BENDIGO Mayor Alec Sandner has joined a taskforce set up to advise the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) in a campaign to fight unfair superannuation bills.
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The City of Greater Bendigo Council were told earlier this month they must find $10.3 million to help top up the Local Authorities Superannuation Fund, which is underfunded by $450 million.
A mixture of elected representatives from Victorian city and rural councils have joined The Defined Benefit Superannuation Taskforce including Cr Lui Basile from the Gannawarra Shire.
MAV President Cr Bill McArthur will chair the taskforce.
Cr Sandner has repeatedly spoken out against the current legislation that requires local government, water authorities and libraries to top up the scheme whenever there is a shortfall in funds.
“This is a serious matter impacting on councils across Victoria and I am looking forward to the MAV treating it with the seriousness it deserves,” Cr Sandner said.
“The status of the scheme must be changed so it can be transitioned back to a state-managed one that is not required to be fully funded."
Mayors and chief executives from councils in the Bendigo region, including Central Goldfields, Campaspe, Gannawarra, Mount Alexander, Macedon Ranges and Loddon shires, met in Echuca last week to discuss their options.
The seven councils have a combined bill of more than $23 million.
