In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup, a peak body’s call for consistency in flood mapping in Victoria; senior executive news and new mayors elected; a NSW council demerger gets the go-ahead; and a former Council CEO jailed for 2 years.
Plus much more from a busy week in local government news, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Links to stories referenced in the program can be found in the transcript.
Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast player (links here) or direct link to this episode here.
Transcript
Hello and welcome to the Local Government News Roundup. This is your weekend update for the 28th August. I’m Chris Eddy.
Coming up in this edition: a peak body’s call for consistency in flood mapping in Victoria; senior executive news and new mayors elected; a NSW council demerger gets the go-ahead; and a former Council CEO jailed for 2 years.
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.
Victoria’s peak body for town planners is calling on the state government to develop a framework for updating flood mapping.
President of the Victorian division of the Planning Institute of Australia, Gabby McMillan, said the recent NSW floods have shown the impacts of climate change, and warned that the available information on riverine and coastal inundation in Victoria is patchy and outdated.
She said flood mapping is not consistently reflected in the current planning controls, which can lead to new housing and development in flood prone areas, or places that are extremely vulnerable to sea level rise.
The peak body is calling for a mechanism that enables state wide consistency and draws together the existing work done by local governments.
The South East Councils Climate Change Alliance this week launched its 2022 policy platform, which recommends that state and federal governments accelerate the task of reducing emissions throughout the region.
The alliance of nine councils in the south east of Melbourne represents 1 million Victorians, and stretches from Port Phillip City out to Cardinia and Bass Coast, and down the Mornington Peninsula.
The member councils have committed to keep warming below 1.5 degrees, requiring emissions reductions of 5.8% every year until 2037.
The policy platform includes a series of recommendations for action, including a $10M community resilience fund to support local communities in adapting to climate change; and significant investment in electric vehicle infrastructure and active transport options.
Wyndham City Council has unveiled a new draft master plan for Werribee South Beach.
The plan represents several years of community feedback, and aims to enhance the beach experience for residents and visitors, while protecting the natural environment.
Key elements of the draft plan include amenities and picnic and barbeque facilities;a new fishing deck, and a dog off lead beach.
Mayor Peter Maynard said there will also be a deck overlooking the Werribee River to provide visitors with information about the wetlands that are home to migrating birds from as far as Siberia and Japan.
Feedback on the draft master plan is being invited until 5th October.
The return to certified status for Mallacoota Airport is on track to occur by 6th October.
East Gippsland Shire Council this week announced its staff have been working with the Civil Aviation Safety Authority in recent weeks on a transition plan, which would see the reintroduction of instrument flight procedures.
The council says the airport remains open and functional, and will continue to be operational during the transition period.
In senior executive news this week, Golden Plains Shire Council has reappointed its CEO, Eric Braslis, on a new 4.5 year contract which will take his tenure through until 30 June 2027.
Mr Braslis joined the council in 2017 and his current contract was due to expire in December this year.
Greater Geelong City Council has appointed an Acting CEO to take over when Martin Cutter steps down from the CEO position next month.
The council’s executive director of Strategy, People and Performance, Kaarina Phyland was appointed to the position at the council meeting on Tuesday night.
Here are today’s Victorian Briefs:
Greater Geelong City Council has determined the name of a new library for Drysdale. After four weeks of community engagement, a majority of respondents supported Bo-rong-gook as the name for the new facility – a Wadawarrung name for the immediate Drysdale locality, referring to turf.
The $9M development is expected to be complete by next February.
—
A free public forum is being held in St Kilda, with members of all the major parties expected to attend to pitch their transport policies.
The forum is being organised by Port Phillip Council in partnership with the Metropolitan Transport Forum. It will be held at the St Kilda Town Hall on 6th September at 6.30pm – a livestream will also be available.
—
And AlburyCity and Wodonga Councils have reaffirmed a commitment to working together under the Two Cities One Community Partnership Agreement. First signed in 2017, the agreement has been revised after a joint review conducted earlier in the year.
Ballarat City Council has adopted new Governance Rules this week that its Mayor says addresses several long-standing concerns.
Cr Daniel Moloney said the new rules address changes brought on by COVID-19 about accessibility of Councillors at meetings, and the need to provide the public with a more timely questions and submissions process.
Under the new Governance Rules there will be increased flexibility for electronic hosting and attendance at Council meetings and delegated committees, and an increased opportunity for public questions to be answered at Council meetings.
People can submit written questions up until 12noon on the day of the meeting, while the option of attending the meeting and asking questions in person will be maintained.
Coming up: new mayors elected; a NSW council demerger gets the go-ahead; a former Council CEO jailed for 2 years; and a first for WA’s City of Cockburn.
You’re listening to the Local Government News Roundup for 28th August 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.
We’ve already heard from the shadow ministers for Local Government, Housing and Planning; Richard Riordan and Ryan Smith;
Local Government Minister Melissa Horne will participate in a live panel event on the 16th September. We’ll have sessions on infrastructure needs, and the commitments the various council alliances would like to see from the parties in the lead up to the election.
Visit the Events page on the VLGA website for details and to register to be part of the 2022 State Election Series, brought to you by the VLGA.
Heading the National Roundup today:
NSW’s Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council will be demerged, after a recommendation from the Boundaries Commission was supported by the Minister for Local Government.
Wendy Tuckerman announced this week that the demerger would proceed in line with the next general elections in September 2024, with next steps and transitional arrangements to be announced in due course.
