RATE CAPPING - ESC Recommendations





The Government has accepted 14 recommendations, accepted a further four in principle, and does not accept two ESC recommendations.

The Bill provides substantial autonomy to the Minister for Local Government to establish the detailed features of the rate capping system. The Bill does not specifically require the imposition of a rate cap; rather it provides a legislative base by which a cap can be established. 

The MAV is pleased that the Government has considered our advice in favour of greater flexibility in the cap – the proposed legislation also provides that separate caps can be set for individual councils, all councils or groups of councils. 

However, much of the detail around the framework will be established by general Orders published in the Government Gazette, so there is still significant uncertainty about the shape and operation of the rate capping framework for 2016-17 and beyond.  

What we know:

The Local Government Amendment (Fair Go Rates) Bill 2015 includes the following:
·         The Government has not accepted the ESC recommendation for a single rate cap.
·         The Bill provides that the Minister may set a cap on general rates and municipal charges, but does not require the imposition of a cap
·         The legislation proposes a cap may apply to all councils, a group of councils or a single council, and any cap must be published in the Government Gazette by 31 December
·         The rate cap will be applied to average rates per rateable assessment, with the Government noting that the average ratepayer is a notional term. A proposed amendment to the Local Government Act would allow the Minister to direct councils in an Order published in the Government Gazette, that the capped average rate must not exceed the base average rate by more than the average rate cap.
·         Individual events that allow councils to apply for a variation to the cap will not be specified, and an application for a variation will be assessed against five factors: the reason, how it takes account of community views, how it reflects efficient use of council resources, consideration given to alternative options, and consistency with long-term strategic planning and financial management.
·         It is proposed that the Minister will have the power to suspend a council if it ‘repeatedly and substantially fails to comply’ with the rate cap
·         Councils proposing a variation will prepare two budgets - one on the basis of their proposed rate level and the other on the capped rate level
·         The framework will be reviewed in 2021 and every four years after this date.

In addition to the Bill, the State Government has made a number of related policy announcements in their response to the ESC report:

·         The State will fund the full cost of the variation process for the first year only
·         There is proposed authority for the Minister to expand the cap to include other categories of rates and charges at a later date if deemed necessary to …“ensure the integrity of the system”
·         The Government has accepted in principle the ESC’s recommendation to set the cap at 60 per cent Consumer Price Index and 40 per cent Wage Price Index forecasts published each December by the Department of Treasury and Finance. The legislation provides flexibility for the Minister to set a cap using a different formula
·         The Government will require the ESC to complete a productivity assessment of councils by mid-2017 so the outcomes can be applied from 2018-19 and beyond.
·         The Government will undertake a review of councils’ statutory fees to ensure they reflect the efficient cost of providing statutory services.

What remains unclear:   

·         how many rate caps may be deemed appropriate by the Minister and by how much they will vary
·         how any councils will be categorised for the purposes of establishing alternative cap levels
·         whether the full cost of the rate capping and variation process will be borne by councils submitting applications to the ESC after the first year of operation
·         whether the Government will introduce a power to constrain service charges (waste management charges)
·         whether an efficiency factor will be included in the setting of the cap or caps determined by the Minister.

Rate Capping One Step Closer!





                       
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21 October 2015
 
TO THE MAYOR, CEO, MAV REPRESENTATIVE AND COUNCILLORS                   

Sent to MAV Representatives, CEOs, Cr Support Officers and CEO PAs 
 
Dear Colleague
 
BREAKING NEWS: Rate Cap Legislation Second Reading

Yesterday the Local Government Amendment (Fair Go Rates) Bill 2015 was introduced to the Victorian Parliament and the second reading speech has just occurred this morning.
 
The introduction of the legislation follows several days of rate capping media releases issued by the Victorian Government, which I responded to with this statement yesterday. 

The Bill proposes that the Minister will determine the rate cap amount each December, while the Essential Services Commission will be responsible for greater oversight of council spending, ensuring compliance with the rate cap and managing the variation process.
 
The Minister’s media release and the Essential Services Commission’s final report to Government on the rate capping and variation framework have been published online this morning.
 
We have collected hard copies of the documents from Parliament and will be back to you later in the day with further details about the proposed rate cap model.
 
