Previous news items
Read about the issues that have faced local government in previous years.
Further information
2018
September
August
- Call for political parties to improve assets for the future (20 Aug)
- MAV Opinion Editorial - the bill that you hate to receive (11 Aug)
- Permanent kindergarten funding needed (7 Aug)
- More than just roads, rates & rubbish (3 Aug)
July
- Call for State political parties to improve liveability (31 Jul)
- Time to action wasted landfill levy opportunities (27 Jul)
June
- Equal access to local services needed for all Victorians (27 Jun)
- Parliament urged to oppose reforms that will hurt communities (19 Jun)
- MAV performance highlights 2017-18 (13 Jun)
- Vic Councils website launched (12 Jun)
May
- Councils not banning books or toys (21 May)
- Councils seek action to improve the economy and liveability (17 May)
- MAV appoints experienced leader Kerry Thompson to CEO role (14 May)
- National local government awards celebrate innovation (2 May)
- Big infrastructure budget, but falls short on recycling action (1 May)
April
- Environment Ministers' statement must be backed with investment and action (27 Apr)
- Census sheds light on profile of Victorian local leaders (6 Apr)
March
- Kindergarten funding progress update (29 Mar)
- MAV Technology awards councils for innovation (23 Mar)
- MAV response: Local Government Bill Exposure Draft (21 Mar)
- Finalists announced for MAV Technology Awards for Excellence (15 Mar)
- Statement on City of Melbourne report findings (14 Mar)
February
- Recycling support package welcomed (23 Feb)
- Council Careers Victoria launched (23 Feb)
- Recycling storm to have costs of living impacts (16 Feb)
- Celebrate library lovers' day: A love story like no other (14 Feb)
- 15 hours kindergarten funding secured till 2019 (6 Feb)
January
2017
December
- 2017 Year in Review (21 Dec)
- Heyfield community recognised as Australia’s strongest and most resilient community (13 Dec)
- LinkedIn partnership (11 Dec)
November
- 16 days of activism: Victorian councils initiate collective action against gender-based violence (24 Nov)
- Centralised property valuations to save councils costs (2 Nov)
October
- MAV workers' compensation scheme to commence (27 Oct)
- MAV State Council media alert (PDF - 226KB) (16 Oct)
- It’s time to get to know Greater Geelong candidates (10 Oct)
- Mornington Peninsula Shire enters into Enforceable Undertaking with WorkSafe (3 Oct)
September
- ‘Council Watch’ survey should not overshadow great work of councils (27 Sep)
- Campaign begins for 53 Greater Geelong candidates (27 Sep)
- MAV presents at rate capping inquiry hearing (7 Sep)
August
- MAV disappointed by Central Goldfields council dismissal (23 Aug)
- Learn what it takes to transition from citizen to councillor (22 Aug)
- Council innovation in preventing violence against women (16 Aug)
- Data reinforces councils' call for gambling reforms (4 Aug)
- Twitter lights up with #YourRatesAtWork showcasing diverse council services (1 Aug)
July
- National Local Government Twitter Day (24 Jul)
- Statewide Library Management System (24 Jul)
- Poker machine licence extension (13 Jul)
- Safety around school reviews (13 Jul)
June
- A century of providing children with the best start in life (29 Jun)
- Property valuations update (22 Jun)
- VAGO follow-up report released (22 Jun)
- Local government - Letter to the Editor (15 Jun)
- VAGO to investigate landfill levy (9 Jun)
- Survey shows more investment needed in rural local roads (2 Jun)
May
- National Reconciliation Week: Let's take the next steps (29 May)
- Valuation reforms could lead to job losses and extra costs (22 May)
- State property tax cash grab to leave councils short-changed (19 May)
- MAV Insurance appeal successful (18 May)
- Federal Budget restores vital grants indexation (10 May)
- Funding win for kindergarten, but uncertainty remains (10 May)
- Wasted opportunity on landfill levy spending (4 May)
- Budget supports safer communities, but has disappointments (2 May)
April
- Council CEO salaries - Letter to the Editor (20 Apr)
- Maternal and Child Health funding win (20 Apr)
- Celebrating 100 years of Maternal and Child Health (5 Apr)