The Mayor of Cootamundra-Gundagai, Charlie Sheahan, told the Cootamundra Herald that the council would be in uncharted waters with the process but was confident that ratepayers would ultimately be better off by an estimated $450K annually after eight years.
He said the council was prepared to work with the Minister and the local MP to design a process that would work well.
Changes to legislation last year now allow merged councils to submit a business case for de-amalgamating, and there are plans at Canterbury Bankstown, Inner West and Snowy Valleys Councils to do just that.
The Mayor of Snowy Valleys Council, Ian Chaffey has described the Cootamundra-Gundagai decision as ‘galling,’ after last year being denied permission to demerge by former minister Shelley Hancock despite a similar recommendation from the Boundaries Commission.
Cr Chaffey told the Border Mail the council is preparing a business case to go to the new minister in October but is not hopeful of an outcome before the state election next March.
The former CEO of Ravensthorpe Council in Western Australia has been jailed for two years.
Gavin Pollock pleaded guilty to charges brought after a Corruption and Crime Commission investigation into the use of council funds for sexual services.
Mr Pollock has repaid the money, amounting to more than $54,000, which was allocated to administration and research assistance but used to pay for a sex worker.
He resigned his position with the council just prior to the investigation report being released.
Mr Pollock will be eligible for parole after serving one year of his sentence.
Cr Sarah McMahon was elected as the new mayor of Hawkesbury City Council this week, to fill the vacancy created by the resignation for personal reasons earlier this month of Cr Patrick Conolly.
Mayor McMahon will serve out the current two year mayoral term, which expires in January 2024.
Mt Gambier City Council is advocating for a state review of election signage before the next election due to inconsistencies in policies between the three levels of government.
The Border Watch has reported on concerns raised at the August Council meeting about the legislative prohibition on corflute and plastic signs at local government elections, due to environmental impact, while it appears there are no such limits on state and federal elections.
The Council is calling on the South Australian Local Government Association to represent their concerns to the other levels of government.
Here are today’s National Briefs:
There’s a new mayor at Whitsunday Regional Council, with Julie Hall declared the winner of the recent poll with 53.86 per cent of the vote after preferences.
Ms Hall is a local government newcomer, and a former federal candidate for One Nation in the seat of Dawson, which was won by the former Whitsunday mayor Andrew Willcox.
In NSW, a team of investigators will conduct spot checks of disclosures of interests submitted by councillors and council staff across the state.
Local Government Minister Wendy Tuckerman said this week that the initiative was to ensure transparency and increase public confidence in the local government sector.
Eurobodalla Shire Council is getting closer to appointing a new General Manager, with the pending departure of Dr Catherine Dale who announced earlier in the year that she would not be seeking re-appointment.
An extraordinary meeting will be held on 5th September to progress the appointment of a General Manager.
The Council has also resolved to advocate to the NSW Government for legislative change to allow the implementation 24/7 cat containment measures. It is also seeking the support of peak body LGNSW with that advocacy.
At Naracoorte Lucindale Council in South Australia, the CEO Trevor Smart has received a significant contract extension which will see him remain in the role until May of 2028.
WA’s City of Cockburn will have two female Acting CEO’s in the coming months while it recruits for a new CEO. Outgoing Chief executiveTony Brun has resigned to head up Avalon Airport in Victoria from October.
From next week, Victoria Green will step into the Acting CEO position, on a recurring two monthly basis with Emma Milne. Both women are part of the Council’s senior executive team.
It will be the first time the CEO position at Cockburn will be held by a woman on either a permanent or acting basis.
The council anticipates the recruitment process for its next CEO will take between 6 and 12 months, given current labour market conditions.
And perhaps the most anticipated event of the weekend will be the unveiling of a new logo for Wentworth Shire in NSW.
The existing logo, known as the exploding ram, has been around since 1986 as a result of a design competition, won by a local student.
The ABC reports that the new logo will be revealed at the Wentworth Show this weekend… but not everyone is happy that the old iconic logo is getting replaced.
The new logo is said to be inspired by the junction of the Darling and Murray Rivers. The old logo will go on permanent display at the Wentworth Civic Centre.
Now to today’s International Spotlight:
In the US, the City of Philadelphia has extended a free internet program for kids in need, which has helped 22,500 people get online in the last two years.
Open Gov tells the story of how the program was a response to the COVID-19 pandemic to help students take part in virtual learning.
The mayor of Philadelphia, Jim Kenney, said it was an investment in the city’s present and future.
It was one of the initiatives from the city’s Digital Equity Plan which is aiming to achieve a baseline of digital equity over the course of 5 years.
In Birmingham, Alabama, the news is not so good with the city council this week deciding to contribute $5M towards a $15M debt incurred from holding the World Games there last month.
These were the 11th World Games, held to feature sports that do not get contested at the Olympic Games.
According to al.com, City Council members were annoyed that they weren’t informed about the event’s debt position, reportedly caused due to a loss of corporate sponsorships and lower than anticipated ticket sales.
And from the UK, the government has issued new planning guidance which it says will provide better flood protection for new homes.
Localgov.co.uk has details on updated guidance to help councils make sure new homes meet flood resilience standards, and help with flood management techniques to reduce the causes and impacts of flooding.
The website also reports that waste service workers have been out on strike this week in 14 Scottish local government areas, after a 5% pay offer was rejected by their union, Unite.
It says the offer is substantially less than counterparts in England have received, and inadequate in the face of rising inflation and energy costs.
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 Wednesday. Head to lgnewsroundup.com for breaking news updates and extra interview content.
Until then, thanks for listening and bye for now.