Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:
- A councillor seeking re-election resigns two weeks out from election day
- The campaign promise to bring ABBA to Melbourne
- An alleged theft from a council-funded alliance under investigation
- Another NSW councillor resigns days into the new term, citing a toxic chamber
- An attempt to put a demerger back on the agenda at Canterbury Bankstown
- The clock running out on a show cause notice for the Mayor of Townsville
- A twist in the campaign donation saga for the Mayor of Sunshine Coast
- Plus mysterious black balls cause a council to close beaches;
- A surprise CEO appointment, and
- A councillor convicted of indecent assault resigns
Plus the latest on a potential government intervention at Wellington City Council, and the increasingly bleak financial outlook for UK councils.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Davidson recruitment and business advisory services.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Transcript for episode 385:
Victorian Roundup:
Colac Otway councillor Tosh-Jake Finnigan has resigned from the council less than two weeks before election day.
In a Facebook post, the now-former councillor said they had resigned so that they could speak freely about council issues “without being gagged by the administration.”
Finnigan said they hoped to be back in a few weeks with like-minded folks and a “mandate for sweeping change.”
The council has updated the councillor list on its website noting the resignation as of 14th October.
Melbourne Lord mayoral candidate Arron Wood has pledged $10 million to bring ABBA’s virtual concert, ABBA Voyage, to Docklands if elected.
The Herald Sun revealed that the proposal involves a revenue-sharing agreement with the council, aiming to boost the local economy and tourism.
However, the state government, already in negotiations for the show, has cautioned against promising things that can’t be delivered.
It’s been reported that the government is being asked to contribute about a third of the $100M cost to construct a venue and host the event.
ABBA Voyage, featuring digital avatars of the Swedish supergroup, has been a massive success in London, selling over 1.5 million tickets in its first 15 months. Herald Sun
Candidates for South Gippsland Shire Council have shared their thoughts on potential council cost savings during recent forums in the municipality.
Among the Strzlecki Ward candidate suggestions were the privatisation of caravan parks, reducing council-owned buildings, reassessing swimming pool operations, and cutting the Community Leadership Program.
However, the Sentinel-Times reported that some were keen to ensure the protection of funding for essential services like roads and footpaths while seeking savings in other areas. South Gippsland Sentinel-Times
Ballarat lobby group Commerce Ballarat has published the results of a survey of all candidates for the Council election on their position on business related issues.
Candidates were asked to say how they thought the council could create a more business friendly environment in the city, and how the unique assets of the city could be leveraged to create more local business opportunities.
Not all candidates contributed to the survey, the results of which are available online. Commerce Ballarat
And the Community Housing Industry Association of Victoria has called on voters to back candidates who support building more affordable housing in their communities.
It wants to see people elected who will champion social housing, support the discounting or waiving of council rates for community housing, and support community housing organisations to build homes on surplus land at peppercorn rent.
And from the Leader today, a deep dive into some of the more extreme views held by council candidates. The article looks at the social media history of some Greens and Socialist candidates, with some suggesting it reveals attitudes that should concern “mainstream reasonable Australians.” The Leader via Herald Sun$
Meanwhile, The Age has reported on the potential for preference deals to result in an unexpected Lord Mayor for Melbourne. It is calling for a restructure of the local voting system, with an overhaul of donation transparency, accountability around preference deals and requirements to disclose political alliances. The Age
In other news this week:
Police are reportedly investigating the alleged theft of over $100,000 from G21 Geelong Region Alliance, the advocacy group largely funded by five local councils.
ABC News reported that the alleged misappropriation of funds is believed to have occurred over multiple years until 2021, with a former staffer being interviewed by police in 2022.
The ABC says it has spoken with 10 councillors from member organisations about the allegations, confirming they had been briefed confidentially and were unable to make any comment on the matter. ABC News
Moira Shire Council’s Chair Administrator, Dr Graeme Emonson, says the council has a financial challenge that needs to be addressed over the coming years.
The Council has certified its annual financial statements, showing ongoing financial pressures.
But Mr Emonson said the organisation has a strategy to place it in a sustainable position over the next four years.
