Councillor conduct investigation outcomes, CEO level changes and the appointment of a municipal monitor.
That’s all ahead in this edition of the Local Government News Roundup.
Also today: councils band together to push for new planning policies in support of sustainability aims; advocating for better services in Ballarat, more police in Gunnedah, and local medical services in Narrandera; and reform of the local government sector in Tasmania takes a step forward.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, your national broadcaster for all things local government.
Listen to any episode of the Roundup on your preferred podcast app (links here) or click here to listen to today’s episode.
For links to stories referenced, see the transcript below.
Issue 143 LG News Roundup, 24th July 2022
Councillor conduct investigation outcomes, CEO level changes and the appointment of a municipal monitor.
That’s all ahead in this edition of the Local Government News Roundup.
Welcome to the bulletin for the 24th July. I’m Chris Eddy.
Also today: councils band together to push for new planning policies in support of sustainability aims; advocating for better bus services in Ballarat, more police in Gunnedah, and local medical services in Narrandera; and reform of the local government sector in Tasmania takes a step forward.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, your national broadcaster for all things local government.
The outcomes of two separate conduct matters will come before the next meeting of Stonnington City Council on Monday night.
The Council will consider a report on an internal arbitration process, in the matter of an application by Cr Mike Scott concerning Cr Alexander Lew.
In that matter, the Arbiter, Noel Harvey OAM, made a finding of misconduct against Cr Lew in that there has been a breach of the prescribed standards of conduct relating to written and verbal submissions to the council’s Audit and Risk Committee.
The arbiter imposed sanctions including a requirement for a written, meaningful apology from Cr Lew to Cr Scott, to be read at an upcoming Council meeting.
The second matter is the outcome of a Councillor Conduct Panel, in which former mayor Cr Kate Hely sought a finding of serious misconduct against Cr Lew.
The panel considered three allegations, and while it held some concerns, it found most of the behaviour to be part of “legitimate political discourse” and dismissed the application.
Cr Hely has issued a public response to the findings, expressing deep concern for the government’s ambition to get more women into local government and improve the culture in the sector.
She has questioned how behaviour that even the panel describes as hostile, disrespectful, inappropriate and appalling, among other descriptors, can be regarded as acceptable, and justified as robust or vigorous political discourse.
It remains to be seen how the Council deals with the two reports, listed for noting on the agenda for tomorrow evening.
A municipal monitor has been appointed at Horsham Rural City Council.
Late on Friday, the Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne announced that Jude Holt would take up the role, following a request from the mayor and CEO for assistance with governance practices at the council.
Ms Holt is a 30 year finance and governance professional, having held senior executive positions at Loddon Shire, Mt Alexander Shire and Coliban Water.
Her appointment is for six months, up until 31 January 2023.
Horsham Mayor Robyn Gulline welcomed the appointment, and said it was about education, learning, and an unwavering commitment to good governance.
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/municipal-monitor-horsham-rural-city-council-appointed
At Swan Hill Rural City Council, the Deputy Mayor Bill Moar has been appointed Acting Mayor, while the Mayor Jade Benham takes a leave of absence.
Cr Benham sought the leave of absence at this week’s council meeting in order to focus on her campaign as a Nationals candidate at the upcoming state election.
Cr Moar is a previous two term mayor, having served on the Council since 2016.
Deputy Mayor set to step in – Swan Hill Rural City Council
24 Victorian councils have joined together to lodge a new planning scheme amendment with the State Government, seeking the introduction of planning policy that prioritises sustainability requirements for new buildings.
The policy would also encourage moves towards net-zero carbon development.
The councils from across Melbourne and regional Victoria represent half the population and planning activity in the state.
They’ve called on the new minister for planning Lizzie Blandthorn to support the amendment, and to acknowledge that current planning requirements do not reflect the urgency needed to tackle climate change.
The 24 councils have undertaken the work as part of the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment, with support from the MAV.
The City of Ballarat is stepping up its advocacy for better bus services, following numerous concerns from members of the community about local public transport buses.
