New from the Roundup today:
Strathbogie Shire to get its second municipal monitor inside 12 months;
A plan to close libraries in Greater Geelong attracts criticism and a warning;
More councils face pressure over planned IDAHOBIT Day events;
New mayors appointed in NSW and Tasmania, and a Queensland council appoints its first ever female CEO;
The mayor and councillors at Gore in New Zealand reach a compromise ending weeks of upheaval;
and much more news from around the world of local government.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government.
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Transcript (with story links where available):
Hi, this is Chris Eddy, coming to you from the land of the Wadawurrung People with the latest from the Local Government News Roundup.
On the podcast today:
Strathbogie Shire to get its second municipal monitor inside 12 months;
A plan to close libraries in Greater Geelong attracts criticism and a warning;
More councils face pressure over planned IDAHOBIT Day events;
New mayors appointed in NSW and Tasmania, and a Queensland council appoints its first ever female CEO;
The mayor and councillors at Gore in New Zealand reach a compromise ending weeks of upheaval;
And much more ahead in the latest update from the Local Government News Roundup.
Thanks for joining me for today’s podcast – brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Here are some of the Victorian council related stories making news in recent days.
Strathbogie Shire will have another municipal monitor in place, less than 12 months since the conclusion of the last monitor’s term.
Local Government Minister, Melissa Horne, has appointed Peter Stephenson for a 3 month term in response to concerns around governance and the health and safety of councillors and staff.
The monitor will examine why the council has been unable to resolve issues identified by the previous monitor, Janet Dore.
Mr Stephenson is a former mayor and councillor at Darebin, and has previously served as a monitor at Wangaratta and South Gippsland.
Strathbogie Mayor Laura Binks said in a statement that the Minister had appointed the monitor in response to serious governance and conduct concerns raised with her by Councillors, Council staff and independent members of the Council’s Audit and Risk Committee.
She said she looked forward to working with Mr Stephenson and the council “to ensure we can continue to deliver great things for our community.”
Source: Minister for Local Government ; Strathbogie Shire Council
A decision to close three libraries in Greater Geelong due to budget cuts is attracting criticism, media attention and a warning from the council that it would consider taking back operation of library services.
The Geelong Regional Libraries Corporation last week announced that three of its 19 libraries would be closed and the operating hours of the remaining libraries reduced, due a funding shortfall from the council.
According to the ABC, GRLC will move one library to an unstaffed model and review services to identify further savings in the coming financial year.
GRLC CEO Vanessa Schernickau told the ABC there had been no process leading to the funding decision and board member Owen Sharkey said the funding shortfall was one of the most unstrategic decisions he’d seen.
Federal MP Libby Coker, the member for Corangamite, is understood to have written to the council expressing utmost disappointment at the actions being taken to manage its financial position, describing it as mismanagement for which the community is paying the price.
Her comments follow similar criticisms quoted in the media from Geelong MP Christine Couzens.
Mayor Trent Sullivan told the ABC that local MPs have been briefed on its proposed budget and the necessary difficult funding decisions.
He said Ms Coker’s letter would be considered as a submission to the draft budget process.
The council’s Acting CEO Kaarina Phyland hit back at criticism on the weekend, releasing a statement in which she said the council requested no libraries be closed, and had asked that GRLC tighten its belt through other options that it had chosen not to take up.
She said the council would consider taking library services in-house if GRLC cannot find a way to operate all Geelong libraries with the funding available.
Source: ABC News; ABC News; City of Greater Geelong
More IDAHOBIT Day events have been cancelled or moved due to security concerns.
A drag storytime event at Eltham Library in Nillumbik was moved online, and according to Guardian reporter Cait Kelly, an event at a school in Mornington has been cancelled.
She says there have now been 10 queer events cancelled in a six month period.
However, at least one event did proceed – a rainbow storytime was held at Northcote Library in Darebin City Council as part of IDAHOBIT Day celebrations, with a Victoria Police presence.
In a LinkedIn post, Deputy Mayor Susanne Newton described the event as a celebration of love and family, and said she was quite emotional to think that people wanted to shut it down.
The trend is also occurring in other states… I’ll have news on an event cancellation in NSW coming up in our National Roundup.
