The Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA) has launched the 2024 Victorian Councillor Census, a comprehensive study of over 600 councillors across the state.
The 2024 Census will be the first in a regular series that will capture and track demographics, attitudes and key challenges for local council governance over time.
Designed in collaboration with QDOS Research, this Victorian Councillor Census fills an important, sector-wide information gap on the experiences of local councillors – there is currently no active data collection and analysis specific to locally elected representatives across Victoria.
The Victorian Councillor Census data will be released as a public research report and will inform the VLGA’s ongoing role as the leading voice for councillors and councils in Victoria. It will become a critical tool to inform federal and state policy and funding decisions and sector advocacy.
The Victorian Councillor Census is now open and being disseminated to all Victorian Councillors from today.
Responses will be analysed by QDOS Research and in accordance with privacy principles and the Privacy Act, all responses will remain confidential and anonymous.
VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt stressed the importance of understanding and representing the voices of councillors as the tier of government closest to the community.
“The Victorian Councillor Census will inform our understanding of the attitudes, priorities and challenges of Victoria’s local councillors. It will drive better policy and create a stronger advocacy voice for local government as a whole. It is a much-needed addition to the policy landscape.”
“The VLGA is proud to be the leading voice for councillors and councils in Victoria. The insights gained and shared from the Census will help us lead the community conversation about the importance of local government in this state.”
“Communities rely on local council services for their health and wellbeing. We want to see the sector performing at the highest levels of performance, integrity and good governance.”
“Currently there is little recorded information about the experiences of our locally elected representatives. The Victorian Councillor Census will be a regular event and over time we will build a rich picture of local government and how it is changing over time. We have already written to the Minister for Local Government and offered to brief her on these results as soon as they are available.”
Contact details:
Eleanor Pallett | eleanor@socialchangeprojects.com.au | 0425 852 473
