The Andrews Labor Government is working with councils on the introduction of targets for the delivery of key services such as road maintenance and the processing of planning applications.
Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek said improving the targets reported on through the Australian first, Know Your Council website would deliver better transparency and accountability across the state’s 79 local governments.
The Know Your Council website provides information on a broad range of performance data on Victoria’s Local Government Authorities dating back to 2015 – including planning permits, financial performance, roads, governance and waste collection.
This reporting boosts accountability by giving residents and businesses the opportunity to compare and contrast the performance of similar councils across a range of services and other measures across the state.
The release of the Local Government Performance Reporting Framework Strategic Directions Paper 2018-21 seeks views on a three-year plan for improving the way Victoria’s councils report their performance.
The most significant of the reforms is the setting of performance targets. This will strengthen council decision-making and transparency and drive continual improvement in council performance. It will also enable councils to benchmark their performance against similar councils.
The strategy also features improved integration and streamlined administration to reduce the reporting burden on councils.
These reforms will be developed in consultation with the local government sector and delivered in stages over the next three years.
For detailed information on your council and to access the Strategic Directions Paper 2018-21, visit the Know Your Council website at knowyourcouncil.vic.gov.au.
As stated by Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek
“We’re looking at a series of improvements to the way councils track their performance to ensure they are serving their communities in the best way.”
“The Know Your Council website gives ratepayers better insight into what their council is doing and how it’s working.”
