​Local government is calling on the Victorian Budget to fund vital children’s services, emergency management resources and a Victoria Infrastructure Plan to boost the state’s economic performance.

Cr Bill McArthur, President of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) said that population growth was placing pressure on existing infrastructure and resources, with significant investment needed to maintain productivity, living standards and equitable access to community services.

“A comprehensive infrastructure plan with long-term funding investment is needed to underpin the proposed new Metropolitan Strategy and the Regional Growth Plans.

“It should provide an ongoing pipeline of projects that make better use of existing infrastructure, reduce transport barriers, achieve better social and health outcomes, and improve our built environment.

“A Victoria Infrastructure Plan would also deliver an economic boost by offering more certainty for investment by the private sector, while guiding local strategic planning to improve community liveability.

“The MAV has also requested extra State investment in universal community services for families this year.

“Maternal and child health nurses provide free health checks, advice and support to all new parents and babies, but an MAV costing survey shows the service is facing a funding shortfall of more than $10 per hour.

“Councils cover 50 per cent of the program costs, but a $5.30 per hour increase in the State’s funding share is needed to avoid a reduction in either service quality or availability.

“Kindergarten programs are another universal service for families that deliver proven ongoing benefits for children’s education outcomes, health and life trajectory.

“But Victoria’s facilities can’t cope with the increase in service demands caused by national reforms to achieve 15 hours kinder per child per week by 2013 – a 40 per cent increase in delivered hours.

“Councils provide the majority of the state’s physical infrastructure and capital investment must be shared across all three levels of government to fund modifications to existing buildings and new kinder facilities.

“School crossing supervisors are another jointly-funded community service that’s suffered from years of eroding State funding. Ratepayer contributions grow each year to keep pace with service costs, and the Government’s investment needs to return to 50 per cent of the cost for supervisors at all eligible crossings.

“Devastating flood and bushfire disasters have impacted many Victorian communities and local government’s capacity constraints were recognised in the Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission, the Comrie Floods Review and the State’s Green Paper on emergency management.

“Victorian Government funding employed 25 Emergency Management Fire Coordinators across 34 councils.

“This investment has been critical for progressing bushfire preparedness in high risk communities. It must be expanded to ensure full implementation of the Bushfires Royal Commission recommendations across the state.

“Local government priorities are focused on community safety and keeping the economy moving,” he said.

- Ends -

Contact the MAV President, Cr Bill McArthur on 0437 984 793 or MAV Communications on 03 9667 5521.