The Shepparton News reported that a report on the council’s performance found Cobram residents held more positive views on the shire than those in other areas, such as Yarrawonga. Shepparton News$
Victorian Briefs:
A live debate featuring Melbourne Lord Mayor candidates will be broadcast on Channel 9 next Tuesday afternoon.
Current Lord Mayor Nick Reece, Arron Wood, Anthony Koutoufides, and Roxane Ingleton are confirmed to participate in the, which will be moderated by Alicia Loxley and Tom Steinfort.
The debate will also be streamed on 9Now. TV Blackbox
Moyne Shire Council has announced that is now debt-free, after repaying $2.4M in loans.
The announcement came as the annual financial statements were adopted showing an increasing of nearly $3M in capital works delivered, up to $26.1M; and an operating deficit of $6.5M, due to accounting timing anomalies with federal grants funding. Moyne Shire Council
The Bayside Gallery will soon close for at least six months while building works take place.
The Brighton Town Hall will remain open during the construction as it is not directly impacted.
Bayside Council said the gallery will reopen in May with the Bayside Painting Prize. Bayside Council
And former three time mayor of Maribyrnong, Sarah Carter, has been posthumously inducted to the Victorian Honour Roll of Women.
The popular councillor, who passed away earlier this year, was one of 21 women to be added to the Honour Roll, which now includes more than 750 women from across the state. Premier of Victoria
National Roundup:
NSW:
Councillor Jess Jennings has resigned from Bathurst Regional Council, effective immediately.
Councillor Jennings served on Council for 12 years and most recently served as the Mayor up until September 2024.
In a statement posted to his Facebook page, Mr Jennings said he did not have confidence in the current chamber to protect ratepayers from future financial hardship on several fronts.
He also said he bears the scars of a previous Bathurst Council chamber that he said was toxic and dysfunctional, and that he would not subject himself or his family to the very real risk of another one.
The Council said it is in discussions with the NSW Electoral Commission to undertake a countback to fill the vacancy. Bathurst Regional Council
Mysterious black, ball-shaped debris has washed up on Coogee and Gordons Bay beaches in Sydney, prompting their closure and investigation by Randwick Council.
The Guardian reported the material was suspected to be “tar balls” formed from oil spills or seepage at sea.
The discovery has raised concerns about potential environmental impacts and risks to marine life.
While experts work to determine the origin and composition of the debris, beachgoers have been warned not to touch the material, and cleanup efforts are underway with hopes to reopen the beaches in the coming days. The Guardian
Independent councillor Barbara Coorey has vowed to push for the demerger of Canterbury-Bankstown Council, claiming an increased mandate and citing a petition with over 7,000 signatures.
The council was formed in 2016 by merging Canterbury and Bankstown councils, and is the second largest in the state by population, expected to reach nearly 500,000 by 2036.
The Daily Telegraph reported that while Cr Coorey believes the demerger will happen, other councillors are not supportive at this time.
Newly re-elected Mayor Bilal El-Hayek warns it could cost tens of millions of dollars at a time of significant infrastructure development in the next four years. Daily Telegraph$
The new Mayor of Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council, Abb McAlister says a proposed demerger of the council needs to be resolved soon.
Cr McAlister returns to the role he has held twice before, as well as having been mayor twice of the former Gundagai Shire Council.
Region Riverina reported that he is a longtime advocate for a demerger, and believes the council’s financial position has slipped to an unacceptable level.
The fate of the proposed demerger still rests with the NSW Local Government Minister, following a recent public inquiry and the closing of public submissions last month. Region Riverina
Local Government NSW President Cr Darriea Turley AM has defended councils against criticism from the Business Council of Australia regarding their role in addressing the housing crisis.
She said the BCA’s view was inaccurate and unhelpful, stating that councils consistently approve around 97% of development applications and are actively improving assessment processes while maintaining sound planning practices.
Cr Turley highlighted that councils are proactively reviewing local plans and identifying growth opportunities, but ultimately cannot control the number of applications submitted or dwellings built by private or government landowners. LGNSW
Latest NSW Mayoral election results:
Edward River Council – Cr Ashley Hall was elected mayor unopposed. Cr Kellie Crossley was elected unopposed as deputy mayor. Edward River Council
Cr Darcy Lound has been elected the new mayor of Campbelltown City Council.