On ABC Radio this week, MAV President David Clark confirmed that mayors from around the state would attend a meeting on Thursday this week to receive advice from Victoria Police and an academic on dealing with the ongoing spate of protests and disruptions to Council meetings.
Cr Clark also called on the Local Government Minister to do more to provide guidance to councils about a consistent approach to Governance Rules to deal with the current circumstances, and to provide more public messaging about the importance of ensuring the continued functioning of local democracy.
Source: Cait Kelly, Twitter ; Susanne Newton, LinkedIn; ABC Radio
ASU members at Maribyrnong City Council are taking industrial action, according to a report from the Star Weekly.
The report says the action is over the Council’s pay offer, with the ASU claiming worker’s pay will go backwards against inflation and the cost of living.
Council CEO Celia Haddock said it was disappointing the action was being taken after many months of dialogue and with a realistic settlement offer on the table.
She said the wage offer is fair and shows value to its employees.
Source: Star Weekly
An application for a six turbine wind farm has caught Moyne Shire Council by surprise.
Mayor Karen Foster said this week that there had been no prior engagement with the community before the application was lodged with the Minister for Planning.
She said it was disappointing that residents around the proposed development haven’t been consulted, and now they have restrictions placed on them as all land within 1km is immediately impacted by planning requirements.
The council plans to make a submission to the application process.
Source: Moyne Shire Council
At Wodonga, councillors have rejected an officer recommended rate rise of 3.5% for its upcoming budget, opting instead to limit the increase to 2%.
The Border Mail reports that a debate of more than hour ended with a 4-3 vote in favour of the smaller rise, and a number of other changes including a reduction in pet registrations, a cut of three trainee positions and a project deferral.
Cr Kev Poulton, who voted against the motion, estimated the decision would cost the city $10M over the next 10 years.
Source: Border Mail, 16-5-23
Melbourne City Council has commenced a recruitment process to find its next permanent CEO.
Fisher Leadership is conducting the process on behalf of the council, and is seeking an exceptional CEO to lead a globally renowned city. It describes the role as one of the most influential and enviable in the local government sector.
Alison Leighton has been Acting CEO since last October, after Justin Hanney resigned the position.
Applications close on 26th May.
Source: Australian Local Government Job Directory
Now in today’s Victorian Briefs:
A former Council CEO has been announced as the new CEO of Victoria’s Transport Accident Commission.
Tracey Slatter, current CEO of Barwon Water and the former head of Port Phillip City Council, will take on the TAC role in July, taking over from Joe Calafiore who announced his resignation earlier this year after eight years in the position.
It will be a homecoming of sorts for Ms Slatter, who was previously the organisation’s Head of Claims for four years.
Source: Victorian Government
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese was in Nillumbik Shire Council this week.
He visited the Diamond Creek Occasional Care Centre to discuss childcare reform, and met with the council’s mayor Ben Ramcharan and CEO Carl Cowie.
Source: Nillumbik Shire Council
Warrnambool’s new Library and Learning Centre, opened last October after a $20M redevelopment, has been shortlisted in two categories for a prestigious global architectural award.
It’s the only Australian project shortlisted for Libraries, and Architecture and Learning categories.
Winners will be announced in June.
Source: Warrnambool City Council
Frankston City Council says it’s continuing to work through the situation with the Lloyd Group voluntary administration process and its four affected projects.
All contracts with Lloyd Group have been terminated – two pavilion projects are being put to a select builder’s market for pricing, while council is looking to work with sub-contractors to complete the other two projects.
Source: Frankston City Council
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Some other Council stories making news this week:
Campaspe Shire Council is conducting an internal investigation into claims its officers failed to follow procedural fairness in relation to a decision to approve a 16 townhouse development on land that was underwater in last year’s floods.
The Age has the story on the matter which is currently before VCAT for a determination of whether objections to the development can be considered under planning rules.
Source: The Age
The Shepparton News has profiled the work of Moira Interim Administrator John Tanner, and his plans to deliver recommendations for a ‘reset’ period ahead of the appointment of a panel of administrators expected in June.
Source: Shepparton News
Now for some of the stories making local government news from around Australia this week.
At Camden Council in NSW, there’s a new mayor following the resignation of Therese Fedeli last week after four years in the role.