March
- Financial Assistance Grants indexation in Parliament (30 Mar)
- Banyule City Council wins innovation award (22 Mar)
- End the freeze - restore indexation (19 Mar)
- Yarra River strategic plan (10 Mar)
- MAV celebrates women in local government (8 Mar)
- All the Little Children (6 Mar)
- Yarra River protection (6 Mar)
- President and Board election results (6 Mar)
- Pets in Crisis program (3 Mar)
February
- Sign the petition to stop kinder funding cuts (17 Feb)
- Kinder campaign (15 Feb)
- MAV President and Board nominations (13 Feb)
January
- MAV Elections and Presidential Candidate Forums (31 Jan)
- Kinder funding campaign (31 Jan)
- 2016 Year in Review (20 Jan)
2016
December
- Rate cap double standard sets councils on path to service cuts (19 Dec)
- Increase in State funds for school crossings welcomed (16 Dec)
- Response to Ombudsman Report - transparency in decision-making (15 Dec)
- Community renewable energy projects submission (12 Dec)
- Rate capping inquiry third report (12 Dec)
- Guides to assist new councillors (6 Dec)
- State funds new end of life project (6 Dec)
- Funding boost to Prevent Violence Against Women (5 Dec)
November
- The Victorian Auditor General has released the 2015-2016 Local Government Audit snapshot (28 Nov)
- Action to end violence against women (25 Nov)
- Unworkable puppy farm laws need to be halted (24 Nov)
- MAV response to deliberative community engagement (21 Nov)
- Know your council demonstrates council transparency (15 Nov)
- New Interim President appointed (11 Nov)
October
- New faces and more women elected (31 Oct)
- 15 hours of kindergarten advocacy (27 Oct)
- Victorian Government response to Intensive Animal Industries Advisory Committee report (13 Oct)
- It's time to get to know candidates (10 Oct)
September
- Council grants support violence prevention (29 Sep)
- New fees deliver greater equity and fairness to planning system (28 Sep)
- MAV submission to Rural and Regional Councils Inquiry (23 Sep)
- MAV submission to Local Government Act Review (23 Sep)
- Record numbers ready to run the election race (21 Sep)
- Don't hesitate, nominate (14 Sep)
August
- Meals on Wheels: delivers more than a plate of food (30 Aug)
- Sorting the facts from Government's political spin (16 Aug)
- Bring back common sense in council code enforcement (16 Aug)
- Be the voice of your community (15 Aug)
- 2016 MAV Technology Awards for Excellence winners (12 Aug)
- Rate capping advocacy (5 Aug)
- MAV submission to Productivity Commission Inquiry into Introducing Competition and Informed Consumer Choice in Human Services (5 Aug)
- Apply now for the 2016 Councillor Service Awards (2 Aug)
July
- Victorian Aboriginal Local Government Action Plan (22 Jul)
- Information is key for council election candidates (18 Jul)
- MAV Local Government Act Review Taskforce update (15 Jul)
- Planning fees review a win for ratepayers (11 Jul)
June
- Rate capping – what the Government didn’t tell you (30 Jun)
- Survey reveals councillor election motivations (28 Jun)
- Preventing Violence Against Women Grants Program (24 Jun)
- Council support for refugees on the rise (22 Jun)
- MAV congratulates Queen's Birthday 2016 Honours List recipients (16 Jun)
- Federal parties called on to fund local communities (14 Jun)
- MAV response to rate capping report (7 Jun)
- MAV joins Recruit Smarter: a better way to do business (7 Jun)
- Interested in joining Casserole Club? (2 Jun)
May
- MAV response to ESC rate cap variation decisions (31 May)
- Independent inquiry into the Environment Protection Authority (27 May)
- Water for Victoria - MAV submission (20 May)
- MAV grants for violence prevention and disability reform (13 May)
- Don't stand back - stand for council (5 May)
- Maternal and Child Health funding win (1 May)
April
- State spends big… but squeeze on councils tightens (27 Apr)
- Stand for Council campaign launch (22 Apr)
- Victorian Floodplain Management Strategy released (21 Apr)
- MAV signs Age-Friendly Declaration (15 Apr)
- Feedback sought on MAV Draft Strategic Work Plan (15 Apr)
- Media attendance at MAV State Council (14 Apr)
- No democratic representation a loss for Geelong community (12 Apr)
