Media Releases

The Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell is urging the community to contribute to Tomorrow’s Library, a landmark review of Victorian public libraries, and shape their future.

Submissions to Tomorrow’s Library close on Thursday 31 May and will inform a comprehensive report due to be released later this year.

“This consultation is an opportunity for the community to contribute to the development of a future-focused and forward-thinking plan for Victorian public libraries,” Mrs Powell said.

“Public libraries are vital resources within our community and provide invaluable access to knowledge, the latest information technology and a wide range of community services.

“The Victorian Government is committed to ensuring public libraries remain vibrant, modern and effective resources for all Victorians, in partnership with local government,” Mrs Powell said.

The review is being conducted by the bipartisan Ministerial Advisory Council on Public Libraries (MAC) re-established by Minister Powell. The members of the MAC include:
· Chair, David Morris MP – Member for Mornington and Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government

· Deputy Chair, Joanne Duncan MP – Member for Macedon

· Peter Crisp MP – Member for Mildura

· Cr Rod Fyffe – Municipal Association of Victoria

· Dennis Hovenden – Local Government Professionals

· John Murrell – Public Libraries Victoria Network

· Anne Holmes – Public Libraries Victoria Network

· Sue Hamilton – Chief Executive Officer State Library of Victoria

· John Bennie – City of Greater Dandenong

· Cr Sharon Ellis – Whitehorse City Council 

· Cr Judith O'Farrell – Campaspe Shire Council

· Patti Manolis – Geelong Regional Library Corporation

· Mr Colin Morrison – Department of Planning and Community Development

· Mr Dan Harper – MAC Executive Officer

Chair of the MAC on Public Libraries David Morris said around half of Victorians were library members.

“The role of libraries continues to change and evolve – particularly with the impact of emerging technologies,” Mr Morris said.

“We need to develop relevant and effective strategic directions for Victorian public library services, but first, we need to determine what tomorrow’s library might look like.”

Submissions and community contributions can be made at www.tomorrowslibrary.com.au, www.facebook.com/tomorrowslibrary and www.twitter.com/2morrowslibrary

The Victorian Coalition Government will deliver a significant $7.9 million boost to Victoria’s regional councils over three years to control pest weeds and rabbits on local roadsides.

Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell said the Coalition accepted the recommendation of the Bailey Report on Roadside Weeds and Pests that councils are best placed to control weeds and rabbits on local roadsides.

“The Government will amend legislation to clarify that councils are responsible for controlling roadside weeds and, importantly, that we will assist them to address the challenge,” Mrs Powell said.

“Funding for regional councils to control roadside weeds and rabbits will more than double under the new initiative from around $1 million per year under Labor up to $2.6 million.

“The Coalition Government is committed to helping keep council rates down by sharing the costs of controlling roadside weeds and pests on local roads,” Mrs Powell said.

Agriculture and Food Security Minister Peter Walsh said the Government was putting dollars on the table to achieve outcomes.

“Under the former Labor Government infestations of weeds and rabbits spread along municipal roadside because of a lack of funds and legislative confusion,” Mr Walsh said.

“Labor’s road management legislation turned 150 years of weed control practice on its head by making councils the manager of roadsides but denying them the resources to effectively control pests.

“Department of Primary Industries officers were unable to enforce weed control orders on adjoining landholders or councils resulting in roads becoming a haven for pests to spread onto private farming land,” Mr Walsh said.

Mrs Powell and Mr Walsh thanked the members of the Bailey Working Party for their recommendations, especially noting the contribution of the Municipal Association of Victoria and Victorian Farmers Federation.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell opened the 2012 Australian Local Government Women’s Association conference with a call for action to address the gender imbalance in local government.

“Women outnumber men in Victoria and outnumber men as staff in local government, yet when it comes to leadership positions in local government women are in the minority,” said Mrs Powell.

Less than 30 percent of Victorian councillors are women. In the last local government elections, over a quarter of voter wards and un-subdivided municipalities had no women candidates. Today only 14 of 79
councils have female CEOs.

“The Victorian Coalition Government is taking direct action to expand the pool of intelligent and articulate women candidates,” Mrs Powell said.

The Coalition Government provided $200,000 to fund the Think Women for Local Government 2012 project which is based on the three principles of the Victorian Government Women’s Charter: gender equality, diversity, and women’s active citizenship

“Think Women” forums have been held across the state over the past six months to encourage women to participate and there are more planned.

“It’s through this kind of targeted support and encouragement for women considering candidacy that the imbalance of women at the local government level can really be tackled.

“Women add value to local government, as we do in all aspects of public life, through our broad range of skills, talents and perspectives.

“The World Economic Forum reported in 2010 that improvements in the gender gap were not progressing as quickly in Australia as in other nations.

“Goldman Sachs reported in 2009 that closing the gender gap in employment and increasing leadership positions for women would boost the level of GDP by 11 per cent,” said Mrs Powell.

