On the Local Government News Roundup for 5th July 2024:
- Council frustrations with Suburban Rail Loop planning
- Integrity concerns raised over grant funding at two Melbourne councils
- Greater Geelong’s mayor to visit South Korea
- Alarming figures from a police blitz on family violence offences
- A critical waste management issue in Sydney
- NSW housing reforms delayed
- Three Kiama councillors respond after being referred to ICAC by their Council CEO.
- Townsville’s mayor returns to work, prompting renewed calls for his resignation
- Challenges for UK councils running polling booths for the country’s snap general election
- and the NZ council saving $3,000 per day on road construction projects.
Plus more of the latest news from around the world of local government brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association,
with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment service and business advisory practice, presenting LG Innovate: Artificial Intelligence Summit for the local government C-Suite at Peregian Beach in September.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Transcript for episode 358:
Victorian Roundup:
Three Melbourne councils—Monash, Whitehorse, and Kingston—have expressed their frustrations with the lack of detailed information and involvement in planning for high-rise developments around the new Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) stations.
The Age has reported on concerns about the projected population growth, funding for essential infrastructure, and the transparency of the SRLA’s planning process.
The Suburban Rail Loop Authority said detailed technical information had been shared with councils, who had been actively involved in the process.
But the councils feel their feedback has not been adequately incorporated, and they are demanding more collaboration and clarity on the plans.
The State Opposition accused the Premier of pushing ahead with Suburban Rail Loop by shutting out local councils and silencing the local community’s voice.
Accusations of vote-buying have been made towards Yarra City Council after a last-minute decision to increase a grant to the Vietnamese community from $50,000 to $350,000.
The Herald Sun reported an amendment was proposed by Greens councillor Sophie Wade with minimal notice and without detailed costings or reasons.
The decision as been criticised for a lack of transparency and public consultation, prompting suggestions of a sweetener for votes at the October elections.
The council says the money will go towards an enduring commemoration to mark next year’s 50th anniversary of the arrival of Vietnamese people in Australia.
Integrity concerns have also been raised at the City of Kingston, after the awarding of a grant to a religious organisation against the advice of a councillor assessment panel.
The Age has reported that $75,000 was awarded to the Druze Community Charity of Victoria of which one councillor, Hadi Saab, is an executive committee member.
Cr Saab declared a conflict of interest and was not in the chamber for the vote on the grants allocations.
Two councillors, Georgina Oxley and David Eden, have raised probity concerns, but Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns said the process of awarding the grants was in line with audit office advice.
She told The Age that she was extremely disappointed the integrity of the council had been called into question.
Two other community groups also received funding against the original councillor panel recommendations.
Stonnington Council has extended a hotel’s outdoor dining permit for 12 months, against the advice of officers.
The outdoor dining area at the Wolf Windsor on Eastbourne Street was set up during the pandemic, and The Age reports it has attracted 35 complaints to the council in the past 12 months.
The owner of the establishment says the complaints about noise, rubbish, drinking and drug activity and other anti-social behaviours are spurious.
The council’s decision to extend the permit includes conditions, such as improved lighting, CCTV and a cap on patron numbers.
Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan will visit Changwon, South Korea, to advance agreements under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) and explore business opportunities.
The visit aims to foster investment in Geelong and strengthen ties with Changwon’s key industries, including manufacturing and technology.
Meetings will focus on partnerships with Changwon National University, hydrogen fuel infrastructure, and urban planning strategies.
The Council said the cost of the trip will be limited to economy airfares, with the hosts covering accommodation and other expenses.
Hepburn Shire Council is seeking community input on its Financial Vision through a new survey, aiming to address financial challenges exacerbated by rising costs and natural disaster recovery.
The Council plans to make significant budget savings and explore additional revenue options to ensure long-term financial sustainability.
Community feedback will help shape service delivery, infrastructure priorities, and potential rate adjustments.
Victoria Police has revealed the results of a five month blitz targeting domestic violence offenders in Melbourne’s southeast.
They show that the LGAs of Casey, Frankston, Cardinia, Greater Dandenong and Mornington Peninsula accounted for more than 70% of family violence incidents across the region.
Police arrested 2,700 individuals and laid 7,500 charges during the operation, according a report from The Guardian.
The Victorian Legislative Council Economy and Infrastructure Committee has published an update on its inquiry into the adequacy of funding and service delivery by local councils.
The first public hearing in Melbourne featured testimonies from various stakeholders, including the MAV, VLGA, Rural Councils Victoria and FinPro.
Key issues discussed include the financial sustainability of councils, the need for clear definitions of council roles, and the impact of cost shifting from state and federal governments.
