In the latest edition of the Local Government News Roundup for 8th May 2024:
- Sector reaction to the Victorian state budget
- The latest Victorian council to come under monitor oversight
- A deputy mayor apologises for disrespectful comments
- A council’s library funding under threat after it bans books on same-sex parenting
- A NSW mayor to call time in September
- An Adelaide councillor to be cross-examined in a long running election court case
- The NZ MP continuing to do double duty as a Councillor
- And the council banning the use of apostrophes on signs
Plus more Council news from across Australia and beyond on the Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association,
with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment service and business advisory practice;
and from Ventia, making infrastructure work sustainably for our communities.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Transcript for episode 333:
Victorian Roundup:
Reaction from the local government sector is coming in after yesterday’s state budget announcement.
Delays to transport and infrastructure projects that were predicted earlier in the week have been confirmed, including a further four years delay in delivering Melbourne Airport Rail.
The MAV has welcomed funding for school crossing supervisors for the next two years; a boost for nursing workforce capacity; and increase in Victorian Building Authority inspectors and auditors.
It has raised concerns about a further reduction to the Growing Suburbs Fund and no funding for resilient infrastructure.
Regional Cities Victoria said it is disappointed the Regional Jobs and Infrastructure Fund has not been reinstated, and that there is no pathway for future community infrastructure projects beyond the existing pipeline currently under construction.
The G21 Geelong region alliance said there were some bright spots but overall slim pickings for the region from the budget.
It said there was no improvement on the books for transport connections, which remain a major pain point for G21 communities; and that detail is vague on the $2B Regional Infrastructure Package, with questions remaining about timing and delivery of sporting infrastructure, housing and tourism projects.
And Rural Councils Victoria welcomed some relief for struggling families but wanted to see more support for other rural priorities.
Its Chair, Cr Mary-Ann brown said the budget was aimed at regional cities and metropolitan Melbourne; and spending on road maintenance, while welcome, is not enough to address significant problems in the rural road network.
Buloke Shire Council in northwest Victoria is the latest to have a municipal monitor appointed by the state government.
!https://lgnewsroundup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Peter_Harriott-20151117-0783-1-300×240.jpg
Local Government Minister Melissa Horne has announced that former Greater Shepparton chief executive Peter Harriott has commenced an eight-month term that will expire at the end of December.
He will advise and support the council on good governance processes and practices, to ensure stability in the lead-up to and following elections in October.
The appointment is in response to confidential advice from the Chief Municipal Inspector about councillor conduct, financial management practices and organisational capability at the council.
The Terms of Reference for the appointment have been published on the Local Government Victoria website.
In a statement the council said it shares the Minister’s commitment to good governance and Councillors and officers will work closely with the Monitor to strengthen governance and better meet the needs of the community
Geelong’s Deputy Mayor Cr Anthony Aitken has publicly apologised for comments he made at a Council meeting in December, accusing fellow councillors of having predetermined positions on a proposed chocolaterie project.
Cr Aitken acknowledged his remarks were “wrong and disrespectful,” and stressed the importance of maintaining professional relationships among councillors, according to the Geelong Advertiser.
The apology follows the recent appointment of state government monitors to oversee Geelong council due to an unusually high number of complaints between councillors.
A Surf Coast Shire Council decision to advocate for the closure of three wetlands to duck hunting has sparked opposition, according to a report from the Surf Coast Times.
The council has resolved to request the immediate and permanent closure of the wetlands to hunting due to concerns for native wildlife and the proximity of hunting to residential homes.
But Geelong Field & Game, and some residents who support or participate in duck hunting, say there should have been community consultation before the decision, and are petitioning for a review of the council’s position.
The City of Melbourne has ordered the former site of the Kilkenny Inn and Goldfingers strip club to be transformed into a temporary park due to delays in a promised multimillion-dollar development, according to a report from The Age.
The council has grown frustrated with the lack of progress on the site, which has remained unoccupied since a fire in 2022.
The developer, Hickory, is working with the council to create the park while revised plans for the development are underway.
Racing Wodonga has submitted a new application for demolition of the grandstand at Wodonga racecourse.
The Border Mail (7/5/24) reports that the fresh application comes nearly 18 months after the council rejected a similar proposal.
The club wants to build a new function centre and is proposing retention of the 1926 grandstand as part of the construction.
The council’s refusal of the first application was reported to be because demolition would have an irreversible impact on the heritage significance of the site.
It’s unclear if the application will come before the council this side of elections in October.
Two new Kilmore signs erected by Mitchell Shire Council have drawn mixed reactions from residents, according to the North Central Review.
Some locals have criticised the council for not prioritising road safety and maintenance, while others have welcomed the new signs.
