Joint bids bring new efficiencies

Significant savings, more efficient processes and better ratepayer experiences are among predicted benefits if Ararat Rural City Council is successful in two project bids.

The council is part of joint multi-million-dollar bids through a Regional Councils Transformation Program.

Chief executive Tim Harrison said the council was in partnership with several other regional Victorian shires to take part in the program, a State Government package aimed at helping rural councils improve service efficiencies and their financial sustainability.

Dr Harrison said as a result of a resolution at its latest general meeting, the council would place two program bids. These were – • Efficiencies Through Scale, ETS, in conjunction with Glenelg, Southern Grampians and Northern Grampians shires – the upgrade of common systems, technologies and processes necessary for the four councils to collaborate efficiently.

This would include the rationalisation and standardising of management, communication and information-technology systems. The collective funding request is for $5-million. • Central Highlands Councils Victoria Regional Shared Services project in conjunction with

Central Goldfields, Hepburn, Moorabool and Pyrenees shires, and the City of Ballarat. This would include sharing building, environmental health and town-planning services across the six municipalities. The partnership is seeking $5.5-million for this project.

Dr Harrison said the two projects had the capacity to transform Ararat Rural City Council’s back-office operations, improve efficiencies and better its financial sustainability.

“These projects will also reduce the duplication of statutory service functions and embed savings through improving service delivery,” he said.

“Through collaboration and innovation, the councils will work together to redesign services to meet the community’s needs and expectations, and provide a new platform focusing on the needs of our customers.”

Dr Harrison said there were many other benefits to the two projects.

These included reducing risks by using specialist skills and market-leading digital solutions, enhancing the attractiveness of working in regional councils, attracting specialised workforces, and using specialised resources using ‘cloud’ technologies available anywhere, anytime.

The council will place the joint bids by April 30, with the State Government making a decision on successful applicants in late May.