BULLETIN

• Puppy farms: The Parliamentary Inquiry examining proposed new laws for puppy farms this week released its report recommending the current Bill be withdrawn and stakeholders - including councils - be consulted on the drafting of a new Bill. There were dissenting reports from the Greens and Labor members of the Committee. We are pleased the concerns of the MAV and councils were heard and welcome the Government’s commitment to undertake consultation in the new year. We are committed to working in partnership with the State to shut down cruel breeders and breeding practices, and improve animal welfare outcomes.

• Climate policy review: Terms of reference have been released by the Australian Government for a review of its climate change policies. The review will be led by the Department of Environment and Energy, with a discussion paper to be released in early 2017 seeking public submissions. The review aims to ensure Commonwealth actions remain effective in achieving Australia’s 2030 target of reducing emissions to 26-28 per cent below 2005 levels and other Paris Agreement commitments.

• Mayors Program: More than 40 mayors and deputy mayors from across the state attended the MAV’s Mayoral Program last week. The level of engagement exceeded expectations and participants described the day as rich and rewarding.

   
  Cr Coral Ross, MAV Interim President is pictured with (L to R): Cr Jodie Owen, Cardinia Shire deputy mayor; Cr Bernadine Voss, City of Port Phillip mayor; Cr Graeme Massey, Yarriambiack Shire mayor; and Cr Joe Gauci, Baw Baw Shire mayor.

   

Infrastructure Victoria has today released its 30-year infrastructure strategy.

The MAV has provided submissions to all three consultation periods on behalf of our members to contribute to the development of this strategy.

In line with the Infrastructure Victoria Act 2015, the Victorian Government will have up to 12 months to respond to the 137 recommendations and create its own five-year plan. Infrastructure Victoria will then on report on the State’s progress annually in fulfilling its plan.

Further analysis of the strategy and implications for local government will be provided in next week’s bulletin.

The third report of the Victorian Parliament Environment and Planning Committee’s ongoing inquiry into rate capping has been released.

The MAV welcomes the report’s two main recommendations – that the Government’s review of their Fair Go Rates System be independent, public and transparent; and that the variation process is streamlined to reduce costs to councils and communities.

The report also echoes concerns raised in MAV submissions and highlighted in the recent Auditor General Local Government 2015-16 Audit Snapshot about the adverse impacts of rate capping on small rural shires. In particular, the longer term financial sustainability risks facing smaller councils with limited revenue options and the potential reduction in capital maintenance and renewal spending.

The Victorian Government has released a consultation paper to review the current protection measures around electronic gaming machines to ensure they are effective and appropriate.

The MAV will develop a submission and is calling for member feedback. The paper relates to harm minimisation issues including regional and municipal limits on gaming machine numbers.

Please email feedback to Jan Black by 10 January to meet the Government’s 16 January 2017 deadline for submissions.

Thank you to those councils who provided input for the MAV submission (PDF) to the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning Community renewable energy projects PiLoR and planning issues discussion paper.

The discussion paper focused on three key issues: the definition of community renewable energy projects; the possibility of an alternative payment-in-lieu-of-rates (PiLoR) methodology for community renewable energy projects; and planning arrangements for community wind farms.

It is disappointing that consultation regarding issues of direct relevance and importance to local government was released so close to the local government election period. The MAV and councils support a transition away from non-renewable energy sources. It is our hope and expectation that the State will engage constructively with local government to ensure a smooth transition.

• VicHealth Awards announced: Three Victorian councils featured among winning project teams for the 2016 awards showcasing local government’s ongoing efforts to promote good health and wellbeing within their communities. Congratulations to the City of Greater Bendigo (Promoting Healthy Eating Award) for the collaborative Creating Healthy Supermarkets project; City of Port Phillip (Improving Mental Wellbeing Award) for their partnership Reach Out for Respect - Gender Equity Primary School Program; and Mornington Peninsula Shire (Preventing Tobacco Use Award) who was part of the team involved in the Mornington Peninsula Junior Football League going smoke-free initiative.

• Youth Crime Prevention grants open: Applications are open for the $2 million competitive stream of the Victorian Government’s new Youth Crime Prevention Grants program. Funding of up to $200,000 is available for community-led initiatives that address offending behaviour and recidivism by young people aged 10–24 years who have had contact with, or are at risk of involvement with, the criminal justice system. Not-for-profit groups and councils are eligible to apply, and applications close at 4pm on 3 March 2017.

• New Energy Jobs Fund open: Councils and not-for-profit organisations are invited to apply for round two funding from the New Energy Jobs Fund. A total of $6 million is available in this round, and applications must be received by 1 March 2017. Grants of between $20,000 and $1 million are available for projects that increase the uptake of renewable energy generation, with two separate streams for new energy technology community and industry applications.