Victorian Numbered Acts Victorian Numbered Acts(1) A Council is not required to comply with section 26 if—
(a) the Council complies with this section; and
(b) the Secretary grants the Council an exemption from complying with section 26.
(2) If a Council intends to comply with this section, the Council must—
(a) address the matters specified in section 26(2) in the Council Plan to be prepared under section 125 of the Local Government Act 1989 or in a Strategic Plan prepared and approved by the Council;
(b) if the matters specified in section 26(2) are included in the Council Plan, review the Council Plan in accordance with section 125(7) of the Local Government Act 1989 ;
(c) if the matters specified in section 26(2) are included in a Strategic Plan, review the Strategic Plan annually.
(3) A Council may apply to the Secretary for an exemption from complying with section 26 by submitting a draft of the Council Plan or Strategic Plan which addresses the matters specified in section 26(2).
(4) If the Secretary is satisfied that the draft Council Plan or Strategic Plan adequately addresses the matters specified in section 26(2), the Secretary must grant the Council an exemption from complying with section 26.
(5) If the Secretary is not satisfied that the draft Council Plan or Strategic Plan adequately addresses the matters specified in section 26(2), the Secretary must—
(a) refuse to grant an exemption from complying with section 26(2); and
(b) advise the Council in writing—
(i) of the reasons for refusing to do so; and
(ii) as to the changes that should be made to the draft Council Plan or Strategic Plan.
(6) If a Council has been granted an exemption from complying with section 26 , the Council must give a copy of the current Council Plan or Strategic Plan to the Secretary if a change is made to the Council Plan or Strategic Plan which relates to the matters specified in section 26(2).