Council works closely with the Victorian local government peak body, the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV), to address issues that affect all Victorian councils and bring shared benefits to our communities.
Yarra’s Deputy Mayor, Dr Cr Sharon Harrison attended the MAV State Council on 23 October to set the MAV’s future policy agenda.
A notice of motion from Yarra was passed with overwhelming support from other councils. It calls on the Victorian Government to ensure that Councils can provide the open space that all communities need – by fixing the loophole that exempts build-to-rent developments from making public open space contributions. Open space contributions from developers enable Councils to purchase new land for parks, playgrounds, and sports reserves. This is incredibly important as more multi-unit apartments are built in our City and our population grows.
Council also joined with partners across the state to call for stronger action from the Victorian Government on illegal dumping and implementation of waste to energy initiatives. Flood planning, climate adaption and emergency management were also in the mix, as well as improving protections for council assets affected by utility and third-party works.
Councils are asking the Victorian Government to strengthen community safety, visible policing and crime prevention, and empower councils to deliver youth belonging and resilience initiatives. Councils are also asking the Victorian Government to fund fairly the important community services delivered by Councils, including maternal and child health and immunisation.
In its October State of the Sector report, MAV emphasised that ” As a sector, local government reaffirms our collective commitment to protecting democratic values, fostering respectful and inclusive communities, and strengthening the trust that underpins our democratic institutions.”
Yarra’s Deputy Mayor, Dr Cr Sharon Harrison, said “Local government is the closest level of government to our communities, which means we have a responsibility to advocate for what they need”.
“One of the most effective ways we can do that is by joining our voices with other councils through our peak bodies like the MAV, to amplify these issues to those who have the power to make real change,” she said.
You can learn more about the outcomes from the MAV State Council on its website: State Council | MAV website
