[4][5] Following the amalgamations and return of democratic government in 1996/97, the MAV ran a number of programs to monitor and support councils restructuring in the new process.

This included the Step Asset Management Program, which eventually assessed a large number of primarily rural councils as being financially unsustainable.

[6] In February 2015, the Victorian Auditor-General published a report into Local Government Victoria and the MAV on the effectiveness, efficiency and economy of the support provided to councils.

[7][8] The report questioned many aspects of the organisation's operations, including value for money of its procurement activities and lack of public accountability.

[13] Boroondara later withdrew its representation from the Association after a lengthy and public court battle with the City of Darebin, citing issues presented in the Auditor-General's report.

[10][20] The City of Boroondara resolved to withdraw its representation to the Association in December 2016, preventing Cr Coral Ross from contesting the presidency of the MAV.