Local Government

The Local Government sector is a central focus of Hunt & Hunt's offering across virtually all our internal practice groups. We are committed to retaining our reputation as a "go to" firm for legal advice and support for Local Governments, regional library corporations and related sector representative bodies and alliances.

Genuine In-house Local Government Experience

For Local Government staff and councillors, nothing quite compares to accessing a legal advisor who has actually worked within Local Government itself and experienced close hand the community demands, the challenges for an elected official, the range of stakeholders Councils are accountable to and the great variety of services Local Government delivers to its community.

Our Managing Principal, Tony Raunic, is himself a former elected Councillor Mayor. Andrew Gunter also has valuable experience as an elected Councillor. Hunt & Hunt have also employed former Local Government Chief Executive Officers, administrators, ministerial advisors and communications officers and this rich knowledge of the inner workings of Local Government helps inform our advices to ensure they are practical and directed towards the particular needs of the sector.

Commercial Expertise

Nick Miller and his Corporate and Commercial team have broad experience advising Local Governments across the state on their contractual obligations, dealing with variations to contracts, managing problematic contractors and exiting from unsatisfactory contract arrangements. We can assist in writing and interpreting contract terms and conditions, navigating contractual disputes and making sure appropriate provisions are included in contracts to best protect the application of public funds towards Council procurements and other key expenditures.

Highly Respected Governance Advice

Tony Raunic is a key advisor to Chief Executive Officers, Mayors, Governance Officers and other senior Council staff on issues such as conflicts of interest, probity and procurement, compliance with Local Government Act provisions, the application of the Model Councillor Code of Conduct, addressing complaints against individual Councillors or Council staff, and the interpretation and updating of Council Governance Rules, local laws and meeting procedures.

Tony's plain speaking style drawing on many years experience representing Local Government clients is highly valued within the Local Government sector with Tony also being a preferred advisor and contributor to many sector representative bodies and alliances like the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), Local Government Professionals (LGPro) and Rural Councils Victoria (RCV).

Empathetic and Informed Councillor and Council Staff Training Programs

Our team offers training services and packages to both Councillors and Council staff. We have provided numerous mandatory Councillor induction training sessions and Councillor professional development training sessions that meet the requirements of the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Integrity) Act and the Victorian State Government's Guidance on the Mandatory Training for Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors.

We offer training in person at metropolitan, regional and rural Councils and through online channels for both Councillors and Council staff. Recent topics include conflicts of interest, Councillor and Council staff interaction policies, Councillor and developer interaction protocols, recent Arbiter decisions regarding the Model Councillor Code of Conduct, completing personal interest returns, conflicts of interest for procurement and recruitment by Council staff and fraud minimisation strategies.

Managing Council Property Assets

Steve Aitchison and his team assist Councils in the sale and purchase of real estate assets and in navigating disputes and transactions involving leasing and licensing arrangements for occupancy of Council owned or managed property assets including reserves, sporting facilities, community halls, residential and commercial property and Crown land matters.

Informed Insurance Advice

Claire Gomo and our team of insurance lawyers regularly advise local Councils on insured claims, and interpretation of relevant insurance policies as well as strategies to minimise risk exposure.

Litigators with Local Government Expertise

Our litigation team led by Catherine Ballantyne has expertise representing Councils in planning, building, local laws and Food Act prosecutions and defending legal actions brought against municipalities. We have significant expertise in defamation law including preparing Concerns Notices and issuing proceedings under the tort of defamation when defamatory publications or statements cause damage to the reputation of Council staff or Councillors.

Workplace Relations

Dan Bean and our Workplace Relations team regularly assist Councils in interpreting employment agreements, exiting staff and defending workplace claims. Dan can advise on CEO and senior officer contracts and provide advice to Mayors, and CEO performance review and remuneration committees.

The team offers training for Councillors and Council staff in occupational health and safety and safe workplace practices.

Compulsory Acquisition of Property Assets

Our Compulsory Acquisition and Property Disputes team led by Anton Dunhill regularly assists Local Governments in preserving and exercising their rights in relation to the compulsory acquisition of land assets or obtaining fair compensation for acquisition of Council land assets by other acquiring authorities. Councils seeking to operate within this specialised area of law do well to retain the services of legal practitioners who handle compulsory acquisition matters on a daily basis and have deep familiarity with the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act, Planning and Environment Act and related legislation and case law.