Today on the Local Government News Roundup, how local government has fared in the new Victorian State Budget; councillor behaviour continues to attract attention for the wrong reasons; a new AFL club/council partnership announced; federal election commitments and advocacy wins around the country; and Chris Eddy speaks with the mayor of Devonport about that council’s controversial amalgamation proposal.
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The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Transcript:
Hello and welcome to the Local Government News Roundup for the 4th May 2022.
Coming up today: how local government has fared in the new Victorian State Budget; councillor behaviour continues to attract attention for the wrong reasons; a new AFL club/council partnership announced; federal election commitments and advocacy wins around the country; and I speak with the mayor of Devonport about that council’s controversial amalgamation proposal.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, your national broadcaster for all things local government. Subscribe to the VLGA Connect channel on YouTube or your preferred podcast app for the latest interviews on topics of interest to the local government sector.
Wyndham City Council welcomed some certainty around the East Werribee Employment Precinct, with funding provided for a roadmap and a review of the area’s precinct structure plan. Wyndham Mayor Peter Maynard also thanked the state government for its investment in 6 new schools in Wyndham, and $100M for the expansion of the emergency department at Werribee Mercy Hospital.
At Melton, at least two of the council’s advocacy priorities have been funded in the budget. A new Melton Hospital received $900M, with a community and stakeholder engagement process to be conducted around the final designs.
A $15M allocation has also been made for duplication of a section of the Melton Highway at Plumpton.
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/new-hospital-melton-upgrades-across-state
At Greater Shepparton, an expansion of the mental health facility at Goulburn Valley Health and construction of a new early parenting centre in Shepparton have been welcomed as wins for the region.
State budget delivers some wins for Greater Shepparton
The Interface Councils Group welcomed the continuation of the Growing Suburbs Fund and major infrastructure investment to address significant gaps in keeping up with population pressures. But its spokesperson, Cardinia Shire Mayor Jeff Springfield, said it would continue to advocate for investment in maternal and child health services which are under severe pressure across the outer growing suburbs of Melbourne.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/FR09fY1aIAE97Ss?format=jpg&name=900×900
Government minister Jaala Pulford joined Central Goldfields councillors in Maryborough yesterday to announce four new weekend train services for Maryborough, Creswick, Clunes and Talbot
And Greater Bendigo has welcomed budget funding to extend the Healthy Heart of Victoria initiative. Mayor Andrew Metcalf told the Bendigo Advertiser that the funding meant the initiative could continue across the Loddon Campaspe region for the next three years.
I’m joined now by the VLGA’s Chief of Staff, Stephen Cooper, who was in the budget lock up yesterday, to find out more about how local government fared in the budget:
(Interview)
A dispute between councillors at Stonnington City has led to a recommendation that one councillor refrain from using social media until he undergoes training.
In considering an allegation by Cr Polly Morgan, an independent arbiter found that abusive behaviour by Cr Alexander Lew towards a resident and fellow councillors constituted misconduct, and a breach of the prescribed standards of conduct for councillors.
The Arbiter, Yehudi Blacher, said the issue had arisen through inappropriate use of social media, and that the councillor did not seem to have properly understood the responsibilities of a councillor.
He determined that Cr Lew should repeat his councillor induction training, and refrain from using social media until specific training in the use of such media as a councillor was completed to the satisfaction of the Mayor.
A separate application from Cr Polly Morgan alleging serious misconduct was withdrawn for further consideration, and in any event could only be dealt with by a Councillor Conduct Panel.
The Arbiter’s report was presented to the Council on Monday evening, and the recommended actions were adopted unanimously.
Cr Lew told the meeting that heintends to do the training so that he can get back to engaging with the community on social media; and he also flagged that he was considering Supreme Court action in relation to what he described as several errors of law made by the arbiter.
At Frankston Council, reports are emerging of growing tensions which have led to a memo from the mayor Nathan Conroy to councillors about their conduct.
