The Victorian Local Governance Association has shared the results of its first ever VLGA Victorian Councillor Census, which highlighted the factors leading people to seek election, but also step away from re-election.
The VLGA Victorian Councillor Census has provided invaluable insights into the overall experience of a councillor across the duration of their four-year term. This is the first time any kind of Census has been conducted across the Victorian Local Government sector in more than a decade.
The VLGA Victorian Councillor Census looked to address the opportunities and barriers for councillors, their motivations for standing, any factors influencing their decision to stand or not stand for re-election, and identified areas where councillors required additional support.
VLGA CEO, Kathryn Arndt, said this groundbreaking work would help inform, influence and lead important conversations across the local government sector.
“Up until now we haven’t had any tangible data to support what we were hearing anecdotally from elected representatives.
“The Census addresses a significant information gap and provides some great insights into how the sector can respond and be better placed to support and empower councillors to be successful in their roles in the future.
“This report will influence and lead conversations. The Census addresses an information gap when it comes to understanding how our democratically elected community representatives are supported to fulfill their duties, along with balancing their personal motivations and challenges.”
The VLGA will use this data to better support councillors in their role and improve good governance in the local government sector. It is also intended that the report be used by government to inform funding, policy and related sector discussions to enhance the outcomes councillors deliver.
The VLGA Victorian Councillor Census was conducted in collaboration with QDOS Research, who were responsible for collecting the data and ensuring the complete anonymity of respondents.
More than 300 councillors across Victoria responded to the VLGA Victorian Councillor Census with an average age of 57 years. This signifies a response rate of more than 50 per cent.
One of the most significant findings of the VLGA Victorian Councillor Census was identifying the challenges and barriers currently preventing women and men from re-standing as councillors.
Key findings included:
- The primary motivators to become a councillor were community service and a desire to enact change
- 47 per cent of respondents had served as a councillor for between three and four years
- The average weekly hours spent on council related activities was 29.2 hours
- A large percentage did not have a clear understanding of the strategic nature of the role initially
- Remuneration was not seen as commensurate to the time demands of the job
- A significant number of councillors did not expect the level of hostility they encountered, especially from other councillors
- 41 per cent of women and 26 per cent of men regularly experienced threatening or intimidating behaviour from another councillor
- Bullying and harassment were identified as key factors for councillors, particularly women councillors, not standing for re-election
- 69 per cent agree that councillors should be entitled to claim childcare costs as part of performing council duties
- 73 per cent would recommend the role of councillor to others
- More than 80 per cent of respondents stated they had experienced threatening or intimidating behaviour in their role as a councillor
Ms Arndt said the VLGA planned to conduct the VLGA Victorian Councillor Census annually to capture and track councillor demographics, attitudes and key challenges for local council governance over time.
She said the data had also helped inform the VLGA’s program of work including:
- The expansion of the Local Women Leading Change program to empower more women to nominate for council in 2028
- The development of an EAP Register to ensure councillors are aware of the health and wellbeing supports available to them and how to access them
- The development of a four-year Councillor Professional Development Program that directly aligns with the mandatory Victorian Government guidelines
- The expansion of the VLGA’s community leadership programs to encourage informed candidates in 2028 that represent the diversity of their community
- The formalisation of the VLGA’s advice network to provide councillors with expert governance and leadership advice
“The Census is a critical tool that has already directly informed the VLGA’s sector advocacy and our program of work moving forward,” said Ms Arndt.
“It will also be used by government to inform policy and related sector discussions in order to enhance the outcomes councillors deliver for the communities they represent.”
The path forward
The first-ever VLGA Victorian Councillor Census elicited valuable data and a unique insight into the issues and challenges faced by councillors in their roles. It also highlighted the impact these challenges have on good governance in elected representation.
Armed with this information the VLGA is better placed to inform, influence and lead conversations across the government sector. It will use the commentary of councillors to better support their role and expand the efficiencies and effectiveness of the local government sector.
Going forward, the VLGA is committed to collecting this data annually to provide an accurate pulse check on the challenges elected representatives are facing; and to help identify what additional support or professional development is needed to ensure councils are operating proficiently and effectively.
It will also allow the VLGA and the Victorian Government to identify trends in the data provided and ensure that support programs are targeted appropriately, and issues are addressed and responded to proactively.
As a first step response to the findings of the VLGA Victorian Councillor Census, the VLGA recently launched its Councillor Professional Development Program, which not only aligns with the new mandatory training requirements set out in the Local Government (Governance and Integrity) Regulations 2020, but has also been informed by the findings of the VLGA Victorian Councillor Census.
The Councillor Professional Development Program is designed to inspire and support councils and councillors in good governance and set them up for success.
While the VLGA is Victorian based it does offer online training modules as part of its bespoke Councillor Professional Development offer. These are available to councils across Australia.
For more information about the VLGA’s Councillor Professional Development Program or to download the Victorian Councillor Census Report, visit vlga.org.au
