The Andrews Labor Government is helping councils in the Gippsland area save millions of dollars and deliver better outcomes for their communities.
Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek today announced the successful recipients of the $20 million Rural Councils Transformation Program (RCTP).
Bass Coast, East Gippsland, South Gippsland and Wellington will share in $4.5 million to improve the quality, effectiveness and affordability of services to their ratepayers.
The grant will be used to fully integrate information systems with a focus on electronic records and document management, which will result in more than $7 million in productivity benefits and reduced costs over five years.
The RCTP program, a first-of-its kind in Victoria, will improve the financial sustainability of rural councils and allow them to reallocate any funds saved to other much needed projects.
This program backs large-scale, transformative projects at a regional level that will deliver much-needed support to the councils which cover more than 95 per cent of the state’s land mass.
RCTP will achieve greater service benefits for rural and regional communities and strengthen the longer-term financial sustainability of many important services and programs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Local Government Adem Somyurek
“Victoria’s 48 rural and regional councils are the lifeblood for more than 1.5 million residents, and we want them to remain stable and sustainable heading forward.”
“The Rural Councils Transformation Program is delivering more economic benefits for regional councils than ever before and this is the first time they have received funding for projects of this scale.”
Quote attributable to Member for Bass Jordan Crugnale
”We’re supporting councils to work together. This project will bring efficiencies to shared services and the opportunity to redirect savings to increase a range of on-the-ground services within the councils themselves.”
Quote attributable to Member for Eastern Victoria Jane Garrett
“This funding will allow councils across our area to better serve local residents and businesses while also keeping their costs down.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020