Warm regards
Bill
 
Bill McArthur | President | Municipal Association of Victoria
Level 12, 60 Collins Street, Melbourne Vic 3000
GPO Box 4326, Melbourne Vic 3001
T 03 9667 5502 | F 03 9667 5550
 

COUNCIL REVISITS FUTURE OF FAMILY DAY CARE SCHEME





Yarra Ranges Council will reconsider a proposal to end its Family Day Care scheme due to rising costs and following unsuccessful attempts to recruit enough educators to its service.

The proposal follows Council’s decision in June last year to continue providing Family Day Care and to undertake marketing activities in an effort to grow the scheme and recruit more educators.

A report will be presented at a Council meeting on 13 October highlighting concerns for the future of Council’s scheme given the strong potential for the scheme to shrink further, and federal funding cuts.

The report will also detail that there are a number of other Family Day Care providers of proven quality active in the Yarra Ranges who are able to operate at a lower cost than Council.

Yarra Ranges Director Social and Economic Development Ali Wastie said that despite best efforts to achieve cost neutrality, Council had been significantly subsidising the scheme for a number of years. A recent cut in Federal Government funding was making cost neutrality even more difficult to achieve.

Ms Wastie noted that an increasing number of Councils had been facing similar challenges, and that Family Day Care was now only provided by a minority of Victorian Councils.

“The scheme currently costs Council more than $130,000, which is unsustainable when you consider it provides for three per cent of families with children aged 1-4 years in the Yarra Ranges,” Ms Wastie said.

“We understand that Council’s Family Day Care scheme is of a high quality and is valued by the families that use it.

“We also understand that there are a number of other active schemes in the Yarra Ranges that also provide a good level of service, and are more sustainable than Council’s scheme.”

Ms Wastie said that while Council’s scheme had struggled to recruit significant numbers of new educators, and was also losing educators through retirement, it appeared other schemes were growing.



“A recent assessment of our scheme has also highlighted that, should the scheme continue to operate in 2016/17, we would need to increase fees significantly in order to make it cost neutral for Council and we are concerned of the impact this would have on families.”

Ms Wastie said if Council decided to support the proposal to cease its Family Day Care scheme, officers from Yarra Ranges’ Family and Children’s Services team would work with educators to transition them to alternative providers.

“There are now a number of other Family Day Care providers in the Yarra Ranges that have been assessed as providing a service that meets or exceeds the expected national standards for Family Day Care.  

“We are confident that families currently using our service would continue to receive a high standard of education and care for their children should Council decide to close its scheme.”


Further information about Yarra Ranges Council’s Family Day Care Scheme will be detailed in Council’s 13 October public meeting agenda. Copies of the agenda will be available online at www.yarraranges.vic.gov.au from 7 October.

C 146 - Intensive Animal Husbandry



I was disappointed last night that the recission motion put up by Cr Mcarthy was again voted down by just 1 vote. Cr Child was right "we are split, what more reasons do we need to refer this to an independent panel". I respect the decision has been made and will advocate to state parliament to ensure the "review" process is initiated promptly. There are a few small farmers out there now who are concerned that they may fall into this "technicality".

Cr McCarthy - Rescission of Adopted Motion for Amendment C146 Intensive Animal Husbandry




Cr McCarthy will be putting up a Motion of "Rescission of the Adopted Motion for Amendment C146 Intensive Animal Husbandry". The rationale behind this Motion is to enable Council to provide a further opportunity for interested parties to make representations and express views, to examine in greater detail the extent of objection to Amendment C146, and, with this additional information, to give further consideration to the matter.

No decision is being made here to accept a permit application process for "Intensive Farming" This motion is to allow an independent panel to investigate and also allow EVERYONE to speak to the issue "for and against" without any pressure placed on them.

And I will be supporting this!

Lets remember that Council still intends to prohibit Broiler Farms, and Cattle Feed Lots.

The Actual Motion is below:

RECOMMENDATION

That Council

1. Rescind the decision made for Item 7.2 Amendment C146 Intensive Animal Husbandry at Council Meeting 11 August 2015.

2. Request the Minister for Planning appoint an independent planning panel to consider all submissions received in response to Amendment C146 to the Yarra Ranges Planning Scheme.