The inquiry aims to explore alternative funding models and ensure local governments have a role in shaping policy.
Victorian Briefs:
New digital tourism and community information kiosks have been launched in Neerim South and Yarragon, providing 24/7 real-time information on local attractions, dining, and accommodations.
The hubs are supported by a partnership between Baw Baw Shire Council, Neerim District Community Bank, and a State Government grant.
Depending on their success, more kiosks may be installed in other towns across Baw Baw Shire.
The State Government has unveiled designs for a new road bridge over the Werribee Line at Maidstone Street, Altona, to remove a dangerous level crossing.
Construction will start in 2025, with completion by 2027.
The government is targeting the removal of 110 level crossings in Melbourne by 2030, with 80 already gone.
Latrobe City Council has refreshed its 20-year-old corporate brand to enhance recognition and reflect a modern, progressive image.
The updated logo retains the iconic wave with a modern twist, symbolising the region’s land, energy, and future.
The refresh was completed in-house. Signage and materials will be gradually updated within the existing budget.
IBAC will hold a webinar on July 24 addressing corruption risks for interface councils in the lead-up to the October 2024 Victorian local council elections.
The event will cover risks such as conflicts of interest, misuse of information, improper influence, and procurement vulnerabilities.
The free event is for local government and Victorian Public Service employees.
National Roundup:
NSW:
The Guardian reported this week that Sydney faces a critical issue with its waste disposal infrastructure, as the city is running out of landfill space and relies heavily on ageing rail tracks to transport waste to regional sites.
Experts have warned that disruptions to the rail services, particularly due to flooding, could lead to uncollected garbage piling up in hospitals and businesses.
The New South Wales Environmental Protection Agency projects landfill capacity will fall short by 2030, and the Committee for Sydney is urging better planning and investment in waste infrastructure to prevent future crises.
The NSW state government has delayed the second stage of its housing reforms until after the council elections in September, according to a report from the Sydney Morning Herald.
The delayed reforms include allowing more terraces, townhouses, and small apartment blocks near transport hubs and town centres.
The reforms were initially intended to be fully implemented by June 2024, and aim to deliver up to 112,000 additional homes over five years.
Three Kiama councillors referred to the Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) by their council’s chief executive have denied any wrongdoing.
The referral is related to a development application for a micro abattoir.
Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang expressed shock at the referral, learning of it through local media, and she has suggested it may be politically motivated.
ABC News reported that Greens councillors Kathy Rice and Jodi Keast are the other councillors caught up in the matter.
The matter is unlikely to be resolved before the upcoming elections.
Parramatta‘s CBD businesses can now apply to operate 24/7 under new Late Night Trading development controls, promoting a vibrant night-time economy.
The controls offer better hours, longer trial periods, and greater clarity and are aimed at positioning Parramatta alongside global cities like New York and Paris.
The council expects the new controls to help attract new investments and boost the local economy.
The City of Sydney is seeking creative design concepts for branding the Sydney New Year’s Eve event, aiming for a bold, colorful, and exciting visual identity that will be used for at least three years.
It wants an original design that is instantly recognisable, and reflects Sydney as a cultural and creative city.
It has opened an EOI process, with a deadline of July 26, 2024.
QLD:
Townsville mayor Troy Thompson, under pressure after a no-confidence vote and allegations of exaggerating his military credentials, returned to work this week.
The Townsville Bulletin reported that his first action was to ask the media to leave the council chamber, saying that they could watch it online.
The so-called media ban has been condemned by politicians, with more calls on the state government to step in and remove Mr Thompson from his position.
Premier Steven Miles said he was disappointed with the exclusion of the media from the meeting and repeated his call for the mayor to step down during the current investigation.
The Council’s Acting CEO Joe McCabe has since said there was a misunderstanding about the mayor’s ruling on media in the chamber.
It’s claimed he was requesting cameras and recording devices to be removed, and that journalists could have remained present at the meeting.
Mayor Thompson is under investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission, which has which no comment on its progress.
The future of Norfolk pines at Moffat Beach is uncertain as Sunshine Coast Council plans a foreshore revamp, including a rebuilt seawall to protect against climate change impacts.
Sunshine Coast News reported that some locals fear the trees will be removed, and are demanding consultation, with some even suggesting they will protest.
The council has not ruled out removing the pines.
Community feedback will be sought for landscaping behind the seawall, and an independent consultant will be engaged for a geotechnical investigation.
National Briefs:
Long-serving NSW Parliamentarian Richard Amery has received the Key to Blacktown City for his significant contributions to infrastructure and public services.
