VLGA cut to save money

Baw Baw Shire has decided to cut ties with a local government lobby group to save just under $15,000 a year.

Cr Murray Cook last week moved a general business motion to discontinue council’s membership of the Victorian Local Government Association.

Some councillors felt council should at least hear from VLGA representatives before taking such action.

Council’s annual membership of the VLGA for the current year is $14,575. It also pays $29,657 annual membership to the Municipal Association of Victoria.

Cr Cook said there was a lot of duplication in the roles of VLGA and the MAV.

“I think we could work enough through the MAV without paying for another organisation membership,” he said.

Cr Terry Williamson agreed, saying there were “too many talk fests.”

“I think we only need one body representing us,” he said.

Cr Tricia Jones said she was not aware of the differences between the two representative bodies and she wanted more information to make an informed decision.

But Cr Cook said Cr Jones’ comment was precisely his point and there was little difference between them.

Cr Mikaela Power said council should hear from the VLGA before cutting membership.

“We do need to cut costs but the VLGA has agreed to talk to us and I want to hear what they have to say to us before we act on this,” she said.

Cr Peter Kostos said he did not think the MAV did a lot for rural councils but agreed council only needed to be a member of one organisation.

Cr Gerard Murphy foreshadowed a motion to review council’s membership of the VLGA after hearing representatives address council. But councillors voted to discontinue membership immediately. Cr Power called for a division on the five to four vote.

Crs Cook, Williamson, Kostos, Joe Gauci and David Balfour supported the motion. Crs Power, Jones, Murphy and Debbie Brown opposed the motion.