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General News

22 April, 2024

Councillor and mayor Robert Vance advocates for local councils

Pyrenees Shire Council mayor, Robert Vance, now represents multiple regional councils such as the Central Goldfields Shire on the state level, following his recent appointment to the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel (LGMAP). Councillor Vance...

By Prealene Khera

Robert Vance.
Robert Vance.

Pyrenees Shire Council mayor, Robert Vance, now represents multiple regional councils such as the Central Goldfields Shire on the state level, following his recent appointment to the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel (LGMAP).

Councillor Vance is among ten mayors, coming from urban, regional and rural communities, who have been appointed to the advisory committee for this year.

The panel is set up to offer Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne, advice on legislative, regulatory, strategic and policy issues that affect councils across Victoria.

In his current position on the panel, Cr Vance is a representative of Rural Councils Victoria (RCV), a body that works in the interests of 38 councils, including the Central Goldfields Shire, Loddon Shire, Mount Alexander Shire, and Pyrenees Shire councils.

“I'm a current member of the RCV committee which has a strong advocacy charter to bring forward a range of issues — such as housing, roads, regional development and financial sustainability – that are a priority to rural councils like Pyrenees and Central Goldfields,” Cr Vance said.

Ensuring that the views and concerns of rural and regional councils are given due consideration during discussions, Cr Vance said, will be an important part of his role.

“RCV has the respect of the Local Government Minister as a credible and well-informed body that is close to our community and understands their needs,” he said.

“The minister regularly accepts invitations to attend RCV events and is always keen to hear from the rural councils.

“We understand there are significant challenges ahead both for councils, communities and for the Victorian Government that require a lot of dialogue and cooperation — we will be respectful, creative but firm in our resolve to seek the best outcomes for rural communities.”

While the panel will work together in the coming months to enhance council processes, they have already identified key focus areas during their first meeting in March.

“The minister has initiated a number of local government reforms relating to governance, councillor conduct and councillor training, which I will be looking to have input, where necessary to ensure the reforms are implementable, workable and beneficial,” Cr Vance said.

“I will also be keen to have input into other proposed ministerial directions that may have an impact on the financial sustainability of small councils.

“At our first meeting, the panel also discussed being a strong advocate for more female representation on Victorian councils, especially with the upcoming elections.”

Through the advisory panel, there is also an opportunity to facilitate better collaboration between rural councils and the state government to address common challenges effectively.

“Rural councils are facing some significant challenges ahead, which will require cooperation and dialogue to work through a broad range of issues where solutions are needed,” Cr Vance said.

“Councils are seeking a genuine partnership with the minister and the Victorian Government to find creative solutions to these challenges.

“This requires mutual respect and trust — It requires consultation before reforms that impact on councils and communities are introduced, and a willingness to try creative solutions and reduce administrative burdens that don’t add value.”

LGMAP is scheduled to meet again on May 2.

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