Local Government Act 2020 Implementation Update

After several years of community consultation, drafts, and debate, the new Local Government Act 2020 received Royal Assent on 24 March, and the first phase of reforms was proclaimed on 6 April.

You can read the Act here – https://www.legislation.vic.gov.au/as-made/acts/local-government-act-2020

The Act is designed to be more principles-based rather than prescriptive and will improve local government democracy, accountability, and service delivery for all Victorians.  It is the most comprehensive reform of local government in Victoria for 30 years.

COVID-19 has meant there has been less focus on the implementation than would have been expected.  FinPro have been speaking to LGV about this and they appreciate that the implementation of the new Act at the same time as the dynamic environment that coronavirus (COVID-19) presents will have resource implications on councils.  This is front of mind in their plans for implementation with the sector, and FinPro will continue to monitor the situation.

Updates on the implementation plan will be provided over the coming weeks and months; however, at this stage these are the current implementation timeframes as well as other details for the Act.

FinPro – Local Government Act 2020 Update – 21 April 2020.