In each edition we feature the views of a Local Government Association President. The following is from Councillor Geoff Lake, President of the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV).
Local Government is possibly the most complex business in the world. Responsible for providing communities with sound infrastructure, services and a ‘whole of government’ voice, Victorian Councils take care of the needs of their residents which can range in population size from 3,000 to 200,000 people.
On a financial level, managing the community’s purse strings responsibly is high on the priority list for Councils. The constant challenge of delivering top quality services while maintaining manageable rate prices for the community can only be achieved through viability, accountability and transparency in decision making.
Since the final report on the inquiry into cost shifting on to Local Government was tabled in Parliament in 2003, questions around minimum service levels for Councils continues to be debated.
The inquiry clearly acknowledged deficiencies in Local Government’s revenue base against its roles and responsibilities. One recommendation that came from the inquiry was for all three levels of government to work together to develop an intergovernmental agreement on the roles and responsibilities of Local Government. This process has commenced.
Supporting community revitalisation is currently a world wide trend and one that Victoria fully supports.
Community sustainability has become somewhat of a catch cry in government circles. On a Local Government level in Victoria it refers mainly to the roll out of the State Government’s Melbourne 2030 plan — the blueprint for the future of the city.
With an increase of one million people expected to be living in Melbourne by the year 2030, Councils face numerous challenges around planning, transport and additional infrastructure.
Following the sustainability theme is rural sustainability — a crisis facing Local Government and threatening the terminal decline of rural Councils. The population in rural and regional municipalities continues to dwindle and a down turn in the number of jobs available is forcing young people to move to the city.
Attracting and retaining young employees is a major focus for Councils. The MAV has put in place a graduate recruitment program to attract young people in professional areas, such as planning, engineering and environmental health, to employment within councils.
This sector wide approach to graduate recruitment is a valuable opportunity to both market and sustain the sector.
The future of Local Government and its current priorities will be discussed in length during a two day conference to be held on 7–8 June 2005 at the Melbourne Convention Centre. Local, national and international experts on Local Government will present their thoughts and theories and hold discussions about sector wide issues and strategies.
