Melton and Moorabool councils have welcomed coming state legislation aimed at improving the performance and accountability of councillors across the state.
Local Government Minister Melissa Horne announced legislation to be introduced early next year that will include mandatory training for elected representatives, a uniform councillor code of conduct and strengthened powers for the minister to address councillor conduct.
“Victorians rightly have high expectations of their local councillors and these changes will ensure residents can have confidence their best interests are being served,” she said.
Reforms will give the minister the ability to suspend or disqualify individual councillors found to have created a risk to health and safety or prevented the council from performing its function. The chief municipal inspector will also have enhanced powers, including the ability to issue infringement notices.
Almost 30 councillors have resigned across the state since January, while municipal monitors have been appointed as an urgent intervention to protect local communities eight times in 18 months.
The amendments to the Local Government Act 2020 will address recommendations made by integrity bodies such as the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission (IBAC) and the Chief Municipal Inspector.
Moorabool mayor Ally Munari said council understands why the state government has introduced changes.
“Hopefully we’ll see good results relating to this once the legislation is implemented,” she said.
Melton mayor Kathy Majdlik said council looks forward to seeing the proposed legislation when it is introduced.
