STATE COUNCIL
26 May 2011
RESOLUTIONS FROM MEMBERSHIP
CONSTITUTIONAL RECOGNITION
That the MAV requests that a Referendum be held at the next Federal Election to amend the
Australian Constitution to expressly recognise Local Government to:
1. Propose a new power to be added to the constitution to expressly empower the
Australian Government to fund Local Government; and
2. Propose that the existence of Local Government be reflected in the Constitution and
provides for the right of people to democratically elect their Council.
ONE STOP SHOP CUSTOMER SERVICE – INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
That the Municipal Association of Victoria convene a working party comprising of Councillors
and Information Technology Officers to explore the technological opportunities to provide a one
stop shop customer service approach for Local Government Communities
GENERAL VALUATION
That the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council calls on the State Government to
extend the frequency of general valuations from two to three years.
INFRINGEMENTS COURT (PERIN COURT) AND PARKING INFRINGEMENTS
That the MAV calls on the State Government to implement more proactive and effective
measures to collect parking infringement penalties through the Department of Justice including:
1. Undertaking analysis of outstanding infringement notices to identify the major repeat
offenders with substantial liabilities and to then more actively pursue these
infringements.
2. Making the renewal of car registration and drivers licences conditional upon the payment
of outstanding infringements.
LOCAL GOVERNMENT EMPLOYMENT BRANDING STRATEGY CAREERS CAMPAIGN
That the Municipal Association of Victoria, in response to critical sector employment attraction
issues, promotes local government as a high performance employer by re-launching the Local
Government Employment Branding Strategy and the Local Government Careers Campaign.
UNFUNDED SUPERANNUATION LIABILITY
That the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council calls on the Victorian State Government
to remove the requirement for Local Government to have superannuation cash backed given
the inconsistency between the three tiers of government and given that both State and Federal
Governments carry these amounts on their balance sheets as unfunded liabilities.
VISION SUPER PTY LTD
THAT the Municipal Association of Victoria write to the Chairperson of Vision Super Pty Ltd,
Darrell Cochrane, and express the sector’s disappointment at the manner and timing in which
Vision Super Pty Ltd recently placed a call on its member Councils for the unfunded liability of
its defined benefits scheme and ask for an explanation as to why local Councils are expected to
tie up their community’s funds for years, when this same requirement does not exist for State or
Federal governments.
AGED CARE REFORMS
That the Municipal Association of Victoria actively lobby for greater dialogue between the
Australian Government, State Government and Victorian Local Government Authorities in
relation to the proposed reforms in aged care and disability services associated with the
National Health Reforms and Productivity Commission reports into Aged Care and Disability
Services. This will ensure ongoing high quality health outcomes are as a minimum maintained
for ageing residents living in our communities.
CHILD CARE SERVICES
That the MAV write to the Commonwealth Government recommending that:
1. It sponsors a working group of National, State & Local Government representatives
together with key child care sector and other stakeholder representatives to examine the
current and future cost pressures on child care services and their impact on child care
affordability.
2. Implement relevant funding and policy changes that address key issues identified by the
working group.
SCHOOL CROSSING SUPERVISION
That the MAV on behalf of all Councils, lobby the Minister of Public Transport and Roads
seeking a review of funding for School Crossing supervision.
SUPPORTED PLAYGROUPS
That both the Commonwealth and State Governments recognise and adequately fund
Supported Playgroups as a viable and effective early intervention strategy for all communities
to support and sustain engagement of children and families who may be experiencing
vulnerability and are at risk of being marginalised or missing out on the early years service
system.
TOBACCO REGULATION
That the MAV:
1. Write to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Federal and State Members of Parliament
supporting the introduction of the Tobacco Plain Packaging Bill 2011;
2. Advocate for the development of a Victorian Outdoor Smoking Framework that can be
used as the platform to ensure that the State Government develop new laws governing
smoke-free zones in designated outdoor areas.
PRIMARY HEALTH CARE REFORMS (MEDICARE LOCALS)
That the MAV actively lobby the Australian Government for greater dialogue directly with
Victorian Local Governments in relation to the development of Medicare Locals, part of the
primary health care reforms.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING
That the MAV advocates to the State and Commonwealth Governments for an injection of
capital funding to the community housing sector for new projects.
MULTICULTURAL CENTRE
That the MAV strongly urge the State Government to commit financially to the development of
Multicultural Community Centres to support diverse, active and vibrant multicultural
communities of Victoria.
