Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A call for legislative intervention to deal with council meeting disruptors;
A reprieve for libraries in Greater Geelong that were under threat of closure;
Councillor resignations in Victoria and New South Wales;
Councils band together for help with flood recovery support;
And a regional airline cancels a key route over a dispute with the local council.
All of that and much more ahead in the latest update from the Local Government News Roundup.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here. The last 20 episodes are available free. Subscribe here for back catalogue, breaking news updates and special bonus episodes.
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:
A call for legislative intervention to deal with council meeting disruptors;
A reprieve for libraries in Greater Geelong that were under threat of closure;
Councillor resignations in Victoria and New South Wales;
Councils band together for help with flood recovery support;
And a regional airline cancels a key route over a dispute with the local council.
All of that 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.
Over 100 council representatives were brought together by the MAV on Thursday, seeking solutions for dealing with the rising levels of unpredictable and disruptive behaviour at Council meetings.
MAV President Cr David Clark said attendees heard from mayors with first hand experience of disruptive behaviour at meetings, and from Victoria Police representatives about their perspective on the issues.
Cr Clark said the discussion helped to ensure councils clearly understood the issues and the need to provide a safe workplace in their organisations.
On this week’s episode of TGU from VLGA Connect, lawyer Tony Raunic said that he believes there is a need for immediate legislative intervention… (grab)
Source: Municipal Association of Victoria; VLGA Connect
Planned library closures in Greater Geelong will now not occur, following discussions between the council and the library corporation.
Acting CEO Kaarina Phyland made the announcement late Friday, saying the city never supported the closure of libraries and that the outcome was positive for the community.
She said the discussions included available means to reduce expenses other than reducing services.
It was also revealed that construction of the new Armstrong Creek Library would not be finished in time to open during the coming financial year.
While the Barwon Heads, Geelong West and Highton libraries will now remain open, there will be reduced hours for libraries and closures on Sundays. The service reductions are due to what is described in a Geelong Independent report as a budget shortfall of $762,000.
That amount was requested to operate the new library in Drysdale, but has not been provided in the council’s draft budget.
Source: City of Greater Geelong; Geelong Independent
There’s a new councillor at Baw Baw Shire Council, after the sudden resignation last month of former mayor Joe Gauci.
Farhat Firdous was the only eligible candidate remaining from the 2020 election and has therefore been elected to serve the remainder of the current Council term until late 2024.
Joe Gauci resigned at the council’s April meeting, and in doing so made allegations about Council processes and conduct.
Mayor Annemarie McCabe said at the time that the allegations are taken seriously and will be fully investigated, with updates to be provided in due course.
Source: Baw Baw Shire Council 27-4-23; Baw Baw Shire Council 18-5-23
There’s also a new councillor at Southern Grampians, but it’s not the one previously announced.
The successful candidate from a countback on Monday did not return the required declaration of qualification within 48 hours, which meant a further countback was conducted on Wednesday.
As a result of that countback, Fran Malone has been elected to the Council, in the position vacated by former councillor Greg McAdam.
The VEC has now officially declared the result of the election.
Source: Victorian Electoral Commission
And there will be a new councillor in due course at the Borough of Queenscliffe after a resignation this week.
Fleur Hewitt has stepped down with immediate effect after 2 and a half years on the council, including 18 months as Deputy Mayor.
In a statement she said the challenges and requirements of the role have increased dramatically and she feels she can no longer give it her all.
A countback procedure will be conducted in due course to fill the vacancy.
Source: Borough of Queenscliffe
Five Victorian councils are banding together to highlight issues with recovery funding arrangements after last year’s devastating floods.
Campaspe, Buloke, Gannawarra, Loddon and Swan Hill Councils are highlighting concerns about red tape, blockages and delays with the state and federal governments.
Campaspe Mayor Rob Amos said recent discussions had highlighted several shared concerns relating to the complexity and constraints with funding systems and processes.
(Grab: Cr Rob Amos)
Mayor Amos described a lack of certainty and timeliness of requested funding for recovery support.
(Grab: Cr Rob Amos)
Source: Campaspe Shire Council;
Yarra city council has called for a report on how to regulate short-stay accommodation to help ease cost of living pressures and improve rental affordability.
The report is expected to explore the introduction of a cap on the number of days a property can be on the market, and a registration fee for Airbnb properties.
The move follows the introduction of similar measures at Warrnambool, Mornington Peninsula, Bass Coast and Yarra Ranges councils, and short-stay regulations in NSW and major international cities.
Source: Yarra City Council
Now in today’s Victorian Briefs:
Nillumbik Shire Council has reappointed its CEO Carl Cowie for a second four year term.
Mr Cowie’s new contract term will take effect on the 1st October.
He made the move to Nillumbik from the CEO position at Mornington Peninsula Shire in October 2018.
Source: Nillumbik Shire Council
Greater Geelong has been officially recognised as Tree City of the World.
It’s one of nine Australian cities now recognised by the United Nations and the Arbor Day Foundation for their commitment to ensuring urban forests and trees are properly maintained, sustainably managed and celebrated.
Source: City of Greater Geelong
And Infrastructure Victoria has released new research showing that only 19 per cent of people in outer growth areas currently consider using buses to get around, compared to 24 per cent across the greater Melbourne and 40 per cent in the City of Manningham, where buses are fast and frequent.
Eighty-two per cent of Melburnians live within a five-minute walk of a bus stop. But Infrastructure Victoria research, based on surveys with 4000 Melburnians, shows only one-fifth of residents know where those buses go.
Source: Infrastructure Victoria
______
Now for some of the stories making local government news from around Australia this week.
Rex Airlines will suspend flights between Adelaide and Whyalla due to a dispute with Whyalla City Council over security screening charges.
