Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
An updated scorecard on governance issues at West Wimmera Shire;
A new councillor elected at Mornington Peninsula Shire;
General Manager movements from Tasmania and New South Wales;
An innovative circular economy project at the City of Casey explained;
Local government reforms pass a major milestone in Western Australia;
New councillors announced for Brisbane City Council; and much more local government news.
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Transcript (with story links where available):
Hi, this is Chris Eddy, with the latest from the Local Government News Roundup.
On the podcast today:
An updated scorecard on governance issues at West Wimmera Shire;
A new councillor elected at Mornington Peninsula Shire;
General Manager movements from Tasmania and New South Wales;
An innovative circular economy project at the City of Casey explained;
Local government reforms pass a major milestone in Western Australia;
And new councillors announced for Brisbane City Council.
All that and more ahead in the latest update from the Local Government News Roundup which starts now.
Thanks for joining me for today’s podcast – brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
The Local Government Inspectorate has released the results of a review of previously identified governance and culture failings at West Wimmera Shire.
The long standing governance issues date back to an Inspectorate report in 2011, and a follow up examination in 2018. That examination focused on allegations of conduct issues between councillors and staff, conflict of interest management, and other matters including procurement, councillor expenses and credit cards.
The Inspectorate revisited the issues in June last year, and noted that while general governance improvements had been implemented, a majority of improvement strategies had not commenced until 2021.
Chief Municipal Inspector Michael Stefanovic said that staff had noted a more inclusive culture, and he commended the executive team led by CEO David Bezuidenhout for driving positive cultural change and investment in previously neglected areas.
Source: Local Government Inspectorate
The result of the by-election at Mornington Peninsula Shire has been announced.
The VEC declared Kate Roper as the councillor in Watson Ward, replacing Paul Mercurio, who resigned last year after being elected to state parliament.
Ms Roper was one of six candidates in the by-election.
Source: Victorian Electoral Commission
A controversial Lara flood study is set to come before Greater Geelong City Council this week.
The Geelong Advertiser reports that the plan attracted hundreds of objections in 2020, and the council will now be asked to refer submissions to an independent panel appointed by the planning minister.
The minister would also be asked to allow extra time as the amendment process is due to lapse in July.
Source: Geelong Advertiser, 26-3-23; K-Rock News
A delegation from Greater Shepparton City Council will attend a fruit and vegetable conference in Hong Kong in September.
The Shepparton News reports that in approving the expenditure of around $22,000, councillors expected to receive criticism from ratepayers, but felt it was important to progress the local fruit growing industry through international engagement.
Greater Shepparton’s agriculture and horticulture industries are worth more than $1B per annum, driven by exports around the world.
The six day delegation, led by Mayor Shane Sali and CEO Peter Harriott, will leave on 4th September.
Source: Shepparton News
Ballarat City Council is calling for expressions of interest from businesses seeking to provide circular economy solutions for waste and recycling material streams.
Mayor Des Hudson said the project is an exciting opportunity for businesses to maximise value from the region’s materials.
The council and Development Victoria are working in partnership to establish a Circular Economy Precinct on approximately 14 hectares of land in the Ballarat West Employment Zone.
The EOI process will run through mid-May, and land is expected to become available in late 2024.
Source: Ballarat City Council
Now in today’s Victorian Briefs:
The City of Warrnambool’s Library and Learning Centre has been shortlisted for a major design award.
The $20M facility, opened last October, is vying for the public design award at the Australian Interior Design Awards.
Award winners will be announced in June.
Source: Warrnambool City Council; Australian Interior Design Awards
Infrastructure Victoria has released new research into the home preferences of Victorians, and the factors influencing their decision.
The research is based on focus groups and analysis of property sales in Greater Melbourne, Geelong and Ballarat, and offers 10 policy options for the government to support more choice for moderate income households.
Source: Infrastructure Victoria
And a new mural has transformed the Tooborac Recreation Reserve in Mitchell Shire.
The stunning artwork features a kangaroo, an Eastern Rosella and a Regent honey-eater set amongst native plants and the area’s iconic boulders.
Mitchell Mayor Fiona Stevens said the council was proud to have a public artwork by an accomplished international artist available for all to see.
Artist Eric Sesto grew up in Tooborac and has created a number of murals in Melbourne and overseas.
Source: Mitchell Shire Council
Applications close this Friday for the next round of funding under the state government’s Circular Economy Councils Fund. A long list of council projects have been supported in previous rounds, including a grant to help Casey City Council look for more sustainable alternatives to a commonly used construction item – the humble EPS waffle pod.
What is an EPS waffle pod I hear you ask? Well, I must confess, I had no idea either, so let’s find out from Casey City Councils Innovation Officer, Nicky Stecca.
(interview)
Outro:
Nicky Stecca from Casey City Council there, filling us in their project that received funding last year in the Circular Economy Councils Fund.
A new $2 million funding round is open for applications now, with a deadline for submission of 31st March.
It’s the third round of funding for the program which has so far distributed $3.8M to more than 50 projects around the state, creating 60 jobs and preventing more than 55,000 tonnes of waste going to landfill… so far.
Perhaps your council’s project will feature in the next round. Find out more at sustainability.vic.gov.au.
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Now for some of the stories making local government news from around Australia this week.
Derwent Valley Council and its general manager Dean Griggs have parted ways, after a three hour confidential council session on Thursday night.
Mayor Michelle Dracoulis confirmed the news to the Mercury, and said Mr Griggs would not be returning to work.
The former senior manager at Melbourne and Darebin councils, commenced in the position at Derwent Valley in May 2020.
Prior to his arrival, the council reportedly had seven acting GMs in a nine month period.
Executive manager for infrastructure Ron Sanderson will be acting general manager for the time being.
