- Published:
- Tuesday 2 June 2015
The Local Government Sector Reference Group will give councils, communities and stakeholders more opportunity to have their say on the Andrews Labor Government’s Fair Go Rates system.
The reference group was established by Minister for Local Government, Natalie Hutchins, to provide a formal avenue of consultation as the Essential Services Commission (ESC) develops the Fair Go Rates framework.
The reference group includes representatives from the Municipal Association of Victoria, Victorian Local Governance Association, LGPro, Ratepayers Victoria, Rural Councils Victoria, Regional Cities Victoria, Interface Councils Group, metropolitan councils, Australian Services Union, Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation and the Victorian Farmers Federation.
The reference group meet for the first time today to review and discuss the issues raised in the 266 submissions received by the ESC.
The ESC will release a draft report and recommendations in July for consultation. The final report is due by October 2015 for implementation in 2016-17.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government, Natalie Hutchins
“The Andrews Labor Government will continue consulting with councils, communities and stakeholders in the development of our plan for fair and balanced rates.”
“The reference group has been established to assist the ESC to work through the issues raised by the 266 submissions and then advise on a system that will provide fairer rates.”
“I welcome the first meeting of the group as another milestone in delivering the Fair Go Rates system for all Victorians.”