On your weekend update from the Local Government News Roundup:
The panel of administrators announced to lead Moira Shire back to good governance;
IBAC reviewing its practices after a coroner’s finding into the death of a former mayor;
An emergency fund for struggling renters and a tax on Airbnb’s under consideration by a metropolitan council;
Another amalgamated NSW council to conduct a financial sustainability health check;
A peak body CEO announced as a Sydney council’s next chief executive;
Emergency spending restrictions imposed on a financially stricken UK council;
and much more 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):
Episode 229 LG News Roundup, 10th June 2023
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:
The panel of administrators announced to lead Moira Shire back to good governance;
IBAC reviewing its practices after a coroner’s finding into the death of a former mayor;
An emergency fund for struggling renters and a tax on Airbnb’s under consideration by a metropolitan council;
Another amalgamated NSW council to conduct a financial sustainability health check;
A peak body CEO announced as a Sydney council’s next chief executive;
And emergency spending restrictions imposed on a financially stricken UK council.
All of that and much more ahead in your weekend 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.
The State Government has appointed the panel of administrators charged with leading Moira Shire Council back to good governance.
The council was dismissed in March and replaced with an interim administrator, John Tanner AM.
Mr Tanner will continue as the Chair of the panel of Administrators, and will be joined by former member for Shepparton, Suzanna Sheed, and experienced state and local government executive Dr Graeme Emonson PSM.
Ms Sheed and Dr Emonson are appointed until the first meeting of the Council following elections in October 2028.
Mr Tanner’s appointment as Chair is until 8th December this year, at which time a new chair will be appointed and further appointments may be made.
A coroner has recommended a review of policies and procedures at IBAC, after finding delays in its processes impacted the mental health of former Casey mayor Amanda Stapledon before she took her life in January 2022.
Ms Stapledon gave evidence as part of the Operation Sandon probe, and had not been informed that criminal proceedings would not be brought against her some 10 months later.
Coroner David Ryan said uncertainty as to whether she would be prosecuted was a significant stressor which became exacerbated over time.
He said IBAC should ensure there is no impediment in appropriate circumstances to advising witnesses as early as possible after a decision is made, that their conduct is not under contemplation for the purpose of prosecution.
IBAC responded to the findings with confirmation that its legislation and associated practices would be reviewed, with consideration as to what can be done to address the issues highlighted in the coroner’s findings.
Meanwhile, property developer John Woodman has lost a Supreme Court bid to prevent the public release of IBAC’s Operation Sandon report.
The Dandenong Star Journal reports that the court found Mr Woodman failed to establish a prima facie case, and dismissed the request for an injunction.
The tabling of the report in State Parliament is expected to occur sometime later this year.
Yarra City Council is reported to be considering setting up an emergency fund for struggling renters, and to part fund it from a tax on Airbnb properties.
The Age reports the plan is due to be considered by the council as part of budget talks later this month.
It is said to have the support of at least five councillors, some of whom hope it paves the way for other progressive councils to introduce similar measures.
Yarra would be at least the fifth Victorian council to introduce an annual charge on short term accommodation hosts, with Bass Coast, Frankston, Mornington Peninsula and Warrnambool reported to have recently introduced similar measures.
Knox City Council is set to make a decision about its future role in providing kindergarten services.
A state government plan to increase hours, make kindergarten free, and offer a second year of kindergarten before school has prompted Council to review its services.
Knox is one of the few councils in Melbourne that directly provides kindergarten services on a large scale, making it more vulnerable to the impacts of these changes.
In February, Council agreed to consider three options for kindergarten services, and the upcoming meeting will see Council select one of these options.
Any changes made will be effective from January 2025.
Greater Shepparton City Council is hopeful that the long awaited Shepparton Bypass project will proceed, despite concerns that it may be caught up in a Federal Government infrastructure review.
Mayor Shane Sali said this week that discussions with Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan about the significance of the project were ongoing.
The state is yet to commit further funding for the bypass, which has been proposed for more than two decades.
The Committee for Greater Shepparton has expressed concern that $208M in federal funding could disappear through the current 90 day review of existing infrastructure projects.
The committee has released a report into the October 2022 Floods, which demonstrates the importance of a second river crossing to the region’s flood and climate resilience.
Greater Shepparton City Council; Committee for Greater Shepparton; Shepparton News
Regional Cities Victoria (RCV) has launched its ‘Winning Formula for Regional Victoria’, which outlines the group’s priorities for ensuring a lasting legacy is created for the whole of regional Victoria as part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The document examines six key areas, including pre-Games opportunities, infrastructure, cultural experiences, people, business procurement, and tourism and the visitor economy.
