Local councils across Northern Victoria have been hit in the hip pocket after a costly review ordered by the Government, the Nationals Member for Northern Victoria Gaelle Broad said today.
Ms Broad raised the matter in Parliament after speaking with several rural councils concerned by the process.
“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 council elections in 2024,” Ms Broad said.
“Many regional councils had now received invoices for – in some cases – more than $60,000 for the review, and are finding it difficult to pay,” Ms Broad said.
“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 public infrastructure and roads in need of repair.
“It’s just another example of the Labor State Government putting further costs on Local Councils, that will flow through to taxpayers who are already struggling with increased living costs,” Ms Broad said.
Photo caption: Gaelle Broad MP is concerned that local councils – and therefore ratepayers – are being hit in the hip pocket by the costly VEC review.
Media Contact: Linda Barrow 0484 303 764 linda.barrow@parliament.vic.gov.au
