Borough weighs cost, value of MAV membership

The Borough of Queenscliffe will review its membership with the state’s peak body for local government, after concerns were raised about its value to the small council.

Deputy mayor Di Rule called for a closer look at the borough’s membership with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) at last week’s council meeting.

The MAV represents councils across Victoria, advocating on behalf of the sector. Membership is voluntary and, at present, all 79 of Victoria’s councils are members.

The borough’s membership with the MAV costs about $19,000 annually.

Cr Rule said her experience with the MAV had not matched that of other sector bodies and many of the issues that drew its focus had limited relevance to smaller municipalities.

“We also found that the MAV were very slow in picking up on any of the issues that LGAs of our size find an issue, in particular the emergency services tax,” she said.

“They took so long to reach a position on what they were going to advocate to government.”

Mayor Donnie Grigau backed the review.

“There’s not one rural councillor on their board of representation and that’s why it ends up being very city-centric,” he said.

The issue emerged as the council resolved to reinstate its membership with the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), a governance support body that also provides training opportunities to councillors.

The borough’s withdrawal from the VLGA only came into effect on 10 January, but papers before council last week noted its value had become clearer in the months since.

“In the period between the membership review and the cancellation, it has become apparent that the VLGA is a sector leader with respect to councillor professional development,” the document stated.

The cash-strapped council has reviewed its membership with several organisations over the past 12 months as it looks to

manage costs.

This has included a review of its involvement with the G21 Geelong Region Alliance, which has since undergone a restructure, as well as consideration of its membership with Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine.

“When you pay a fee, you expect a level of service back from a provider that is value for money,” Cr

Grigau said.