On the Local Government News Roundup today, more councillors put their hand up for state Parliament; Darebin decides the fate of its local golf course, Boroondara airs concerns about the North East LinkTunnel project, and Southern Grampians is worried about a potential foot and mouth disease outbreak. Plus elections take 2 in New South Wales, and a Queensland Council breaches competitive neutrality.
All of that more ahead on the Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government.
Listen now here or find links for your preferred podcast app here.
Transcript (with links where available):
It’s the Local Government News Roundup.
Welcome to the bulletin for the 27th July. I’m Chris Eddy.
On the program today, more councillors put their hand up for state Parliament; Darebin decides the fate of its local golf course, Boroondara airs concerns about the North East LinkTunnel project, and Southern Grampians is worried about a potential foot and mouth disease outbreak. Plus elections take 2 in New South Wales, and a Queensland Council breaches competitive neutrality.
All of that more ahead on the Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government.
More councillors are putting themselves forward for the upcoming state election.
Melton City Councillor Moira Deeming has been nominated by the Liberal Party to contest the upper house Western Metropolitan seat.
The Age reports that Cr Deeming was endorsed at a Liberal Party convention on the weekend, to replace Bernie Finn – who was expelled from the party in May and will now contest the election for the Democratic Labour Party.
Cr Deeming is recommended for preselection in the no.1 spot on the ticket, with Brimbank councillor Trung Luu in the no.2 spot – ahead of expected endorsement by the party administration committee.
Meanwhile, Boroondara Councillor Nick Stavrou was recommended for the third position on the preselection ticket for the Southern Metropolitan region.
And Brimbank Councillor Maria Kerr has announced her endorsement as the Liberal candidate for the seat of St Albans.
It’s a challenge keeping up with which councillors are planning to run. If we’ve missed, please don’t hesitate to let us know. In the meantime, check out a handy A-Z list of every candidate that Leo Puglisi at 6News has compiled. There’s a link in the show notes.
Northcote Golf Course will continue to operate as normal following a decision this week by Darebin City Council.
As previously reported on the Roundup, there had been a push to limit the hours of golf and increase wider community use.
The Council considered the introduction of a 3pm curfew, but this week rejected that idea and resolved to run a public tender for operation of the course, which is now expected to operate with a full nine holes playable from sunrise to sunset.
Earlier this year, the Council decided to make 5.72 hectares of open space on the site available for wider community use, with $450,000 made available to activate that space.
Darebin Mayor Lina Messina has described the decision as an economic, social and environmental win, as well as for golfers and the wider community.
At Boroondara Council, Mayor Jane Addis has raised community concerns about the potential negative impacts of the North East Link Tunnel project, which features a 17 storey structure.
She said this week that the local community feels their views have not been heard or considered after a 21 day consultative process on the project’s urban design landscape plan.
Mayor Addis said the community had not had sufficient time to review the 500+ pages of material, receive answers to their questions and form a view to make a submission.
The Council will continue to advocate on behalf of residents, but Mayor Addis said they are disappointed in the nature of the community consultation to date.
Greater Bendigo City Council is releasing $600,000 in funding to progress the expansion of the Bendigo Art Gallery, its number one priority project.
With matching funding from the Art Gallery board, detailed designs will be finalised for a world-class learning centre and a blockbuster exhibition space. There will also be a traditional owners place of keeping for artefacts, a restaurant and commercial offerings.
Mayor Andrea Metcalf said the 2026 Victoria Commonwealth Games had made the need to attract funding for the project more urgent. She said, if additional government funding is not obtained by June 2023, the project will be paused.
Southern Grampians Shire Council is seeking clarity from the federal and state governments about border protection and readiness for an outbreak of foot and mouth disease.
Acting Mayor David Robertson has written to relevant ministers explaining the shire’s position as one of the densest populations of broadacre livestock farming in the world.
There are more than 1 million lambs, 2.3 million sheep and 120,000 head of beef cattle in the Southern Grampians.
Cr Robertson said recent reports out of Bali have created considerable anxiety in the community, and the council is seeking clarity on the plan in place to protect regional industry and Australia.
https://www.sthgrampians.vic.gov.au/Page/Page.aspx?page_Id=3504&h=0&
A decision by East Gippsland Council to opt out of CASA certification for Mallacoota Airport has led to community concerns about the facility.
