Following the local government elections in October, municipal monitors will be appointed to three Victorian councils to guide newly elected councillors in their first year of elected representation.
Monitors will be appointed to Whittlesea City, Casey City, and Strathbogie Shire councils to support the transition to elected councillors and ensure good governance practices.
Whittlesea and Casey councillors were dismissed in 2020 until the 2024 elections, while Strathbogie councillors were dismissed in late 2023 for the remainder of the term.
The monitors will assist the newly elected councillors to restore good governance and help prevent the recurrence of issues that led to each council’s dismissal.
The monitors and their terms of reference are expected to be announced soon.
The State Government reformed the Local Government Act 2020 to improve culture, governance, and integrity standards in Victoria’s councils.
Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne said the monitors would provide guidance.
“As Casey City, Whittlesea City, and Strathbogie Shire councils return to elected representation, these monitors will guide incoming councillors in governance practices to help them best serve their ratepayers,” she said.
“I thank the administrators for their work in supporting the local community through this challenging time—Victorians rightly expect newly elected councillors to maintain the high standard of good governance that have been put in place.”
Further information about the reforms is available at www.localgovernment.vic.gov.au/council-governance.
