Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A landmark collaboration announced between Barwon Water and four councils; the City of Melbourne may push for a change of date for Australia Day; another council to exit aged care services; local government represented at the federal jobs and skills summits; and senior executive appointment and resignation news in NSW.
Listen to this episode here, or find the link for your podcast player to listen to all 156 episodes to date here.
Transcript (with links where available:
Hello and welcome to the Local Government News Roundup. This is your weekend update for the 4th September. I’m Chris Eddy.
Coming up in this edition: a landmark collaboration announced between Barwon Water and four councils; the City of Melbourne may push for a change of date for Australia Day; another council to exit aged care services; local government represented at the federal jobs and skills summits; and senior executive appointment and resignation news in NSW.
Just some of what’s ahead on the Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government.
Four Victorian councils have joined forces with Barwon Water to transform organic waste into high value products for agriculture.
The Regional Renewable Organics Network will also generate renewable energy in what’s being described as a big step forward for the circular economy in Victoria.
Queenscliffe, Greater Geelong, Surf Coast and Golden Plains councils have signed waste supply agreements with Barwon Water to take organic waste from kerbside collection and process it at the Black Rock water reclamation plant in Connewarre.
It’s estimated that the project will convert 40,000 tonnes of organic waste per year into 8,000 tonnes of high value soil enhancers, including biochar, to support local agriculture.
The processing of the waste will generate enough renewable energy to power 500 homes, and reduce regional greenhouse gas emissions by between 10,000 and 15,000 tonnes.
Alternative options for approaches to the 26th January will be considered by a City of Melbourne committee this Tuesday, including the potential to advocate for a change of date for Australia Day.
A survey of more than 1600 residents and businesses saw nearly 60 per cent want to see Australia Day celebrated on a different date.
In the proposal under consideration, the council would continue to issue permits for events delivered by the State Government and other organisations on Australia Day, and continue to hold citizenship ceremonies.
In addition, it would support activities that acknowledge First Nations perspectives of 26th January.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council has decided not to provide in-home aged care servicesunder new Commonwealth arrangements, effective July next year.
CEO Bernie O’Sullivan said the Commonwealth reforms mean the council is not best positioned to continue providing services such as domestic assistance, personal care, respite, social support and centre-based meals.
He said the council’s goal will now turn to continuity of care until the end of the current contract in 2023, and ensuring clients experience a seamless transition to new providers, which will be determined by the Commonwealth Government.
Meanwhile, Greater Bendigo is also believed to be reviewing its role in aged care. According to the ABC, the council is yet to undertake community consultation on the issue, with a decision not expected before next year.
The City of Ballarat is pushing to host more sports as part of the 2026 Commonwealth Games, in addition to the confirmed athletics, boxing and T20 cricket.
The council recently launched a campaign for rowing and marathon events, and is now partnering with Hepburn Shire to bid to host mountain biking.
A 60 kilometre mountain bike course at Creswick Trails is expected to be completed by 2024.
Mayor Daniel Moloney said Ballarat is putting its best foot forward in anticipation of the announcement of up to five additional sports over and above the initial 16 sports already confirmed.
The planned Bass Coast Dinosaurs Trail tourist attraction has received a funding boost this week, with half a million dollars from the State Government to accelerate the project.
The funding will allow the detailed creative design of six sites at locations including Wonthaggi, Kilcunda, San Remo and Inverloch.
Bass Coast Mayor Michael Whelan said the trail will bring a world class visitor experience to the region, and elevate Bass Coast as a year-round tourism destination.
The project capitalises on the region’s status as home to a number of significant dinosaur fossil sites.
Here are today’s Victorian Briefs:
The City of Greater Geelong has been recognised as the International Smart City of The Year, at the World Smart City Expo in Korea.
The city’s smart city strategic framework and initiatives have seen it share the prestigious honour with Barcelona, Spain.
Campaspe Shire says the Rushworth to Murchison Rail Trail project has progressed through its planning stages.
