Watchdog calls to strip Vic councils of planning powers

The Victorian Premier should:

* create a task force led by his department to co-ordinate the implementation of all 34 recommendations

* report publicly on the implementation progress by January 27, 2025.

That task force should consider:

* banning high-risk groups such as property developers from making political donations

* amendments to the Planning and Environment Act to deter applicants from attempting to improperly influence a council, the planning minister or Planning Panels Victoria.

The Planning Minister should:

* remove statutory planning responsibilities from councillors and create determinative planning panels

* require every planning applicant to a council, the planning minister or Planning Panels Victoria to disclose all relevant reportable political donations and financial arrangements

* force planning scheme decision-makers to record reasons at relevant points

* set clear consideration criteria when the minister is exercising planning scheme discretion

* issue ministerial directions for Planning Panels Victoria to specify there is a presumption against planning scheme changes.

The Local Government Minister should:

* ban councillors with a conflict of interest attempting to influence other councillors and specify an appropriate penalty for breaches

* require councillors to undergo mid-term refresher training on governance, leadership and integrity.

Local Government Victoria should:

* create mandatory model governance rules for council meetings, including banning bloc voting, recording how each councillor votes and stipulating council officer reports must disclose relevant donations

* review sanctions for misconduct to ensure options are adequate and appropriate

* develop a model councillor code of conduct including a statement that council chief executives must notify IBAC of suspected breaches

* create and enforce conflict-of-interest training requirements.

Australian Associated Press