Municipal Association of Victoria Holds Meeting in Ararat to Discuss Key Regional Issues

Ararat Rural City today hosted a significant Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) Regional Meeting for the Wimmera Southern Mallee Central Highlands Region group of councils.

The meeting, held at Gordon Street Recreation Reserve, brought together representatives from Ararat Rural City, City of Ballarat, Hepburn Shire, Hindmarsh Shire, Horsham Rural City, Moorabool Shire, Northern Grampians Shire, Pyrenees Shire, West Wimmera Shire, and Yarriambiack Shire councils.

Ararat Rural City Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong, serving as MAV Director for the Wimmera Southern Mallee Central Highlands region, welcomed attendees and facilitated a productive day of discussions on critical issues impacting local government across Victoria.

The agenda covered a range of topics including MAV’s campaign during the recent Federal Election, the Victorian Government’s response to MAV submissions to the Inquiry into Local Government funding and services, and reviewing motions submitted from the region to the MAV State Council Meeting in May 2025.

77 councils attended the State Council Meeting, which addressed the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF), with councils calling for:

• Opposition to councils acting as collectors on behalf of the State Government.
• The State Revenue Office to collect the Principal Place of Residence (PPR) component of the ESVF, instead of councils.
• Full reimbursement of costs incurred by the local government sector for collection, reporting, and debt recovery services.
• Improved transparency and communication regarding the ESVF.
• Ensuring the ESVF is equitably structured to avoid disproportionately burdening rural communities or primary producers.

Other notable resolutions from the State Council Meeting included calls for early years infrastructure funding, an evidence-based approach to recycling reforms, fostering safety and social cohesion, natural disaster recovery funding, and countering misinformation. Attendees also engaged in discussions on significant emerging regional issues directly relevant to the local government sector.

"Hosting this MAV Regional Meeting in Ararat has been an invaluable opportunity for our councils to unite, share insights, and advocate for the needs of our communities,” said Ararat Rural City Council Mayor, Cr Jo Armstrong.

“The discussions today, particularly around the ESVF and regional development, underscores our collective commitment to ensuring fair and effective governance for all Victorians."