TheHonJaalaPulford
MinisterforRegionalDevelopment8NicholsonStreet
EastMelbourneVIC3002
DearMinister
Mount Alexander Shire Council Input to the Review of DEDJTR’s Regional Service Delivery Model and Strategic Directions for Regional Policy
Thankyoufortheopportunitytoprovideinputintothisreview.Councilconsidersthisanimportantreviewandispleasedtocontributetotheissuesunderconsideration.
Key Issues
Councilasksthatinundertakingthisreview,thecombinedandcompoundingeffectsoftheFederalgovernment'sdecisiontosuspendtheindexationofFinancialAssistanceGrants,andtheStateGovernment'sproposedLocalGovernmentratecappingpolicybetakenintoaccount.Together,thesepolicieswillgreatlyimpactthebudgetsofruralcouncilsandwillhavesignificantimplications forourcapacitytodeliveressentialservicestoourcommunities.
Inaddition,thereisuncertaintyaroundthecontinuationand/orextentoffutureStatefundingtoassistrurallocalgovernmentsin:
- Maintainingruralroadsnetworks;
- Controllingroadsideweedsandpests;and
- MeetingourobligationsunderthePlanningandEnvironmentAct1987,
includingplanningstrategicallyforthefutureofruralcommunities.
Maintainingatleastcurrentlevelsoffundingtoeachoftheseareaswillbecriticaltokeyaspectsoftheeconomicandjobsprospectsofourcommunities.
You maybe awarethatoverrecentmonths,RuralCouncilsVictoriahas initiated aninvestigation into theSustainabilityofRuralCouncils,basedonaviewthatthereisworkcouncilscandothemselvestostreamline their operations.ItalsorespondstoVAGO's2013findings thatasthemostvulnerable,withsmallratepayerbasesandhighdependencyongovernmentfundingto maintain theiroperations,ruralcouncilsaremoreexposedtothepotentialforhigherfinancialrisksinthe future 1.
VAGO found that eighteen of the most vulnerable (i.e. rural) councils had a combined operating deficit of $34 million, which is a small amount in the context of the State economy, but a very substantial deficit being carried by small and vulnerable councils and their communities.
1VictorianAuditorGeneral’sOffice,OrganisationalSustainabilityofSmallCouncils(Melbourne:VictorianAuditorGeneral'sOffice,2013).
Regional/Rural differentiation
Weaskthatyourexternaladvisoryboardrecognisesthecleardistinctionbetweenthemajoreconomic,socialanddemographicissuesfacingruralcouncilsandthoseofregionalcities.Thatsaid,itisalsohopedthattheimportant,mutualopportunitiesandbenefitsofconstructiverelationshipsandcollaborationsbetweenregionalcities,asthehubsofregionaleconomies,andtheirneighbouringrural(hinterland)councilsaregivendueconsiderationbythe panel,particularlywithregardtoinvestmentdecisionmakingandserviceplanning.
Buildingonexistingresearch
The review occurs in a context of significant existing research and information - work that has been undertaken by local governments and up to Federal levels. This work provides a wealth of information relevant to the issues identified in the terms of reference for the review.
This includes theextensiveregionalstrategyworkthathasbeenundertaken in theLoddonMalleeregionoverrecentperiodsand related planssuchas theLoddonMalleeRegionalStrategicPlanandLoddonMalleeRegionalGrowthPlan.EachPlanhasbeendevelopedwithconsultationfromtheregionandoutlinesthefutureopportunitiesandchallengesforLoddonMallee,identifyingarangeofinitiativesthat require StateGovernmentleadershipandsupport.
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Councilhasdevelopedarangeofplansandstrategiesinordertoplanforfuturechallengesandopportunities.Ofparticularrelevancetothereviewarethe CouncilPlan2013-3017,PublicHealthandWellbeingPlan2013-2017, Economic DevelopmentStrategy2013-2017,GreenhouseAction Plan 2011-2015andWalkingandCyclingStrategy2010-2020.
BenefitsofRegionalDevelopmentFunding
ThefundingCouncilhasreceivedthroughRegionalDevelopmentVictoriaoverrecentyearshasbeencriticaltoourCouncil'sabilityto maintain qualityinfrastructure,promotegrowthandsupportcommunitydevelopment.Ithasenabledustoundertakearangeofprojectsandprogramsthatwewouldnothavehadcapacityforotherwise,andtheflow-onbenefitshavedelivered important economicandsocialoutcomesforourcommunities.
DirectfundingfromRegionalDevelopmentVictoriahascontributed to projects including developmentofourwalkingandcyclingtrails,planningandimplementationprojectstoimprovetheappearanceofoursmalltowns,tourismdevelopmentandarangeoffeasibilityandbusinessplanningprojectstosupportkeycommunityorganisations.
FuturePriorities
ThekeyprioritiesforCouncilarearticulatedinthegoalsoftheCouncilPlan2013-2017:
- Avibrantandhealthycommunity Bettercommunityfacilities
- Athriving localeconomy
- Building sustainablecommunities
RegionalDevelopmentVictoriahasacriticalroleinsupportingCouncilwithitsstrategiesandinitiativesthatwillmakeprogresstowardseachofthesegoals.
Councilhasalsopreparedadocumenttohighlightits specificfuturepriorities-ProjectPriorities2013-2017.ThisdocumentoutlineskeyprojectsthatarecentraltothefuturegrowthandprosperityofourShireandwhichneedapartnershipapproachtobedelivered.Theidentifiedprojectsaddressissuessuchas broadbandaccess,housing,renewableenergy,infrastructurerenewal,educationandbusinessdevelopment.Iinviteyoutocontactmeforfurtherinformationonanyoftheprojectslistedaboveorforanyfurthercommentregardingthecurrentreview.
YoursSincerely
Phil Rowland
Chief Executive Officer
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