3. Refer the amendment and all submissions received to the panel for its consideration and recommendations.

4. Base its submission to the appointed panel on the commentary contained in the above report noting that the defined uses Broiler farm and Cattle feedlot should continue to be prohibited in the Green Wedge Zone 1-3, and that other forms of intensive animal husbandry should become a permitted use subject to the granting of a planning permit.

Public Bike Repair Stations?


I saw this concept which is being used in some Metro Municipalities across Melbourne and Brisbane. What an awesome idea! I reckon we could bring this concept to our trail network in the Yarra Valley, what do you think?

C146 Intensive Animal Husbandry



The motion at Tuesday night's Council meeting to refer the proposal to allow "Intensive" Farming in Green Wedges 1,2, and 3 to an independent panel appointed by the Minister of Agriculture was lost. Disappointing to see, but what was more disappointing was the people within the Gallery who decided to shout out and act appallingly. I was also disappointed that Agribusiness Yarra Valley didn't show up and speak to the item and were silent on the issue.

Cr Callanan on Leave - May 2015





Hi all I will be on leave from the 8th May till the 1 week of June. I will not available by phone during this time. I will keep an eye on my emails and FB page(s). So if you need to get hold of me, your best way would be email/Facebook. If it is urgent, Cr Jim Child will assist in any ward matters in my absence.

Welcome our Newest Cr - Mike Clarke









I would like welcomeour newest Councillor - Cr Mike Clarke of Lyster Ward. Congratulations and I look forward to working with you!

 
 
 
 
 
I am an independent standing to represent all interests for "Living well in Lyster", having lived in Selby and Upwey for over 30years, where my sons grew up to be sportsmen on the world stage. Local initiatives, small business and jobs are high on my agenda. With a focus on healthy living, support for health services is paramount. I will proactively support sports, recreation, local community groups and creative pursuits. Of equal importance is security and safety: Fire Management Planning, environmental development, weed reduction, fauna and flora protection. I will work hard to improve housing affordability, efficient public transport throughout Yarra Ranges with 14 seater shuttle buses connecting trains and expanded bike trails. My professional background started in Electrical Engineering with global enterprises, moving to software development, small business, project management consulting for State Government Departments: Environment Protection Authority, State Emergency Services, Police and Health, recently banking services and NBN.

View Rd The Patch - Statement from Cr Callanan




I would like to acknowledge the very tragic passing of two year old Eli Marnock during the storms that affected our region on 1 March.

This is a very sad time for the Marnock and Surridge family, and indeed The Patch community.

The death of a child is something no parent should have to endure. As a parent of young children myself, I can only imagine what it must be like for Eli’s family right now.

I have been in touch with the family recently, and there is a range of support being provided through a number of agencies to ensure their needs are being met.

Eli’s family has received an overwhelming amount of support from their local community. Having grown up in a small country town myself, I’ve seen the way close knit communities gather together to respond whenever someone is in need.

I know the family is very appreciative of the generous support they have received, and as a councillor, the response I’ve seen has been amazing, and I thank everyone in the community.

I would also like to commend Council officers for their response to this tragedy. Whenever they have received a request related to this incident, they have acted quickly and with great compassion.

Council officers have been staying in touch with the Royal Children’s Hospital to ensure the family continues to receive the support they need.

Eli’s family has also been very appreciative of the assistance provided by our building surveyor Laurie Slater who was on the scene to secure their property soon after the storms hit.

Council will continue its investigations on the site and assist police and other authorities with their investigations.

As further testament to our amazing local community, Monbulk Rotary has organised through Bendigo Bank Monbulk for a trust to be set up to help support Eli’s family.

Donations to this trust can be made at any Bendigo Bank Branch.

Kalorama Playground Update # 2





I have had a few emails come through about the progress of the Kalorama Playgforund and thier frustrations over the length this project has been going on for. This has been commuicated to the department and a response has been posted on the YRC which is below:

Detailed design is underway for the Kalorama play space with construction expected to begin soon.
The concept for the play space was decided after consultation with Mt Dandenong Primary School students and the Kalorama community last year.

The project is now in the detailed design phase with tender for project construction expected in May.