The recommendations aim to ensure a lasting legacy for every regional city beyond the event period and across the whole state, not just for the five cities hosting events.
Now in today’s Victorian Briefs:
The city of Port Phillip has decided against including a drag storytime event at St Kilda library as part of Pride Month celebrations.
CEO Chris Carroll said a flyer promoting a drag storytime event had been circulated prior to the finalisation of the program of events.
But after the completion of a risk assessment, including security and safety concerns, it was decided to proceed with an online event, rather than an in person event.
A group of flood-affected residents from Greater Shepparton will experience an NRL game this weekend, courtesy of the Council, the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project and Melbourne Storm.
The group of around 90 residents will see the Storm play the Cronulla Sharks at AAMI Park as part of efforts to ensure they are not forgotten during the flood recovery process.
Greater Shepparton City Council
A rebate scheme on reusable products such as cloth nappies and period products has been hailed as a success by Ballarat City Council.
The Courier reports that 900 people benefited from the scheme in its first year, equating to $23K, and keeping a significant amount of material out of landfill.
The rebate scheme was introduced in March last year.
Ballarat Courier, 10-6-23
And the second EV charging station in Hepburn Shire has been opened.
The facility is at the Creswick Visitor Information Centre, and has been part funded by the state government, the shire, Hepburn Energy and Central Highlands Water.
It’s on the Chargefox network, the largest EV charging network in Australia.
More councils in the news this week….
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp has flagged the potential for e-scooter hire companies to be banned because customers are leaving the devices on footpaths and haphazardly in other locations.
The Age had the exclusive story this week in which Lord Mayor Capp said she still supports e-scooters but was concerned about the safety issues, and complaints from pedestrians, residents and traders.
The Age, 9-6-23
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Now for some of the stories making local government news from around Australia this week.
An independent review of the financial sustainability of Federation Council has received the go-ahead after an extraordinary meeting of the council on Friday.
The meeting was called to consider a notice of motion brought forward by Cr David Fahey seeking a commitment to a study that would also consider whether the 2016 amalgamation of Corowa and Urana Shires has delivered the expected savings and efficiencies
It is estimated that the independent peer reviewed study will cost approximately $130K. A further report to the council will confirm the funding and the terms of reference for the review.
The move follows a similar decision to commission a review at Snowy Valleys Council, the result of which will be considered later this month; and the planned demerger of Cootamundra Gundagai Council which will take effect next year.
The Border Mail reports today that Council’s decision has been welcomed by the local ratepayers group; and how Mayor Pat Bourke hopes the review will be a catalyst for all corners of the merged shire to become closer.
Federation Council; Snowy Valleys Council; Border Mail $
Current Local Government NSW CEO Scott Phillips has been announced as the new CEO of Northern Beaches Council.
Mr Phillips will commence a five year term at the council from 24th July.
The former GM at Hornsby and Sutherland Councils has three decades experience in local and state government, and has been at the helm of LGNSW since July 2020.
The City of Coffs Harbour has been fined $20,000 for breaches of its environment protection licence at a local waste facility.
Over a 15-month period, the council failed to maintain part of its landfill gas collection system, resulting in a strong odour across the city’s south.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) brought two charges against the council for not repairing a blocked gas flow line in five wells and their associated flow lines.
The council says it has accepted the outcome of the proceedings and that the cause had been rectified.
ABC News; Coffs Harbour City Council
Councillors at Blue Mountains have voted to forego a pay increase for the second year running, and to put the savings to other priorities.
The savings of nearly $40k will offset the increase in the emergency services levy after last year devoting the savings to road repairs.
According to the Blue Mountains Gazette, Mayor Mark Greenhill said it was a way for councillors to demonstrate they feel the pain that the community is feeling from the impacts of climate change.
A Tasmanian council will increase rates next financial year by 12 per cent.
Huon Valley Council has adopted a plan which will also see future increases of 8 per cent in two years, and 6 per cent the year after in a bid to return its budget to surplus.
The ABC reports that the council is nearly $3M in deficit, and it’s asking its ratepayers to help determine which services should be cut.
Huon Valley is one of the lowest rating councils in the state, a record that is being blamed by some as the reason for its current financial position.
It’s not the only council in the news for its rating decisions… Clarence Council will lift rates by 6.5 per cent, and save $1M by doing away with its annual hard rubbish collection; and at Burnie Council, a rise of 8.78% is under consideration after a 10.2 per cent increase this current financial year.
A Queensland council’s attempt to have charges against it dismissed over the drowning deaths of a man and his son has been rejected by Proserpine Magistrate Michelle Howard.