- Expressions of Interest sought to participate in Act review taskforces (8 Apr)
- Proposed amendments to Local Government (Electoral) Regulations discussion paper released (8 Apr)
- Corangamite Councillor wins McArthur Fellowship (4 Apr)
March
- MAV submission to Gender Equity Strategy (29 Mar)
- MAV CEO Rob Spence reappointed for final term (24 Mar)
- Water for Victoria draft plan released (18 Mar)
- No Jab No Pay update (18 Mar)
- Maternal and Child Health Data Management System now live (15 Mar)
- Inquiry told cap on rates will hurt those who can least afford it (10 Mar)
February
- Council elections: information sessions (25 Feb)
- Councils look to reverse State cost shifting (15 Feb)
- MAV Local Government Digital Transformation Taskforce appointments (12 Feb)
- Strengthening early years' service partnerships (4 Feb)
January
- 2016 McArthur Local Government Fellowship Award open for applications (28 Jan)
- MAV Local Government Digital Transformation Taskforce (21 Jan)
- 2016 MAV strategic plan consultations (14 Jan)
2015
December
- Rate cap = Short term gain + longer term pain (22 Dec)
- Plan Melbourne refresh submission (22 Dec)
- MAV Audit Committee EOI (18 Dec)
- Shade resources for councils now available (17 Dec)
- Rate capping report released (10 Dec)
- Collaborative emergency management report released (10 Dec)
- Rate capping passed in Victorian Parliament (4 Dec)
November
- Councils say no to violence (24 Nov)
- Sustainability Fund Priority Statement released (12 Nov)
- Defined Benefit Taskforce meeting (5 Nov)
October
- State landfill levies – what a waste! (29 Oct)
- Refugee intake planning (29 Oct)
- 2016 Stand for Council (22 Oct)
- Rate Capping Legislation (22 Oct)
- Alliance for Gambling Reform launched (22 Oct)
- State property taxes rise, dark side of rate capping revealed (20 Oct)
- Planning fees review update (20 Oct)
- MAV response to Early Childhood Consultation Paper (15 Oct)
- Early childhood agreement reaches next step (1 Oct)
- EPA inquiry: draft MAV submission (1 Oct)
September
- Planning fees review welcome (30 Sep)
- MAV welcomes funding for emergency management (23 Sep)
- Home and Community Care (HACC) transition (16 Sep)
- Local Government (General) Regulations exposure draft (10 Sep)
- Consultation begins on Local Government Act review (9 Sep)
- Patchwork formally endorsed by Department of Education and Training (3 Sep)
- Submission to ESC draft Rates Capping and Variation Framework (2 Sep)
August
- MAV Technology Conference award winners 2015 (27 Aug)
- Rate Capping Taskforce update (27 Aug)
- Library review announced (27 Aug)
- Patchwork goes statewide (26 Aug)
- MAV/DET Central Kindergarten Enrolment Project (26 Aug)
- MAV represented on Victorian Planning Settlement Outcomes Committee (26 Aug)
- MAV Victoria Planning Provisions survey and report complete (25 Aug)
- Councils deliver meals and mateship (25 Aug)
- MAV partners with Social Traders to make social impact (21 Aug)
- Gaming machine review needs local input (18 Aug)
- Planned boost to state's rail freight capacity welcomed (17 Aug)
- Review of the Local Government Act (14 Aug)
- Royal Commission into Family Violence (14 Aug)
- Regulation of public lighting charges (14 Aug)
- Review of gaming machine entitlements (13 Aug)
- ESC draft report: Rate Capping & Variation Framework Review (6 Aug)
- Regulation Impact Statement: Child Care Assistance Package (6 Aug)
- MAV response to Parliamentary Inquiry on National Partnership Agreements on Universal Access to Early Childhood Education, and the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health (5 Aug)
July
- Victorian Emergency Management Strategic Action Plan released (30 Jul)
- MAV draft submission for Floodplain Management Strategy (29 Jul)
- The Education State (29 Jul)
- Councils continue to work for gambling reforms (29 Jul)
- Councils work hard to keep rates low (24 Jul)
- Waste claim wrong - Letter to the Herald Sun (23 Jul)
- Managing Residential Character in Rural and Regional Victoria report released (23 Jul)
- Gaming regulation and legislation (22 Jul)
- Victoria’s Creative Industries Strategy (22 Jul)
