INDIGO Shire mayor, Sophie Price has welcomed the findings of a State Government inquiry into local government funding and services, saying many of the recommendations if implemented will have a significant impact on Council’s future financial sustainability. The Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee has tabled its findings which includes 48 recommendations addressing rate capping, grants, cost shifting, core services and the financial sustainability of local councils. Chaired by Northern Victoria MP Georgie Purcell, the committee sought input from all 79 councils and other stakeholders such as ratepayers in the state. Cr Price said Indigo Shire provided a submission and gave evidence to the inquiry, and she was pleased that many of the issues raised are reflected in the report, specifically the impacts of cost shifting by the federal and state governments onto local councils. “We particularly welcome the recommendation that the Federal Government’s annual Financial Assistance Grants be increased to one per cent of federal revenue and that there be a more streamlined approach to disaster recovery funding, which has been very challenging for us over recent years,” she said. “Importantly, we are now calling on the State Government to take the report seriously and implement the recommendations as soon as possible.” As detailed in the report, Indigo Shire Council noted that Victorian councils are unable to evolve or adjust to the changing needs of their community. Council shared its constraints in attracting and keeping skilled and experienced infrastructure staff, struggling to compete with private sector remuneration. “Indigo Shire Council highlighted the limited housing options for staff, which made it difficult to attract and retain potential candidates,” the report read. Indigo Shire Council watchdog Indigo Community Voice also made submissions as part of the inquiry. According to the report, president Herb Ellerbock gave evidence of a significant rise in the rates paid by rural owners in the shire and believed the key reason for the rise was the use of differential rates by Indigo Shire Council. The report called for reviews of the ratings system and rate cap formula, increased untied funding for councils to address key areas such as roads, and the consideration of growth funds to support infrastructure for different groups of councils experiencing rapid growth.