Cr Ashleigh Cagney was elected to serve out the four remaining months of the current term, and in a curious twist, Cr Fedeli was elected to the Deputy Mayor position.
According to the Southwest Voice, it’s unknown why Cr Fedeli stepped down from the mayoralty, but there is speculation it is linked to political party issues.
Cr Fedeli unsuccessfully ran for the new seat of Leppington at the state election earlier this year.
Source: Southwest Voice
At Northern Beaches, where former Mayor Michael Regan resigned after 15 years having been elected to State Parliament, councillors have elected a new mayor.
The Manly Observer reported that it was a narrow vote of 8 to 7 last night, in which Sue Heins was elected as the first female mayor of the council. Cr Heins was the deputy mayor, and that position will be filled at a later date.
Cr Regan is staying on as a councillor until the next elections in September next year.
Source: Manly Observer
Another mayor resigned their position this week.. This time in Tasmania, where Launceston Mayor Danny Gibson announced on Monday that he would be stepping down, effective Tuesday of this week.
The decision came as a shock to other councillors, some of whom are now considering standing for the mayoral position.
Cr Gibson said his decision was due to ongoing uncertainty over a review of his Working with Vulnerable People registration, which has resulted in vitriolic commentary from some segments of the community.
A report in the Australian describes speculation, rumour and vile attacks, and persistent and relentless questioning that had become too much for him.
Cr Gibson said his position was untenable due to a lack of clarity about the substance and timeframe of the review.
Following a period of leave, he will continue to serve as a councillor.
Deputy Mayor Matthew Garwood has now become Acting Mayor until the electoral commission can arrange a new election for Mayor.
Source: Launceston City Council; The Australian 16-5-23
And in the far north of Queensland, Aurukun Shire Council has appointed its first ever female CEO.
Kate Rosier was announced as the successful applicant yesterday and has started in the role immediately.
Ms Rosier has worked in financial planning and the building industry before her most recent role in the planning and development team at Toowoomba Regional Council.
Source: Aurukun Shire Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council in NSW has cancelled a Rainbow Story Time event with Betty Confetti which had been scheduled for 3rd June.
CEO Aaron Johansson said in a statement that he was unable to guarantee the physical and psychological safety of employees, who have been subjected to direct and indirect intimidating behaviour from members of the community.
Source: Goulburn Mulwaree Council
The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils has welcomed news of the establishment of a NSW Building Commission.
The new body will oversee the regulation, licensing and oversight of the building industry, and is expected to be up and running by the end of the year.
WSROC said its member councils look forward to working with the government to strengthen the building industry and ensure best practice at all intersections of government.
Source: WSROC
Eurobodalla Shire Council in NSW has received $5M in grant funding to help protect coastal properties.
According to the Bay Post Moruya Examiner, the money will help remediate land for public use and access and provide protection from beach erosion.
Source: Bay Post Moruya Examiner, 16-5-23
Briefly:
A senseless act of vandalism at a new sports complex in The Hills Shire has been condemned by its Mayor Dr Peter Gangemi.
It’s believed more than one vehicle entered a construction site and tore up turf that had only recently been laid.
Mayor Gangemi said the senseless act had cost the community many hours of hard work and tens of thousands of dollars.
Source: The Hills Shire
Blue Mountains City Council will introduce a range of new waste services next financial year, following a successful trial last year.
The services will include a weekly green bin collection, a booked chipping service, and extended waste facility hours.
Source: Blue Mountains City Council
Townsville City Council in Queensland and New Zealand’s Whanganui City Council have marked the 40th anniversary of a sister city relationship and plan to further strengthen the relationship.
Mayor Paul Antonio was part of a delegation to Whanganui in March where discussions centred on exploring economic opportunities and knowledge sharing between the two organisations.
Source: Townsville City Council
Queensland’s 2024 local government elections have been brought forward by two weeks.
Deputy Premier and Minister for Local Government Steven Miles said the elections would now be held on Saturday 16th March, as the original date falls on Easter Saturday and during school holidays.
A similar change was made in 2016 when the elections were brought forward by one week.
Source: Queensland Government
Some other Council stories in the news this week…
Conditions at a NSW country pound have been called into question, through a complaint lodged with the state government and the RSPCA.