“I encourage women across the State to actively consider candidacy at the upcoming council elections on the 27 of October this year,” said Mrs Powell.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has released, as promised, a quarterly report from the government-appointed Monitor overseeing the activities and performance of the Ararat Rural City Council.

“I appointed Paul Evans to the role of Monitor in January 2012 and I’m pleased that his report indicates the Council has improved its understanding of and compliance with the Local Government Act,” Mrs Powell
said.

“The residents and ratepayers of Ararat Rural City Council deserve a Council that operates according to law and represents the best interests of the community.

“Last year’s investigation into the Ararat Rural City Council by the Local Government Investigations and Compliance Inspectorate raised significant concerns regarding the operation of the Council.

“Mr Evans, a former Assistant Commissioner of Victoria Police, was appointed to guide the Council in regard to good governance and administration and assess the implementation of the advice provided.

“The quarterly report indicates the monitor has assisted the Council in ensuring its meetings comply with the requirements of the Local Government Act and that the Council better understands conflict of interest
provisions.

“Mr Evans expressed cautious optimism at Council’s improvement but noted some areas of concern remain.

“Councillors, Council officers and the CEO at Ararat Rural City Council have been very supportive of the monitor’s role and I trust this will continue until his task is complete,” Mrs Powell said.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has accepted the recommendations of the final report of the Victorian Electoral Commission (VEC) on its electoral representation review of the Melbourne City Council
(MCC).

As a consequence the Melbourne City Council will have the Lord Mayor, Deputy Lord Mayor and 9 Councillors elected to an unsubdivided municipality at council elections on 27 October this year. This is an increase of two Councillors over the current arrangements.

“I’m satisfied the VEC has complied with public consultation process set out in the Act, has given due consideration to the submissions it received and that its recommendations will provide fair and equitable representation for the MCC,” Mrs Powell said.

The VEC review of the Council’s electoral structure was initiated at the request of the MCC.

“Since the last electoral review of the MCC in 2001 there have been substantial changes to the municipality with the incorporation of Docklands and parts of Kensington increasing the population substantially.

“Electoral representation reviews enable the local community to have input into the structure that best meets the needs of the community.

“Legislation to enable the implementation of the VEC’s recommendations in relation to Melbourne City Council was passed by the Victorian Parliament earlier this year.

“Until now the MCC was the only council not required to undergo regular review by the VEC,” Mrs Powell said.

The Victorian Coalition Government has awarded Greater Shepparton City Council a $250,000 local crime prevention grant, State Member for Shepparton Jeanette Powell announced today.

Mrs Powell said she was pleased the council had received funding under the government program to develop a 23-camera CCTV system for the Shepparton CBD.

“I have been calling for security cameras for many years because of the anti-social behaviour in the CBD and I am delighted that our government has listened.

“The camera system will be used as part of a multifaceted approach to reduce crime and anti-social behaviour and improve community confidence in their safety in Shepparton,” Mrs Powell said.

“Over the years people have complained to me about anti-social behaviour in Shepparton’s CBD, so any steps that can be taken to improve safety are steps in the right direction.”

“The majority of people do the right thing but we want this majority to feel safer by stamping out the poor behaviour of a few.”

Crime Prevention Minister Andrew McIntosh said applications for the crime prevention grants were highly competitive, with more than 100 applicants received from councils across the state.

“Action on community safety and crime prevention is a high priority for the Coalition Government and these grants will help to make communities across Victoria safer,” Mr McIntosh said.

“The use of these security cameras will assist in identifying those who commit crimes or behave in an anti-social manner, and hopefully will act as a deterrent,” Mrs Powell said.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell, representing the Minister for Multicultural Affairs Nicholas Kotsiras, will tonight officially launch the Greater Shepparton City Council’s Cultural Diversity and Inclusion
Strategy.

“I commend the Greater Shepparton City Council on the manner in which it has developed this important strategy for improving service delivery to the regions with many different communities,” Mrs Powell said.

“In particular I congratulate the council on the extensive consultation it has undertaken in the developing this new strategy.

“The council’s consultation with Shepparton’s many diverse communities and the service providers to those communities has been a feature of the development of the strategy.

“Shepparton Council has a proud history of supporting and celebrating cultural diversity and the Cultural Diversity and Inclusion Strategy will further enhance the council’s existing policies.

The 2006 census recorded there were 6,198 people born overseas in the Greater Shepparton Local Government Areas.

“The 2006 census numbers were an increase on the 2001 census figures and I’m confident the 2011 figures will show another increase again,” Mrs Powell said.

“Shepparton’s experience is mirrored throughout Victoria which provides the template for multicultural success in Australia.

“Today more than five million people call Victoria home and almost 45 per cent of us were either born overseas, or have at least one parent born overseas.

“Victorians come from more than 200 countries of origin, speak more than 230 languages and dialects, and follow more than 120 faiths.

