Announcement

This policy determines the availability and conditions of access to all records held by council. The policy does not relate to processes for accessing documents under Freedom of Information applications. Freedom of Information requests should be referred to the Information Management Team Leader via the application form available from the Find a Form page.

The Advocacy Policy has been prepared to guide the approach to the development of the Advocacy Strategy. Council advocacy priorities will change over time, however why we advocate and how we will approach advocacy should be clearly defined. The policy also clarifies the roles and responsibilities for the determination of the advocacy priorities.

These guidelines identify emergencies that should be dealt with immediately.

This policy provides the basis for the equitable allocation of resources to eligible Committees of Management over recreation and community facilities.

This Asset Plan communicates the way we manage our community’s assets to support delivery of services such as such as sport and recreation, transport, community health, stormwater management and waste management services. The plan provides a strategic and financial view of how we will manage the community assets over the next ten (10) years and beyond, and how they will integrate to deliver on East Gippsland’s Shaping the Future Community Vision 2040.

This policy provides the strategic direction to manage Council’s existing and future physical assets efficiently and effectively.

Section 54 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires Council to adopt an Audit and Risk Committee Charter. The Audit and Risk Committee Charter outlines the functions and responsibilities of the Audit and Risk Committee is assisting the Council fulfil its oversight and corporate governance responsibilities. The Charter provides for the structure and operation of the Committee.

Under the Local Government Act 1989 Council is responsible for the appointment of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) (section 94(1)). This policy has been developed to support the requirements of the Act through the establishment of an advisory committee known as the Chief Executive Officer Employment and Remuneration Committee. The Committee will assist Council to fulfil its responsibilities relating to CEO employment, performance and remuneration matters.

The East Gippsland Agriculture Sector Advisory Committee will provide advice, guidance and recommendations to East Gippsland Shire Council on matters that affect the agriculture sector in East Gippsland and its communities.

This policy provides guidance to Council Staff in relation to its civic leadership and recognition role.

This policy provides Council with a framework for a consistent approach to the consideration of applications for land use and development in Gippsland Lakes towns whilst conforming to State Planning Policy which requires council to plan for and manage the potential impacts of climate change.

We have a principles-based Community Engagement Policy outlining our commitment to informed, representative and supported engagement and outcomes with our community. The policy aims to outline how the community can have a voice in influencing Council decisions; identify our intention to act on community input; increase transparency of the decisions that impact the community; build the community’s trust in Council’s decision-making process; and contribute to better outcomes for the community.

The purpose of this policy is to establish a framework that supports how council will respond to complaints within the limits of its resources while ensuring consistent, efficient and effective complaint management.

Council is responsible for enforcing the provisions of a wide range of legislation providing for the safety, health and amenity of the community generally.

This policy sets out the power usage requirements for patrons who berth or moor their vessel in a council-managed marina.

To provide a framework for the consistent management and administration of appointment, review, reporting and support arrangements in relation to Council representation on external organisations and internal boards/committees and other entities.

Section 41 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires Council to adopt and maintain a policy in relation to the reimbursement of expenses for Councillors and members of delegated committees. This policy outlines the allowances for the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, Councillors and the reimbursement of out-of-pocket expenses incurred in the performance of official duties and support to assist Councillors to perform their official duties.

This Culture and Creativity Strategy 2023–2033 lays out an ambitious vision for the future and a roadmap for how to get there. It’s designed to build on our strengths and set us up to show the rest of the state, the country – and indeed the world – what makes us unique. The Culture and Creativity Strategy links to the Council Plan that states: East Gippsland is an inclusive and innovative community that values our natural environment, puts community at the centre of Council decision making, and creates the conditions in which communities can thrive. Culture and creativity have an important role in realising this vision. Building on the vision, the following statement articulates the community’s aspirations for the cultural life of the Shire and describes where we aim to be by 2033.

This policy establishes the framework that supports how EGSC will respond to customer contacts within the limits of Council resources.

This policy governs the consideration and management of development plans, which are a relatively new planning tool within the East Gippsland Planning Scheme. This policy seeks to ensure that applicants are clear about the requirements and process associated with the consideration of development plans.

This policy exists to ensure that legislative and safety requirements are adhered to by staff using council's drone systems (also known as Remote Piloted Aircraft). The policy has been designed with privacy and surveillance legislation in mind to protect the interests of the public.

A strong, competitive and sustainable economy is essential for the future of rural and regional areas. The Economic Development Advisory Committee will provide advice, guidance and recommendations to Council on matters that affect economic development in its communities.

The Terms of Reference provides the Disability Advisory Committee with a framework to maximise their contribution to access and inclusion solutions within Council.

These Terms of Reference establish the guiding principles for the operation of the East Gippsland Shire Livestock Exchange Consultative Committee together with its structure, objectives and reporting protocols.

This document sets out the structure and Terms of Reference to guide the East Gippsland Shire Council Marina Consultative Committee.

The election Period Policy ensures the conduct of the Council election is open and fair to all candidates by setting out procedures and practices to be followed by Councillors, officers and candidates during the election period. The election period commences at the close of nominations for candidates and concludes at 6.00 pm on election day.

The Environmental Sustainability Strategy 2022-2032 is Council’s key environmental policy document, guiding work across Council to achieve objectives for climate change, biodiversity, land and water management and resource efficiency.

This policy provides the framework for applying assistance to ratepayers who are experiencing financial hardship. The policy applies to charges included on the rates and valuation notice as well as special charge schemes debtors.

