Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:
- More signage controversies as council elections enter the final week of voting
- Fears of lost ballots after an Australia Post truck is stolen
- A new poll suggests many are yet to make up their mind about who the next Lord Mayor of Melbourne should be
- Protests as the Victorian Government unveils new plans for housing around train stations
- The NSW government considering significant new planning changes to stimulate housing
- Accusations of a rigged vote raises concerns at a NSW regional council
- Another early term councillor resignation
- Townsville’s mayor under fire again
- and a local government minister steps down for mental health reasons.
Plus alarming new statistics from across the globe about the abuse and threats faced by councillors.
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 386:
Victorian Roundup:
More signage controversies have been reported in the Geelong council campaign including allegations of criminal damage.
The Geelong Advertiser reported that Greens candidate Emilie Flynn has apologised for drilling her corflute into a fence, prompting the owner of the property to call her a potential “rogue councillor.”
Ms Flynn said there had been a miscommunication, and she was arranging for repairs to the fence.
Other candidates have reported widespread damage to their signs, and the campaign has also seen instances of online abuse and unsettling messages directed at candidates.
Rebecca Bourke, a first-time candidate for Surf Coast Shire Council, said she had received a lot of online abuse and an unsettling anonymous text message that she believes is linked to her candidacy.
The incidents have highlighted increasing polarisation and hostility in local government elections, raising concerns about the impact on public participation and the integrity of the democratic process. Geelong Advertiser$
The VEC has called for City of Monash voters in the Mount Waverley and Oakleigh areas to consider whether their ballot packs could have been on board an Australia Post collection vehicle that was stolen on Thursday.
It has published a list of Australia Post box locations, and advised voters who lodged their completed ballot packs at any of those locations to request a replacement vote.
The VEC said it was possible that post by residents from those areas, or indeed anyone visiting those areas, may have been in the vehicle at the time.
The incident is being investigated by Australia Post and Victoria Police. Victorian Electoral Commission
The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has released its assessment of Melbourne Lord Mayoral candidates, based on how their policies align with the chamber’s four main focus areas.
The focus areas are CBD accessibility, cleanliness, safety and whether the policies are financially sound.
The scorecard is a live document and will be updated as more policy information becomes available.
Its initial assessment finds Arron Wood and Nick Reece to be standouts with significantly more ticks across the columns than their opponents. Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
A new poll published by the Sunday Herald Sun yesterday suggests more than a third of voters are still unsure who they will vote for in the Lord Mayoral race.
Of those who were clear on who would get their vote, Arron Wood led the pack with 18 per cent, followed by Nick Reece on 12 percent, and Anthony Koutoufides and Roxane Ingleton on seven per cent. Herald Sun
The Age has taken a look at the participation of teenage candidates in Victoria’s council elections, focusing on three young hopefuls.
The candidates for Hume, Port Phillip and Bayside council elections have faced challenges and skepticism due to their age, but candidates are passionate about representing their communities and bringing fresh perspectives to local government.
Their campaigns demonstrate a commitment to addressing issues such as cost of living, environmental concerns, and community development, showcasing the potential for youth engagement in politics. The Age
The Victorian Government announced the first 25 of an eventual 50 new train and tram zone activity centres, aimed at boosting housing near public transport.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny visited Middle Brighton station yesterday to make the announcement – it is one of the new centres in the first 25.
But as the Age reported, they received a hostile reception from locals, led by Brighton MP James Newbury, concerned about high rise outcomes and a lack of infrastructure to support the developments.
All of the centres are serviced by trains, with all but one of the first 25 based directly on train stations. They include seven centres connected to the new Metro Tunnel.
The rest of the locations will be announced later in the year as part of the release of the new Plan for Victoria. Premier for Victoria; The Age$
A Merri-bek City Council fast-track housing approval process has been welcomed as an example of a proactive local government response to the housing crisis.
The fast track process, for complying two-dwelling developments, guarantees approval within six weeks, significantly reducing approval times.