SUPPORTING AND STRENGTHENING PLANNING IN VICTORIA
That the MAV seek support from the State Government to ensure that:
· Local Government and community efforts to undertake the development of effective and
high quality community plans are supported by involvement and participation by State
Departments and relevant agencies as stakeholders in the planning process; and
·
An ongoing commitment is made to providing support to communities and Local
Government in respect to the implementation of priority initiatives and projects identified
in community plans.
FLOOD MITIGATION – MELBOURNE WATER AND COUNCIL DRAINAGE SYSTEM
That the MAV calls on the State Government to :
1. Increase the investment in flood mitigation works in order to reduce the extreme or
intolerable risk of flooding of housing and businesses; and
2. Provide funding to councils to upgrade council drainage systems in flood prone areas
VEGETATION PROTECTION
That the MAV advocate to the State Government for
i)
ii)
ResCode’s current requirement for consideration of vegetation which may have been
on a site in the period up to twelve months prior to the lodgement of a planning
application to be extended to three years, and
Substantially increased penalties for unauthorized removal of large canopy and/or
significant trees under the Planning and Environment Act and Local Government Act.
BUILDING REGULATIONS
That the MAV calls on the State Government to amend the building regulations to introduce for
single dwellings new standards which will prevent boundary to boundary construction in streets
where the dominant character includes side boundary setbacks for separating dwellings.
INCLUSIONARY ZONING
That the State Government in partnership with local government develop a whole of government
response to affordable housing in Victoria, including the introduction of planning mechanisms to
enable Councils to require a contribution towards affordable housing from private developments
(such as Inclusionary Zoning).
REVIEW OF DEVELOPER CONTRIBUTION REQUIREMENTS TO PROVIDE CERTATINTY
FOR THE DEVELOPMENT INDUSTRY AND GOVERNMENT
The State Government is requested to undertake a complete review of developer contribution
planning as it applies in Victoria
TREE CLEARING
THAT the Municipal Association of Victoria write to the Victorian Minister for Energy and
Resources, Hon Michael O’Brien MP, seeking a review of the Code Of Practice for Electric Line
Clearance, with a view to establishing a Code that more appropriately reflect the risks
associated with trees around powerlines in metropolitan, regional and rural locations and
establishes a funding mechanism that does not unreasonably burden local communities.
VIC ROADS – ROAD RESERVE MAINTENANCE
That the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council calls on VIC Roads to review current
funding allocated for the maintenance of arterial roads and associated infrastructure, roadsides
and, central medians and if necessary advocate for increased levels of funding.
SUSTAINABLE TRANSPORT
That the MAV seeks a commitment from State Government to jointly fund cycling and walking
infrastructure and behavioural change at the local level to encourage cycling and walking.
Further that the MAV develop a sustainable transport plan to set priorities and funding
opportunities.
ENVIRONMENT AND CLIMATE CHANGE
That the MAV advocate for further opportunities for State-Local Government collaboration on
environmental and climate change initiatives.
TAKING ACTION ON CLIMATE CHANGE
That the MAV call upon the Victorian Government to commit to ongoing funding for the Climate
Communities initiative.
GREENHOUSE GAS EMMISIONS
That the MAV calls on the Victorian Government to demonstrate how it intends to reach the
Greenhouse Gas Reduction Target of 20% by 2020.
CARBON PRICING
That the MAV advocate that any carbon price set up by the Federal government provides
compensation or exemption to local government as a major service delivery organisation to the
community.
PACKAGING/CONTAINER RECOVERY SCHEME
That the MAV support the introduction of a broad based packaging/container recovery scheme
supported by legislation; integrating initiatives such as Container Deposit Legislation.
ROADSIDE CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT PLANS
That the MAV as a matter of urgency take strong action to facilitate the development of Local
Law templates and content to support Councils in addressing consent mechanisms associated
with activities governed by Roadside Conservation Management Plans.
STAGING LANDFILL REHABILITATION
That the MAV on behalf of all Councils lobby the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
to direct the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) to consider staging landfill rehabilitation
works and costs to ensure that Council‘s capital works budget can continue to provide for other
Council renewal works.
MAV – ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEES
That the MAV re-constitute its environment committee (to include a focus on greenhouse gas
mitigation) and convene a working group on climate change adaptation as a priority.
UPDATE TO EPA REGULATIONS
That the Municipal Association of Victoria lobby the Minister for Environment & Climate Change
to have EPA Victoria review its noise regulations, specifically State Environmental Protection
Policy (Control of Music Noise from Public Premises) No N-2, to include a restriction on Bass
levels, similar to those that exist in NSW.
