Municipal Association of Victoria

Check out our latest President's Update from MAV President Cr Jennifer Anderson, featuring updates on: 🤝 Our Intergovernmental Relations and Advocacy Framework 🏙️ The latest proactive MAV planning submission 👩🚒 An update on State Council, where we are set to discuss the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund among other important policy topics #localgovernment #presidentsupdate

Great news for councils across the country, including here in Victoria 👇

In the first few months of 2025, all eyes have been on the communities that have been inundated with major flood events, in particular ex-tropical Cyclone Alfred, where people rolled up their sleeves, filled sandbags, and checked in on their neighbours before evacuating early.   By now these communities know what’s coming and they act decisively. They show real resilience and preparedness in the face of increasingly frequent and damaging weather events wreaking havoc on their towns, just as we see when major weather events happen in Victoria.   Even in the best prepared communities, infrastructure like roads and bridges that connect these communities remains vulnerable to repeated destruction. As disasters increase in frequency across the nation, what we are seeing is that our essential infrastructure is often far less resilient than the people who rely on it. We need to bring together local insights to help make sustainable infrastructure choices.   Toby Kent from Infrastructure Sustainability Council (ISC) has lent his voice to our Make Good Happen campaign to help the local government sector call for a joined up approach to resilient infrastructure.   #MakeGoodHappen #MakeResilientInfrastructureHappen

Today Prime Minister Albanese called the federal election for May 3. Our ‘Make Good Happen’ election priorities ensure the local government sector is on front foot as the campaign kicks off, advocating to MPs and candidates the important issues within our communities. The campaign pillars: 🏙️ Make Community Infrastructure Happen: Delivering the infrastructure growing communities need to thrive    🚗 Make Safer Roads Happen: Connecting communities and supporting a safer and more productive Victoria    🍃 Make Fairer Energy Happen: Engaging communities in Victoria's energy transition    🌉 Make Resilient Communities Happen: Future-proofing communities to withstand natural disaster    📣 Make Local Democracy Happen: Supporting stronger, safer communities and countering disinformation   This election campaign we’re ready to make good happen! #LocalGovernment #FederalElectionCampaign #MakeGoodHappen Louise Crawford Kelly Grigsby Paul Klisaris Jack Kowarzik Tracey Hargreaves, GAICD Steve Abboushi Maria Dimopoulos Kat Panjari Patrick Fensham

Pre-election budgets are always closely followed and last night’s federal budget, delivered by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, was no exception. For the local government sector, the headlines are that while there is no ‘new’ funding for the local government sector, there is increased total money flowing through both Financial Assistance Grants and the Roads to Recovery programs. Across the country an additional $316 million in direct funding will be coming to councils, through a $144 million increase in Financial Assistance Grants, in line with the legislated indexation formula and a $172 million increase in Roads to Recovery funding, as part of the increase to the program announced in 2023 across the forward estimates. ‘Making safer roads happen’ is a key pillar of the MAV’s federal election, so in addition to the Roads to Recovery funding, we were pleased to see major funding announced for the Western Highway and $1 billion for a further road blitz Victorian roads, plus a national increase in Black Spot Program funding, from $131 million in 2024-25 to $150 million in 2025-26 and in the Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program, from $196 million in 2024-25 to $310 million in 2025-26. Other key pillars of our MAV federal election campaign were addressed including: 🏊♂️ Make community infrastructure happen through the $132 million for preventative health, including support for sporting facilities. 🌉 Make resilient communities happen through the $29 million over two years to improve Australia’s resilience to natural hazards. The national local government peak body, Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) were part of the budget lockdown and have produced this update and media release for your reference - links in the comment section. With the election expected to be called soon, we’ll continue our advocacy through the Make Good Happen federal election campaign. #Budget2025 #LocalGovernment

