Issue 7, October 2011

Kindergarten funding

The MAV recently met with Peter Garrett, Federal Minister for School Education and Early Childhood to discuss the implementation challenges to achieve 15 hours kindergarten reforms by 2013.

Prior to the meeting, we supplied the Minister with a paper documenting further details of councils’ infrastructure needs, together with proposals for more flexible implementation timelines and full federal funding for the additional hours of preschool. I’m pleased that the Minister agreed to the MAV commencing dialogue with his Department to analyse the Capacity Assessment Reports, and to meet with him further at the end of this process if required.

The MAV also recently welcomed a private members bill, which achieved majority support in Federal Parliament, calling for flexible transition arrangements for universal access and the protection of three-year old preschool programs. Both Ministers Lovell and Garrett have indicated that the 15 hours kinder reforms is not intended to displace three-year old kindergarten, or any other co-located early childhood program.

I will keep you posted as the MAV progresses this matter at both the state and federal levels.

Fire services levy 

Our submission to the Victorian Government on their options for a property-based fire levy received widespread support from the sector. In particular, councils were united in their opposition to local government being used as a collection agency for state revenue.

The MAV’s modelling and analysis showed that a property-based levy could significantly redistribute the burden of fire services funding. It’s unclear how the State intends to ensure a fair system is delivered given that, in general, properties with low land values in high risk areas are likely to have their contribution reduced, while those with high land values in low risk areas could see their contribution increase.

Even using the MAV’s preferred CIV valuation base, our analysis shows that the average rate increase would be 19 per cent, and in excess of 30 per cent in some municipalities. Councils could be left explaining a state tax and dealing with the backlash from communities, and it would severely limit our capacity to raise revenue for local priorities. It also remains to be seen how the Government intends to introduce mechanisms to ensure insurance companies pass on the full savings associated with abolishing an insurance-based levy.

The MAV will continue to advocate on this matter, and we hope the Government will listen to our concerns and release its preferred model for extensive community consultation prior to drafting legislation. We believe this is an essential step, in addition to their current scheduled community meetings occurring across the state.

Focus on climate change action

Last week the Australian Government’s Clean Energy Future bills were passed in the lower house. In a last minute win for local government, amendments will ensure landfills with carbon emissions between 10 000 and 25 000 tonnes a year are exempt until at least 2015-16 when this will be reviewed.

Councils and landfill operators will also be able to discharge up to 100 per cent of emissions – instead of 5 per cent originally proposed – using credits issued under the Carbon Farming initiative for the first three years. These changes were announced by Greg Combet, Minister for Climate Change following effective advocacy by the ALGA.

Both the Victorian and Australian Governments are also developing funding programs to help councils switch to energy efficient lighting. The State’s $20 million Green Lights Plan has formed a reference group to provide guidance, while the $200 million national Community Energy Efficiency Program is seeking feedback on design options until 21 October.

Meanwhile, the MAV made a submission to the Legislative Council inquiry into the beverage container deposit and recovery scheme bill proposed by the Victorian Greens. This follows state and federal Environment Ministers endorsing options for a national Packaging Impacts Consultation Regulation Impact Statement. The Consultation Regulation Impact Statement will be considered by Ministers in late November and then released for a four month consultation period.

Finally, more than 100 representatives attended the MAV’s waste and resource recovery policy forum last week. Speakers shared innovative ways that councils are tackling the challenge of organic waste resource recovery and difficult products. Insight was also provided into food waste and disposal avoidance issues from both the NSW perspective and Sustainability Victoria.

The afternoon workshop focused on local government’s future vision for waste management and resource recovery, which will inform the DSE Waste Policy Review discussion paper. You can join the waste policy review online discussion by emailing wastepolicy@dse.vic.gov.au to request an invitation to join.

Constitutional recognition

The MAV has circulated a Members Brief outlining the issues surrounding constitutional recognition for local government. The Brief is intended to help inform member feedback on a discussion paper released by the Expert Panel to gauge the level of support for change and invite public comment on specific options.

A submission will be prepared by the MAV based on the feedback received from councils. In line with State Council resolutions, we support the Expert Panel options for Constitutional change, which provide for both ‘financial recognition’ and ‘democratic recognition’ of councils in the Australian Constitution. Submissions are due to the Expert Panel by 4 November, and your views can be forwarded to James Cleaver by 24 October.

Roadside weeds

Minister Walsh has released a Ministerial Working Party Report that recommends future responsibilities for roadside weeds and pests. While the MAV participated on the Working Party and established a sub-committee of council representatives to inform our input, our views differ on several of the proposed recommendations in the report.

The MAV doesn’t want to see the proposed changes legislated. Instead we believe a five-year funded service agreement (as currently operates for councils undertaking tobacco enforcement) is the best way to achieve a shared partnership approach where councils can develop local priorities through a Control Plan and utilise resources available from landcare and ‘friends’ groups.

The Working Party Report also proposes the State retain responsibility for control of state-prohibited weeds, which the MAV would like to see extended to regionally-prohibited weeds as well. We will be working with the Government as it develops its response, and it’s positive that Minister Walsh has already committed to work with local government on funding and implementation matters.

Annual Conference, MAV Dinner and State Council

Next week promises to be a big one on the local government calendar. I look forward to seeing many of you at the RCV rural mayors and CEOs forum (26 October), MAV annual conference and dinner (27 October), and State Council meeting (28 October).

There are plenty of opportunities to learn, be inspired, hear what others are doing, inform the sector’s advocacy directions and network with colleagues. It’s not too late to book online.

If you have any matters you’d like to discuss, please get in touch with me via email or phone on 0437 984 793.

Regards

BILL