Joining him as Deputy Mayor for 12 months is Cr Karen Hunt. Campbelltown City Council
The new Clarence Valley Council has elected Cr Ray Smith as its new mayor.
Cr Greg Clancy was voted into the deputy mayor position. Clarence Valley Council
Ola Hamed has become the first Muslim woman elected to the mayoralty of Cumberland City Council. The Labor councillor was one of two nominations for the role. Liberal Cr Michael Zaiter was elected deputy mayor. Cumberland City Council
There’s a new mayor in office at Cootamundra-Gundagai council. Cr Abb McAlister was elected on Tuesday, and is joined by Cr Rosalind Wight in the deputy mayor position. Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council
Goulburn Mulwaree Council had three nominations for mayor – Cr Nina Dillon, Cr Bob Kirk and Cr Liz McKeon – with Cr Dillon ultimately successful.
There were also three nominations for deputy mayor – Cr Caitlin Flint, Cr Christopher O’Mahony and Cr Daniel Strickland. Cr Flint was elected, making for another all female leadership team this term at a NSW Council. Goulburn Mulwaree Council
At Gunnedah Shire, the new mayor is Cr Colleen Fuller. Joining her as deputy is Kate McGrath. Gunnedah Shire Council
Three councillors were nominated for the mayoralty at Lachlan Shire. Cr John Metcalf OAM was elected in a preferential secret ballot over Dennis Brady and Paul Phillips. Cr Metcalf has previously been mayor of the shire for eight years.
Cr Megan Mortimer was elected deputy mayor. Lachlan Shire Council
Councillor Peter Harle has been elected Deputy Mayor of Liverpool City Council.
Cr Harle was the only nominee, and will serve in the role for 12 months. Liverpool Council
Ken Cudmore will serve as mayor of Liverpool Plains Shire after an unopposed election this week. Councillors also chose Donna Lawson to be deputy mayor. Liverpool Plains Shire Council
Cr Rick Firman has been re-elected as mayor of Temora Shire Council. With the re-elected deputy mayor Graham Sinclair, the shire has had the same leadership team since 2012. Temora Shire Council
Cr Paul Culhane is the new mayor of Upper Lachlan Shire Council, which has also elected Robert Cameron to serve as deputy mayor. Upper Lachlan Shire Council
QLD:
As a deadline approaches for Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson to respond to a show cause notice regarding his potential suspension from office, a newspaper poll has found more than 80 per cent of respondents think he should be removed from office permanently.
The Townsville Bulletin reported this week that Mr Thompson has chaired his final meeting before the deadline early next week for a response on the show cause notice.
Mr Thompson says he is confident in his legal team’s ability to defend his position, even preparing for a potential high court injunction. Townsville Bulletin$
It’s been revealed that Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli has been forced to repay $5,000 after unintentionally accepting prohibited donations from a property developer.
The Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) announced this week that it substantiated a complaint about the illegal donations but determined the breach was unintentional.
Its finding comes a week after Mayor Natoli announced that she had been cleared by the commission, while critics called for more transparency in the handling of such matters.
Mayor Natoli maintains she has been open and accountable throughout the process, and that she will repay the money as required. ABC News
Ken Gouldthorp, a seasoned local government professional with over 20 years of experience, has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Cairns Regional Council.
His extensive background includes roles as CEO at various councils in NSW and Queensland, most recently serving as interim CEO at Isaac Regional Council.
Mayor Amy Eden said Mr Gouldthorp’s appointment comes at a critical time for Cairns, with the council facing infrastructure challenges and preparing for the upcoming cyclone season.
The Cairns Post reported that the decision has surprised some observers who may have been expecting the interim chief executive John Andrejic to get the job. Cairns Regional Council Media Release; Cairns Post
National Briefs:
Townsville City Council is offering dog and puppy adoptions at a discount as part of a howl-o-ween sale event.
Between now and the 2nd November, the adoption price will be dropped to $150 in a bid to find forever homes for more animals. Townsville City Council
Murrumbidgee Council recently held a surprise celebration of Cr Ruth McRae’s 20 years of service to local government.