The Australian Financial Review reported on one project that received approval in just over three weeks, compared to the previous record of three-and-a-half months.
The fast-track process requires more upfront preparation and informal discussions with officials, but it offers potential time savings in the overall development timeline. Australian Financial Review$
National Roundup:
New ALGA President Matt Burnett will visit Canberra next month to raise the issue of local government’s role in addressing the housing crisis with senior Ministers, MPs and Senators.
Cr Burnett said the blame game around housing supply needs to stop, and the private sector and all levels of government need to be part of addressing the barriers to increasing affordable housing.
He said all three levels of government should partner on identifying more revenue streams, paid directly to councils, to close the infrastructure gap, estimated at least $5.7B.
On Friday, ALGA welcomed a pledge from the Coalition to invest $5B in enabling infrastructure through a new Housing Infrastructure Programme, to unlock up to 500,000 new homes across the country. Australian Local Government Association
NSW:
The NSW government is reported to be considering significant planning changes that could allow state intervention in major residential housing developments, potentially bypassing local councils.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported that Premier Chris Minns has become frustrated with the slow pace of housing approvals, as NSW lags behind other states in new housing green-lights.
The government is believed to be exploring various reforms, including the possibility of establishing an independent planning authority to accelerate decision-making on larger residential projects. Sydney Morning Herald
Allegations of a ‘rigged vote’ have surfaced following the inaugural meeting of the newly elected Wagga Wagga City Council, specifically concerning the election process for the Riverina Water County Council board.
Councillor Richard Foley raised concerns about the integrity of the secret ballot, claiming that five out of eight ballots had identical preference sequences, which he believes compromises the vote’s secrecy and fairness.
Region Riverina reported that the incident has sparked debate about the ethics and legality of coordinated voting, while some say Cr Foley’s concerns are sour grapes from someone who missed out on being elected to the board.
Cr Foley has raised his concerns with the Office of Local Government but is yet to receive a response. Region Riverina
Another early term resignation, this time at Shoalhaven City Council, where Mitch Pakes has resigned, reportedly due to ill health.
A countback will be conducted to fill the casual vacancy in accordance with a council resolution.
However, former councillor Paul Ell, who missed out on running this time around due to the Liberal Party nomination debacle, is calling for a by-election to the fill the position.
He told the Daily Telegraph that anything less than that would be undemocractic, and that the council should follow the lead of Mid-Western Regional Council, which is holding a by-election to fill a vacancy instead of a countback.
The Council says a by-election would only be held if there were no eligible candidates. Shoalhaven City Council, Daily Telegraph
Mayoral election update:
Coolamon Shire Council has re-elected Cr David McCann as mayor. He was elected unopposed, and continues in the role he has held since 2021.
Cr Alan White was re-elected unopposed as the deputy mayor. Coolamon Shire Council
At Gwydir Shire Council, there is a new mayor in Cr Tiffany Galvin. She is joined in the leadership team by Cr Sean Coleman who has been elected deputy mayor. Gwydir Shire Council
Shoalhaven City Council has elected not just a deputy mayor, but an assistant deputy mayor as well. Cr Peter Wilkins was voted in as deputy last week, and Cr Matthew Norris will be Assistant Deputy Mayor to assist with mayoral duties in the absence of the mayor. Shoalhaven City Council
There are only two councils left to conduct their mayoral elections for this cycle.
Lockhart Shire Council elect a mayor today, while Hay Shire Council is scheduled to conduct its election tomorrow afternoon.
QLD:
Controversial Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson has come under fire again, this time for liking racist comments on his official social media page, including anti-Semitic remarks and a suggestion for Indigenous people to operate a ‘rickshaw-type carriage service’.
The Townsville Bulletin reported that Mr Thompson initially downplayed the offensive nature of the comments before eventually removing them and issuing an apology.
Mr Thompson is currently facing multiple investigations, including a probe by the Queensland Crime and Corruption Commission into alleged false claims about his military service and university qualifications, and has been asked by the Local Government Minister to justify why he should remain in his role during the investigation. Townsville Bulletin$
Redland City Council is investigating the vandalism of 36 trees along the Point Lookout headland on North Stradbroke Island (Minjerribah), described as one of the worst cases of environmental vandalism seen by Council officers.
