Northern Victoria Region
Gaelle BROAD (Northern Victoria) (12:55): (435) My question is to the Minister for Local Government on behalf of rural councils in Northern Victoria. Last year the state government appointed electoral representation advisory panels to review the electoral structure of Victorian councils and to provide advice to the minister ahead of the local elections in 2024. Can the minister explain why many regional councils in Northern Victoria have received invoices that total in some cases more than $60,000 for the electoral structure review and when the councils will receive the report? Many councils are finding it difficult to pay these invoices. These are big bills for small regional and rural councils on tight budgets. They are already facing significant costs following last year’s devastating floods, with roads in need of repair, on top of regular operations. By receiving the bill but not the report they are also unable to comply with procurement policies. Given this review was directed by the minister, I ask that she make it a priority to resolve this matter and to reduce this burden on local councils.