“Moreland Council is the government of Moreland and provides dynamic leadership for the diverse Moreland community,” says the current Mayor, Councillor Anthony Helou. Councillors elected in 1996 came to office with a formidable policy platform that had been developed and debated in the community over the 12 months prior to the election. The platform, called Bringing Moreland Together, was endorsed as official policy through the Mayor’s Speech given at new Council’s first ceremonial meeting.
According to the City’s first Mayor, Mike Hill, the newly elected Councillors were determined to take control of the Council’s agenda.
“We deliberately used the Speech to provide a clear direction and vision for officers and the Moreland community. It demonstrated the advocacy and leadership role we have for this community.”
Council’s Chief Executive Officer, Peter Johnstone, who has experience as a senior public servant at both Federal and State Government level, said that he fully supported this approach.
“The process adopted by Council at the beginning of this term has led to a genuine partnership approach to governance between Councillors and officers.
“Together we have developed a good understanding of the accountabilities and responsibilities we have to the Moreland community.”
Councillor Hill said that the Speech was really important given the weakened position of local governments in Victoria after the restructuring process.
“The Council set out a comprehensive policy framework for all the key service delivery and structural issues facing the new Government of Moreland,” he said.
The Speech stressed the need for local governments to take a leadership role in non traditional areas such as energy conservation, social housing, education and business development. Councillors highlighted the need for the new Government to knit together an ethnically diverse and geographically dispersed community.
“Our goal has been to develop a sense of belonging and community for all residents,” says Councillor Helou. “In that first speech we announced a range of social justice programs and measures to improve the environmental quality of life in Moreland. We have built on that platform and we have developed new policies for greening Moreland, encouraging multiculturalism and urban renewal,” he says.
Councillors not only represent their own ward but have specific portfolio and special project responsibilities.
There are five Portfolio Councillors who work closely with the five respective Departmental Directors to develop policy and monitor the implementation of Council’s programs.