- MAV Submission to Rate Capping Inquiry (16 Jul)
- Victorian Emergency Management Strategic Action Plan released (16 Jul)
- Building Social Cohesion in our Communities (2 Jul)
- Early payment of 2015-16 Financial Assistance Grants funds (1 Jul)
June
- Vulnerable People in Emergencies policy review (30 Jun)
- Second issuance EOIs for Local Government Funding Vehicle (24 Jun)
- Federal funding boost to help maintain Victoria's local roads (23 Jun)
- MAV welcomes more funding to support kindergarten teachers (22 Jun)
- MAV presents to Senate Select Committee on Wind Turbines (17 Jun)
- Report on paperless council meetings (12 Jun)
- MAV Workcare Self Insurance Scheme (11 Jun)
- VicRoads Review of Roadside Memorials Policy (4 Jun)
- New Fair Go Rates Reference Group (4 Jun)
- Childcare funding in Federal Budget (3 Jun)
May
- MAV nominations to the Building Regulations Advisory Committee (28 May)
- Financial Assistance Grants advocacy campaign (28 May)
- Essential Services Commission rate capping submission (28 May)
- Regular review into the ongoing impact of rate capping welcome (28 May)
- Benefits from Port of Melbourne Lease welcomed (27 May)
- 56 motions adopted at State Council (20 May)
- MAV Technology public wi-fi report (14 May)
- MAV rates survey (14 May)
- Victorian councils lead push for sustainable buildings (14 May)
- Roads to Recovery funding doubled, Financial Assistance Grants indexation remains frozen (13 May)
- Our say on economic development in the regions (8 May)
- Level crossing removals and council consultation (8 May)
- Productivity Commission final report into natural disaster funding arrangements released (7 May)
- Meeting with Minister for Local Government and ESC presentation (7 May)
- Boost for local infrastructure but road funding for councils unsure (5 May)
- Kindergarten funding a win for councils and communities (4 May)
April
- Participate in the Victorian Local Government Aboriginal Employment Framework (30 Apr)
- Disability Parking Permits (29 Apr)
- Funding for roadside weeds and pest management (29 Apr)
- Darebin councillor wins McArthur Fellowship (29 Apr)
- Local Government Emergency Management Handbook updated (28 Apr)
- MAV meeting with Jenny Mikakos, Victorian Minister for Families and Children (22 Apr)
- Rate capping consultation paper released (22 Apr)
- MAV Draft Strategic Work Plan: feedback required (15 Apr)
- MAV wins violence prevention award (9 Apr)
- Improved Liveability for Older People: Best practice guide and video (1 Apr)
March
- Review of planning fees with the minister (30 Mar)
- MAV State Council set for April (26 Mar)
- Enough Pokies Reports released (25 Mar)
- MAV finalist for international PVAW award (18 Mar)
- Councils celebrate diverse cultures (13 Mar)
- MAV President and Board elections result (6 Mar)
- First Finance and Rate Capping Taskforce meeting of 2015 (5 Mar)
February
- Kindergarten central enrolment project update (27 Feb)
- Home and Community Care transition (27 Feb)
- MAV Capital Advocacy Plan - Early years (27 Feb)
- Results for VAGO local government finance audit (26 Feb)
- VAGO Performance Audit Report (26 Feb)
- It's now or never for Victoria's children (20 Feb)
- Reform of the Federation White Paper Roundtable (19 Feb)
- Meeting with Minister for Families and Children and Youth Affairs, Jenny Mikakos (19 Feb)
- MAV Elections 2015 and Presidential Candidate Forums (19 Feb)
- Government response to early childhood education and care reports (12 Feb)
- Fifth Federation Issues Paper released (12 Feb)
- Continued advocacy for 15-hours kinder funding (12 Feb)
- 2013-14 Annual Report (10 Feb)
- Meeting with Minister for Local Government (5 Feb)
- Final call for nominations for MAV Insurance Risk Management Award (5 Feb)
- Commonwealth to consult further on Family Day Care (5 Feb)
January
- Rate Capping update (30 Jan)
- Concerns over Family Day Care changes (29 Jan)
- MAV nominations to Geographic Place Names Advisory Panel (29 Jan)
- Victorian local government enablement platform (28 Jan)
- Supplier for Maternal and Child Health Data Management System appointed (27 Jan)
- New resources on MAV comms hub (16 Jan)
- Carbon tax landfill liabilities (16 Jan)