The housing challenge sits at the top of the national agenda – exactly where it should be as we approach the federal election. 🏘️ 🏡 🏙️ To realise the full benefit of current record-level commitments to housing provision, we also need to broaden the conversation, policy and funding response from building housing to also building connected communities. Community infrastructure – beyond the traditional like libraries and aquatic centres to also include innovative community hubs and multi-generational recreation and community learning facilities – is an essential ingredient for local governments to strengthen social cohesion across our neighbourhoods, suburbs, and towns. In Melton City Council, the fourth fastest growing municipality in Australia, a lack of fit-for-purpose, co-located accommodation has been standing in the way of health and community providers servicing its growing population.   Recent support from both the State and Federal Government is allowing council to build Cobblebank Community Services Hub to deliver a range of important services including education, employment, family violence prevention, health, rehabilitation and refugee provider services.  It's a great example of the spaces councils know our communities need. Our sector stands ready to partner other levels of government to deliver the type and scale of infrastructure we need to build resilient and cohesive communities that can help us turn the tide on the growing rates of social isolation and division. #MakeGoodHappen #MakeCommunityInfrastructureHappen

Great to hear a strong commitment to partnering with the local government sector as a driving theme in the Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos's address to the inaugural Victorian Convention of Councillors yesterday.   The Minister has deep connection and experience with the sector, as a former Councillor.   The Minister spoke of his commitment to work with the Essential Services Commission to review the Ministerial Waste Services guidelines and to consider how a LG Cost Index could better determine the rate cap on councils in the next rate cap review. He also spoke passionately about a fundamental need to increase the number of women in the LG sector and a commitment to support them.   MAV stands ready to partner and work constructively alongside the Minister and all other levels of government to shape the future of our sector to ensure financial sustainability and strong local democracy into the future. #LocalGovernment #Partnership #Collaboration

Still time to register - don't miss out! 💡 🧠 ⚡

Time is running out! If you’re a Local Government planner, team leader, or coordinator, this is your moment to step up, lead with confidence, and navigate reform with clarity. 📌 What’s at stake? ✔ More pressure and complexity in the planning system ✔ Higher expectations from communities and stakeholders ✔ The constant challenge of balancing strategic leadership with daily demands You could keep navigating it all the hard way—or you could join Bold Futures and gain the tools, strategies, and support to lead with greater impact. ✅ Practical leadership skills you can apply immediately ✅ Structured support and accountability to keep you on track ✅ A network of peers across Local Government to learn and grow with ✅ Expert coaching tailored to your goals 📅 Starts 10 April 2025 📍 Mix of in-person and online learning 👥 Only 2 spots per Council—places are filling fast! ⏳ Don’t wait—secure your spot today via the link in the comments. This isn’t just another training course. This is your chance to transform your leadership, strengthen your team, and help shape the future of planning.

📣 Announcing the 2025 Victorian Convention of Councillors Scholarship Recipients! 📣 We are thrilled to welcome an outstanding group of Councillors who have been awarded scholarships to attend the Victorian Convention of Councillors 2025. These Councillors, representing rural and regional communities and emerging local government leaders, will have the opportunity to engage in high-impact professional development, build valuable networks, and contribute to shaping the future of local government. A huge congratulations to our scholarship recipients—we can’t wait to see you there! Cr Jodie Ashworth (MICDA), East Gippsland Shire Council Cr Tim Berenyi, Mansfield Shire Council Cr Michelle Cowan, Deputy Mayor, Wodonga Council Cr Meg Edwards, Bass Coast Shire Council Cr Damien Hurrell, City of Greater Bendigo Cr Justine Hide Grampians Helicopters, Deputy Mayor, Northern Grampians Shire Council Cr Helen Hobbs, West Wimmera Shire Council Cr Kate Kendall, Deputy Mayor, Macedon Ranges Shire Council Cr Brandi Morris, Melton City Council Cr Tony Phelps, Surf Coast Shire Council Cr Peter Tolsher, Deputy Mayor, Towong Shire Council Let’s celebrate and support our Councillors as they continue their journey of leadership and service to their communities! #LocalGovernment #leadership #councillors