It is no secret that ratepayers who largely fund the City of Port Philip (CoPP) have been concerned for some time about the lack of focus and discipline displayed by the Council. Recent data compiled by Council Watch, once again, tells a concerning story on Council largess that affects not only ratepayers but also the non-rate paying public.

Data released this week on the Melbourne metro councils show that the City of Port Phillip came in an alarmingly second place in terms of average salary costs at $129,174 with a staff complement of 847. This translates to a staff ratio of 8.6 staff to 1000 of population in the City of Port Phillip (third highest in Metro Melbourne) compared to the average of 6.0 staff per 1000.

Let’s consider the following: The City of Port Philip continually argues for higher rate increases, not for potential looming risks but for a continuation of a tax and spend mentality, including funding Councillor “pet initiatives”. 

Last year through the efforts of the Residents of Port Phillip (community association), rate increases were reduced from the Victorian government designated maximum. Even with a hard-won rate increase reduction, the CoPP still sits in the bottom third of councils in terms of profitability. The CoPP is budgeting a $10 million surplus (profit) for 2023-24.

With the CoPP having excessive rate structures compared to our neighbouring Councils of Glen Eira, Stonnington and Bayside, the evidence suggests that this high-rate regime is being eaten up internally through higher salary structures and overstaffing. If you think 847 staff is too high for only 103,000 residents, then also consider the fact that many of the council services are outsourced! Rubbish removal is a core responsibility and is outsourced. Ask yourselves how that exercise has been going lately!

Ask yourself, have services improved with this high staff ratio to population? Where is the productivity dividend through greater use of technology? Is the council demonstrating a lean approach to its finances? Are core council responsibilities being met? Are our retail strips in good order? Is the City of Port Phillip growing or contracting as an economy? Clearly on nearly every metric, none of the above is being demonstrated. It could be argued that the CoPP is nothing more than mediocrity at its finest.

The concerning read of the Council Watch data adds weight to only one rational conclusion - that the CoPP is running an organisation that has excess staff, that is on average overpaid or structurally top heavy and anecdotally with ongoing poor productivity.

While this rarefied world of jobs for life on higher-than-average salaries (relative to the private sector) can continue at city hall because ratepayers are the mugs that are ultimately footing the bill, we forget a key word - RISK. 

The CoPP is not currently fit for purpose, not pencil sharp on its core mandate and not ready for potentially major looming risks. In particular, the "almost certain" financial risks that CoPP will face due to Fishermen’s bend infrastructure funding shortfalls and potential development risks, and if the St Kilda Triangle moves into the construction phase, irrespective of a touted low cost private/public partnership.

If the City of Port Phillip was serious about financial responsibility, it should conduct a top-down review of all expenditures, staffing structures including staffing levels, and the elimination of all non-core, non-essential responsibilities. To continue business as usual is but a slap in the face to ratepayers and the broader community who are hit with heavy handed rates, poor service delivery and wasteful expenditure.