According to the ABC, the airline has accused the council of being devious in attempting to get the airline to subsidise screening charges that Qantas is legally required to pay but Rex is not.
Mayor Phil Stone said the council was opting to spread the $80 per passenger cost between the two airlines from July, as a Federal Government subsidy is due to end next month.
The airline said the issue was being faced by all regional councils with airports and that Whyalla was the only one attempting to pass on the cost to Rex.
Rex says it will suspend flights on the route from July.
Source: ABC News
South Australian councils are expected to raise rates this coming financial year by as much as 10%, and farmers are expected to bear some of the biggest increases.
The ABC reports on the plans of a number of councils in the state faced with financial challenges from increased expenses on a number of fronts.
Coorong District Council has flagged an average increase of 10% in its draft budget; Grant District Council is looking at 7.6%, while 5% is the proposed figure at Naracoorte Lucindale.
The councils are choosing to protect residential home owners from major increases after the tough years of the pandemic, with industrial and farming properties expected to shoulder a larger share of the rate burden.
Source: ABC News
A drag storytime event went ahead in Perth this week, with dozens of protestors outside and participants targeted with homophobic slurs.
PerthNow says one protestor was seen making a Nazi salute and brandishing a sign likening drag queens to pedophiles.
A city of Perth spokeswoman said the event had been held on three occasions at the library, receiving positive feedback – and the council remains committed to hosting the events in future,
Attendees were required to have a ticket, and children had to be accompanied by parents or guardians.
Source: PerthNow
In WA, new legislation has been brought in to support local governments with the attraction and retention of GPs.
Amended regulations will provide tender exemptions for varying or extending contracts for regional medical services, and for an incoming GP to take over another GP’s contract.
Local government minister John Carey said the changes would reduce unnecessary burden on local governments and make it easier for them to retain medical services in their communities.
Source: John Carey MLA
There’s been a councillor resignation at Lithgow City Council.
Deanna Goodsell is leaving after six years as a councillor. In announcing her resignation, the council acknowledged the demanding role of a councillor, especially with an increased focus on positioning the city for the future.
In line with a previous Council decision, the role will be filled by a countback from the 2021 election results, to be conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission on a date to be announced.
Source: Lithgow City Council
Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore has criticised a state government plan to sell unused parcels of land for housing development.
In a report from The Guardian, she said that loss of public land is “really disappointing” and the government should be focussed on genuine investment in social and affordable housing.
Premier Chris Minns is asking all government departments to identify surplus land, with the aim of any developments including a minimum 30% social and affordable homes.
Source: The Guardian
Briefly:
Sunshine Coast Council has announced the successful applicant for an electric scooter and bike trial.
Neuron Mobility will operate the trial in Mooloolaba and Maroochydore from June, with 400 e-scooters and 75 e-bikes to be in use by the end of the month.
Source: Sunshine Coast Council
Two Perth Councils have commenced the search for a new CEO.
PerthNow reports that the City of Wanneroo has established a selection panel with five council members and three independents to oversee the process to replace outgoing CEO Daniel Simms.
And the search to replace Stuart Jardine at the City of Stirling is also underway after a council vote this month.
Executive search firm Beilby Downing Teal has been appointed by both councils to conduct the process.
Source: PerthNow
Broken Hill City Council in outback NSW is being criticised for the removal of dozens of trees, including several established trees on road verges.
Landcare says the council is threatening native species habitats and the city’s heritage listing; while the council says some trees pose a safety risk.
The ABC has the story – link in the show notes.
Source: ABC News
Now for today’s International Spotlight:
Council elections were held in Northern Ireland on Thursday, the first since 2019, with 426 seats across 11 councils to be determined.
Sky News is reporting on early success for Sinn Fein, which had secured 47 seats by the end of Friday, ahead of the Democratic Unionist Party on 35.
First preference votes for Sinn Fein are up more than 7% on the last elections.
Counting is continuing through Saturday.
Source: Sky News
In Scotland, councils are being told to radically change how they operate with the public being told to be very worried about the scale of the financial challenges facing councils.
The BBC reports on warnings from the Accounts Commission that budget constraints and cost pressures are putting council finances under severe strain.
It is concerned that service performance is at risk or declining, particularly in relation to adult social care, housing, environmental services, and culture and leisure.
The closure of libraries, leisure centres and recycling centres have caused concern and in some cases generated community campaigns in various council areas around Scotland in recent weeks.
Source: BBC News
In Auckland, NZ, the mooted sale of Auckland Airport shares by the city council appears to be on, with the council having appointed an Australian financial advice firm.
Stuff.co.nz reports that the council is yet to make a decision on selling any of its 18% shareholding, but it is gathering advice as Mayor Wayne Brown promotes the sale as part of measures to balance its upcoming budget.
Melbourne-based Flagstaff Partners has been engaged following a competitive request for proposals.
Public surveys show just 25% support for selling the Council’s entire stake, with more than a third preferring that it be retained; and 28% favouring a partial sell down.
Source: Stuff.co.nz
And from the US, a new report has described the strain on local government budgets from providing mental health services to people incarcerated in state prisons.
The National Association of Counties report reveals that counties are incurring most of the costs of providing treatment in courts and jails, more than law enforcement and hospitals.
According to a story from Axios.com, even if more funding was available, local governments can’t retain enough workers to deliver the services.
The problem has become so bad that it’s estimated more than 70% of incarcerated people with a history of mental health problems have not received any treatment since being jailed.
Source: Axios.com
_________
That’s the latest from the Roundup for the 20th May 2023.
If you find the podcast useful, please consider leaving a rating or a review on Apple Podcasts or your preferred podcast app.
You might also consider becoming a Friend of the Roundup. Subscribers receive early access to special episodes and can listen to the entire back catalogue of the podcast.
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.