MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2008-09 OUTCOMES OF REGIONAL PLANNING MEETINGS The MAV held 13 regional planning meetings with its member councils in February and March 2008 to identify priority local government issues for inclusion in the MAV Strategic Work Plan. These views were collated and are summarised below, including the frequency with which they were raised. Economics & Finance Financial sustainability * * * * * * * * * * * * * 13 Cost shifting * * * * * * * 7 Capacity to pay Economic development Red tape Unbundling of water Inflation Cost impacts Rating Grants Revaluations * * * * * * * * * * * * 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 Governance & Councillor Development Good governance / councillor conduct VEC Electoral Review Increase skill level of councillors * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 7 5 5 Council elections Election Cost Length of caretaker period Strategic planning MAV State Council Councillor remuneration Certified councillor training Relationship between MAV & LGPro Diversity of councillors Voting inequities MAV members Accountability Training on the Winky Pop court decision * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 3 3 2 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Planning & Building Implementation of rural zones * * * * * * * * 8 State planning for growth Land use * * * * * * * * * 4 2 Sustainable development Local planning Developer contributions Green wedges Subdivisions City entertainment precincts Urban development Establishment of housing in rail corridors Feedlot code Growth areas * * * * * * * * * * * * 2 2 1 1 1 1 1 1 1
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2008-09 Human Services & Public Health Housing affordability Early years Aged care * * * * * * * * * * * 5 3 3 Public library funding Childcare intervention for children’s services Cost of human services Education Homeless * * * * * * * 2 1 1 1 1 1 Infrastructure Infrastructure renewal Freight infrastructure * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 9 8 Roads funding/R2R * * * * * 5 community infrastructure Infrastructure Australia Street lighting VicRoads Natural gas extension Road freight * * * * * * * * 2 2 1 1 1 1 Transport Public transport * * * * 4 Community transport Congestion Passenger rail transport Peak oil Council car fleets Environment * * * * * 1 1 1 1 1 Water Climate change and renewable energy * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * 13 12 Weed management Coastal issues Waste management North-South pipeline * * * * * * * * * * 4 2 2 2 Natural resource management Agriculture Domestic Waste Water Emergency Management & Community Safety * * * 1 1 1 Drought Alcohol related violence Law and order * * * * * * * * * * 4 4 2 Gambling Emergency management Bushfires * * * 1 1 1 4
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2008-09 ACTION ITEMS The MAV’s strategic work plan includes issues of a long-term and focus. Accordingly, many issues identified in previous strategic work remain, while issues that have been resolved in 2007-08 are replaced by new priorities. To clearly document the flow of actions in the strategic plan, the following table illustrates those issues from the Strategic Work Plan 2006-07 will be incorporated in the Work Plan for 2007- 08, the completed issues, and priority issues identified through the regional planning meetings that will be incorporated into the Work Plan. Strategic objectives have been defined for each policy domain following the widespread planning and consultation process undertaken by the MAV. All items in the subsequent action plan for each area have been aligned to the achievement of the relevant objective. As outlined previously, the work plan of the MAV will evolve throughout the year as new issues emerge. The MAV Board of Management and the State Council will guide this evolution. 1. Finance Strategic Objective: To strengthen government funding and finances to ensure long-term sustainability for the sector Complete Ongoing New National Funding  Support the ALGA  Continue to support the  Work with the ALGA and Federal Election campaign for the establishment of a community infrastructure fund  Local Government Association (ALGA) in its campaign for an improved escalator for the Financial Assistance Grants, the establishment of a community infrastructure fund, and a continuation of Roads to Recovery beyond the current tranche of funding Continue to collect and analyse and report to the sector at least annually the financial of Victorian government councils on a position for federal funding of councils with the new Federal Government Government Revenue Raising  Prepare a submission to the Productivity  Seek to identify alternative sources of  Provide advice to councils the Commission (PC) review of local government taxation for local government implications of the PC review and its effect on revenue raising on behalf of the sector  the policy implications of the capacity to pay rates the campaign for better funding support to government research undertaken by the MAV 6
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2008-09 Complete Ongoing New Councillor Remuneration  Develop a sector position for the  Provide ongoing council support to implement councillor remuneration review changed councillor allowance processes following outcomes of the review Councillor Census  Undertake a census of  Conduct a census to at least 90 per cent of Victoria’s councillors to understand the demographic profile of elected officials and appropriately target support for councillors understand the demographic profile of elected officials following the 2008 government elections. Electoral Representation Reviews  the operation of the first iteration of the electoral representation reviews Election reforms  Examine options to  Support councils in reform government elections to reduce the borne by councils  service provider issues and opportunities Complete the electoral services tenders Councillor Development Program  Offer advanced and foundation media  Ensure professional development offering training  the Performance Framework for Councillors as it evolves Provide, upon request, any training program offered by the MAV at the council’s preferred location Prospective and New Councillor Training    an and extended program of training for new and experienced councillors Establish a website providing information to new and prospective councillors Provide information sessions for prospective candidates State Council Voting Entitlements  Consult with individual councils to ensure all issues pertaining to State Council voting are and 9
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2008-09 3. Environment Strategic Objective: To ensure local government has effective practices and processes that protect and enhance the environment Complete Ongoing New Climate Change & Renewable Energy  Complete a study of climate change and  Engage and represent Victorian local develop local government case studies   to in a to achieving emission reductions Undertake the Local Government Environment Survey to identify current strategies, programs and projects, and perceived priorities for future MAV and council activities Advise councils on the likely implications of climate change on their activities Water  Represent the sector’s  Advocate to the perspective on various government committees and consultation processes on stormwater, domestic Commonwealth and State on behalf of local government in relation to issues about water supply  wastewater, floods and drainage and alternative water sources Complete a study on local government  in the EPA review of onsite domestic wastewater management framework. resourcing for domestic waste water to inform pending regulatory review Planning and Environment  Continue to integrate land use planning and  Undertake a scoping project to investigate regional catchment planning options to achieve better environmental outcomes from the planning system Weed Management  Continue to advocate for clarification to the Catchment and Land Protection Act to ensure local government is not with the to roadside weeds 10
