Policies

This policy sets out Council's commitment to manage and care for its assets in a sustainable way and to assist in the achievement of its vision and meet the service and infrastructure needs of the community now and into the future. 

The attached policy was adopted by Council in May 2022.

This policy provides direction and guidance on the management of the employment of the Chief Executive Officer including recruitment, appointment, contracting, performance monitoring and review, and end of contract processes. It also sets out the terms of reference for the CEO Employment and Remuneration Advisory Committee. 

The policy was adopted by Council on 29 April, 2025.

This policy demonstrates the strong commitment of Indigo Shire Council to a culture of child safety and outlines the policies and practices we have developed to keep children under the age of 18 safe from harm, including abuse. This policy applies to all Indigo Shire staff, Councillors, Committee members and volunteers associated with Indigo Shire Council.

This policy was updated and endorsed by Council on 26 July, 2022.

Climate change is a real and urgent threat to our environment, economy, health and lifestyle. 

Climate change impacts are experienced across the organisation and community, and mitigation and adaptation actions are implemented by Councillors, staff and community members.

This policy applies to Council services and assets. It is to be considered when Council and its officers make recommendations and decisions, design and review programs, processes and projects.

This policy was adopted by Council on 27 August 2024.

Policy-Climate-Change.pdf(PDF, 211KB)

The Community Engagement Policy establishes the principles and framework for community engagement at Indigo Shire Council.

Under section 56 of the Local Government Act 2020, Council must adopt and maintain a community engagement policy. This policy gives effect to the delivery of Council's community engagement in line with the principles of the Act and supports the delivery of the Council Plan through meaningful community participation.

Indigo Shire is committed to facilitating open, transparent two-way discussions with all community members and stakeholders to build trusted, respectful relationships and will provide opportunities for the community to influence the decisions, policies and plans of Council by their participation in the community engagement process.

The updated policy was adopted by Council on30 September, 2025.

In 2015, the Victorian Ombudsman released two reports which highlighting the need for all Councils to ensure that their complaints handlings systems are effective, efficient and promote fairness, integrity, respect for human rights and administrative excellence.

This policy has been developed after a review of our existing complaints handling process to provide a clear and transparent framework for the handling, recording and reporting of complaints from the public.

It was adopted by Council on Tuesday 22 February 2022.

This policy supports councillors and members of delegated committees to perform their role, as defined under the Local Government Act 2020, by ensuring that expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of their role are reimbursed.

The policy is intended to ensure that councillors and members of delegated committees are supported to perform their duties without disadvantage.

It was adopted by Council in August 2023.

This policy provides the broad parameters for provision of Council services on days declared as Catastrophic Fire Danger Days and should not be confused with Council’s response to actual emergency events.

The occurrence of an actual emergency event, which may or may not be on a declared Catastrophic Fire Danger Day, would trigger activation of Council’s Municipal Emergency Management Plan which would take precedence over this policy. In the event of an actual emergency impacting the Shire, a decision to close any / all services will be made on a case by case basis. This decision will be made by the Chief Executive Officer or Senior Management or as directed by Emergency Services.

This policy sets out the direction to be taken by Councillors if offered gifts and hospitality in their capacity as a representative of Council.

In the first instance, gifts and hospitality are to be refused. If refusal is considered to cause offence or embarrassment to the provider, and the gift or hospitality are accepted, the gift automatically becomes the property of the Council. Upon receipt, the CEO will decide whether the gift should be retained by the recipient or disposed of by other means.

The policies confirm that all gifts and hospitality (as defined in this policy), whether accepted or declined, should be recorded in the Gifts and Hospitality Register.

Under the Local Government Act 2020 a separate Councillor Gift Policy which applies only to Councillors is required. A policy for staff is contained in the Staff Code of Conduct.

This policy was adopted by Council in July 2025.

The purpose of this policy is to set out the arrangements for supporting Councillor professional development and meeting obligations with the induction and professional development requirements of the Local Government Act 2020. Council is committed to supporting effective local governance through the ongoing development of Councillors. This policy aims to:

• Promote good governance by providing high-quality learning and development programs that equip Councillors with the knowledge, skills, and confidence required to fulfil their roles effectively.
• Foster professional leadership and capability growth among Councillors, encouraging continuous improvement and personal development.
• Ensure that professional development is guided by the following principles: alignment with legislative obligations; progressive learning over the term; responsiveness to individual and organisational needs; cost-effectiveness; and the cultivation of respectful, collaborative relationships between Councillors and with Council staff.

It was adopted on 30 September 2025.