The decision followed changes to CASA regulations which mean the airport can no longer meet the requirements of certification, and the use of instrument procedures for fixed-wing aircraft are not available.
Mayor Mark Reeves has reassured the community that the airport is safe, functional and accessible, including for services like Air Ambulance and Angel Flights.
The council is drawing attention to what it calls ‘unintended consequences’ from the CASA changes, and lobbying to have the ruling of instrument flight procedures reinstated for non-certified aerodromes.
The Victorian Briefs:
Hobsons Bay Council has launched a series of dashboards on its website, providing a public view on how it is tracking a range of projects, programs and services. The 10 dashboards include a map of current capital works projects, statistics on waste and recycling services, and data on noise and air quality.
https://www.hobsonsbay.vic.gov.au/News-Media/2022/July/Council-launches-new-public-dashboards
LGPro Victoria has postponed the planned Women’s Professional Development Forum and Women’s Network Dinner, out of caution amid growing concerns over COVID and flu cases.
It still plans to hold the events at the MCG and in person, with new dates to be advised soon.
Brimbank City Council has launched consultation on a new Disability Action Plan. The four year plan focuses on a number of priority areas, including developing employment, education and volunteering opportunities. Consultation is open until 23rd August.
Digital reforms at Victorian councils are being highlighted this week, as the state government highlights work being done with 16 councils to streamline processes.
Examples include the City of Casey, where personal trainers can get a permit online in 10 minutes through Service Victoria; and businesses in the City of Melton can use the platform to apply for footpath trading permits.
The initiatives are part of a $40 million Regulation Reform Incentive Fund, which the government says more councils are soon expected to be part of.
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/digital-reforms-cut-red-tape-put-business-fast-track
More Council stories in the news this week include:
In a report from the ABC, outgoing Gannawarra Shire Council CEO Tom O’Reilly says the council’s decision not to renew his contract is politically motivated.
He said he doesn’t think it was about performance or merit, but rather was politically driven – and accepts that that’s the orbit that local government CEOs live in.
The Border Mail in Albury Wodonga ran a story on the weekend about Wodonga Council’s new governance rules.
The updated rules are out for community consultation, and include a reduction in speaking time for councillors when debating motions from 3 to 2 minutes. The mover motion will have 3 minutes, down from the maximum of 5.
The report highlights that Wodonga councillors will have less than half the time their Albury counterparts across the border, where councillors are permitted 5 minutes.
Border Mail, 23-7-22, p9
And the Herald Sun has reported on a plan to triple the number of food trucks on the Mornington Peninsula which has angered the local hospitality sector.
It says the Council has proposed a food truck policy which envisages an increase in the number of permits from 13 to a potential 42, and from one year to three; powered sites with seating; and encouragement of musicians to promote vibrant spaces.
Mayor Anthony Marsh acknowledged the concerns of traders, saying that’s precisely why feedback is being sought on the draft policy.
(Herald Sun, 26-7-22, p.15)
Coming up:
Elections take 2 in New South Wales, and a Queensland Council breaches competitive neutrality; a new directorate announced at Gold Coast to drive transformation; and more Councils making news around the country.
You’re listening to the Local Government News Roundup for 27th July 2022, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Last call for registrations for the VLGA/LGIU Global Executive Panel, on the topic of Biodiversity Planning and Green Spaces, tomorrow night – Thursday 28th July.
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:
Logan City Council has been found to be unintentionally in breach of competitive neutrality rules with its residential green waste bin program.
According to a report from the ABC, the Queensland Competition Authority investigated after a complaint from a local waste business, and found the council charged its own green waste service at a lesser rate than its commercial waste operator fees.
The Authority has made eight recommendations to the Council, of which is accepted six in their entirety, conditionally accepted one. It has rejected a recommendation to drop its fee for commercial operators.
Logan City Council undercut competitors in own green waste program, watchdog finds – ABC News
It’s election week for some NSW councils, with the rerun of those elections deemed invalid after a problem with the iVote system last year.
This Saturday is election day for Ward A in Shellharbour City, where two councillors will be elected; and all nine councillors at Singleton and all eight councillors at Kempsey Shire
Before that, there is a countback election today to fill a casual vacancy on Wentworth Shire Council, triggered after the election of one councillor earlier in the year. Three candidates are contesting the countback.
