Councillors will return to Brimbank council next year, the state government has confirmed.
The state coalition government last year announced that it would extend the terms of Brimbank council administrators from March, 2015, to the statewide council elections in October, 2016, to avoid the cost of holding two elections within 19 months.
Brimbank council was dismissed on November 18, 2009, following the Ombudsman’s findings of profound failures of governance and a recommendation to remove the council by an Inspector of Municipal Administration.
Last week, Local Government Minister Natalie Hutchins confirmed the Labor government also supported the reinstatement of elections in Brimbank in October, 2016.
Ms Hutchins has also vowed to adopt all recommendations of the Victorian Ombudman’s report on complaint handling for local councils.
The report highlighted gaps in current procedures and called for all councils to have complaint-handling policies and procedures in place.
Ms Hutchins said reforms would mean residents could be sure their concerns were being taken seriously.
“We are absolutely committed to making local government more transparent and accountable, and these changes are an important part of that.”
Brimbank council corporate and community relations director Helen Morrissey said the council already had a complaint-handling procedure that was available on the council’s website and at customer service centres.
“Council continually reviews its performance and welcomes feedback,” she said.
“If a complaint is received, council is committed to investigating it and providing an interim or final response within seven working days.
“When an interim response is provided, this will include advice on when a comprehensive, final response can be expected.
“Council also conducts monthly call-back surveys to residents. The overall customer experience for January, 2015, showed a high level of satisfaction with council’s customer service interaction.”