The damage, which includes trees being cut down or poisoned, will likely result in habitat loss for wildlife and potential erosion issues that could impact the public boardwalk to Cylinder Beach.
The Council is conducting a thorough investigation, has commenced surveillance in the affected area, and is calling on the community to provide any information about the incident. Redland City Council
Cairns Regional Council is launching a trial where police officers will assist in monitoring the city’s CCTV network to enhance public safety.
The collaboration aims to improve response times to incidents in the CBD and strengthen the partnership between the council and Queensland Police, with both parties expressing confidence in the potential benefits of the initiative.
The council is investing $5M in inner-CBD safety measures, meeting the approval of MP Michael Healy, the Member for Cairns, who said the council finally is taking responsibility for inner-city security.
The Cairns Post has reported Mayor Amy Eden’s calls for more substantial action from the state government to address youth crime beyond mere rhetoric. Cairns Post$ Cairns Regional Council
National Briefs:
There’s been a resignation at the District Council of Yankalilla.
The council has paid tribute to the service of Glen Rowlands, who has stepped down after ten years on the council.
During that time, he was mayor for seven years from November 2014 to June 2021. District Council of Yankalilla
The federal government has committed $40 million to upgrade six roads in the Shoalhaven region, with preparatory works now underway.
Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White said the funding will make the roads more resilient to future weather events, after the region’s road network had been greatly impacted by 15 natural disasters in five years. Shoalhaven City Council
The City of Karratha has held an Extraordinary Election, resulting in Jodie Swaffer being elected as a new councillor for a 12-month term.
The election saw eight candidates vying for the vacant position, with 2415 ballots returned and Swaffer securing 993 votes. City of Karratha
TAS:
Tasmania’s Minister for Local Government Nic Street has stepped down from ministerial duties for mental health reasons.
He will remain in Parliament as the Member for Franklin.
In addition to local government, Mr Street held the Finance, and Sport and Events portfolios.
He said that he has long been open and honest about his struggles with his mental health, and that he had intended to reassess his position at the end of the year.
But he now believes that if he is to improve his wellbeing back to 100 per cent, it’s a decision he needed to make.
The announcement comes just days after deputy premier and treasurer Michael Ferguson also resigned from cabinet.
Premier Jeremy Rockcliff announced a reshuffle of cabinet on Sunday, in which former long time mayor of Sorell Kerry Vincent was elevated as Minister for Infrastructure and local government. Statement from Minister Street; Premier of Tasmania
There’s increasing frustration with the delay in finalising an inquiry into Dorset Council in Tasmania.
The council has been suspended for 14 months, while a Board of Inquiry has been investigating allegations of noncompliance and governance issues.
The Mercury reported that multiple delays with the process have led to at least three of the suspended councillors, including the mayor, deciding not to return once the council is reinstated.
Minister Nic Street, speaking before he announced he was stepping away from ministerial duties, said he had asked the board to undertake consultation with the council before providing its final report. The Mercury
Brighton Council in Tasmania has implemented a new Unreasonable Conduct of Customers Policy to protect staff from public abuse, including measures such as banning serial offenders from council premises.
The policy addresses issues like excessive emailing and backlash against animal control measures, with formal action being a last resort to ensure staff safety and a positive work environment.
Mayor Leigh Gray told ABC radio that she expects all 29 councils in Tasmania to adopt similar policies within six months, highlighting the growing concern over public abuse of council staff. ABC Radio
SA:
Kangaroo Island Council has officially rescinded a motion from December 2022 and adopted a new acknowledgement statement.
A majority vote of the councilfavoured a new approach to acknowledging the rich history of the Island.
Mayor Michael Pengilly said the new statement recognises all those who have settled on Kangaroo Island over the millenia, and acknowledges their contributions that have shaped their home. Kangaroo Island Council
Grant District Council is inviting community feedback on an electoral representation review, which has resulted in a proposal to change its structure.