The $3M project will see 11 kilometres of former railway track developed from Rushworth, alongside Waranga Basin, to the shire’s eastern boundary at Channel Inlet Road
A series of disaster satellite services have been installed in East Gippsland Shire to ensure more reliable communication technology during emergencies, following the experience of network outages during the 2019-20 bushfires.
More than 40 sites have been connected to the backup satellite technology, which also provides free emergency WiFi connectivity.
And a brand new one-day music festival is coming to Baw Baw Shire.
Live at the Park will be held in late November in Drouin, featuring an all-star Aussie lineup including The Living End, Daryl Braithwaite and Kate Ceberano.
Mayor Michael Leaney is encouraging attendees to extend their stay in the region to explore the range of local businesses and attractions.
A number of locations across Beechworth will soon be transformed into exhibition spaces as part of the Beechworth Contemporary Art Awards.
Locations including the old Beechworth Gaol, the historic Courthouse and Town Hall and the old hospital facade will be transformed by ten artists from across Australia, who have been selected to exhibit their artwork and installations.
Each artist will be in the running for the $10,000 award which will be presented at the Award launch party on Friday 16 September.
Coming up: local government represented at the federal jobs and skills summits; and senior executive appointment and resignation news in NSW; a WA councillor arrested; and council financial challenges in focus both here and abroad.
You’re listening to the Local Government News Roundup for 4th September 2022, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
With a state election looming, VLGA Connect is presenting a series of live panels and discussions with key players over the coming weeks.
The series comprises moderated live panel discussions, with audience Q&A so that you can ask your questions of panellists on issues of relevance to the local government sector.
The first live panel featured shadow ministers for Local Government, Housing and Planning; Richard Riordan and Ryan Smith; and it’s available for playback on the VLGA Connect YouTube and podcast channels now.
Look out this week for an interview with Dr Jonathan Spear from Infrastructure Victoria about the state’s infrastructure needs and priorities.
And on the 16th September, Local Government Minister Melissa Horne will participate in a live panel event which you are invited to be part of.
Visit the Events page on the VLGA website for details and registrations for the 2022 State Election Series, brought to you by the VLGA.
Heading the National Roundup today:
Local government was represented last week at the Federal Government’s Jobs and Skills Summit, with ALGA President Linda Scott highlighting the impact of the skills shortage on the sector.
Cr Scott said nine out of every 10 local governments are now experiencing shortages, with two thirds having projects impacted or delayed as a result.
She said her clear message to the summit was that local government could be the hotbed of skills and training for the nation in every city, town, remote and regional part of Australia, if funded.
Cr Scott thanked Treasurer Jim Chalmers for acknowledging local government as employers, and an important part of what the government is aiming to achieve.
The CEO at the City of Parramatta is stepping down at the end of the month before taking up a role in the private sector.
Brett Newman announced his resignation on Friday, saying the time was right to pursue other opportunities and spend more time with his family.
He joined the Council in September 2019, and will remain in the role until the the end of September to ensure a smooth transition to an interim leader, as the search for a new CEO commences.
Meanwhile at the City of Ryde, a new CEO has been appointed this week.
On Friday night, the Council announced that Wayne Rylands, its acting GM since May this year, would be its new CEO with the appointment taking effect immediately.
Mr Rylands has been with the City of Ryde since 2018.
In WA, a councillor at the City of Stirling has reportedly been arrested over the alleged possession of child abuse material.
PerthNow.com has reported that police officers went to the home of Cr Keith Sargent on Thursday morning and seized electronic devices.
Cr Sargent has faced Perth Magistrate’s court charged with two counts of possessing child exploitation material. He was refused bail.
The Mayor of Wollondilly Shire has called on the NSW Government to deliver a fair share of infrastructure to meet the housing supply crisis.
Matt Gould says Wollondilly is doing its bit by being one of only 10 councils to meet mandated five year housing targets set by the government.