Source: Hobart Mercury, 23/3/23
Another Tasmanian council will have a change of general manager, with news last week of the resignation of Rolph Vos at West Tamar Council.
Mr Vos has been GM for 7 years, and has spent a total of 27 years at the council.
He remains in the role through a transition period, expected to take around three months.
Source: West Tamar Council
In yet more GM news, Georges River Council in NSW has announced the appointment of David Tuxford as its new General Manager.
Mr Tuxford has been acting General Manager since May last year, after the resignation of Gail Connolly from the position.
He was previously general manager at Kyogle Council. His appointment is for a five year term.
Source: Georges River Council
The first tranche of reforms to local government in Western Australia have passed the lower house of Parliament.
Local Government Minister John Carey said the reforms to the sector are the biggest in 25 years, and will allow for key changes to be implemented before council elections in October this year.
The first tranche includes the introduction of optional preferential voting, public election of mayors to larger councils, and new requirements for the publication of performance indicators and results for all council Chief Executives.
The minister said the introduction of monitors and establishment of a new Local Government Inspector would be in the second tranche of reforms, currently in the consultation phase.
Source: John Carey MLA
Changes at Brisbane City Council, with the replacements for two departing councillors revealed.
According to the Brisbane TImes, Labor party media adviser Lucy Collier has been confirmed as successor to outgoing Morningside Ward councillor Kara Cook, who announced her resignation in January.
With less than a year to the next elections in March, rules allow a departing councillor to be replaced rather than put the position to a by-election.
Meanwhile, Gabba Ward councillor Jonathan Sriranganathan will step down after 7 years on the council, and will be replaced in May by fellow Greens member Trina Massey.
The ABC reports that Ms Massey was an unsuccessful candidate in Central Ward at the council elections in 2020.
Source: Brisbane Times; ABC News
The deputy mayor of Sunshine Coast Council has been denied a request to attend an overseas conference, which would have included $21K in business class airfares.
The ABC reports Cr Rick Baberowski had asked the council to approve his participation in a six day public transport study tour in the Netherlands.
He said he couldn’t fly economy because he would suffer jet lag and be unable to function at full capacity during the tour.
His fellow councillors were not supportive of the trip, and rejected the request by 8 votes to 2.
Source: ABC News
A former CEO of the Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council will get a retrial, after receiving a suspended two year jail term in 2021.
As reported by the Leader newspaper, Lee Robertson was found guilty of fraud over the transfer of almost $60,000 from a not-for-profit foundation to the council’s mayor, Greg McLean, whom he believed was in financial trouble.
A Court of Appeal judgement has now held that there was a miscarriage of justice because the judge omitted a key point in his instructions to the jury.
In a majority opinion, two to one, Mr Robertson’s appeal was allowed, his conviction quashed, and a retrial will take place.
Source: St George and Sutherland Shire Leader
Briefly:
There’s a new deputy mayor at the city of Mount Gambier.
Three councillors nominated for the position, after the resignation of Ben Hood to take up a parliamentary position on the Legislative Council.
After a ballot amongst councillors, Cr Max Bruins was elected to the position. The Border Watch reports that mayor Lynette Martin did not take part in the vote.
Source: Border Watch, 28-3-23
Former Adelaide Lord Mayor Sandy Vershoor has been appointed as Chair of the SA Heritage Council.
Ms Vershoor was one of the 16 applicants for the role, and will commence a three year term in April.
Source: Indaily.com.au
Penrith City Council has honoured Olympic and world canoe and kayak champion Jessica Fox with a plaque at the Penrith Whitewater Stadium.
An unveiling was held last week by mayor Tricia Hitchen, at the place that Ms Fox described as her playground, workplace, training ground and race venue over many years.
Source: Penrith City Council
In Queensland, the outback Shire of Quilpie has launched its own home owner grant program to support people to build a home in the shire.
Grants of up to $20K towards new homes are available in all township areas across the shire, which has a population of 774.
Quilpie Shire is 1,000 kms west of Brisbane.
Source: Shire of Quilpie QLD
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Now for today’s International Spotlight:
A council in England is planning legal action against its former chief executive, after an investigation raised concerns about the process leading to a settlement payment in 2020.
The BBC reports that Croydon Council paid more than 435,000 pounds to former CEO Jo Negrini, but later was told there were significant failings in the report on which it based its decision about the payment.
The investigation was commissioned after Croydon became the first London Council in 20 years to issue a bankruptcy notice.
The council has announced that it will try to reclaim some of money it paid to Ms Negrini, and will refer a report into failures and mismanagement at the council to the Metropolitan Police.
Source: BBC News
In Canada, an appeal court has ruled in favour of a rural mayor, who had been stripped of some key responsibilities by fellow councillors in 2019.
CBC reports that three appeal judges in Manitoba said the councillors at the rural municipality of St Andrews did not have the power to remove Mayor Joy Sul’s power to chair Council meetings, or choose an alternative meeting chair.
Mayor Sul, who was re-elected to the position last year, has hailed the outcome as a huge milestone for every head of council in Manitoba and across Canada.
Source: CBC News
A New Zealand council has been impersonated in online posts, claiming that it would not hold annual anniversary celebrations due to the rewriting of history.
AAP Fact Check has looked into an online post purporting to be from Dunedin City Council, announcing the cancellation of Otago Anniversary Day celebrations.
The day commemorates the arrival of Scottish settlers to the area on New Zealand’s south island.
The post provoked online debate about political correctness gone mad, and accusing the council of racism – despite its claims that the post was not genuine.
AAP has confirmed that while the post contained official branding and a verified blue Facebook tick, the text had been digitally altered.
Source: AAP FactCheck
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That’s the latest from the Roundup for the 28th March 2023.
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I’ll be back soon with more of the latest local government news. Until next time, thanks for listening, and bye for now.