest conversations about the challenges and opportunities for local government."