Serving 32 years in Parliament, including 8 years as a minister, he is credited with improving facilities like Mount Druitt TAFE and Hospital.
Prior to his political career, he was a police officer and actively involved in community organisations.
Tasmanian coastal councils have locked in their budgets for the new financial year.
SEA FM reported on the various rate increases, which include 5.9% at Latrobe Council and 7.1% at Kentish.
Most other councils landed on increases between 4.5 and 6.5 percent, with Waratah-Wynyard adopting the smallest increase of 2.95 per cent.
The City of Fremantle will extend its trial of holding council meetings twice a month until the end of September.
The trial, which began last October after the number of elected members was reduced from 13 to 11, aims to provide more preparation time and expedite decision-making on deferred items.
PerthNow reported that the council’s numbers are expected to reduce even further next year.
SA:
The CEO and Mayor of SA’s City of Burnside have used a visit to Canberra for this week’s National General Assembly to lobby for the reinstatement of federal funding for the Greater Adelaide Freight Bypass (GAFB).
The bypass would improve freight productivity, reduce traffic collisions, and minimize noise and pollution by reducing the number of heavy vehicles on Portrush and Glen Osmond Roads.
Adelaide is unique among Australian capitals for having a major heavy vehicle route running through residential areas.
Statistics show significant heavy vehicle traffic and related accidents in these areas.
WA:
There’s been a change of the City of Gosnells council, following the resignation last week of Adam Hort who was deputy mayor.
Councillor Balli Singh has stepped into the position as one of the two highest polling unsuccessful candidates at the last election.
The council will decide on a new deputy mayor at a meeting next Tuesday.
The Shire of Augusta Margaret River has won a legal case against Blue Whale Farm Plantation Pty Ltd for illegally clearing 16 hectares of native bush in Scott River, which included endangered flora species.
The magistrate ruled in favour of the Shire, highlighting the importance of environmental protection and adherence to development approvals.
Shire President Julia Meldrum said the decision demonstrates the shire’s ongoing commitment to preserving biodiversity and the necessity of following regulations to prevent environmental destruction.
The City of South Perth has proposed a law to ban cats from 27 sensitive wildlife areas, including parks and school bushlands.
Cats found in these areas will be seized, and owners could face fines up to $5000.
Similar laws already exist in other councils like Canning and Fremantle, according to PerthNow, and other councils, such as Bayswater, are also considering similar regulations.
Global Roundup:
UK:
Two Scottish councils, Fife and City of Edinburgh, have opened emergency voting facilities for postal voters who haven’t received their ballots.
It follows widespread issues with postal vote deliveries across Scotland, with some councils calling for a comprehensive review of the system after the election.
BBC News reported on the situation, described by the First Minister as “deeply unacceptable”.
Meanwhile, waste and recycling staff in half of Scotland’s councils, including major cities like Edinburgh and Glasgow, have voted to strike over pay disputes.
The unions, Unite and GMB, have rejected Cosla’s pay offer, calling it insufficient.
The strikes could start in two weeks, potentially affecting the Edinburgh Festival.
US:
Los Angeles City Council is considering a proposal to expand the city’s Fair Work Week law to include around 50,000 fast-food workers, aiming to provide more stable schedules and paid time off.
The proposal includes mandatory paid training and additional paid time off for hours worked, and it has the support of the California Fast Food Workers Union.
However, the LA Times reported that the move is facing opposition from industry groups concerned about the financial burden on small businesses already coping with a recent minimum wage increase.
CANADA:
Edmonton City Council has rejected proposed changes to its code of conduct that would have kept councillors’ misdeeds private by default.
The Edmonton Journal reported that the council unanimously voted to revise the bylaw, emphasising the need for transparency.
Mayor Amarjeet Sohi and other councillors expressed concerns that keeping reports private would undermine public trust.
The bylaw will be reviewed by a special council committee.
NZ:
Hamilton City Councillor Andrew Bydder is now facing 24 code of conduct complaints, a record number, following his profanity-laden submission to Waipā District Council.
The Waikato Times reported that the complaints, including one from Hamilton’s mayor Paula Southgate, have prompted an independent investigation.
Cr Bydder claims he was acting as a private citizen, and argues the submission falls outside Hamilton City Council’s jurisdiction.
Despite the criticism, he is refusing to resign from his position.
Carterton District Council in New Zealand claims it is saving up to $3000 per day per job by temporarily closing roads instead of using stop-go traffic management.
The approach, which has gained the support of Local Government Minister Simeon Brown, is said to result in higher quality work, reduced project time, improved safety, and significant financial savings.
While not suitable for all situations, the council claims it typically improves productivity by 40-50%.