This policy and supporting procedure provides a framework for the sustainable use and management of our roads, road related areas and public spaces. This policy facilitates footpath trade which does not obstruct pedestrian access or create an unsafe or unsightly environment.

Council promotes a culture where all fraudulent and corrupt activities once noticed or legitimately suspected are reported, investigated and resolved in a timely and fair manner. We actively encourage any person to report suspected incidents of fraud and corruption affecting our organisation.

The Gender Equality Action Plan (GEAP) delivers positive action towards achieving workplace gender equality and considers and addresses the outcomes from the baseline Workplace Gender Audit (WGA) completed by Council in 2021.

The Gifts, Benefits and Hospitality Policy, required under section 138 of the Local Government Act 2020, outlines the East Gippsland Shire Council’s position on Councillors responding to offers of gifts, benefits and hospitality and providing gifts, benefits and hospitality. The policy supports Councillors and Council to avoid conflicts of interest and maintain high levels of integrity and public trust.

The process for conducting Council meetings is guided by Governance Rules. The Governance Rules provide for Council to consider and make decisions on any matter fairly and on the merits and enable a person whose rights are directly affected by a decision to have their views heard and interest considered in the process. The Governance Rules apply to Council meetings and meetings of delegated committees and community asset committees.

This policy ensures that Councillors, employees, volunteers, contractors and service providers / service partners are aware of and comply with the Information Privacy Act 2000.

Guidelines for the East Gippsland Shire Council Privacy Policy.

This policy provides a framework to ensure that council optimises its return on investment of surplus funds, whilst minimising the exposure to risk of public revenue.

This Policy outlines the principles to be applied to the leasing and licencing of non-residential Council owned land and land managed by council on behalf of the Crown.

This policy outlines the procedures for staff dealing with media and the expected behaviours when using social media.

This policy is designed to guide the placement and construction of private jetties within the Paynesville Canals, allowing for equitable and safe private jetty construction within Paynesville Canals, while ensuring the waterway access through the canals is always navigable.

This policy aims to ensure that Council meets its responsibility under the Planning and Environment Act 1987, to efficiently administer and enforce the East Gippsland Planning Scheme.

Procedures for the East Gippsland Shire Council Planning Compliance Policy.

This Planning Delegations Policy underpins the planning permit application process and Instruments of Delegation adopted by Council from time to time. The policy is to be referred to when exercising the power conferred by the Instrument of Delegation. Designated delegates will perform the powers, discretions, functions or authorities in line with the policy and guidelines.

Prevention of Sexual Harassment Policy.

Compliance with this policy will ensure that private planning scheme amendments do not create a financial burden on the shire's residents and ratepayers.

The East Gippsland Shire Council 2023 Procurement Policy has been updated to include all transitional arrangements in relation to Procurement for the Local Government Act 2020. Council is committed to the effective procurement of goods, services and works in a manner that will meet its corporate goals, objectives and legislative requirements under the Act The policy provides a framework to ensure Council’s procurement procedures and processes conform to section 186 of the Act and a competitive process is conducted prior to the purchase of any goods and services or carrying out of works.

Council is committed to ensuring transparency and accountability in the workings of Council and compliance with the Public Interest Disclosures Act 2012. This Policy and Procedure facilitate the making of disclosures regarding improper conduct by public officers and public bodies and supports the making of disclosures that reveal corrupt conduct, conduct involving a substantial mismanagement of public resources, or conduct involving a substantial risk to public health and safety or the environment.

The primary purpose for installing closed circuit cameras is to discourage and detect unlawful behaviour in and around council property and in public places, resulting in enhanced safety and security for citizens and assets within East Gippsland Shire. This policy and supporting Code of Practice will ensure that council's CCTV program operates fairly, within applicable legislation, only for the purposes for which it is established and with regard to the privacy and human rights of the public and council staff.

Section 57 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires the Council to adopt and maintain a Public Transparency Policy. The governance principles in the Local Government Act 2020 require Council decisions, actions and information to be open and accountability to the community. The Public Transparency Policy describes the type of Council information that is publicly available and how the community can access the information.

To provide a flexible and responsive, yet accountable and transparent process to support undertaking small scale capital works. The program allows the funding of works of high community value when opportunity arises and there is no other funding available, or timeframes do not allow for sourcing of other external funding.

This policy establishes the foundation for a consistent, proactive and measurable approach to effective risk management across Council's assets, operations and strategies. Implementation of this policy will encourage the identification and treatment of potential risks and facilitate the safe and effective delivery of council objectives.

This policy aims to ensure that the sale of Council owned land is subject to a fair and transparent process in accordance with this policy and relevant legislation.

Council will operate with reduced services on days of 'Code Red' Fire Danger Rating or during a State of Disaster. This policy outlines those reduced services to help community members decide what they will do on those days.

Outlines a commitment to ongoing service reviews to ensure that each service is aligned to Council's Community Vision, Council Plan, the Local Government Act 2020, other legislative requirements and relevant strategic documents.

Council is committed to the improvement of infrastructure and services to the community, and this policy is designed to assist council and members of the community in providing 'special benefit' infrastructure such as roads, kerb and channel, drainage, footpaths, bridges and relocation of services.

East Gippsland Shire Council recognises the importance of the timber manufacturing and forestry products industries to our local community and the wider Gippsland region. This policy aims to encourage the use of timber as Council’s preferred material for the construction and fit out of council buildings and infrastructure.

East Gippsland Shire Council aims to ensure that waste services are delivered in a fair, equitable and effective manner. This policy and procedure set out objectives and actions to ensure that council's legal and strategic requirements are maintained.