MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2007-08 Complete Ongoing New Productivity Commission Review Review of Local Road Grants Water Rights New Reform Agenda Fire Services Levy Revaluations            a submission to the PC review of government revenue raising on behalf of the sector Investigate alternative sources of taxation Advocate the interests of Victorian councils in the review of the interstate distribution of local roads grants Complete the project with councils and the DSE on water unbundling Advocate on behalf of councils for a commitment that supports affected communities Work with the ALGA to access payments for reforms under the New Reform Agenda Work with the State Government to identify red tape reduction opportunities Advocate for a reduction of red tape imposed on local government Continue to advocate against the significant escalation of the FSL Communications campaign on revaluations Advocate for three year valuation cycle Capacity to pay rates  Research the capacity of  Produce a report the community to pay rates examining the policy implications of the capacity to pay rates research National Competition Policy Land Tax   Advocate for a replacement tranche of funding for NCP payments Advocate for land tax reform for SME Cost shifting Intergovernmental Relations   on incidence of cost shifting Advocate for a clearer allocation of responsibilities between the spheres of government 6
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2007-08 Complete Ongoing New Local government efficiency   a project to examine factors affecting cost escalation in local government Examine priority areas for improving local government efficiency Rate rebate for EC Declared Councils Superannuation payback   Advocate on behalf of councils in the reimbursement of the rate rebate Investigate the feasibility of returning excess from the defined benefits fund Pipeline rating  the feasibility of undertaking an advocacy campaign on pipeline rating State funding - local  Advocate for state funding for local roads 2. Governance and Councillor Development Strategic Objective: To strengthen the skills, knowledge and capacity of local government’s elected representatives and workforce Complete Ongoing New Councillor conduct  Work with councils to  Advocate for the identify models to resolve governance breakdowns in councils adoption of the preferred model to resolve governance breakdowns in councils Legislative amendments Good Governance   an and proactive approach to dealing with the implementation of legislative change affecting local government Assist councils to identify strategies to encourage and support good governance with internal and external polices, programs and seminars Councillor Development Program  Complete Councillor Competency Framework  Ensure professional development offering research complements the  Review and councillor development programs to the findings Integrated Performance Framework for Councillors as it evolves of the Councillor
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2007-08 3. Planning and Building Strategic Objective: To support and strengthen local government to fulfil its planning functions and to improve the planning system, processes and practices, for improved natural and built-form outcomes in Victoria. Complete Ongoing New Rural Zones and Regional Planning  Conduct a forum on planning and  Develop and implement projects to improve the  Progress findings of the Rural Zones planning management of rural land and regional growth (planned for June) capacity of councils to the new format Rural Zones and support the planning and management of land projects, particularly relating to priority issues facing councils Melbourne 2030  Progress green wedge  Continue to convene  Explore housing issues survey outcomes through DSE and wedge management and support the Melbourne 2030 government reference focussing on accessibility, housing diversity and affordability  planning Identify priorities for  group Conduct issue specific  Advocate for planning processes and controls councils in the implementation of Melbourne 2030 in the forums on place-making and integrated transport planning to improve integrated transport outcomes for urban areas lead up to November election and the DSE implementation review  Advocate for increased support from the State Government in  Utilise Melbourne 2030 review to explore sub- regional economic, retail developing infrastructure to support Melbourne 2030 and employment functions  Understand council concerns about Melbourne 2030 and make representations to the State about these concerns Carbines Review and the Streamlining of Planning  representatives on the Carbines Review committee   in the Development Assessment Advocate for ongoing reform, improvement   Examine role and structure of local planning policy Represent the interests of local government in and resourcing of the Victorian Planning System and Planning and Environment Act any attempt to align state-local planning policy Growth area  Convene the six  Advocate local councils affected by the growth area implementation  in the phase through the Growth Area Establishment Taskforce and the Growth Area Authority Ensure that GAA work informs and adds value to directly affected councils as well as sector knowledge
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2007-08 Complete Ongoing New Drought  Establish a drought  Continue to represent taskforce the interests of councils and their communities that are affected by drought Police numbers  Examine the of police numbers through the Victorian Safe Communities Network 9. Community Development Strategic Objective: To strengthen connections and engagement between councils and communities Complete Ongoing New Lighthouse Project (Community planning and well-being project)   planning initiatives through the Lighthouse program Continue to advocate for greater alignment between State and MAV community planning activities Voluntary Community Participation      Undertake a research the role of in and in a context Support councils to address volunteering as a core component of community strengthening work Develop resources with councils to identify and adopt best practice in community volunteering Develop and promote partnerships and cross sector engagement and networking Provide ongoing support in the implementation of the Volunteer Support Grants 17
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2007-08 Complete Ongoing New Planning Bank  Establish and run a  Continue to operate the planning bank to increase the supply of statutory and strategic planners for rural and regional councils planning bank Rotate staff through and regional areas 11. Collaboration and Capacity Building  the and council appetite of rotating staff through urban and regional areas Strategic Objective: To advance innovation and reform of business practices through local government collaboration and utilisation of economies of Complete Ongoing New Collaborative Services  Develop cost effective  Identify legislative and shared operation models for library management systems through the Swift project non-legislative constraints which may impeded adoption of identified service  Undertake research examining alternative models to delivery collaborative services delivery models Future of Local Government  Develop a report to State Council following  Draft the three frameworks on local  Produce a document specifying the core role Large and small councils working together consultation with councils on the proposed future vision for the sector  government accountability, performance and regional cooperation Seek the involvement of other state associations in the process  of government in Victoria Investigate the appetite for small and large councils to work in strategic partnerships 19
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2007-08 12. Other Issues Complete Ongoing New of local government    a for strategic advice on the image of government Develop a strategy to guide MAV action on boosting the image of local government Disseminate a discussion paper on the image of local government for formal consultation in May 2007 Freshen up communication with members  Undertake a communications review with members  Implement phase two of the website redesign, including the  Develop and commence implementation of a marketing and  Undertake a website review establishment of a members only section communication plan on how the MAV communicates with members Rate increases  on rate increases and position rate increases in the context of long-term financial sustainability challenges Alternative communication mechanisms  Explore alternative forms of communication with members, such as web casting meetings Establish a PR Unit at MAV  In since the communications review undertaken in 2001 Federal election campaign  Develop an MAV strategy for the federal election campaign Human Rights charter  Advocate for local government training in the implementation of the Human Rights charter by DVC and DOJ 20