The celebration in August preceded the latest round of council elections, at which Cr McRae was re-elected and subsequently returned to the mayoral office. Murrumbidgee Council
The Office of Local Government NSW is hosting ‘Hit the Ground Running’ webinars to train nearly 1,300 newly elected councillors on their duties and responsibilities.
The sessions cover crucial topics such as financial management, ethical decision-making, and strategic planning, aiming to equip councillors with essential knowledge for their four-year term serving their communities. Office of Local Government
George Kendall Riverside Park in Ermington has reopened after a $13.4 million transformation by the City of Parramatta.
Featuring 18 hectares of new parkland and various amenities including a hilltop lookout, wetlands, and improved recreational facilities, the major revitalisation project, funded by the NSW Government’s Parks for People program. City of Parramatta
TAS:
Hobart City Council has voted to fund bike lanes on Collins Street using its contingency fund, after the state government withdrew $170,000 in funding.
Transport Minister Eric Abetz pulled the funding because of community and business opposition to the plans, according to a report from The Mercury.
That led to a vote of Council to make up the funds.
It was split 7-4, with some councillors criticising the lobbying that led to the funding withdrawal, and others supporting the minister’s decision. The Mercury
SA:
Adelaide City Council will vote next week on a request to extend a permit for modular treatment units at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital.
The COVID-19 measure has been in place since March 2021, and some critics feel it is a traffic hazard and an eyesore.
InDaily reported that the hospital has requested to keep the units until December 2026, citing their importance in managing demand for the Paediatric Emergency Department.
While the council previously agreed to extend the permit until December 2024, it is now debating whether to grant a longer extension or require the hospital to find an alternative location for the units. InDaily
A kerbside bin audit conducted by the City of Mount Gambier has revealed significant contamination issues across waste streams, with over half of general waste being potentially divertible from landfill.
Food organics comprised 27% of general waste, highlighting the need for increased use of FOGO bins and composting practices.
The audit also identified high contamination rates in recycling bins, emphasising the importance of proper waste separation and community education to improve recycling efforts and reduce landfill waste. City of Mount Gambier
WA:
Tamak Vijay, a City of Belmont councillor and former driving instructor, convicted of indecently assaulting three women during driving tests, has resigned his position despite not being legally required to do so.
Earlier, ABC News reported that while Mayor Robert Rossi was urging him to resign, Cr Vijay had not yet indicated his intentions.
The City of Belmont advised that he could retain his councillor role as he has not committed a serious local government offence or received a prison sentence exceeding five years.
It said it was treating the matter as “extremely serious” but that there were no grounds for his disqualification from council.
Subsequently, the city announced that Cr Vijay had resigned his council position, effective yesterday 16th October.
In a statement, the city said it has been in contact with the WA Electoral Commission and confirmed that because the term of office was less than 12 months, the results of the 2023 local government elections can be used to fill the vacancy.
The next available candidate in line from the previous election is Mr Jarod Harris, noting Cr Janet Powell was second in results but was successful in the 2024 extraordinary election for the South Ward.
The City has contacted Mr Harris to advise him of the vacancy and he has confirmed he is available to fill the position of Central Ward Councillor.
The City will be making arrangements to swear Mr Harris onto Council prior to the October Ordinary Council Meeting.
Reacting to the news of Mr Vijay’s resignation and Mr Harris’s election, Mayor Robert Rossi said, “I believe this is a positive outcome for our city and community and I look forward to welcoming Mr Harris to Council.” City of Belmont Media Release
The Town of Bassendean has proposed legislative reforms to address land-banking and long-term unoccupied commercial properties, aiming to alleviate the housing crisis and revitalize local districts.
Their motions, presented at the WALGA Conference earlier this month, include measures such as imposing levies on unoccupied residential properties, preventing premature demolition of habitable homes, and applying differential rates on vacant commercial properties.
Both motions were endorsed at the WALGA AGM, and WALGA is now preparing advocacy positions for the state government to investigate these proposed legislative reforms. Town of Bassendean
The Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale has hosted a Community Cabinet visit from the WA State Government, providing an opportunity for direct engagement between local officials and state ministers.