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2008-09 Complete Ongoing New Planning Reform  Examine the role and  Lobby to ensure that  Support council input to structure of local planning policy planning fees meet council costs Cutting Red Tape and Making Local Policy  Pursue opportunities to simplify processes for  in the Development  projects Convene the local councils to modify and Assessment Forum government reference tailor ResCode provisions  for ongoing reform, improvement and resourcing of the  group for planning fees review Represent the interest of Victorian Planning System and Planning and Environment Act councils in the planned review of the Planning and Environment Act   Represent the interests of government in any attempt to align state-local planning policy Support the stakeholder, technical reference and local government review groups   councils in developing responses to the consultation on the new Residential Zones drafting process Ensure that ResCode provisions align with new zone objectives and can be readily varied in schedules to zones Developer contributions  Examine options to fund  Explore opportunities to infrastructure development through developer contributions and betterment levy commission research on options to improve funding for and infrastructure services schemes  to improve the processes and increase the limits on developer contributions Sustainability planning  Develop information  Develop a resource for councils government   Advocate for regulatory reform Participate in drafting “Your Development” guide  sustainability website Develop support for a high level working group on environmentally sustainable design (ESD) in the planning and building system  Participate in the VicUrban Sustainability Indicators industry initiative Aboriginal Heritage Act and Regulations Implementation  Monitor impacts associated with introduction of new Act  Contribute to scoping and undertaking of the 12 month review of and associated regulations implementation of Aboriginal Heritage  Support transition,
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2008-09 5. Human Services and Public Health Strategic Objective: To strengthen local government’s ability and capacity to provide for the social wellbeing of communities Complete Ongoing New Housing  Update the MAV  Facilitate mechanisms  Participate in projects publication Housing: Your basic infrastructure – A toolkit for local government housing policies and strategies and opportunities with the Federal and State governments, housing associations and the private sector to assist local government to develop affordable housing through place based planning aimed at planning for household and population growth Early Years  Advocate for affordable,  Extend the use of accessible and quality childcare Municipal Early Years as the basis for     Advocate for funding to support local government kindergarten and childcare services Work with councils to maintain and renew early years strategies Advocate for funding support for integration of children’s services Strengthen partnerships with key stakeholders to   the of the early childhood service system in Victoria Participate in the implementation of the COAG childhood reforms Represent local government in progressing the Blueprint for Childhood Development and School Reform achieve better integration of children’s services at the level.   Work with metropolitan councils to strengthen the effectiveness of their planning and service delivery for families Advocate for capital funding for early years infrastructure, particularly kindergarten infrastructure Maternal and Child Health (MCH)  Review the outcomes of the Memorandum of  Negotiate the signing of an updated MCH MOU Understanding (MOU)between the MAV and Department of Human Services (DHS) for the MCH service, pending the outcomes of the costing study  Advocate for greater State funding support for MCH services 14
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2008-09 Complete Ongoing New Diversity – Multicultural   local government to strengthen and further develop its capacity to address, embrace and engage with cultural diversity. Support councils in promoting cohesive and harmonious communities and good community relations 6. Infrastructure Strategic Objective: To support and enhance local government’s provision, renewal and maintenance of sustainable roads, infrastructure and integrated transport systems Complete Ongoing New Asset Management Capacity Building  Integrate renewal funding gap data with  Apply the Step Program methodology, which financial statements of councils improves council asset management practices,  Document case studies on council efforts in asset management to build the case for additional asset renewal funding support  to the roadway leading up to railway crossings and resolve asset management issues Support councils to developing interface safety agreements with rail operators  Implement the new “Star Rating” Level of Service Framework into council reporting practices of all assets in all asset classes Road Management Act  in the review of the Road Management Act and advocate for outcomes to support local government Sport and community infrastructure  Undertake technical work to develop  Advocate to secure ongoing funding and  Advocate for funding to expand a pilot interface strategies to drought proof sporting grounds and community resource support to assist councils drought proof sports facilities program documenting alternative supply data infrastructure and community infrastructure  Create an Alternative Water Supply Atlas detailing non-potable water access, usage, location and asset management data
MAV STRATEGIC WORK PLAN 2008-09 Complete Ongoing New Congestion Disabled Parking   a local government position on congestion issues Partner the State Government to reform and enhance the Disabled Persons Parking Scheme Freight  Progress statewide  Advocate for investment connectivity improvements for B- double trucks through in the rail freight network and support for a rail freight operator the MAV Truck Impact Working project   Develop a local government position on the improvement of the Victorian freight network Develop a sector-wide position on the future of trucks in Victoria to inform the state’s freight challenges 8. Emergency Management and Community Safety Strategic Objective: To support local government’s community safety and emergency management roles that contributes to the protection of local communities. Complete Ongoing New Emergency Management Pandemic Planning Community Safety Drought      to advocate for a more clearly defined local government role in emergency management, including necessary legislative amendments Advocate for the role of local government in State and Commonwealth plans for influenza pandemic planning Assist councils to undertake their own pandemic planning and preparedness activities Work with the Local Government Drug Issues Forum to facilitate information sharing between councils and to promote successful strategies in managing local drug and alcohol issues Represent the interests of councils and their communities that are affected by drought