Seville Play ground Upgrade





Excited to see the preliminary designs for the brand new $450,000.00 +  play space for the Seville water play park area! Im very keen to the final layout and have advocated for more shaded areas for us to sit.

Nature Strip Landscaping Policy to be reviewed!






At the last council meeting no the 10th of February I presented an alternate motion to defer the Nature Strip Landscaping Policy's release for public comment as I thought the proposed policy was very restrictive, didn't cover aspects that I hear from my community! I found there were even restrictions on what colour your bark chips could be. There were potential risk of fines for people who place Christmas lights on trees outside there homes! Another big factor was parking on nature strips, if you live in a new residential street that is narrow, some have no option but to park on the nature strip because if they parked on the road, it would block any vehicle trying to pass! Now if a fire truck, ambulance or rubbish truck needed to get past it couldn't! I want to see this changed! Many councils allow parking on the nature strip why can't we? Im looking for common sense, Im looking for community's to show some passion about where they live and display it, I want to give our residents some ability to manage this space!

If you have any ideas, please let me know!!

ROAD SAFETY CAMPAIGN






I  met with VicRoads officers at the intersection of Hunter and Monbulk Roads, Mt Evelyn along with a senior traffic/roads officer from council to discuss the need for further safety measures on this bend and the intersection. I have had many calls from residents who use Hunter road and their concerns getting out of that intersection. Also I spoke about the need for safety railing along the sweeping bend coming from Mt Evelyn on Monbulk Road where tragically a young girl lost her life. VicRoads have considered that there is no need for any safety rail. I had to disagree and further meetings with the Minister of Road Safety and a Petition of more than 300 signatures was handed to State MP Christine Fyffe to be tabled in Parliament is currently underway.

VicRoads officers did say that they would look into signage and possible road shoulder improvements  could be envisaged for the short term. I am still committed to getting some form of barrier at this bend. I do not want to see another life taken or seriously injured at this site!!

Watch this space!

Olinda Pool "Project Control Group" #1






Well its 2015 and as per my commitment to see the Olinda Pool re-opened the Olinda Pool Project Control Group met for the 2nd time. I can say that council officers have done some great work since our last meeting and we are already seeing some pictures of what needs to be done and what improvements are needed. There is still a long road ahead but everything at this stage is on track! Please if you dumb into Janine (James and Sue were away) she can give you some idea of where we are at currently!

Its exciting to see some real movement (all be it behind the scenes) with this project and I will certainly be there on day 1 to take the plunge!!

Fire Plan - Do you have one?



I attended my local CFA "fire information" night to learn more about my area and bushfires, how to develop a plan and also understand information from the CFA and how to use it!

Victoria is one of the most fire-prone areas in the world. Understanding your level of risk is the first step in knowing what to do before and during a fire.

Information on the CFA website includes how to stay informed on fire risk days, why you should leave early, what you can or can't do on fire risk days, what information to gather ahead of fire season for you and your family, understand what to expect during a bushfire and guidance on how to stay informed of fires across your area.

For those with a smart phone -

  • Facebook (facebook.com/cfavic)
  • Twitter (twitter.com/CFA_Updates)

    • Also there is an APP you cant get for either iPhones or Android phones (Samsung, Sony, HTC etc) - either go to apple's app store or the android app store to download the CFA app - just search for CFA  and it will come up!

    Other
  • ABC local radio, Sky News and other emergency broadcasters
  • Victorian Bushfire Information Line (1800 240 667)

    • http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/make-a-fire-plan/

    http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/

    http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/fm_files/attachments/plan_and_prepare/frk_2013/4713_CFA_2014_FireReadyKit

    "Back to Work"








    Well the festivities are over! I hope everyone had a great break! 2015 will be an exciting year for the Yarra Ranges Council, starting off with a "Bi Election" Yeah (I hear everyone say). Our new Mayor Cr Maria Mcarthy will lead us throughout 2015 and I will be eager to assist where I can.

    So if you have any issues, planning, property, roads or community, please give a buzz either on my phone or email me! I will be happy to try and assist with you questions/issues. Now some may not be a simple fix and at times I may not be able to find a solution, but I will ensure that I do give it my best shot and try and see how we can get a solution!

    Happy 2015!
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