Our audit program aims to:
- promote an effective, voluntary compliance culture
- encourage good practice
- achieve transparent governance across local government
To support this, we’ve collected examples of best practice policies from our compliance audits. The information below has been shared with the permission of the relevant council.
These governance arrangements are required as part of the Local Government Act.
Policies
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All Victorian councils have to meet statutory obligations on a regular basis, including lodgement of interest returns and policy reviews. Many councils use calendars, often referred to as governance schedules, to ensure key deadlines are met.
Hobsons Bay Council Statutory Obligations Template - 2018xlsx 26.17 KB -
Election period policies ensure councils are transparent and accountable during the election process. The policy outlines how they will:
- ensure fairness
- avoid misuse of council resources
- prevent inappropriate decision making
Following changes to the Local Government Act we reviewed election period policies of all Victorian councils (excluding the City of Greater Geelong). We’ve included policies that exceeded requirements.
Boroondara City Council
Boroondara City Council Election Period Policy - March 2016pdf 370.43 KBBoroondara City Council Election Period Policy - March 2016docx 350.56 KBBrimbank City Council
Brimbank City Council Councillor Code of Conduct - April 2016pdf 4.84 MBBrimbank City Council Conduct During Elections - 2016docx 64.3 KBCity of Greater Dandenong
City of Greater Dandenong Election Period During Caretaker Policy - 2016pdf 90.74 KBCity of Greater Dandenong Election Period During Caretaker Policy - 2016pdf 90.74 KBWest Wimmera Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council Election Period Policy - March 2016pdf 92.58 KBWest Wimmera Shire Council Election Period Policy - March 2016docx 78.03 KBCity of Whitehorse
City of Whitehorse Election Period Policy - March 2016pdf 75.85 KBCity of Whitehorse Election Period Policy - March 2016docx 71.87 KB -
All incoming councillors must read their council’s code of conduct and make a declaration that they will abide by it. Find best practice examples of Councillors Code of Conduct policies.
Boroondara City Council
Boroondara City Council Councillor Code of Conduct - 2016pdf 172.56 KBBoroondara City Council Councillor Code of Conduct - 2016docx 129.05 KBBrimbank City Council
Brimbank City Council Councillor Code of Conduct - April 2016pdf 4.84 MBBoroondara City Council Councillor Code of Conduct - 2016docx 64.3 KBCity of Greater Dandenong
City of Greater Dandenong Code of Conduct Councillors - 2016pdf 402.09 KBCity of Greater Dandenong Code of Conduct Councillors - 2016docx 963.55 KBIndigo Shire Council
Indigo Shire Council Councillor Code of Conduct - June 2016pdf 411.46 KBIndigo Shire Council Councillor Code of Conduct - June 2016docx 291.02 KBStonnington City Council
City of Stonnington Councillor Code of Conduct - June 2016pdf 766.02 KBCity of Stonnington Councillor Code of Conduct - June 2016docx 54.86 KBWarrnambool City Council
Warrnambool City Council Code of Conduct - July 2016pdf 835.34 KBWarrnambool City Council Code of Conduct - July 2016docx 430.68 KBWhitehorse City Council
City of Whitehorse Councillor Code of Conduct - June 2016pdf 365.78 KBCity of Whitehorse Councillor Code of Conduct - June 2016docx 71.87 KBWest Wimmera Shire Council
West Wimmera Shire Council Councillor Code of Conduct - 2016pdf 2.58 MBWest Wimmera Shire Council Councillor Code of Conduct - 2016docx 134.98 KB -
Aligned with the Code of Conduct requirements, many councils have also updated or developed policies on councillor-staff interactions.
Wyndham City Councillor Staff Interaction and Email Policy - 2014pdf 407.77 KB
Reviewed 24 January 2020
Local Government Inspectorate
Contact us
Local Government Inspectorate DX210292 Melbourne GPO Box 4912, Melbourne, VIC 3001