Municipal monitors appointed

By Shepparton News

Sep 8, 2024

A municipal monitor will be appointed to oversee Strathbogie Shire Council. Photo by Contributed

A nearby shire is one of three Victorian councils which will have municipal monitors installed in the coming weeks.

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Municipal monitors will be appointed to Casey City, Whittlesea City and Strathbogie Shire councils to guide newly elected councillors in their first year of representation following the local government elections in October.

“As Casey City, Whittlesea City and Strathbogie Shire councils return to elected representation, these monitors will guide incoming councillors in governance practices to help them best serve their ratepayers,” Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne said.

“I thank the administrators for their work in supporting the local community through this challenging time — Victorians rightly expect newly elected councillors to maintain the high standard of good governance that have been put in place.”

Casey and Whittlesea councillors were dismissed in 2020 until the 2024 elections, while Strathbogie councillors were dismissed in late 2023 for the remainder of the term.

The monitors and their terms of reference will be announced in due course.

The Allan Labor Government has reformed the Local Government Act 2020 to improve culture, governance and integrity standards in Victoria’s councils.

Councils will have a uniform councillor code of conduct to create consistent standards of behaviour and increase accountability. A program of mandatory training will be introduced for councillors and mayors, including annual professional development.

The reforms introduce stronger sanctions for councillor misconduct and improved processes to resolve conduct matters earlier.

Further information about the reforms is available at localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance