Macedon Ranges council will explore the establishment of a new committee.
Adopted at the July 23 council meeting, Cr Alison Joesph moved the motion to explore establishing a new Innovation Committee as an advisory and investigatory committee.
The purpose will be to investigate and provide recommendations to council on improving the efficiency and oversight of council; develop new and innovative ways of delivering services to the community; improve customer satisfaction with council services and ensure public value.
Cr Joesph said the idea started with Cr Daniel Young’s alternative budget motion raised at the June council meeting, which looked to find efficiencies within council to reduce the rate rise.
“I suppose I’ve tried to build on that and to provide a committee that can look at both the efficiency and also in providing better services … giving the community what they want in a way that they want it,” she said.
Cr Joesph said it would look at innovative and efficient ways in which council can deliver to the community.
“I intend it to be a fairly inward focusing committee that looks at how we can do things better,” she said.
The committee will consist of at least three councillors, and will provide advice to council only and will ot exercise any delegated powers or make binding decisions.
It will have the power to request and receive information necessary for evidence-based decision making, can receive ideas and suggestions for organisational improvements directly from council staff and the community, and will regularly report back to the community via council meetings.
As part of the motion, a report will be prepared by the chief executive , to be brought to the October 2025 council meeting for consideration.
