Corangamite Shire councillor Chris O’Connor said a shared services model would work better for the region than large-scale mergers. 

Cr O’Connor’s comments come after Warrnambool City Council candidate Adrian Jacobs suggested disbanding the Moyne Shire and sharing it among surrounding councils. It follows more widespread speculation on council mergers and calls for local government to become more efficient.

“The Victorian state government’s answer was to cap rates and others suggest a two tiered federal/regional structure,” Cr O’Connor said. 

“Amalgamations have proven to be unpopular and only marginally effective in restraining costs, if at all. There is also good evidence that services have been cut to smaller outriding areas as consolidation increases and representation is diluted. 

“The shared service model, in my view, is the answer to unlocking the ability to hold or improving current service levels, retain local councillors and keeping rates on hold.”

Cr O’Connor, who will not stand at October’s council elections, said councils were already working together in some areas – Colac-Otway, Corangamite, Moyne and Warrnambool City work together on the Corangamite Regional Library Service and Warrnambool and Corangamite have joined forces on road sealing.

He said it could go even further, with councils specialising in areas where they have the most expertise.

“Just for an example, Corangamite has highly skilled staff in the area of waste and landfill, fleet management and information technology. Why not use Corangamite waste staff to help service a grouping of councils rather than replicate that leadership team throughout the region? 

“Maybe Warrnambool could concentrate on arts, human resources and payroll. Moyne could provide expertise in road contracts and energy development and so on.

“The best aspect of the shared services model is we can afford the best people in their specialised areas and with aggregation and better management there should be an improved service level at a reduced cost.”

Cr O’Connor said it was “inherently difficult” to get organisations to work together and the newly-elected council and ratepayers would have to push for change.

“A shared service model has all the answers and while some councils find it difficult to share, it promises efficient and better services,” he said.

While discussing his re-election campaign, Moyne Shire councillor Mick Wolfe said he would also like to strengthen links with other shires.

"I would like to see closer relationships with neighbouring councils," Cr Wolfe said.

"I think we're a bit isolated in that area. There's no structure or system where we meet with (other councils), not even yearly.

"We can learn from each other. They may have better systems ... and we can learn from them ... and vice versa."