The Frankston Times reports that a lengthy debate at last week’s Council meeting prompted the mayor to warn councillors to behave, and a follow up memo to say he would not tolerate more of the same behaviour in future.
As a result, Cr Steven Hughes has taken to social media criticising the mayor for the memo, claiming that he had made ‘grossly unjust’ allegations against him and his son, fellow councillor Liam Hughes.
Mayor Conroy confirmed to the Times that he had reminded councillors of the need to follow the Council’s governance rules to ensure the efficient operation of council meetings; and that he was dedicated to ensuring exemplary leadership and governance in the best interests of ratepayers.
The Hawthorn Football Club has formed a new partnership with Bass Coast Shire Council, with a particular focus on driving greater participation in women’s football.
Under the deal, Hawthorn and the Box Hill Hawks are looking to host a VFL/VFLW double header fixture in the southeast region during their 2022 campaigns.
The new partnership aligns with the Hawks plans to enter the AFLW competition later this year.
Bass Coast CEO Ali Wastie said the council would pursue funding opportunities with the State and Federal Governments for improvements to the Wonthaggi Recreation Reserve, where the new partnership was announced this week.
Hawks partner with Bass Coast Shire Council
Federal Election updates:
Yarra Ranges Shire Council has called on election candidates to commit to a $9.5M plan to plant more than 130,000 trees locally.
The council has proposed a Greening the Suburbs program, to include a mix of plantings in streets and across bushlands and reserves.
Mayor Jim Child said the council is asking all federal parties and candidates to commit to the program, to help combat a decline in tree canopy that has been exacerbated by recent storms.
Council’s election call for greener suburbs
Bayside Council has achieved a $5M election commitment from the federal government towards a proposed $17M warm water pool project. Mayor Alex del Porto welcomed the announcement last week at the proposed site at Brighton Golf Course, and called on the ALP to match the election commitment.
Warm Water Pool election funding pledge | Bayside City Council
Victoria’s Briefs:
Campaspe Shire Council is partnering with Sandhurst Catholic Early Childhood Education and Care on a new early childhood community hub in Echuca’s west. The shire will provide the land which is situated between two existing schools, and Sandhurst will build and operate the hub which will create an education precinct for the west of the town.
New community children’s hub set for Echuca West Campaspe Shire Council
Cardinia Shire has welcomed $2.5M in federal funding to support delivery of nine council projects. The Local Roads and Community Infrastructure funding will go towards sports facility and playground upgrades, car park and intersection works, and a dog off leash area and parkour zone at Officer District Park.
Council welcomes additional funding for vital community infrastructure projects
Applications will open soon for the new Women Leading Locally program, which aims to better prepare women aspiring to become a local councillor.
The program will target the 30 council areas where women were most under-represented at the 2020 elections.
120 places will be offered under the program, which will be delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia. Applications for the first intake of 60 participants will open on 12th May.
Still to come – more federal election commitments and advocacy wins for councils; a planning dispute in Bega Valley heading to court; and I’m joined by the Mayor of Devonport to talk about that council’s proposal to form a new Mersey Regional council.
You’re listening to the Local Government News Roundup for 4th May 2022, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
I’m joined now by the VLGA CEO’s Kathryn Arndt to talk about the next in the 2022 series of Global Panel Discussions which is fast approaching.
Thanks very much Kathryn. For more details on that session on Thursday 26th May and to register, go to the events page on the VLGA’s website.. There’s a link in the show notes.
Now for some stories making news around Australia in local government this week:
South Australia’s former local government minister, Vickie Chapman, has been cleared of any wrongdoing over a decision to refuse a port on Kangaroo Island while she was also planning minister.
A parliamentary committee last year ordered an Ombudsman inquiry, the findings of which were tabled in the South Australian parliament yesterday.
The ombudsman, Wayne Lines, cleared Ms Chapman of any conflict of interest, maladministration or breach of the ministerial code of conduct.
The mayor of Queensland’s South Burnett Regional Council, Brett Otto, has thrown out a challenge to all candidates in the federal seats of Maranoa, Wide Bay and Flynn to say what they will deliver for the region.
