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Introduction

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) is the peak body for local government in Victoria. A team of specialist staff (including externally funded positions) focus on achieving gains for Victoria’s councils through advocacy, collaboration, policy development and effective governance.

This strategic plan sets out the state of play for Victorian local government in the short, medium and long term. The broad work plan addresses core issues impacting councils in Victoria. Actions are based on their capacity to assist members to effectively and efficiently carry out their operations in the context of persistent economic uncertainty, fiscal constraint and regulatory change.

A smaller number of issues are identified as high priority. These are based on issues consistently identified by members through consultation sessions and assessed as rating highly against the following criteria:

• magnitude of impact the issue is likely to have on councils and their communities

• number of councils affected by the issue

• political ramifications of the issue for effective intergovernmental cooperation

• immediacy of the issue

• likelihood of influencing an outcome in local government’s favour.

Focusing this way will enhance the capacity of the MAV to direct its limited resources towards achieving the best outcomes for Victoria’s councils and their communities.

A critical characteristic of the MAV is its ability to remain flexible and adaptable enough to achieve its set priorities and respond in a timely manner to issues affecting the sector as they arise. Accordingly, the MAV may adjust the allocation of resources throughout the year to incorporate emerging issues.

Emerging issues may be identified either in the context of State Council resolutions or by the MAV as priority issues arise. State Council is our members’ opportunity to raise motions of business for incorporation into the MAV’s work plan. It is the MAV Board’s role, using the same criteria described above, to prioritise emerging matters in the context of the agreed work program with input from members.

From time to time the MAV will form working groups and committees to help guide our actions and provide advice. The MAV calls for nominations, and establishes appropriate governance structures and terms of reference to guide the role of these groups. Responsibility for delivering all strategic plan activities rests with the MAV.

Eight consultation sessions were conducted in seven locations across Victoria to inform the development of this plan. A draft was circulated to members for their feedback ahead of the plan being put

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