MELBOURNE METROPOLITAN PARKS CHARGE
That the Municipal Association of Victoria write to the Victorian Minister for Environment and
Climate Change, Hon Ryan Smith MP, seeking a review of the Melbourne Metropolitan Parks
Charge with a view to improving the way it is calculated, including the criteria for allocating
expenditure and considering the introduction of a concessional rate.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT RESPONSIBILITIES
That the MAV advocate for appropriate funding to enable local government to implement the
increased emergency management responsibilities. In particular, funding for a dedicated
emergency management and recovery officer position for all municipalities and reimbursement
of all expenses incurred in emergency events and provision of grants to establish dedicated
emergency relief centres.
EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT
That the MAV seek the commitment of the incumbent State Government to the Bushfire
Commission Recommendation Implementation Plan as a minimum, including the detailed
provision of funding for local government; Further that the MAV strongly advocate for the
Department of Human Services to retain and undertake the central coordination role for
maintaining and identifying vulnerable persons’ lists and not further delegate responsibility to
Local Government.
FIRE SERVICES LEVY
That the MAV make representations to the Minister for Police and Emergency Services,
supporting in principle the State replacing the current Fire Services Levy and replacing it with a
property based levy with low income earner concessions. Council strongly believes that the
State Revenue Officer should be collector of such a new levy on cost efficiency grounds.
However if Councils are to collect the fire levy on behalf of the State Government, then councils
must receive a percentage to offset additional expenses that will be incurred in billing,
administration and collection of the levy.
POLICE NUMBERS IN PRIORITY AREAS
That the MAV advocate to the State Government for an increase in police numbers in priority
areas with identifiable criminal activity.
COUNCILLOR CONDUCT PANELS
That the Minister for Local Government undertake detailed consultation with the local
government sector on the legislative provisions governing and the operations of Councillor
Conduct Panels.
ESTABLISH THE MINIMUM NUMBER OF COUNCILLORS IN EACH COUNCIL ACROSS
ALL LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREAS IN THE STATE OF VICTORIA AT SEVEN (7)
The Borough of Queenscliffe requests the MAV to make representation to both the Minister for
Local Government and the Victorian Electoral Commission for the establishment of a minimum
number of Councillors in each Council across the State of Victoria and that number be set at
seven (7). The MAV be further requested to advocate that this minimum number be introduced
prior to the 2012 Local Government Election.
TAX DEDUCTIBILITY – ELECTION EXPENSES
That the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council further writes to the Australian Tax
Office seeking an urgent review of the current ceiling of $1000 for election expenses that can be
claimed by candidates for council election.
AUSTRALIAN ELECTORAL COMMISSION REVIEW OF FEDERAL ELECTORAL
BOUNDARIES
That the MAV advocate on behalf of Local Government to ensure that municipalities have a
formal role in any Australian Electoral Commission review of Federal electoral boundaries, and
to this end, seek to ensure that municipalities directly impacted by a proposal receive direct
notification and have opportunity to participate in the process.
PENSIONER RATES REBATES
That the MAV calls on the State Government to significantly increase in the base dollar amount
of the municipal rates concession for pensioners.
LIBRARY SERVICES FUNDING
That the MAV advocate to the State Government to commit to the long term funding of Library
Services to redress the disparity between State and Local Government contributions to Library
Service provision, and calls on the State Government to:
1. Increase the total quantum of recurrent funding provided to local governments for the
operation of public libraries to $11.40 per capita.
2. Annually index this amount to ensure that it increases with population and the wage cost
index.
3. Provide ongoing funding on top of the recurrent grant for currently funded state wide
initiatives such as wifi for all public libraries.
4. Provide a new triennium of funding rounds for the Living Libraries library infrastructure
grants program with the cap increased to at least $2,000,000.
5. Provide annual funding to support public libraries' role in supporting the Premiers'
Reading Challenge.
EARLY YEARS REFORM
The Municipal Association of Victoria strengthens its advocacy role to date to State and Federal
Governments regarding implementation of the COAG Early Years Reform Agenda. As a matter
of urgency – the Commonwealth Government must recognise that the reforms should be
implemented in collaboration with Victorian Local Government and there should be:
·
·
·
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Recognition that Victorian Local Government’s Early Childhood Education and Care
system is comprehensive and integrated and requires structural reform to implement
COAG reforms with improved coordination and resourcing across all tiers of
government;
A clear commitment by State and Commonwealth Governments to provision of the
resources required to successfully implement the reforms in a way that ensures
affordability and accessibility for all families and does not shift the costs to local
government. This includes substantial State/Commonwealth investment in
infrastructure, workforce, change management and other associated implementation