But he believes the state is not providing the infrastructure required to support the growth they are mandating.
At Kiama Council, a financial workshop has been held with the Mayor and Councillors to better understand the council’s financial circumstances and how to move forward.
The council recently published a letter from the NSW Auditor General outlining concerns with its financial situation.
Councillors received information on cashflow projections for the next two years, and have requested a second workshop to further consider how to improve cashflow.
The mayor of Lithgow City Council has refused a request from the Australian Vaccination Risk Network to use public lands to spread misinformation regarding vaccines.
Mayor Maree Statham said the group’s narrative is conflicting and confusing, and that anti-vaccination campaigns place vulnerable communities at risk.
She has joined with Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill in taking the stand that requests from anti-vaccination groups to hold events should be refused.
Here are today’s National Briefs:
There’s a new councillor at WA’s Town of Cambridge, after the extraordinary election to fill a vacancy in Wembley Ward.
Ben Mayes was the successful candidate, defeating Edward Lennie with nearly 80 per cent of the vote. His term will expire in October 2025.
New standard contracts for NSW council general managers have been finalised, following recommendations from ICAC’s investigation of the former Canterbury City Council.
The new contracts and accompanying guidelines apply to councils and joint organisations, and include provisions to ensure agreements include performance indicators that promote an ethical culture, and guidance on the importance of good working relationships between councils and general managers.
And in South Australia, eligible local government authorities are invited to enter for a share in $90,000 in prize money as part of the LGA SA Scheme Awards.
The awards, which have distributed $1.9M since 1999, recognise councils’ commitments to improving safe work practices, and acknowledge excellence in implementing risk management programs, processes, systems and developments.
Just ahead of the International Spotlight, I’m pleased to announce that the Local Government News Roundup is a media partner for the Local Government Show 2022, coming up in November in Sydney.
The event features four knowledge streams on digital technology, parking, resource recovery and smart communities, with a stellar lineup of speakers assembled.
Register by 9th September save up to $700 per delegate, and Roundup listeners can get an extra 10% off the registration fee by using the VIP code LGNR10
More details on the link in the show notes, for the Local Government Show 2022 – 8 to 10 November at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Now to today’s International Spotlight:
In the UK, a commissioner has been appointed to run Thurrock Council in Essex over concerns about the level of financial risk and debt at the authority.
According to the BBC, the council’s leader Rob Gledhill has resigned, and neighbouring Essex County Council will take on responsibility for signing off big decisions in the commissioner role.
As previously reported here on the Roundup, the Bureau of Investigative Journalism has probed the council’s financial activities over the last three years, raising concerns about £1B in borrowings and asking questions about investments in solar energy projects.
However, at Nottingham City Council, the government has not followed through on initial signals that commissioners would be brought in to that council which is under financial pressures.
The council has been monitored by a government appointed board since last year. The advisory board will be given new powers, and the government has left the door open for the appointment of commissioners if sufficient improvements are not made.
The BBC has reported on concerns about the alleged misuse of £40M in cash, and plans to cut £28M from the council’s budget.
In the US, local governments in the state of Missouri are being warned that they could be sued if they don’t comply with a new law that some say criminalises homelessness.
The law makes camping or living on state-owned property illegal, and people who refuse to accept a bed at a shelter can be charged with a misdemeanour.
St Louis Public Radio reports on how shelters are over capacity in the region, and there is a shortage of over 35,000 affordable housing units in two counties alone.
Critics say the new laws not only penalise homeless people, but could cause severe damage to their prospects for employment and housing in the future.
That wraps up another Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Remember to subscribe to VLGA Connect on YouTube and podcast for regular episodes highlighting local government initiatives, plus the flagship weekly news review on the Governance Update with Stephen Cooper.
I’ll be back with more news from around the world of local government on Sunday . Head to lgnewsroundup.com for breaking news updates and extra interview content.
Until then, thanks for listening and bye for now.