Local Government Victoria (LGV) works closely with Victoria’s 79 local councils to help improve their business and governance practices. It develops and implements evidence-based policy and projects that strengthen councils' capacity to meet the needs of Victorian communities.

In keeping with spirit of the Victorian State-Local Government Agreement 2014, LGV can facilitate engagement with the sector when a government department or agency:

  • intends for local government to administer or enforce new or revised primary legislation or regulation, or act as an agent and deliver services on its behalf
  • intends to partner with local government to deliver programs
  • intends to fund local government to deliver a program, or
  • when the relationship between the Commonwealth Government and local government may be affected due to legislative or other changes.

LGV may be able to:

  • help identify relevant stakeholders
  • initiate or facilitate connections with the sector and local government stakeholders
  • provide advice on how/when to engage with the local government sector
  • provide high-level advice or feedback of proposed policies or legislation on the impact to councils
  • provide advice on the Local Government Act 2020 and its associated regulations, and
  • share information on a department's behalf through its existing engagements.

Please note that LGV does not conduct consultations on behalf of another department or provide resourcing to councils to facilitate engagement.

Peak Bodies

LGV works closely with representatives from peak bodies and integrity agencies to help councils deliver vital community infrastructure and services to their communities.

Peak bodies in the local government sector help with information sharing and consultations with councils. They can be a useful partner when needing to gain the insights and perspectives of councils, partner on a project or to share information to the right people within councils.

You may find the links below useful, when partnering or engaging with Victoria’s councils and their peak bodies.

Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV)

The MAV is a membership association and the legislated peak body for local government in Victoria.
Victorian Local Government Association (VLGA)

The VLGA is an independent, non-partisan membership organisation supporting councils and councillors achieve the highest standards of governance.
Local Government Professionals (LGPro)

The LGPro an independent, not-for-profit organisation for people working in Victorian Local Government.
Finance Professionals (FinPro)

FinPro is the peak body of Local Government Finance Professionals in Victoria.
Regional Cities Victoria (RCV)

RCV is an alliance of Mayors and CEOs of the 10 largest regional cities in Victoria.
Rural Councils Victoria (RCV)

RCV is an organisation representing and advocating for Victoria's rural councils.

Integrity Bodies

LGV works with the integrity bodies to help build transparent, fair, and accountable councils. These bodies ensure compliance with provisions of the Local Government Act 2020 and work to protect the rights of individuals, communities, and councils.

Local Government Inspectorate

The Local Government Inspectorate is responsible for ensuring that Victorian councils follow the Local Government Act 2020.
Victorian Auditor-General's Office (VAGO)

VAGO provides assurance to Parliament and the Victorian community about how effectively public sector agencies are providing services.
Victorian Ombudsman

The Victorian Ombudsman provides free and impartial resolution of complaints against actions or decisions made by a Victorian public institution.
Independent Broadbased AntiCorruption Commi

IBAC is Victoria's agency for preventing and exposing corruption and misconduct in state and local government, parliament, judiciary and police.

LGV Sponsored Initiatives

Government departments, agencies or organisations may share information with the sector via any of these LGV-sponsored initiatives.

Joint State and Local Government Monthly Forums

These forums bring together the Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Victoria's 79 council and the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) to meet with state government representatives and LGV. The focus of these forums is on issues with major impact on or benefit to the local government sector.

Topics include policy initiatives, proposed legislative and regulatory changes, integrity, culture, funding, grants, and many more. The forum is a good platform for engagement with the CEOs. Government departments, statutory and regulatory agencies can present at these meetings by contacting lgv@ecodev.vic.gov.au

Thinking Local Monthly Newsletter

This monthly newsletter authorised by LGV reaches all council CEOs, mayors, councillors and other council staff.

Government departments, statutory and regulatory agencies can contribute to this newsletter by contacting lgv@ecodev.vic.gov.au

What are Victorian councils interested in

Councils are interested in being engaged with on issues that impact their operations, as well as any legislative reform that may have an influence on areas within their jurisdiction or impact their local communities. This may include but is not limited to the following topics:

  • Planning
  • Building
  • Health services
  • Roads and parking
  • Waste management
  • Community services
  • Animal management
  • Recreation and culture
  • Local laws
  • Emergency management
  • Early childhood education and care.