AAP reports that the allegations stem from the removal of nine dogs and puppies from a pound in Bourke Shire earlier this year – allegations that are being contested by the council, and being examined in an RSPCA NSW inquiry.
Source: AAP via Perthnow.com.au
The ABC reports on a call from the Real Estate Institute of Australia for councils across the country to ask landlords to make more properties available to renters.
Chief Executive Anna Neelagama told the National Rural Press Club this week that the solution to the housing shortage lies in better use of existing homes and to build more houses.
Source: ABC News
And I want to give my vote for story of the week to staff writer Jenel Hunt at Warwick Today and Stanthorpe Today, for her report on the ejection of a councillor from last week’s meeting of Southern Downs Regional Council.
Jenel describes a dispute between Cr Cynthia McDonald and Mayor Vic Pennisi, which led to Cr McDonald being ordered to leave the meeting – an exercise that took 1 minute and 37 seconds, due to the amount of material she had to pack up – and a delightful description of a door slamming that may or may not have been deliberate.
Source: Warwick Today
Now for today’s International Spotlight:
There appears to be a light at the end of the tunnel for the troubles at NZ’s Gore Council.
A planned motion of no confidence in the mayor was abandoned ahead of an extraordinary council meeting late yesterday, after a last minute deal resulted in a reconciliation between Mayor Ben Bell and fellow councillors.
According to the Otago Daily Times, the elected members have apologised to each other, and issued a joint statement in which they say they’ve reunited after an in-depth, transparent and honest conversation.
The rapprochement follows a tumultuous week during which councillors called for the 24 year old mayor to resign; and a community petition attracted more than 3,000 signatures calling on the CEO to resign.
The council has passed a motion to seek help from the minister for local government in relation to effective governance, and the mayor has stepped down from the chief executive appraisal committee.
The relationship between the Mayor and CEO has been strained for some time, leading to the council designating a councillor as an intermediary between the two as they will no longer meet face to face.
Source: Otago Daily Times 15-5-23; Otago Daily Times 16-5-23
From one troubled NZ council to another – the much publicised budget pressures at Auckland City Council will reportedly lead to around 400 job losses, according to the NZ Herald.
The news outlet says the council’s chief executive Jim Stabback will announce cuts at the council later this week, on top of a string of job losses at associated entities.
Mr Stabback is expected to signal a move to a leaner organisation, likely to include the merging of some functions, changes to some senior roles and other structural changes.
Mayor Wayne Brown is looking to address a $325M budget hole, and reportedly wants to sell the council’s shares in Auckland Airport.
Source: NZ Herald
Australian councils are not alone in having to deal with increasingly disruptive public galleries.
In Utah, a mayor’s decision to close public comment at council meetings has prompted a debate about first amendment rights.
St George Mayor Michelle Randall shut down public interaction due to yelling and abuse that was becoming too divisive, according to St George Utah.com.
She has determined that residents will no longer be allowed to address the council directly, favouring instead comments submitted by email or traditional mail.
Amid accusations of a breach of free speech rights, local station KSL Radio has published an opinion piece which points out there is legal precedent for removing disruptive individuals or cutting off speech which is reasonably perceived to be disruptive.
Anyone disrupting a public meeting in Utah could be charged under state law, and face up to 6 months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Source: St George Utah ; KSL Radio
Finally today, you may recall a report from some months back about the Scottish council hoping to raise a six figure sum from the sale of a rare car registration plate.
The BBC has an update this week… and there’s actually not that much new to report.
East Renfrewshire Council had planned to auction the plate, which reads HS 0, hoping that a celebrity like Harry Styles might want to buy it.
The council has been accused by one of its own councillors of running a publicity stunt; and some five months later, it is yet to put the plate up for sale.
A spokesperson said the council was still confident of fetching a six figure sum for the plate, but that it was still working to choose an auction house to partner with on the sale.
Unsurprisingly perhaps, there is still no word on whether there is any interest from Mr Styles.
Source: BBC News
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That’s the latest from the Roundup for the 17th May 2023.
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The Local Government News Roundup is recorded in the city of Greater Geelong, Victoria, on the land of the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation.
I’ll be back soon with more of the latest local government news. Until next time, thanks for listening, and bye for now.