In Summary
- Council submitted recommendations to the Environment and Planning Committee regarding the October 2022 flood, emphasising resilience measures such as a second river crossing, improved flood mapping and better infrastructure.
- Concerns about insurance response and affordability post-October 2022 flood were highlighted, with Council awaiting outcomes from the inquiry into insurers' responses to major flood claims.
- Council addressed local government financial sustainability, advocating for a risk-based assessment framework and a local government cost index to better align revenue with expenditure.
- Submissions to the Victorian Freight Plan underscored the need for road infrastructure improvements, particularly a second river crossing and the Shepparton Bypass, to support regional freight efficiency.
The submissions, reflecting the scope of Council and its priorities, included two inquiries into the October 2022 flood event investigating the state's preparedness and response, and the response from insurance companies into major flood claims.
Council’s submission to the Environment and Planning Committee’s inquiry into the October 2022 flood touched on the need to build resilience to future flood events though actions including a second river crossing, flood mapping, state-wide planning controls, buying back vulnerable properties, building and improving flood resilient infrastructure, and rural levees.
“Council is awaiting the final report to be handed down for this inquiry, which is expected to happen later this month. We are particularly interested in the recommendations which we hope work to address the actions we identified to improve our region’s response to any future flood events of this nature,” CEO, Fiona Le Gassick said.
“A submission was also made to the inquiry into insurers’ responses to major floods claims which is particularly relevant to our community. Unfortunately, we have heard countless stories from residents struggling to insure their properties following the October 2022 flood or are unable to afford the extreme premium hikes which they have been faced with.
“Submissions for this inquiry close at the end of July and we look forward to seeing the outcome of this investigation.”
A recent submission was also made to the Victorian Government’s Local Government Funding and Services Inquiry which is examining the sustainability of local government’s current revenue structure and the appropriateness of alternative funding models. Council’s submission highlighted the increasing challenges it faces to continue to operate in a financially sustainable manner, like many other Councils. It also recommended the development of a risk-based assessment framework for financial sustainability in local government to ensure a consistent approach to improve viability, decision making and outcomes.
“Establishing a local government cost index will allow income to increase at a similar pace, and therefore cover any required growth in expenditure,” Ms Le Gassick said.
“The imbalance that exists between the three levels of government also needs to be improved. Funding of local government services needs to keep up with the cost of delivering the service. Local government is the closest level of government to the community, and change is needed to ensure we can continue to deliver on our purpose.”
A submission was also made to the Victorian Freight Plan, with Freight Victoria established to coordinate the development of an efficient freight and logistics system for the state. Council highlighted the need for road infrastructure to support the growing freight industry, particularly in the Goulburn Valley, with the need for a second river crossing still at the forefront of Council’s priorities.
“Efficient and effective transport movement is critically important to the ongoing growth and competitiveness of the city, and of the broader Goulburn Valley and Northern Victorian region,” Ms Le Gassick said.
“The Shepparton Bypass is listed as a key investment project that will boost freight efficiency in the Victorian Government’s Delivering the Goods – Victorian Freight Plan. This project has the capacity to transform the region’s freight network.
“Funding for strategic and critical road projects like this is so important to how our municipality functions in the future, so Council will continue advocating and having the tough conversations which need to be had.”
Ms Le Gassick said Council were also involved in the recent public hearing for the inquiry into vaping and tobacco controls, with Councils’ Director Community speaking about Council’s responsibility in this space through its public health and wellbeing requirements and the regulation of tobacco and e-cigarettes.
“Advocacy is a key leadership responsibility that we take extremely seriously in informing federal and government policy and funding decisions. We must be proactive to ensure that both levels of government recognise the strategic importance of Greater Shepparton, that we can support the growth of our region and ensure that our communities are safe, inclusive and thriving,” Ms Le Gassick said.
Links to Council’s submissions can be found on the respective inquiry websites.
