Contents: History of local government in Victoria p3. Attempted reforms of the 1980s p31. Bains Committee p32. Local Government Board p72. Barrabool, Greater Geelong, Winchelsea boundary review p79. Bannockburn boundary review p80. Ballarat boundary review p81. Bendigo boundary review p82. Inner Melbourne boundary review p82. South west Victoria boundary review p84. North east Victoria boundary review p85. Middle and outer Melbourne boundary review p86. Gippsland boundary review p88. North central Victoria boundary review p89. North west Victoria boundary review p91. Compulsory competitive tendering (CCT) p92. Roles and functions of councillors p93. A single cross-border council for Albury-Wodonga p94. The reform commitment of Geelong p100. The board's first reviews: Ballarat and Bendigo p104. Inner Melbourne p107. Planning reform p124. The Perrott Committee p125. Planning reform and medium density housing p131. The City of Melbourne p136. The City of Greater Geelong p157. The role of the Office of Local Government p160. The importance of Compulsory Competitive Tendering p163. The City of Monash, City of Waverley, City of Oakleigh p168. Shire of Strathbogie p179. Commissioner perspective p168. Councillor perspective p179. Chief Executive Officer (CEO) perspective p189. Democracy and Local Government change p203. Victorian reforms in national and international perspective p223.