- Date:
- 9 Feb 2023
Message from the Chief Municipal Inspector
It has been a busy and challenging year for the Inspectorate.
While the general election period ended in October 2020, we continued to receive complaints and enquiries and investigate election-related matters well into the 2021–22
financial year.
During 2021–22 our governance examination program took on the huge task of reviewing personal interest declarations for 650 councillors from 78 councils. This revealed a lower level of compliance than expected and resulted in a number of recommendations being communicated to the local government sector to raise the level of compliance. We prosecuted one former councillor for persistent breaches of the personal interests returns provisions.
Holding people to account for breaches of and offences against the Local Government Act 2020 continues to be one of our greatest challenges. Prosecutions are expensive, time-consuming and will be pursued if it is in the public interest to do so. However, we are working with the Victorian Government to find alternative modes to address breaches and offences against the Act.
There have been some teething issues with the 2020 Act and we were required to seek guidance from the court about our powers. A Supreme Court ruling confirmed that we have the power to make orders to have a councillor stood down while criminal proceedings are continuing.
The restrictions on movement and the requirement to work from home as part of the CovidSafe settings challenged our staff again during 2021–22. Visits to councils and participation in events – previously a big part of our information gathering and guidance and education for the sector – was limited until the easing of restrictions enabled face-to-face interactions once again.
We presented to councillors and governance staff at councils including Shepparton, Nillumbik, Wodonga and Murrindindi, and to online audiences at sector representative bodies such as the Victorian Local Governance Association, the Municipal Association of Victoria and the Western Australian Local Government Professionals.
Despite working from home restrictions (and for some – dealing with home schooling) our phone lines remained open and we handled an increased volume of online complaints.
I am proud of the resilience and professionalism shown by the LGI team during throughout this challenging period and am honoured to present to you the results of their efforts in the form of the Local Government Inspectorate’s annual report for 2021–22.
Michael Stefanovic AM
February 2023
2021–22 at a glance
Key information from the Local Government Inspectorate's annual report. We completed 158 enquiries and completed 203 investigations. We issued 132 warnings and provided 34 recommendations to councils.
About us
About us is part of the Local Government Inspectorate's Annual Report 2021–22. This chapter gives an overview of who we are and what we do.
Highlights and challenges of 2021–22
Highlights and challenges of 2021–22 is a chapter of the Local Government Inspectorate's 2021–22 Annual report. This chapter looks at issues we have faced during the financial year.
Our work
The Inspectorate regularly receives enquiries from community members, councils and councillors seeking advice and information. We also investigate complaints.
Guidance and education
We use a range of communication tools to provide guidance to the local government sector and education to the general community. We publish reports, newsletters, presentations, and fact sheets.
Corporate
Corporate is a chapter in the Local Government Inspectorate's Annual report for 2021–22. The chapter looks at the people, challenges, gifts and freedom of information requests for the year.
Updated