Mayor Daniel Moloney said this week that feedback from residents was that bus services were indirect, slow, and infrequent, making the bus an unviable alternative to using a car.
The Council has repeated its call to the State Government to conduct a review of the city’s urban bus services, with bus network reform a key transport issue in the city’s integrated transport action plan.
https://ballarat.vic.gov.au/news/city-ballarat-advocating-review-ballarats-bus-network
Briefs:
Gannawarra Shire Council will commence a recruitment process for a new CEO after a decision at its July meeting.
The council resolved not to reappoint its current CEO Tom O’Reilly at the end of his employment contract. He has held the role since December 2017.
https://www.gannawarra.vic.gov.au/News-Media/Council-to-seek-new-Chief-Executive-Officer
Yarra Ranges Shire Council will install four new electric vehicle charging stations thanks to a State Government grant of $125,000.
The stations will be located in Lilydale, Yarra Junction and Monbulk and will be used to charge the Council’s electric fleet vehicles.
A further four charging stations delivered under a separate state government program will be available for community use, with all stations set to be installed by July next year.
The State Government has extended the call for ideas about the 2026 Commonwealth Games, to the 12th August.
The process is capturing ideas from local residents and businesses, as well as local councils, about how all parts of Victoria can benefit from the games.
Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan highlighted the call for ideas on a visit to Morwell during the week, and we’ll find out more about that visit and other things happening in Gippsland when I’m joined later in the program by Latrobe Mayor Cr Kellie O’Callaghan.
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/victorians-help-shape-2026-commonwealth-games
Deputy Premier leads Commonwealth Games conversations in Latrobe City
Here are some more Council stories making the news this week:
Councillors at Darebin are expected to vote on a recommendation for the Northcote Golf Course to continue without a curfew.
A Herald Sun report says the future of the public course was reviewed after regular play was halted during pandemic lockdowns which led to greater increased passive use of the site.
Officers have recommended a proposed 3pm curfew not be introduced, and a tender process to find an operator for the course with a potential start date of 1st January 2023.(Herald Sun 21-7-22)
A decision to approve plans for a helipad, dry-dock rooftop bar and privatised beach at St Kilda Marina has been made by Port Phillip Council.
A report in the Age says despite opposition from some residents, the council approved the development, but rejected a bid for an extra foreshore building and a floating venue in the marina.
Further planning and investigation of a new artificial beach was also supported by a majority vote of the Council.
Also in the Age this week, news of a further delay to the rollout of bicycle lanes in the City of Melbourne over concerns from the Department of Transport.
DOT is worried about how bike lanes will affect other traffic on Grattan Street and Royal Parade, and has requested more information from the council.
And the Herald Sun and the Age are reporting that the City of Melbourne is set to vote on a motion to conduct a review of its Australia Day celebrations, potentially considering other dates instead of 26th January.
The report quotes Lord Mayor Sally Capp, who is supporting a review amid concerns that 26th January is divisive and the anniversary of an invasion.
The Lord Mayor’s motion is listed on the agenda for the Council meeting on Tuesday.
You’ll find links to all of those stories in the show notes for this episode.
Coming up:
The push for more police in Gunnedah, and local medical services in Narrandera; reform of the local government sector in Tasmania takes a step forward; and a finding of misconduct against a high profile mayor.
And I’m joined later in the program by the Mayor of Latrobe, Cr Kellie O’Callaghan
You’re listening to the Local Government News Roundup for 24th July 2022, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
This coming Thursday evening, the VLGA and LGIU will co-present another Global Executive Panel, this time on the topic of Biodiversity Planning and Green Spaces.
A stellar panel has been assembled to discuss and provide examples of how local governments are balancing the protection of biodiversity with increased demands for public access to open space and the natural environment.
Joining us will be Helen Bailey, Chief Executive of the London Borough of Sutton; Donna Manson, Chief Executive of Highland Council in Scotland – the largest local government area in the UK;
Rachel Ollivier, Acting CEO at Darebin City Council;
and Dr Gillian Sparkes, the Victorian Commissioner for Environmental Sustainability.
