In this update from the Roundup, the announcement of the Victorian councils’ rate cap for next year and some of the reaction;
and reports the NSW councillor code of conduct framework is set to be scrapped and replaced ahead of next year’s local government elections.
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 for episode 288:
Victoria’s Local Government Minister Melissa Horne has set the rate cap for councils for 2024-25 at 2.75%.
The cap has been set in line with the forecast Consumer Price Index for the next financial year and is a reduction of the cap of 3.5% that applies for the current financial year.
In a media statement, the government said it had accepted the recommendation of the Essential Services Commission in setting the cap.
Ministerial Guidelines have also been released for service rates and charges for collecting kerbside waste and recycling. They stipulate that general benefit services like tree planting and graffiti removal should not be funded by service rates or charges to individual ratepayers.
The MAV has described the rate cap outcome as disappointing, and further evidence that the system for setting the cap requires review.
MAV President David Clark said councils would continue to have difficult discussions with their communities as the rate cap means they will have no relief from the extreme financial pressures of the last four years.
The VLGA has warned that the rate cap announcement will force councils to make difficult decisions that will impact essential service delivery to communities.
President Cr Denise Massoud said, “Councillors find themselves in a ‘no win’ situation as they strive to assist those requiring support and maintain their infrastructure, further exacerbated by the crucial role councils play in bridging gaps left by higher levels of government”.
Cr Massoud said the ability of councils to serve communities is at risk, impacting the very fabric of our localities.
Some mayors have also spoken out since the announcement.
In a report from The Age, Knox Mayor Jude Dwight accused the government of double standards, with its budget papers showing an increase in tax income of 5.8% next year, and more than 46 per cent over the last three years.
While Boroondara Mayor Lisa Hollingsworth said the government was not committed to working with councils, and that the timing of the announcement just before the Christmas break was disappointing.
Hume City Council has reappointed CEO Sheena Frost for a further three years on top of her current contract term.
The renewal will see her term at the council extended through July 2027.
Greater Geelong council staff will be required to spend a minimum 60 per cent of the working week in the office, under a new mandate reportedly issued by CEO Ali Wastie.
[The Geelong Advertiser reported](https://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/news/geelong/city-of-greater-geelong-ceo-ali-wastie-brings-in-return-to-office-mandates/news-story/1393e04fde3f06e49414ac157a9f3775#:~:text=City Hall staff will be,%24102m Mercer St headquarters.) on the new requirement, which Ms Wastie said was best practice and part of creating a high performing culture and organisation.
The new executive team which was recently announced will be back in the office full time, according to the report.
The NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig is reportedly planning to replace the current code of conduct process for councils with a new statewide system.
The Newcastle Herald reported that Mr Hoenig plans to have a new system in place before the next local government elections in September 2024.
He was quoted as describing the current system as a “shambles” and “not fit for purpose”.
Work is under way at the Office of Local Government on a rewrite of the framework, according to the Herald.
Mr Hoenig, a former councillor himself, said the current system is too costly and time-consuming.
Figures from the Office of Local Government reveal that more than 4,000 complaints have been received over the past three years, at a cost to councils of more than $6.5M.
Source: Newcastle Herald, 22/12/23 $
Canada Bay Council has nominated Cr Michael Megna to be its next mayor, after the recent dismissal of Angelo Tsirekas.
Cr Megna is a long time councillor, having been first elected to Drummoyne Council in 1987. He was mayor for six years, and deputy mayor for four years.
The appointment of Cr Megna as the fifth mayor of Canada Bay is pending ratification by the NSW Governor.
A video of two men lifting a legally parked motorcycle from a parking space near Bondi Beach, so that they could park their car, has gone viral and is attracting condemnation from most observers.
The incident occurred on Saturday in the Waverly local government area, with the council confirming to Yahoo News Australia that the motorcycle was legally parked, and urging respect for people’s property.
There’s been no comment from NSW Police about the action which is believed to be illegal.
The City of Newcastle has released more details on the outcome of an investigation of its CEO’s alleged involvement in a letter to the editor scandal, but there are continued calls for the release of the full investigation report.
The Newcastle Herald reports that a local Labor branch has passed a motion for the report to be released, and the Council has reportedly resolved for the report to be released under Freedom of Information laws.
NBN News has published the outcome letter from the investigation firm which summarises the review and its finding that there was insufficient evidence to support the allegations.
The last meeting of the year for Cairns Regional Council, rescheduled due to Tropical Cyclone Jasper, descended into chaos and failed to appoint a new Division 4 Councillor.
The position, vacated due to the recent change in mayor, remains vacant due to an inability to maintain a quorum due to conflict of interest issues for some of the councillors.
The Cairns Post described the meeting as one of “fireworks and name-calling”.
There’s a legislative requirement to fill the vacant position by 21st January, and the council is seeking approval from the Minister for all councillors to participate in the decision, which has been held over until that date.
Some South Burnett Regional Council ratepayers have been overcharged interest on overdue rates, due to a software glitch.
Southburnett.com.au reported that a miscalculation of interest had been identified and rectified, and the affected ratepayers were being contacted about the issue.
The software issue is believed to have also impacted an unknown number of additional Queensland councils.
In Tasmania, the Mayor of Latrobe Council has defended the council’s workplace culture, denying it is toxic and accusing some members of the community of undermining councillors and staff.
Peter Freshney’s comments were reported by the Advocate (22nd December 2023 $) after it emerged that a decision to release the staff engagement survey details was rescinded in a confidential Council session due to legal advice and staff feedback.
It’s been confirmed that Clarence Council will host a new $70M high-performance training base for a new Tasmanian AFL club.
Rosny Parklands in eastern Hobart was announced last week as the chosen site due to its highly visible central location. More from MSN.com on that story.