A key highlight of the visit was the signing of an $18.5 million funding agreement for the Keirnan Park Recreation Precinct, which will support the development of sports facilities and infrastructure. Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale
Global Roundup:
NZ:
The Mayor of Wellington has met with the Local Government Minister Simeon Brown this week, as reports swirled about imminent government intervention over the council’s reversal of a decision to sell its stake in Wellington Airport, and the implications for its long term plan.
Mayor Tory Whanau gave a media conference after the meeting, describing it as good productive. She said the prospect of government intervention was not raised in the meeting by the minister.
An urgent meeting of councillors, held the same day, did not lead to any firm decisions on funding cuts, according to media reports.
Mayor Whanau later said that there was no intention to increase rates or cut critical projects but that the council would be moving to amend its long term plan and address its insurance risk.
For the Minister’s part, he has said since his meeting with the mayor that his fears about the council had not been allayed, and he remains concerned that the current situation could lead to rate rises.
Minister Brown said he was waiting on advice about intervening, that he was expecting shortly, but that he wouldn’t set a time frame for when a decision would be made.
South Waikato District Council‘s Chief Executive, Susan Law, has spoken out against the increasing abuse directed at Council staff, both online and in person.
She says the personal attacks on staff members and threats to their employment based on their family members’ opinions are unacceptable and morally reprehensible.
Ms Law has reminded people that staff members’ families have the right to free speech and that elected members have no direct control over staff employment, that being the sole purview of the Chief Executive. Inside Government NZ
UK:
The financial situation facing local authorities in the UK is looking increasingly bleak, with a string of reports emerging in recent days from a number of councils about their attempts to rein in spending and avoid bankruptcy.
The debt-ridden Slough Borough Council is looking at selling off the town’s county court building as part of efforts to raise £600M through property sales.
It recently reported that it had only raised £224M so far.
Government commissioners previously ordered the council to go down the property sales path when its borrowings reached £760M. BBC News
In Bristol, the city council is planning to sell the Bottle Yard Studios, the largest film and TV studio in the west of England.
Union members say it amounts to a fire sale, and that there has not been proper scrutiny and accountability applied to the decision.
They told the BBC the sale would rob Bristol of a valued cultural and economic asset. BBC News
At Leeds Council, described by the BBC as cash-strapped, around 260 full time equivalent jobs are set to go over the next three years in a new round of cuts that includes building closures and parking charges.
Its budget shortfall is estimated currently at £273M over five years. BBC News
Shropshire Council is said to be teetering on the brink of bankruptcy, according to a report from the Shropshire Star.
One of its councillors says the dire situation is due to 15 years of mismanagement.
Ruthless cuts are reported to be under consideration to deal with a current financial year overspend of £38M. Shropshire Star
And at West Northamptonshire Council, the opposition group is said to be furious that staff have been asked to consider cutting hours, retiring or taking redundancy to save the authority money.
BBC News reported that the offer was made to staff earlier this week as part of efforts to achieve a balanced budget.
That council has a predicted shortfall of £72M by 2026. BBC News
Meanwhile, extraordinary budget pressures for councils in Wales has prompted a warning from the Welsh Local Government Association that if left unfunded, the ability of councils to deliver essential local services will be significantly impacted.
The LGA said £559M in pressures on councils was unsustainable, and its urging the Welsh and UK governments to provide additional funding support. Welsh Local Government Association
A British IT engineer, is suing Newport City Council for £495 million after accidentally discarding a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoin in 2013.
Despite numerous attempts to retrieve the drive from a local landfill, Howells has faced consistent resistance from the council, which cites environmental concerns and permit breaches as reasons for denying excavation requests.
The case is set to be heard in December. CoinTelegraph
CANADA:
Edmonton City Councillor Jennifer Rice has been granted a judicial review to challenge findings that she harrassed and bullied staff, but it won’t occur until May 6, 2026.
That’s some seven months after the next municipal election, which is due in October next year.
The timing has raised concerns among some councillors and political observers, who argue that voters should have access to the integrity commissioner’s report before the election.
CBC News reported that Ms Rice has not indicated whether she intends to run for re-election. CBC News