NSW Local & State Government Elections
Gold Coast City Council has unveiled plans to create a new directorate to lead the city’s largest ever transformation program.
CEO Tim Baker said the results of a culture survey had confirmed the need for accelerated change across the organisation.
The 12 to 18 month program is aimed at increasing efficiencies and improving coordination and culture.
Organisational Services Director Paul Callander will head up the new Transformation Directorate.
New Directorate to lead change at City of Gold Coast
In today’s National Briefs:
Moree Plains Shire Council has locked in its Nick Tobin for a further 12 months as its General Manager, after a few months acting in the role.
Mr Tobin is a 30 year local government veteran, most recently holding down the GM role at Hunters Hill and Willoughby councils.
https://www.mpsc.nsw.gov.au/media-releases/1379-a-warm-welcome-to-our-new-general-manager-nick-tobin
A special Indigenous themed waste truck has joined the Camden Council fleet recently, and is expected to become a local talking point.
The truck is emblazoned with artwork from local Indigenous artist Melissa Barton, depicting and celebrating the strength, unity and teamwork between the Dharawal, Dharug and Gundangurra people to care for country in and around Camden.
https://www.camden.nsw.gov.au/media-centre/latest-news/indigenous-themed-waste-truck-unveiled/
And Fairfield City Council has organised a series of pop-up offices and is inviting residents to come visit as part of NSW Local Government Week, which starts 1st August.
The mobile officers will be in four locations between Wednesday and Saturday. The Council will also hold a daily Facebook competition, and display the winning submissions to its art and photography competition.
Get Involved In 2022 Local Government Week
More Council stories in the news this week:
The Deputy Mayor at Wagga Wagga is calling on the state government to give more power to councils to enforce cat curfews.
The ABC reports that the council would like more options that just encouraging responsible pet ownership, as current legislation in New South Wales prevents councils from enforcing curfews.
The Courier Mail has a report on what I call the ‘curious quarry quandary’.
At Bundaberg Regional Council this week, a decision had to be delegated to the CEO after half the councillors present declared a conflict of interest.
The council was set to consider an extension of the completion date for a quarry that is owned by one of the councillors. A combination of absent councillors and those with a conflict meant there was an insufficient number present to vote on the matter.
The conflicted councillors were called back into the chamber to vote on a motion to let the CEO make the call, which they passed unanimously.
And the Launceston Examiner has published a tribute to former City of Launceston alderman Basil Fitch, who passed away earlier this month at the age of 85.
Mr Fitch served on St Leonards and Launceston City Councils in the 1980s and early 1990s, and ran for mayor in 2018.
(Launceston Examiner, 26-7-22)
Now for the International Spotlight, starting in New Zealand.
The Local Government Minister has this week announced improvements to local government election processes to take effect in 2025.
Nanaia Mahuta says new legislation will cover decisions about Maori wards, the number of councillors at Auckland Council; more consistent rules for a coin toss if an election result is tied, and filing nominations electronically.
She said the bill picks up recommendations that followed inquiries into local elections in 2016 and 2019.
https://www.beehive.govt.nz/release/local-government-processes-improved-2025
To the Netherlands, where the Mayor of Amsterdam has flagged a shift in the economic balance between residents and tourists, saying that tourists on vacation from morals are not welcome.
NDTV.com has a report on how Femke Halsema, Amsterdam’s first female mayor, is leading a rethink on the city’s free-wheeling image as a magnet for sex and drug seeking vacationers.
Check out the article on the link in the show notes to learn Mayor Halsema’s thoughts on the future of the red light district, and how she proposes to tackle a housing affordability crisis.
Amsterdam’s Mayor Says Tourists “On Vacation From Morals” Not Welcome
And from Namibia… the Namibian newspaper has reported that regional and local authority councils have been urged to follow legal procedures when hiring and firing chief executive officers.
The warning follows the dismissal with immediate effect of the CEO, Desmond Basson at the Keetmanshoop local authority without approval from the relevant minister.
Namibian legislation requires a Cabinet member to approve the charging or suspension of a CEO.
The report says Mr Basson is seeking legal recourse for the allegedly unlawful dismissal.
Councils urged to follow legal procedures when firing CEOs – The Namibian
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.