A pilot program promoting local government transparency and accountability will fail unless councils are closely scrutinised, according to Ratepayers Victoria.
The state government program, Local Government Performance Reporting Framework, launched on July 10, will see reporting requirements streamlined or removed.
Whittlesea is one of 43 councils testing the new system. The program is expected to help council reduce the amount of money it spends on “unnecessary” reports.
Local Government Minister Jeanette Powell said the program would provide a platform for residents and businesses to compare the efficiency of their council against others.
Ratepayers Victoria president Jack Davis said the local government complaints process needed to be improved so that councils could be scrutinised and held to account.
“I’ve seen things like this before and it’s all huff and puff and doesn’t go anywhere,” he said.
Mr Davis said his group made frequent complaints to the inspector general’s office about transparency and efficiency, but these were always referred back to local government.
“We’re taking the issues to the accused, and the accused of course will say: ‘we’re innocent’.”
Whittlesea council was contacted for comment but did not respond before deadline.
For information on the pilot program, visit localgovernment.vic.gov.au
