GBAC Advocates for Local Government’s Financial Sustainability

The Greater Ballarat Alliance of Councils (GBAC) has welcomed the opportunity to provide a submission to the Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee’s inquiry into the funding and services of local governments in Victoria.

GBAC, an alliance of six regional, peri-urban and rural municipalities, is dedicated to ensuring our communities receive fair access to essential services and infrastructure investment. Our advocacy focuses on three key community priorities: public transport, enabling growth, and digital connectivity. These are vital for our communities' socio-economic wellbeing.

The Committee’s investigation into the financial sustainability of local governments is both timely and crucial. There is a growing gap between local governments' ability to fund essential capital projects and services and community expectations for high-quality infrastructure and services.

GBAC members face significant challenges, particularly in areas with high population growth or economies dependent on tourism and construction, along with regions with ageing and declining populations. These challenges have been exacerbated by the Victorian Government's rate cap and the impacts of COVID-19, which have severely limited GBAC's ability to plan and deliver essential community services and infrastructure.

In its submission, GBAC has provided a series of recommendations on how local councils can achieve greater financial sustainability. This includes, but is not limited to, maintaining consistency of Victorian Government’s grant programs for a minimum of five years, examining alternative revenue models to reduce council’s reliance on rates, and establishing funding for local councils to plan and respond to natural disasters.

Local governments play a vital role in delivering infrastructure and services that underpin community wellbeing. As an alliance representing regional, rural, and remote local governments, GBAC is uniquely positioned to offer valuable insights into the financial pressures faced by a diverse range of councils.

GBAC is committed to piloting innovative approaches in the operation and funding of local governments and supporting major state and federal initiatives. We are driven to advance the prosperity of our regions and ensure the financial sustainability of local councils across Victoria.

To read the full submission, visit our submissions page.