Regional Councils Transformation Program bids to progress

Significant savings, more efficient processes and better ratepayer experiences are just some of the benefits if Ararat Rural City Council is successful in two project bids through the Regional Councils Transformation Program (RCTP).

Ararat CEO Dr Tim Harrison said the Council was partnering with several other regional Victorian shires to take part in the program, a State Government package aimed at helping rural councils improve service efficiencies and their financial sustainability.

Dr Harrison said after a resolution at its meeting this evening, the Council will place two RCTP bids:

Efficiencies Through Scale (ETS) in conjunction with Glenelg, Southern Grampians and Northern Grampians shires – the upgrade of common systems, technologies and processes necessary for the four councils to collaborate efficiently. This would include the rationalisation and standardising of management, communication and IT systems. The funding requested for this project is $5 million. Central Highlands Councils Victoria Regional Shared Services project in conjunction with Central Goldfields, Hepburn, Moorabool and Pyrenees shires, and the City of Ballarat. This would include sharing building, environmental health and town planning services across the six municipalities. Funding sought for this project is $5.5 million.

Dr Harrison said that if successful, the two projects had the capacity to transform Ararat Rural City Council’s back office operations, improve efficiencies and better its financial sustainability.

“These projects will also reduce the duplication of statutory service functions and embed savings through improving service delivery,” he said.

“Through collaboration and innovation, the councils will work together to redesign services to meet the community’s needs and expectations, and provide a new platform focusing on the needs of our customers.”

Dr Harrison said there were many other benefits to the two projects including reducing risks by using specialist skills and market-leading digital solutions, enhancing the attractiveness of working in regional councils, attracting specialised workforces, and using specialised resources using cloud technologies available anywhere, anytime.

The joint council bids will be placed by April 30 with the State Government making a decision on successful applicants in late May.