“As a migrant myself I understand the importance of the generous welcome Australia offers and the wonderful opportunities our country provides,” Mrs Powell said.

“Greater Shepparton City Council (GSCC) is one of a number of local government areas which will be temporarily exempted from paying landfill levies for wastes generated as a result of the floods,” Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell said today.

Using emergency provisions under the Environment Protection Act, Minister for Environment and Climate Change Ryan Smith has approved a temporary exemption from landfill levy payments by local governments with potential disposal sites in and bordering the affected areas.

“This will provide valuable assistance for those in the Shepparton district affected by the floods and will help families, businesses and GSCC cope with the costs of their clean-up efforts,” Mrs Powell said.

“Obviously many people in the region will have water damaged material which needs to be sent to our local land fill and this decision helps ensure a smoother clean-up for those affected.”

The local government areas where the landfill levy exemption will apply include:
• Greater Shepparton
• Campaspe
• Moira
• Strathbogie
• Wangaratta
• Benalla
• Towong
• Wodonga
• Indigo

“The Coalition Government recognises this is a time of enormous challenge and hardship for the affected regions. By taking these proactive steps in anticipation of future need, we are able to ensure a smoother clean up during this difficult time of flood recovery,” Mr Smith said.

The exemption is limited to flood waste and applies to the ‘levy’ component of the gate price. It is up to individual landfill operators to decide if they want to waive other component fees, such as gate fees.

Local governments that border the worst hit areas and with landfills in close proximity have also been given an exemption to minimise the workload on locals.

Further information is available from Fergal Grahame of EPA North East Region on (03) 5720 1101 or 0427 539 558.

Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell has used her opening address to the annual LGPro conference to outline a series of Victorian Coalition Government initiatives that will assist local government to deliver better outcomes for residents and ratepayers.

The Minister addressed the Building Site Management project, the Local Government Reform Fund and the draft Green Light Plan whilst advocating for greater consultation and cooperation between the two arms of government.

“State and local governments have many inter-related responsibilities and the task of improving the delivery of those services to the community is an ongoing obligation for both arms of government,” Mrs Powell said.

“The Building Site Management project is just one example of the Coalition Government. assisting individual councils to minimise unnecessary regulatory costs in the building industry.

“An audit of local government laws found widespread inconsistency and complexity between councils and differences in compliance and enforcement.

“The fact different councils have different regulations regarding the provision of safety fencing, hours of work, on-site-bins, council asset protection, litter prevention and other matters creates an unnecessary
burden on the building industry and on consumers.

“Local Government Victoria has issued a discussion paper that will inform the process of harmonising the local laws and reducing costs for builders and consumers,” Mrs Powell said.

The Minister also acknowledged the tireless efforts of many of the local government officials present in assisting their communities with the disaster recovery effort.

“I know many people working in the local government put the interests of their community before their personal interests in the aftermath of the devastating bush fires of 2009 and the more recent floods,” Mrs Powell said.

“Local government has an integral role in dealing with the immediate threat of flood and fire and delivering the programs that deal with the long term damage.

“The response to such events highlights the professional capacity of local government and I was pleased to be able to thank the sector for their outstanding efforts,” Mrs Powell said.

Member for Shepparton, Jeanette Powell said safety and amenity at the Fryers St taxi rank will be boosted through a $66,581 State Government grant, announced today by Public Transport Minister, Terry Mulder.

The funding was awarded to Greater Shepparton City Council and will go towards the construction of a new weather-proof shelter at the site with seating, more prominent signage, improved lighting and access to taxis. The rank, situated at the western end of Fryers St near the war memorial, will also be shifted forward to avoid the existing Powercor structures and ensure better visibility from Wyndham St.

Mrs Powell said this is a big win for safer late-night travel in Shepparton.

“This funding will provide a safer environment for passengers waiting for a taxi and for taxi drivers waiting for passengers,” Mrs Powell said.

“CCTV will also be installed to deter anti-social and violent behaviour and ensure that anyone who takes part in such behaviour is held accountable for their actions.

“Fryers St is a very busy rank, particularly on weekends when the hotels and clubs in the city centre close and the improved taxi rank will help late night patrons get to their destinations as quickly and safely as possible.”

Minister Mulder said the Taxi Rank Safety Program (TRSP) is part of the Coalition Government’s commitment building better taxi services for passengers, taxi drivers and the local community.

“Under the program, councils can apply for grants to improve safety through such works as the installation of CCTV systems, upgraded lighting or the provision of shelters and seating,” Minister Mulder said.

“This round an extra $840,000 has been allocated across 13 municipalities.

"So far it has allocated over $1.5 million to councils across the state and is making real improvements to taxi rank safety and amenity all over Victoria,” Minister Mr Mulder said.

The Taxi Rank Safety Program is administered by the Victorian Taxi Directorate.

For more information and a full list of recipients, visit www.taxi.vic.gov.au.