Policies, laws and codes

The Local Government Act sets out the role of councils, which includes “advocating the interests of the local community to other communities and governments”. In a local government context, this most often means seeking the support of State and Federal Governments for services and infrastructure that Council believes are a high priority for our community. It can mean listening to and strongly representing the views and needs of the community, seeking funding or support for major projects and even raising awareness of issues to create change. Download the Advocacy Strategy 2022-2025 (PDF, 5MB).

This Asset Plan (PDF, 2MB) has been prepared to meet the requirements of section 92 (s92) of the Local Government Act 2020, which states all councils must prepare strategic management plans including a Financial Plan and an Asset Plan.

Council must develop, adopt and keep in force a CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy (PDF) and comply with Section 45 of the Local Government Act 2020.

This policy demonstrates Council’s commitment to complying with legislation and applying a best practice approach to managing complaints. Council is committed to providing its customers with the best possible experience in all their dealings with the organisation. This includes taking an approach to complaints management that is consistent, fair and transparent. Download Complaint Management Policy (PDF).

Involving our community in decision making that impacts local neighbourhoods and peoples lives is very important to us. Our Community Engagement Policy sets out how we manage community consultations. Gaining insights, experiences, ideas and feedback from community enables Council to provide better services, places and plans that will meet community needs and support community aspirations.

Council has adopted a Council Expenses Policy (PDF), which sets out the kind of expenses Councillors and members of delegated committees are entitled to claim and have reimbursed.

Council’s Governance Rules (including the Election Period Policy) set out how Council's ordinary business will continue to operate throughout Council election periods. To view the policy visit Public Policies and search for Governance Rules.

Provide clear guidelines to ensure Councillors are not compromised in the performance of their duties by accepting gifts or benefits which may result in a sense of obligation or could be interpreted as an attempt to influence. This helps to protect and promote public confidence in the integrity of Moonee Valley City Council. Download Councillor Gift Policy (PDF).

The Financial Plan (PDF) supports Council achieving its goals within a framework of financial sustainability. Financial sustainability in the longer term means that planned long-term service and infrastructure levels and standards are met without unplanned increases in rates or disruptive cuts to services.

Governance is best described as the rules and practices that hold leaders to account. At Council, this means having processes and a culture that leads to making informed and ethical decisions on behalf of the community. In a local government context, governance leadership is both the responsibility of elected Councillors as well as the CEO and their Executive. Each have different, and important, governance roles. Download the Good Governance Framework (PDF, 1.65MB).

Every Victorian councillor must observe the Model Councillor Code of Conduct (PDF) prescribed under section 139 of the Local Government Act 2020 to maintain the highest levels of integrity and ethical behaviour to provide effective governance and leadership for the community.

Council is required to publicly tender contractual procurements over certain thresholds.  Find currently open tenders.

We are required to prepare, approve and comply with a Procurement Policy. This encompasses principles, processes and procedures which we apply to all purchases.

The Revenue and Rating Plan (PDF) is a new requirement for councils and provides a medium-term plan for how Council will generate income to deliver on the Council Plan, program and services and capital works commitments over a 4-year period. Revenue and Rating Plan means a Revenue and Rating Plan prepared by a council under section 93 of the Act. Schedule 1 of the regulations requires the governance and management checklist included in the report of operations in a council’s Annual Report to include the Revenue and Rating Plan as an item.

The Statutory Planning Delegation Policy (PDF) provides clear guidelines for the exercise of delegated planning powers, duties, and functions at Moonee Valley City Council.