The $370,000 project, funded by the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions Fund and the shire, is part of a broader effort to rejuvenate Kilmore’s public space and strengthen the community’s identity.
Victorian Briefs:
The annual LGPro Awards for Excellence were announced last week.
East Gippsland Shire Council was a multiple winner, taking out the Innovative Management category and the Community Assets under $5M category for the Genoa Bridge project.
Other winners included Greater Dandenong for service delivery; Greater Geelong in the special projects category, and the Brimbank Aquatic and Wellness Centre in the community assets over $5M category.
The full list of worthy winners is on the LGPro website.
Strathbogie Shire Council is developing a mountain bike trail network in Euroa and seeking public input via an online survey.
The proposed 13.9km trail at Balmattum Reserve aims to cater to various rider ages and abilities while showcasing natural assets.
National Roundup:
NSW:
The NSW government is considering withdrawing funding from some Western Sydney libraries following a council vote to remove books on same-sex parenting.
The decision by Cumberland City Council, led by former mayor Councillor Steve Christou, was passed by a slim majority in what ABC News described as a heated council meeting.
The motion was passed by six votes to five, with one opposing councillor describing it as akin to book burning.
Arts Minister John Graham warned of potential financial consequences for the council, stating that it’s up to readers to choose which book to take off the shelf.
Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley will not recontest the mayoralty at the upcoming elections in September.
The South Coast Register (7/5/24) has reported that Cr Findley revealed her plans at a community forum last week.
The two term mayor has served on council since 2008, and she says her departure is a healthy thing for democracy.
The Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) has welcomed a $1.9 billion investment by the Federal Government for infrastructure projects in the region.
The funding will be used for various projects including road upgrades and new infrastructure to support bus services to the Western Sydney International Airport.
The investment is seen as a recognition of Western Sydney’s importance as Australia’s fastest-growing region and is expected to improve the quality of life for residents and create new jobs.
The City of Parramatta is urging the Federal Government to fund the extension of the Metro West line to Western Sydney International Airport.
Lord Mayor Cr Pierre Esber there is a need for fast, frequent public transport links to major business districts in Parramatta and Sydney.
He said extending the Metro West line would make it a backbone of Sydney’s transport network, benefiting communities for generations.
With the airport set to be operational from 2026, the Council also wants to see rapid bus services to Parramatta as soon as possible.
MidCoast Council is reviewing proposals from aged and disability providers for the future delivery of MidCoast Assist services.
It says it has had a strong response to the request for proposals, and a formal decision is expected to be made at the Council meeting on 22 May.
The Council says it is aiming to ensure minimal changes and continued service delivery, and will contact clients in advance of any changes.
SA:
Councillor Jing Li is set to be cross-examined next week in an ongoing court case regarding the 2022 Adelaide council election, according to reporting from InDaily dot com.
The case revolves around allegations that Li facilitated the voting of about 593 non-citizen residents.
The legal team of the former councillor, Alexander Hyde, who is challenging the election result, is arguing that Li did not adequately disclose communications as evidence before the trial.
Judge Michael Burnett has ordered the production of attachments referred to in email messages, an affidavit from Li, and that Li be cross-examined next week.
TAS:
Launceston City Council has given in-principle endorsement to the replacement of the Cataract Gorge chairlift, which is on Council land.
An earlier attempt at a development application to replace the 1972 facility failed to get off the ground, according to a report from the Launceston Examiner (7/5/24).
The council’s endorsement is based on a three step process which gives residents opportunities to have input into the proposal.
The Jeremy White Court, a new half-size basketball court, has been officially opened in Burnie as a tribute to former staff member Jeremy White, on what would have been his 52nd birthday.
The court was funded by the Jeremy White Foundation, which has granted over $100,000 to individuals and students for pursuing their sporting passions since Jeremy’s passing in 2007.
QLD:
A Sunshine Coast resident has re-written a council local law, which if supported, would make it legal to have tiny homes on private properties permanently.
Sunshine Coast News has the story on Helen Andrew’s campaign to have the law changed to respond to the housing affordability crisis.
She is hoping that newly elected councillors will support the idea and get it put on the Council agenda for consideration.
However, a council spokesperson has told the Sunshine Coast News that state government approval would be required to change the local law, as the proposed changes would conflict with current planning legislation.
WA:
The City of Albany has received a $5 million grant from Lotterywest for a flagship event program in 2026, featuring seven events to highlight Albany’s historical significance and the history of the Menang-Noongar people.
The year-long program, Albany 2026, will promote reconciliation and cultural understanding through various forms of expression, including theatre, music, and a major sound and light installation.
