Victoria Grants Commission
The Victoria Grants Commission’s (VGC) primary function is to allocate revenue provided by the Commonwealth Government to municipal councils in Victoria according to the Local Government (Financial Assistance) Act 1995 (PDF 51kb) and a set of national distribution principles. All funds allocated by the Commonwealth are distributed to councils. All of the Commission’s costs are met by the Victorian Government through the Department of Planning and Community Development.
The Commission can only provide funding to Victorian local governing bodies (councils). The Commission cannot provide grants for businesses, individuals or community groups.
The VGC comprises a Chairman and two members appointed by the Governor in Council. The current members are:
- Mr Paul Slape (Chair) - term expires on 31 October 2012
- Mr Doug Thomas - term expires on 31 October 2013
- Ms Caroline Hogg - term expires on 31 October 2012
2011-12 Allocation
In 2011-12, the Commission has allocated a total of $506.812 million to Victorian councils. This is comprised of $370.446 million in General Purpose Grants and $136.366 million in Local Roads Grants. Both grants are untied, which means that the Commonwealth cannot direct how they are spent by councils.
Annual reports
The Victoria Grants Commission Annual Reports provide an overview of the Commission's activities for each financial year and details of the methodology used to allocate grants. The appendices to the Annual Report contain the data for each council that was used in this process. Read the Annual Reports.2011-12 Council submissions
Each year, the Commission gives councils the opportunity to make written submissions about next year’s allocations. This year the Commission received 5 submissions from councils.
All submissions received in relation to the 2011-12 allocations have been published here in order to allow all councils access to the full range of issues put before the commission for consideration. The views presented in these submissions provide valuable input on aspects of both the general purpose and local roads grant allocation methodologies, including the construction and application of the cost adjustors and cost modifiers used to reflect the local characteristics of individual councils. Read the council submissions.
Roads to recovery
The Federal Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government administers the Commonwealth Government’s Roads to Recovery funding program. These funds are allocated directly by DITRDLG and not through the VGC. Find more information at Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government.