Macedon Ranges Council is set to establish a new committee aimed at enhancing efficiency and service delivery. At the council meeting on July 23, Cr Alison Joesph proposed the creation of an Innovation Committee, which will serve as an advisory and investigatory body. The committee’s primary goal is to investigate ways to improve the council’s operations, deliver innovative services to the community, and boost overall customer satisfaction.
The initiative stems from discussions surrounding Cr Daniel Young’s alternative budget motion introduced at the June council meeting. That motion focused on identifying efficiencies within the council to mitigate the proposed rate rise. Cr Joesph expressed her intent to build on that foundation, stating, “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.”
Committee Structure and Function
The proposed Innovation Committee will include at least three councillors and will provide advice solely to the council without exercising any delegated powers or making binding decisions. The committee will have the authority to request information necessary for evidence-based decision-making. It can also collect suggestions for organizational improvements directly from both council staff and the community. Regular reports will be presented to the community during council meetings.
Cr Joesph emphasized that the committee would focus on innovative and efficient ways to serve the community, aiming for an inward-looking approach that prioritizes improvement. “I intend it to be a fairly inward focusing committee that looks at how we can do things better,” she remarked.
Despite broad support from councillors, Cr Christine Walker expressed concerns regarding the speed of the motion’s progression. While she acknowledged the potential benefits of the committee, she voiced a desire for increased input from fellow councillors. “We’re rushing to an outcome without necessarily a lot of input from councillors,” she stated, highlighting the need for a more inclusive decision-making process.
As part of the motion, the council’s chief executive will prepare a report on the committee’s feasibility, which is scheduled for consideration at the council meeting in October 2025. This move reflects a commitment to fostering innovative practices within the council, ultimately aiming to enhance the services provided to the Macedon Ranges community.