The panel will be live from 5.30pm Australian Eastern Standard Time on Thursday 28th July, online via Zoom. Register to be part of this special event at www.vlga.org.au/events
Now for some stories making news around Australia in local government this week:
An interim report on the future of local government in Tasmania has been released this week by Minister for Local Government Nic Street, and the chair of the Local Government Board, Sue Smith.
The report outlines priority reform areas arising from community and sector engagement conducted over recent months.
The process will now move into a second stage, where the Local Government Board will explore reforms that can achieve the twin aims of making the sector sustainable and representative of local communities.
Ms Smith said that while a lot of the public discussion has been around council amalgamations, the board will be looking at all consolidation options that have been raised, including shared services arrangements.
The state opposition has described the report as a glossy brochure that has created more confusion and uncertainty among councils.
Shadow Minister Anita Dow said the Minister needs to provide specifics on what he is planning for the promised overhaul of councils across the state.
Local Government Board releases Interim Report of Future of Local Government Review
Liberals promise local government reform but deliver glossy brochure – Tasmanian Labor
A Councillor Conduct Tribunal has returned a finding of misconduct against Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate.
The ABC reports that the finding relates to directions to the then-CEO Dale Dickson to halt disciplinary proceedings against the Mayor’s Chief of Staff in 2015.
The judgement was delivered in May and made public this week, and included a determination that Cr Tate also failed to declare a conflict of interest during a council meeting in 2017.
The Tribunal has ordered Cr Tate to make a public admission of misconduct on his Facebook account, and issued him with two fines totalling almost $3,500.
It’s understood Cr Tate is seeking to have the findings reviewed, and will apply for stay on the operation of the decision.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-07-21/gold-coast-mayor-tom-tate-misconduct-tribunal/101258710
The SEQ Council of Mayors has entered into a partnership with Wisk Aero to explore the introduction of an autonomous air taxi service in the region.
Wisk has developed the first all-electric, self-flying air taxi.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the aim was to capitalise on the new jobs and economic opportunities associated with an Australian-first industry, and he is excited by the prospect of having autonomous air taxis operating between venues during the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
https://seqmayors.qld.gov.au/news/autonomous-flight-on-seqs-path-to-2032-20220720
The Town of Cambridge in WA has lost its second CEO in five months, after Karl Heiden resigned on Thursday.
Mr Heiden took up the role in March, coming from a senior role with the National Offshore Petroleum Safety and Environmental Management Authority.
At a special Council Meeting on Thursday evening, Director of Infrastructure and Works Kelton Hincks was appointed as Acting CEO effective from Friday.
The Council is expected to consider the matter again at its August Council meeting.
https://www.cambridge.wa.gov.au/Town-Council/Agendas-Minutes
Advocacy is on the agenda for some NSW Councils this week, with one calling for more police and another pushing for better community access to dialysis services.
At Gunnedah, the Council has supported a call for additional general duties constables and proactive crime team members in response to worrying data that shows a significant increase in crimes, as well as drug use and possession.
Mayor Jamie Chaffey said there was one police officer for every 748 people in Gunnedah, compared to a statewide average of one per 457.
Meanwhile at Narrandera, the local mayor is leading a push for better access to dialysis for shire residents.
Cr Neville Kschenka said patients currently have to travel to Griffith up to three times a week, with the council providing a community transport service that conducted over 10,000 trips last financial year.
He is calling for dialysis services to be provided locally so that residents, especially those in aged care facilities, do not have to undertake extensive travel.
Briefs:
Councillor John Last has resigned from the Snowy Monaro Regional Council.
Cr Last was elected in 2017, and has been thanked by Mayor Narelle Davis for his service and commitment to the community.
The resignation will trigger a countback to be conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission on a date to be announced.
https://www.snowymonaro.nsw.gov.au/News-and-Media/News-articles/Resignation-of-Councillor-John-Last
Elsewhere in NSW, Blayney Shire Council has appointed a new General Manager. Current Director of PLanning and Environmental Services, Mark Dicker, will step up to the GM role on 16 August. He has been with the council for eight years.
Former GM Rebecca Ryan left earlier in the year to take up the job at Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council.