The Whitsunday Regional Council was charged with breaching its obligations under the Work Safety and Health Act after two Chinese nationals, a man and his five year old son, drowned in the Airlie Beach Lagoon in October 2018.
The council argued that the wrong legislation had been applied but the magistrate disagreed and the case will return to court later this month.
Briefly:
WA’s City of Mandurah has introduced its first waste education plan, identifying priorities for local waste education and engagement.
Mayor Rhys Williams said the plan was the perfect starting point for a long-term waste education journey.
In Queensland, Noosa and Gympie Councils have entered into an agreement to find efficiencies in waste management and potential cost-sharing arrangements.
Noosa Mayor Clare Stewart said it made economic sense to avoid duplication and look for better environmental outcomes and efficiencies.
Representatives from both councils will meet regularly to discuss infrastructure projects and identify ways to turn waste into a resource and divert it away from landfill.
Willoughby City Council in NSW has approved 13 rezoning proposals to facilitate high-density residential developments around the Chatswood CBD.
Mayor Tanya Taylor said the council is looking to leverage infrastructure such as the new metro line in Chatswood to deliver more housing to alleviate the affordability crisis.
And on the Sunshine Coast, an e-Transport trial got underway this week with the launch of e-scooters and e-bikes in Mooloolaba and Maroochydore.
Neuron Mobility is rolling out 400 e-scooters and 75 e-bikes by the end of the month, with 50% already operational.
Lake Macquarie City Council has launched a new education and awareness campaign called “Take Charge of Your Battery Waste” in response to the increasing number of battery-related incidents.
The improper disposal of batteries in kerbside bins is causing fires in garbage and recycling trucks, contaminating soil and waterways, and posing a serious threat to the safety of staff, vehicles, and locals.
An average of three to four fires a week are being reported in NSW due to batteries in waste and recycling trucks, recycling centres, transfer stations, landfills, and scrap metal recycling yards.
In 2022, Fire and Rescue NSW recorded 180 lithium-ion battery fires, up from just 16 in 2021.
Now for today’s International Spotlight:
Emergency spending restrictions have been introduced at Woking Borough Council in the UK, as its debt is forecast to reach £2.6B.
The BBC reports that all non-essential spending has been halted, and the chief executive says it is unclear what the full impact will be on residents.
He said the restrictions reflect the scale and breadth of the acute financial situation facing the council.
The move comes three weeks after the government appointed commissioners to oversee the council due to the exceptional level of financial and commercial risk to which it is exposed.
So how did Woking find itself in this position?
The Guardian today attempts to shed light on what it describes as an “epic collapse that has sent shock waves through local government.”
Its report published this morning paints an astonishing picture of municipal recklessness, non-compliance with financial rules, egomania, incompetence, lack of transparency and regulatory neglect.
With annual tax income of just £11M, the tiny council is paying £63M a year to service £1.8B in loans, on assets that are now worth £600M less than what it paid for them.
Some tried to raise the alarm but nobody was listening. It’s an extraordinary story. Links to further reading from the BBC and the Guardian are provided in our show notes.
Gloucester City Council has confirmed that Russian hackers were behind a cyber-attack in 2021, which caused damage to the council’s network and online services.
An investigation found that while some information held by the council about residents may have been accessed, nothing has been published online to date.
The cyber criminals thought to be responsible for the incident are also believed to be behind attacks on hospitals, schools, businesses, and other local authorities.
In Pennsylvania, the city of York has announced a goal of becoming America’s first plastic-waste-free city.
The city is partnering with the Center for Regenerative Design and Collaboration (CRDC) Global to divert plastic waste into a plastic reuse program, known as “The Bag That Builds.”
The plastic collected will be turned into a material called Resin8, which is used as an additive to strengthen concrete.
CRDC last year established its first permanent factory in the US in the City of York.
In Ireland, the Lord Mayor of the City of Dublin has nominated Swedish environmentalist Greta Thunberg for the Honorary Freedom of the City of Dublin.
Ms Thunberg has reportedly agreed to accept the honour, and will join an illustrious list of previous recipients that includes John F Kennedy, Bill Clinton, Nelson Mandela, and Mother Theresa.
And speaking of honours…. in New Zealand, the Chief Executive of Wellington City Council, has been awarded the Distinguished Management Award at the Taituarā Local Government Excellence Awards.
Barbara McKerrow has a 37-year career in local government, having served in several councils before moving to Wellington City Council as the Chief Operating Officer responsible in 2017.
Wellington Mayor Tory Whanau praised McKerrow’s achievements, astute leadership, and contribution to the success of the local government sector, the city, and the Council.
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That’s the latest from the Roundup for the 10th June 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.