Our annual reports provide information on our progress in strengthening the integrity, accountability and transparency of local government in Victoria.
Find past achievements and operations in the 2018/19 and 2017/18 annual reports:
Local Government Inspectorate Annual Report 2018-19 - online version
Before 2017/18, you can find our past achievements and operations, in the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Annual .
Annual Report 2018/19
What we achieved
For the 2018/19 financial year, we:
- Received and assessed 421 complaints, the highest number of complaints for a non-election year. This continues the trend of an 11% annual increase calculated across the 2016-20 council term.
- Completed 29 investigations with some prolonged investigations extending beyond a 12-month timeframe.
- We initiated or completed 8 prosecutions, including gaining a conviction for the former Central Goldfields Council CEO on 5 charges of obtaining a financial advantage by deception and the conviction of a Wyndham councillor on 8 charges related to interest return non-disclosures.
Major project
Our major project focused on reviewing and reporting on the employer/employee relationship between a CEO and councillors.
This work highlighted cases where either the employer, the employee or a combination had failed their local community and their organisation. The report was referenced across our state and in other jurisdictions.
Chief Municipal Inspector David Wolf said:
'As part of governance examination work to assess and help improve council operations, the Inspectorate worked with and at many smaller regional councils, delivering excellent outcomes to assist in their delivery of contemporary council governance.'
Download the 2018-19 Annual Report:
Annual Report 2017/18
Complaints to the Local Government Inspectorate have grown by an average of 11% each year.
What we achieved
Received and assessed 417 complaints and completed 39 investigations for the year.
Took part in 20 prosecutions. Majority of prosecutions related to campaign donation returns and resulted in more than $22,000 in fines and legal fees being awarded against candidates.
Major projects
Investigations
While the number of completed investigations was lower than 2016/17, investigators were engaged in a number of investigations major cases related to:
Central Goldfields Shire Council and its CEO
candidates in the Wyndham City Council elections
Guidance and education program
Continuing our guidance and education program was another key focus. The Chief Municipal Inspector presented to local and interstate audiences on our work and collaboration with interstate agencies to improve local government performance.
Chief Municipal Inspector David Wolf said his office had received the highest number of complaints for a non-election year. This meant growing awareness of our work and common issues in the local government sector.
'Among other achievements, the outcomes from our completed investigation at Central Goldfields had an ongoing impact on identifying and improving practices at councils across the state,' he said.
'Looking ahead, we expect the growth trend of complaints and enquiries to continue, noting this past year had the highest number of complaints for a non-election year.'
Download the 2017-18 Annual Report:
Reviewed 25 November 2019