The Victorian Minister for Local Government, Jeanette Powell, has used the annual Local Government Ministerial and Mayors Forum to call for strong leadership to be shown by local leaders in the face of trying times.

 

Address the 'Leading Now and for the Future' themed forum, Ms Powell called on the 79 senior local government representatives to show resilience and fortitude in their leadership.

 

"I'm confident that today's discussions will help us deliver on our shared priority of building prosperous and sustainable communities across Victoria," Mrs Powell said.

 

Forum participants heard from and discussed issues with Deputy Premier Peter Ryan; Minister for Health and Ageing David Davis; Minister for Mental Health, Women's Affairs and Community Services Mary Wooldridge and the keynote speaker, entrepreneur Mark Bouris.

 

"A broad range of topics were considered – including transport; economic and social development; health and population growth – which have enormous impacts on local communities," Ms Powell said.

 

"The local government sector is crucial to providing the services and infrastructure people need, and Victoria's Mayors and Chief Executives must provide the strong leadership that will ensure the sector remains responsive to those needs."