Its proposed to move away from wards to an unsubdivided model, with a mayor and nine councillors to represent the area.
Submissions will be accepted until the 22nd October, after which the council will prepare a final submission to the Electoral Commission for consideration. Grant District Council
NT:
The inaugural election for the Groote Archipelago Regional Council has been postponed by five months due to calls for ward representation.
The delay was announced just days before polls were set to open.
New local government minister Steve Edginton said disagreements over the council’s internal structure have led to his decision to postpone, and that further consultation needed to occur.
A new election date has been set for March 15 next year. NT News
Global Roundup:
The inaugural Global Civility Summit held online recently has uncovered serious concerns about the impact of incivility and toxic behaviour on local governance, decision-making and the personal lives of public officials.
Summit organiser Diane Kalen-Sukra said key findings from a survey of hundreds of summit participants show the disruptive nature of incivility on the ability to govern effectively and deliver services to communities.
The concern was expressed by 81 per cent of participants across the US, Canada and Australia.
72 per cent rate the state of civility in their civic environment from very poor to challenged, and 46 per cent report encountering frequent or constant incivility. Kalen Academy
UK:
A new UK Local Government Association survey reveals alarming statistics about the abuse and threats faced by councillors in England and Wales.
Over a fifth of councillors have received death threats or threats of violence, with nearly three-quarters experiencing abuse or intimidation in the past year.
Ten percent had experienced a threat of damage to their property, and five per cent experiencing actual damage to property.
More than 1700 councillors contributed to the survey, representing ten percent of all councillors in England and Wales .
The survey highlights the need for improved safety measures, including allowing councillors to withhold their addresses and establishing a cross-Whitehall unit to address abuse against local politicians. LGA UK
USA:
Bloomberg Philanthropies has launched its largest Mayors Challenge ever, offering 50 cities $50,000 and an invitation to Ideas Camp to develop innovative solutions.
The initiative will ultimately provide 25 cities with $1 million and technical support to implement the best ideas, potentially sharing successful projects through the Bloomberg Cities Ideas Exchange program.
The global challenge aims to inspire city leaders to reimagine core municipal services and create impactful solutions for their communities. Associated Press
CANADA:
New regulations have been announced for the contentious Bill 20, introduced by the Alberta government.
They will apply to local election campaigns and create rules for local political parties in Calgary and Edmonton for the next elections in October 2025.
The bill limits campaign expenses, allows local political parties and slates to register and be listed on municipal election ballots, and prohibits the use of electronic voting tabulators.
Critics, including Edmonton’s mayor and Alberta Municipalities, argue that the new regulations will impact local democracy, increase costs, and create an uneven playing field for candidates. Edmonton Journal
A councillor at the City of Greater Sudbury in Ontario is proposing a motion to terminate the city’s contract with integrity commissioner David Boghosian.
Bill Leduc has been investigated twice in two years by the commissioner, over his cellular service charges and allegations of harassment.
The anonymous complaint over cellular phone use was dismissed, but Councillor Leduc was suspended for 30 days last year as a result of an investigation into comments made at a meeting in relation to a cancelled asphalt recycling project.
Now The Sudbury Star reports that the councillor is accusing the commissioner of exceeding his authority and harassing members of council during his investigations.
Commissioner Boghosian has defended his actions and denies exceeding his jurisdiction. Cr Leduc’s motion will come before a meeting this week. Sudbury Star
NZ:
Waitaki Mayor Gary Kircher and chief executive Alex Parmley have reportedly undergone formal mediation to address tensions in their working relationship.
The Otago Daily Times has reported on ongoing challenges at the council, including delays in information delivery and the implementation of a significant “transformation” program affecting staff roles.
Mayor Kircher refused to comment when asked about the reported mediation, while Mr Parmley said he would not comment on gossip.
Both men said they were focused on making the right decisions and delivering for the people of the Waitaki district. Otago Daily Times