2011 year in review

Thinking back over the year there are many local government highlights, and a few disappointments. The MAV has worked hard to build productive relationships with the new Victorian Government and across many portfolios this engagement has been both positive and thorough. We’ve publicly congratulated decisions when it matters, such as the welcome funding for country roads and bridges (a state government first); community infrastructure programs; support for councils following the floods; and the reinstatement of operational library funding.

The year was not without its surprises, including a shock increase in landfill levies after council budgets were set. Progress has also been frustratingly slow reaching a resolution on a risk-based approach to electric line clearance. The MAV will continue to prioritise this issue into the new year.

I think a highlight for me was seeing the sector unite for the Save Our Libraries campaign. As a result the message was powerful, widespread and effective. The Ministerial Advisory Committee review of library funding is only in its early stages but it’s a significant step in the right direction, and many years overdue. I hope we can achieve more in 2012 through similar sector campaigns on key issues.

In the planning space, 2011 saw many reviews take place including the Underwood committee, and developer contributions; plus commencement of a new metropolitan strategy, regional growth plans and significant bushfire planning reforms. Coastal planning, wind farms and rural land use remain topical, and often controversial. As I recently wrote in this review for Planning News, we end another year more or less where we began – with high hopes, ready and willing to contribute to the planning policy and reform agenda that is yet to emerge.

I was pleased to see the views of councils so thoroughly explored in Mr Comrie’s final report on the Victorian Floods Review. A number of recommendations deal with long-standing issues for local government including disaster financing arrangements; the broadening scope and expectations of councils’ roles; regional level planning; and community resilience. I want to congratulate councils for all your hard work and commitment in relation to emergency management – both support to your communities and ongoing participation in MAV-led projects, as well as reviews and submissions to influence this once-in-a-generation opportunity to reform emergency management policy and legislation.

At the federal level, the exclusion of emissions from legacy waste was a late, but significant win for ALGA as the Australian Government finalised its historic carbon price. For local government this outcome removes a significant liability and uncertainty, including for smaller landfills that would’ve been captured under the ‘proximity rule’ to larger landfills.

It’s been a big year for local government and while these are some of the highlights, they certainly don’t cover all that we’ve achieved. Much of the momentum that’s been built throughout this year will hold us in good stead to influence reforms and respond to challenges in the year ahead.

Looking towards 2012

Next year will be an interesting time for our sector. With the world economy at significant risk, there remains an ongoing possibility that the Eurozone crisis could result in a slowing of our domestic economic performance. Nationally, a surplus position for 2012-13 remains a key goal for the minority Government, and locally we’ve seen from the Victorian Government’s mid-year Budget Update that the state is facing a period of much tighter finances.

For local government this means access to funding programs will be harder to achieve, while a slowing economy could expand demand for local services which will place additional pressures on council budgets. The State has identified ongoing increases in council rates within their cost of living radar, while on the MAV’s radar is delivery of the much promised Victorian State Local Government Agreement. Together with revaluations, the introduction of carbon pricing and a property-based fire levy, I expect next year could be a tough balancing act for many councils.

Among the shared challenges we’ll continue to focus on in 2012 include the fire levy design and collection, funding for maternal and child health (MCH) services, and kindergarten reforms. Councils have strongly voiced objections to being the collection agency for State levies and we’ll continue our advocacy on this matter. The MAV has undertaken a costing study and commenced negotiations with the State on a new four-year funding agreement for MCH; and our discussions continue with both the Victorian and Australian governments to ensure adequate funding and transition timelines to 15 hours ‘universal access’.

In the planning space, next year looks to be a time for change as election promises such as new residential zones, previous work on code assess and other review outcomes are implemented. Again councils will need to be active participants to ensure the State’s delivery of its commitments also achieves improved outcomes for councils and communities.

To help prepare councils for the start of the carbon price in July, the MAV will be running training sessions on actions that can reduce exposure to it. And following the sector’s effective Give Our Streets the Green Light campaign, the State’s $20 million Green Light Plan will be offering grants to help fund the changeover to energy efficient street lighting. The Government is close to finalising funding criteria and guidelines, and we expect they’ll be released for consultation in early 2012.

We also anticipate the Government will respond to the Final Report of the Working Party on Roadside Weeds and Pests in early 2012. Clarification of responsibilities through legislative change is still being considered by Minister Walsh and the MAV recently emphasised the sector’s strong resistance to new unfunded legislated obligations, and councils’ preference for a five-year service agreement to implement agreed Control Plans. We’ll continue to work with the Minister’s office to secure a better outcome.

The momentum built through this year’s emergency management reviews, together with the MAV’s comprehensive Improving Emergency Management in Local Government program will hopefully achieve a better alignment of councils’ emergency management roles and responsibilities with the skills, resources, strengths and core business of local government.

Council elections will also take place on the fourth Saturday next October, and the MAV will again coordinate a statewide Stand for Council campaign in the lead up to attract a broader range of candidates.

Finally, I’d like to wish all councillors, council staff and your families a safe and joyful festive season. I hope you take some time out to relax with your loved ones, and come back refreshed to tackle another challenging year ahead for local government.

Warmest wishes
BILL