Meanwhile, former Blayney Director of Infrastructure Services Grant Baker is moving on to the General Manager role at Bland Shire, commencing on the 1st August. He spent over 14 years at Blayney Shire, and is currently President of IPWEA NSW.
Bland Shire Council appoints General Manager
An extraordinary election has been set to fill a vacancy on WA’s City of Nedlands Council, after the resignation last month of John Wetherall who served on Council for 9 years.
The election on 16 September will be conducted by postal vote to determine a replacement for the current term in Hollywood Ward 1, which is due to expire in October next year.
https://www.nedlands.wa.gov.au/council/elections.aspx
Date of election to fill former Nedlands councillor John Wetherall’s seat revealed | PerthNow
For more Council stories making the news this week:
The Bay Post/Moruya Examiner tells of the response to Eurobodalla Shire Mayor Matthew Hatcher’s letter to non-resident ratepayers, asking them to consider placing their property on the rental market.
Cr Hatcher says he was blown away with the response, with 30 respondents so far saying they will rent their property long-term – far in excess of his expectations.
(Bay Post-Moruya Examiner, 22-7-22)
The Adelaide Advertiser has a story about Tea Tree Gully Mayor Kevin Knight, who is facing censure for taking his mayoral robe and chain home, after councillors voted to remove him from ceremonial duties.
He is reported to have been found in breach of the council’s code of conduct for refusing to return the robe and chain, instead lending them to the family of a former mayor for her funeral.
(Adelaide Advertiser, 23-7-22, p.18)
And Grant District Council mayor Richard Sage is in the news again, with the Border Watch in Mt Gambier reporting on the outcome of eight complaints that were investigated by a Local Government Governance Panel.
Four were found to be in breach of the code of conduct, while the other four were not. The council voted to censure Cr Sage, and to refer all the information provided to the state’s Ombudsman.
(The Border Watch, 22-7-22)
International Spotlight:
A report from the Guardian this week reports on an increasing number of European cities introducing low emission zones.
320 city regions across Europe now have low-emission zones in place, with the number expected to increase by more than half again by 2025.
Petrol and diesel vehicles are now restricted in the top 10 most popular tourist cities in Europe.
A consultation by London’s Mayor, Sadiq Khan, on a proposed expansion of the city’s ultra-low emission zones is due to conclude at the end of this month.
Old cars forced off road as Europe’s clean air zones nearly double | Pollution | The Guardian
The results of a new study have been released in the US this week looking at the housing shortage across the nation.
A report from NPR details how non-profit research group Up for Growth has looked at what’s happening with housing in 800 US cities and town.
The results show a shortfall in rental and owned housing of 3.8 million homes required to meet current needs.
It details how the housing shortage has pushed home prices up by more than 30% in a couple of years, as well as contributed to rising rental prices.
The group says the biggest issue for solving the crisis is a desperate need for states and towns to change their zoning rules.
Critics say current rules don’t allow for anything between big apartment buildings or single family homes on big lots.
There’s a massive housing shortage across the U.S. Here’s how bad it is where you live
I reported earlier on the move to introduce autonomous air taxis in South East Queensland. There’s more on the movement towards autonomous vehicles out of the US this week.
A report from State Tech Magazine looks at an increasing number of cities experimenting with autonomous vehicles as a way of expanding citizen mobility.
Check out the story for examples of smart city initiatives from places like Ann Arbor, Michigan, Peachtree Corners, Georgia, and Arlington, Texas which are focused on enhanced safety, sustainability and the expansion of public transit.
There’s a link in the show notes for this episode.
Roundup Extra:
Interview: Kellie O’Callaghan
https://www.latrobe.vic.gov.au/news-and-media/Latrobe_Welcomes_Regional_Investment
That’s the latest from the Roundup, thanks to the Victorian Local Governance Association, your national broadcaster for all things local government. Subscribe to VLGA Connect on YouTube and podcast for regular sessions with local government identities and decision makers.
I’ll be back with more news from around the world of local government on Sunday. Until then, thanks for listening and bye for now.