Advisory committees of Baw Baw Shire have been put on notice, with four groups continuing, two scrapped and the heavily-debated gender equity group not established.
Despite the value and effectiveness of such groups being questioned, councillors opted to continue arts and culture, early years, environmental voice and place names advisory committees in a six-two vote at Wednesday's council meeting.
However, following an officer recommendation, they opted to scrap both the access and inclusion advisory committee and Healthy in Baw Baw advisory committee.
Despite the ratepayers association backing calls to re-establish a roads and drainage advisory committee last year, it was not established.
Nor was the heavily-debated gender equity advisory committee. The subject of many budget submissions last year, the previous council had fallen one vote short of starting up the group in September. The councillors ultimately opted to let the new council make its own decision.
An officer report said Baw Baw Shire had a long history of utilising advisory committees - made up of councillors and community members - to provide advice and recommendations.
However, the groups do not have any executive, financial or delegated powers.
The report contained findings from a self-assessment survey. It found committee meetings were administered well and members felt they contributed to council's decision making and saw value in their role. However, it also noted meetings could be poorly attended and committees could lose their purpose if terms of reference were not reviewed or updated.
Having held 12 to 14 meetings each and been active with various projects, officers recommended the continuation of four committees.
The report found the Healthy in Baw Baw had met nine times, however, only once in 2024 due to councillor availability. No meetings of the access and inclusion group had been held since its formation in February 2021. As a result, officers recommended both be rescinded.
Cr Kate Wilson said officers had undertaken a thorough process to reach their recommendations based on bench-marking, evaluation of meeting data and self-assessment surveys.
"What this deep dive has revealed is, without a proper mandate and appropriate membership, advisory committees can quickly become ineffective," Cr Wilson said.
She supported the four committees continuing, emphasising "not having an advisory committee doesn't mean the subject matter isn't important".
Cr Ben Lucas said he had made it clear behind closed doors that he believed advisory committees were not an effective use of staff and councillor time.
"I just don't find periodic meetings about certain subject to be overly beneficial," he said. "I'm not sure if the return on investment is good enough."
Cr Paul Pratt believed the new council needed time to assess the value of its advisory committees.
"I haven't been in the seat long enough to make a decision on these," Cr Pratt said.
Cr Adam Sheehan said the committees offered an opportunity to go out to a wider audience and sources.
"We can see what other councils and what other people are doing in other areas," Cr Sheehan said. "It's probably important to investigate that when we're all in such an early term."
Following the decision, six of the nine councillors were appointed onto the four committees last week.
Crs Sheehan and Suzanne Allen will be on the arts and culture advisory committee; Crs Pratt and Allen on early years; Crs Wilson and Tricia Jones on environmental voice; and, Crs Wilson and Brendan Kingwill on place names.
Make your voice heard
Do you have passion and knowledge of the arts, early years, environment or place names to share?
Baw Baw Shire is calling for expressions of interest to help form four advisory committees. The committees are consultative bodies, allowing residents to work directly with councillors and council officers to play an active role in improving council's services, programs and policies.
An advisory committee generally provide specialised advice and recommendations as well as research issues of interest to council and the community.
Baw Baw Shire mayor Danny Goss said it was a great opportunity for anyone in the community who was passionate about making a difference.
"If you care about making a difference, now is the time to get involved," Cr Goss said.
Visit bawbawconnect.com.au to lodge your expression of interest before Friday, April 18 or to find out more. If interest is high, interviews may be conducted.