The Wagyl Kaip Southern Noongar Aboriginal Corporation will partner with the City of Albany in planning the events.
National Briefs:
A state-of-the-art sporting and recreational facility in Banksia has been officially opened to the public after a $51.7 million upgrade.
The project, co-funded by Bayside Council and the NSW Government, includes new turf sporting fields, a 450-seat grandstand, multi-use courts, tennis courts, and improved amenities.
Wollongong City Council has won the 2024 Welcoming Cities Award for Change in the local government category for their efforts in strengthening social cohesion with newly arrived people.
The council was recognised for developing local partnerships that run water safety education initiatives for multicultural communities, following a number of drownings in 2012.
Ten councils in Queensland’s north-west have united to create a new regional waste and resource recovery management plan.
The plan, funded by $300K from the Queensland Government, aims to enhance waste management services, provide sustainable recycling, reduce household waste to landfill, and reduce cost burdens on councils.
The National Growth Areas Alliance (NGAA) Annual Congress, themed “Building Australia’s newest cities – A model for the new wave of growth,” will take place in Penrith, Western Sydney, from 29 – 31 May 2024.
The event will focus on the future of urban development in Australia, with discussions on topics such as the role of AI in city building and governance models for new cities.
The Congress is expected to draw a diverse audience, including mayors, CEOs, federal politicians, and academics, all committed to shaping the future of urban Australia.
Global Roundup
NZ:
Jamie Arbuckle, a Marlborough councillor who also serves as an NZ First MP, has decided to retain both roles and initially intended to keep both salaries, according to a report from Radio New Zealand.
Mr Arbuckle originally said he intended to return his council remuneration if he felt unable to fully commit to both roles.
However, he now says he can effectively manage both positions and will reassess in October, when he can resign without triggering a costly by-election.
But he has reconsidered the salary issue after being questioned about his commitment to both roles.
The Canterbury Star News is reporting that Mr Arbuckle now intends to donate his councillor remuneration to a local district community charity, after what he called feedback and reflection.
Waipa District Council has followed the lead of Nelson City Council in deciding to turn off comments on information-only posts on its Facebook page.
CEO Garry Dyet said a small number of individuals were dominating Facebook interactions, mostly in a negative way.
He said while healthy debate is welcomed, what has been seen recently is an uprising of disrespect towards staff and between community members.
Mr Dyet said he was not prepared to provide platforms for staff, elected members and contractors to be abused, ridiculed and discredited.
EUROPE:
Local government debt in the UK has risen by 78%, or £52bn, to £119bn between 2010 and 2023 due to cuts in government funding, according to the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR).
Local gov dot co dot uk has reported on the research which reveals that Councils have been borrowing at low interest rates to finance property investments, but rising interest rates have led to increased debt servicing costs.
On average, council spending on debt servicing has risen to 15%, totalling £3.2bn a year, while councils’ average net worth has fallen by a record £80bn since rates began to rise.
The NIESR warns of a worrying trend of insolvency among local authorities.
A call from Barcelona City Council has led to two new tech solutions being tested to boost electric vehicle use.
Endolla Barcelona, Southern Europe’s largest public electromobility network, is trialling a mobile robot charging point, called ZiGGY, which has been designed for parking lots, and another cost-effective, easy-to-maintain EV charging station.
The Mayor dot eu reports that the prototypes aim to address challenges in electromobility expansion and encourage more drivers to purchase electric vehicles.
Global Briefs:
Steph O’Sullivan, an experienced local government professional, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive of New Zealand’s Waipā District Council. She will assume the position in late August, succeeding Garry Dyet. Ms O’Sullivan’s five-year contract will begin on August 26.
Councillor Melaina Huaki has resigned from her position on Hamilton City Council due to health reasons and with immediate effect.
A by-election will be held for her seat, with the timing to be confirmed at an upcoming Council meeting.
The Councils says the changes signaled to Maaori Ward legislation by the coalition government will not affect the by-election process.
The Galveston city council elections have thrown up some interesting results and close calls, according to Houston Public Media.
Among them, candidate Michael Niebuhr who is considering requesting a recount after losing by just one vote with only 7% of registered voters participating in the election.
Craig Brown was reelected as mayor of Galveston for another three year term.
And finally, a council in England has upset some folks with its decision to ban the use of apostrophes on street signs to prevent issues with computer systems and geographical databases.
BBC News reported this week on the decision by North Yorkshire Council to make all new street signs without apostrophes, regardless of past usage.
The decision has sparked a mixed reaction from residents.
While some are indifferent, others see it as a decline in grammar standards. And there are those that have taken to going around adding apostrophes to some of the new signs.