On this page (regular updates through the day):
VIC Briefs – Benalla, Melbourne, Mitchell
WA planning reforms announced
Approval for Ku-ring-gai’s alternative housing plan
New survey on Orange to Newcastle air route
New mayor for Townsville
Onkarapinga crews help with algal bloom cleanup
$2M cleanup bill for Bunbury/Harvey ratepayers
Asbestos dust closes Fraser Coast service centre
Premier meets with western NSW councils about youth crime
Clarence-Coffs catchment decision applauded
Victoria Park CEO leaves controversial decision to Council
Shoalhaven countback election set
Hobsons Bay elects Mayor and Deputy Mayor
VIC Briefs: Benalla is set to get a state-of-the-art pump track at Fawckner Drive, with World Trail Pty Ltd designing and building the $1.42 million facility funded by the Victorian Government and council.
The City of Melbourne has expanded its citywide 15-minute free parking initiative through the EasyPark app to all metered street parking bays.
Additionally, old P5, P10, and P15 signs are being replaced with ‘No Parking’ signs that allow two-minute pick-up and drop-off stops within three metres of the vehicle.
Mitchell Shire Council‘s new four-bin kerbside collection service has successfully diverted over 55% of household waste from landfill in its first six months, with contamination rates dropping significantly from 12.4% to 3.5%.
WA: The Western Australian government is slashing planning red tape to fast-track high-density housing developments near ten Perth train stations, including Ballajura, Redcliffe, and Cottesloe.
ABC News reported the WA Planning Commission will replace local councils in setting height and density guidelines for these precincts, in a bid to attract developers and address the state’s housing shortage.
Planning Minister John Carey has urged councils to streamline approvals, warning that some have been “dragging their heels” on medium to high-density projects.
Property industry leaders have welcomed the reforms, saying they’ll provide developers with the certainty needed to proceed with projects.
NSW: Ku-ring-gai Council‘s alternative housing plan has been approved by the NSW Government, following more than 12 months of consultation and planning.
The Council’s plan offers an alternative to the state’s transport-oriented development policy, which would have seen over 20,000 new dwellings built near four train stations.
The approved plan delivers the same number of homes while protecting heritage buildings and preserving tree canopy in the affected suburbs of Gordon, Killara, Lindfield and Roseville.
Mayor Christine Kay says the plan has been substantively accepted after detailed consideration by the Department of Housing, Planning and Infrastructure.
The Council will further consider the gazettal at next Tuesday’s meeting, along with a report on its legal action against the government.
NSW: Orange City Council is launching a second community survey about a proposed flight route between Orange and Newcastle.
The first survey received around 700 responses showing strong interest in the service.
Council’s Airport Community Committee Chair, Councillor Tammy Greenhalgh, says they now need more detailed information about travel patterns and pricing to strengthen discussions with airline carriers.
The survey will help determine if there’s enough demand to support direct flights between the two regional cities.
Residents have until December 14th to complete the online survey.
QLD: Townsville has a new mayor, with former Katter’s Australian Party MP Nick Dametto declaring victory in the by-election after securing more than 61% of the 43,000 votes counted so far.
Premier David Crisafulli congratulated Dametto and said the government looks forward to working with him, while acting mayor Ann-Maree Greaney conceded.
Former mayor Troy Thompson, under a still-to-be-released CCC report into his credentials, has about 6% of the vote and says the community should hold leadership to high standards.
About 40% of postal ballots are yet to be received, with counting to continue ahead of an expected formal declaration by the electoral commission. More from ABC News.
SA: A recent algal bloom hit beaches around Ardrossan on the Yorke Peninsula, leaving kilometres of coastline covered in marine life.
The City of Onkaparinga sent two staff members and a specialised beach-cleaning tractor to help local crews, highlighting the collaboration between councils to protect the state’s coastline.
All costs were covered by the SA Government’s Algal Bloom response funding.
A beach rake is used to collect all debris including sea wrack, but is only used when hand collection isn’t feasible.
WA: Ratepayers are facing a $2 million bill to clean up contaminated FOGO waste in WA’s South West.
ABC News reports that the Bunbury Harvey Regional Council‘s facility stopped processing organic waste last December due to high contamination levels.
About 20,000 tonnes of contaminated material, including PFAS “forever chemicals”, needs to be removed and sent to landfill.
The City of Bunbury and Shire of Harvey will each contribute up to $1 million to the clean-up.
The Council admits it was underprepared for the volumes received, with up to 30 per cent contamination in some trucks.
QLD: Fraser Coast Regional Council has temporarily shut down its Maryborough Customer Service Centre after asbestos was detected in dust from construction work above the office.
CEO Ken Diehm says staff safety is the top priority and the centre will be professionally cleaned.
A temporary pop-up service centre opens at the Brolga Theatre on Tuesday.
Updates will be posted on Council’s website and social media.
NSW: NSW Premier Chris Minns has met with councils from Walgett, Brewarrina, Coonamble and Bourke to discuss responses to youth crime in Western NSW.
The Premier has committed to the State Government funding youth programs over Christmas, a review of all youth service funding across the region, and exploration of on-country residential diversion programs.
Walgett Shire Mayor Jasen Ramien praised the Premier’s genuine engagement and understanding of regional challenges.
The Premier’s Department will lead the funding review with input from local councils to identify service gaps and failures.
Source: Walgett Shire Council
NSW: Coffs Harbour City Council has unanimously voted to protect the Clarence-Coffs regional water catchment from mineral exploration and mining.
The Clarence Catchment Alliance has welcomed the decision as “a no-brainer” given the area is in one of NSW’s highest flood risk zones.
Local councils are calling on the NSW Government to stop fast-tracked blanket approvals for mineral exploration in flood-prone water catchments.
The CCA met with state ministers in August but is still waiting for formal responses on their policy requests.
Both Clarence Valley and Coffs Harbour councils are now pushing for legislative reform to ban mining exploration in the catchment.
Source: Clarence Valley News
WA: The Town of Victoria Park’s CEO has refused to sign off on a development application for the controversial Burswood racetrack, leaving the decision to council.
PerthNow reports that the $217.5 million Perth Entertainment and Sport Precinct requires the Town’s approval for works on State-owned roads it manages.
While staff recommended the council authorise the CEO to sign, community groups are urging councillors to reject it.
The signing wouldn’t constitute approval of the project, but opponents say it would send the wrong message.
The Council will consider the matter at its November 18 meeting.
NSW: The NSW Electoral Commission has scheduled a countback election for Tuesday 9 December to fill the Shoalhaven City Council vacancy left by Jason Cox’s resignation.
The process will use preference data from the September 2024 election, with candidate applications open from 24 November to 4 December, and no requirement for residents to vote again.
VIC: Hobsons Bay City Council has elected Cr Diana Grima as Mayor for the coming 12 months. Cr Grima previously served as deputy mayor in 2022/23. First time councillor Lisa Bentley has been elected as the new deputy mayor.