Mayor Otto last week said that not a single commitment had yet been made in the federal election campaign so far about upgrading services or infrastructure in South Burnett.
He said the rural people of the South Burnett are all too often forgotten by governments, and they deserve a fair go in providing for the future.
He said the region needed candidates who are prepared to make commitments to projects like those outlined in the council’s advocacy action plan, which includes priorities around mental health, water supply, freight infrastructure and telecommunications services.
A Cessnock City Council advocacy priority has received a $7.5M election commitment from the Labor party for a new netball facility in Kurri Kurri. Mayor Jay Suvaal said the funding would allow for a much needed upgrade to outdated facilities, and called on other candidates to match the commitment.
A WA councillors’ antics in an online Council meeting have gained national attention, with a clip from the Zoom session doing the rounds of breakfast television today.
The WA Today outlines how the mayor, Keri Shannon, introduced an urgent item of business to the meeting, to which Cr Rod Bradley reacted by shouting, repeatedly thumping his desk, refusing to mute his microphone, and flicking his light on and off.
The Mayor has described the behaviour as ‘serious disorder,’ while Cr Bradley says he doesn’t regret his actions as they brought attention to the issue he was raising – which was that he was being asked to vote on a matter that he had not had a chance to consider.
‘I went boom, boom, boom’: Councillor’s on-camera meltdown enters Zoom bloopers hall of fame
The campaign for government investment in Queensland’s beef corridors has resulted in a $400M investment plan.
A group of Qld councils has been advocating for upgrades of the road network for some time, and spokesperson Kerry Hayes, Mayor of Central Highlands Regional Council said the government had heard the group’s calls.
However, he stressed that ongoing collaboration would be needed to turn the 6-year, $400M investment plan into reality.
He said the group was looking forward to working with the state and post-election federal government on an innovative and collaborative approach to planning and delivery of the program in the region.
The group has identified 457 kilometres of unsealed feeder roads that are a priority for sealing to achieve all-weather access.
A $100M hotel redevelopment project in Eden has reportedly been halted as the developer takes action against Bega Valley Shire Council in the NSW Land and Environmental Court.
The developer, Core Assets Development, has claimed the council has been deceptive and misleading in its dealings with the company, and is seeking compensation as a result of continued delays.
Bega Valley Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick has vehemently rejected the claims, saying that council staff have been treating the applications as a priority, noting the significant employment opportunities the development would generate.
He told the Bega District News that the proponent proposed a number of changes to consent conditions which required a new development application to be submitted, and that the new DA was received in March and is now being assessed.
Eden Development Halted With $100 Million Legal Action Against Bega Council | The National Tribune
Still in Bega Valley, where a proposed rate increase of 35 per cent in the draft budget is attracting lots of angry reaction on social media.
In today’s Bega District News, Cr David Porter is urging the community to have their say on the proposal, which council officers say is necessary to address the council’s immediate and significant need to generate additional revenue.
To the National Briefs now:
Long term City of Darwin councillor Justine Glover has resigned, saying it’s time to get some balance back in her life.
Ms Glover served on the council for nearly eight years, having first been elected in 2014. Justine Glover calls it a day | City of Darwin
Councillor Justine Glover | City of Darwin
Former Blacktown City Mayor and Councillor Alan Pendleton OAM has been presented with a Key to the City recognising 50 years of service. Mr Pendleton served 21 years on the council, including seven years as Mayor during that time.
Former Blacktown City Mayor presented with Key to the City
The National Farmers Federation has joined the call for local government to have a seat at National Cabinet. Government News reports that the NFF is getting behind the national campaign, led by ALGA, to highlight the importance of local perspectives being included in discussions on key issues like safer roads and waste reduction.
ALGA garners support of farmers federation for National Cabinet seat – Government News
Interview: Cr Annette Rockcliff, Devonport City Council
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 Wednesday. Until then, thanks for listening and bye for now.