Each edition we feature the views of a State Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Brad Matheson, President Municipal Association of Victoria.
The trend towards ‘regionalisation’ of many State and Commonwealth Government departments and functions has considerable implications for Local Governments across Victoria – not only in terms of service delivery, but funding.
It is becoming increasingly important, therefore, for Councils to ensure they have effective relationships with these new regionally based entities and that Councils in each region work cooperatively to ensure the best outcomes for residents of those regions.
In 1997, the MAV produced a document Remaking Regional Arrangements in Victoria. This paper provides a framework for achieving higher quality intergovernmental relations, more efficient and effective service provision and more integrated regional planning. For the model to be successful though, there needs to be strong commitment and leadership from all parties.
Some would argue that historically at least, State and Commonwealth agencies have been lacking in this support for regional interagency relations, instead preferring to operate as bureaucratic overlords. Latterly, however, we are witnessing some subtle changes.
Certainly, in discussions with the MAV, Youth and Community Services Minister, Dennis Napthine, has indicated a willingness to work through a number of Local Government concerns with his department’s new strategic directions.
Negotiations are also proceeding with Human Services officials over primary care and aged reform. While these discussions are currently occurring at ministerial and departmental level, there appears a willingness to pursue a partnership approach through to the regions.
It is up to Councils therefore, to seize this initiative and to ensure regional groupings are in place to respond to developments and to manage the change. Whatever the format or structure, it is vital that Local Government takes a leadership role in driving the regional agenda, in partnership with other sectors.
Already we are seeing a number of regional groupings of Victorian Councils eager to address common concerns and pursue common goals and objectives. The MAV views its role to facilitate and assist these groupings as being integral to their success.
If Local Government has learnt anything in recent times, it is that we need to work cooperatively and we need clear, unified goals if we are to achieve success for our communities. The challenge ahead is to apply this ethic to a regional level – and to ensure the State and Commonwealth have the same objective.
