Local Government Act 2020

The new Local Government Act 2020 is the most ambitious reform to the local government sector in over 30 years. The Act drives improved service delivery, innovation, collaboration, and sustainable futures for all Victorians through:

• better financial management and community engagement
• clearer standards of behaviour for elected representatives
• increased council and councillor accountability
• changes to election processes and candidate requirements
• increased transparency of council decisions.

The Act was proclaimed in four stages. The first stage was proclaimed on 6 April 2020 and final stage was proclaimed on 1 July 2021:

• Stage 1 (complete) focused on electoral processes and the development of candidate training.
• Stage 2 (complete) focused on transparency and community engagement.
• Stage 3A (complete) focused on integrity and governance.
• Stage 3B (underway) focused on integrated strategic planning and reporting.
• Stage 4 (complete) focused on procurement, complaints handling and key regulations articulating the powers of councils.

The implementation of the Act is nearly complete. The only remaining requirement for councils is to develop, adopt, and keep in place an Asset Plan by 30 June 2022.

Parts of the Local Government Act 1989 remain in force until further notice. These parts include:

• Part 8—Rates and charges on rateable land (including Environmental upgrade agreements)
• Part 8A—Rate caps
• Part 8B—Cladding rectification agreements
• Sections of Part 9 (including matters relating to sewers, drainage and provisions relating to transport)
• Some of the general provisions in Part 11 (including service charges on non-rateable land, Authorised Officers, and powers to make Regulations)
• Schedules 10 and 11 – Relating to Power of Councils over roads and traffic
• Schedule 12 – relating to Regulations.