On the weekend update for 8th July 2023,
A regional council to test the market for its CEO position;
Frankston Council responds to government intervention on a planning matter;
A perfect storm welfare crisis described in Ballarat;
A council calls for help on a government cost shift;
A long serving Queensland mayors announce retirement;
Crowds expected to witness the 3D printing of a council building;
A war of words between a council and an airline continues;
And democracy takes another hit in Hong Kong.
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Transcript (with story links where available):
Hi, this is Chris Eddy, coming to you from the land of the Wadawurrung People with the latest from the Local Government News Roundup.
On the podcast today:
A regional council to test the market for its CEO position;
Frankston Council responds to government intervention on a planning matter;
A perfect storm welfare crisis described in Ballarat;
A council calls for help on a government cost shift;
A long serving Queensland mayors announce retirement;
Crowds expected to witness the 3D printing of a council building;
A war of words between a council and an airline continues;
And democracy takes another hit in Hong Kong.
And there’s much more ahead in the latest update from the Local Government News Roundup.
Thanks for joining me for today’s podcast – brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Here are some of the Victorian council related stories making news in recent days.
Greater Shepparton City Council has decided to “test the market” for its CEO position.
Current chief executive Peter Harriott has held the role since 2015, and his contract has been renewed once since then. The current contract is due to expire in January.
The Council resolved in a confidential session earlier this week to advertise the role, with Mayor Shane Sali telling the Shepparton News that “time is right to explore options.”
He said he expects there would be significant interest in the role, and that Mr Harriott would reapply for his position.
Victoria’s Planning Minister, Sonya Kilkenny, has intervened in a Frankston planning matter, applying an interim design development overlay limiting buildings to a maximum height of three storeys.
The move puts in doubt proposed 14 and 16 storey apartment buildings that have been subject to opposition by community activists, who have welcomed the minister’s intervention.
They say the high-rise buildings would block access to the waterfront and change the character of the area, while one property developer told the Age that the intervention undermines investment confidence.
The overlay is temporary and will expire in October.
Frankston Mayor Nathan Conroy said the council is awaiting further information on the interim planning controls from the Government and is eager to understand the rationale behind these controls and potential implications.
The Age; Frankston City Council
A Ballarat councillor has described a “perfect storm of welfare crisis” as the number of people facing homelessness increases.
The Ballarat Courier reports today on the growing crisis, with councillor Belinda Coates saying there’s been a chronic underinvestment in public housing across the country.
Mayor Des Hudson said the glacial speed of development and the planning scheme is frustrating, exacerbated by a national shortage of town planners.
The Ballarat Council discussion was prompted by the recently released research report by Leanne Mitchell. Catch up on my interview with Leanne about how local governments across the world are responding to the homelessness crisis in the June edition of Council Conversations – available in your podcast queue now.
Ballarat Courier, 8-7-23
Strathbogie Shire Council is considering giving up its role as waterway manager for the Goulburn River, including Lake Nagambie, unless it is fully funded to deliver the service.
The council is appointed as waterway manager under the Marine Act, a responsibility that requires up to $200K per year to carry out.
Mayor Laura Binks said it is unfair that ratepayers are paying for a service that is a state government responsibility, and the council has called on community members to join a campaign to press the government for the necessary funding.
She said there’s been so much cost-shifting to local government, and as a small rural shire with a limited number of ratepayers, the council is saying “enough”.
Materials such as pro forma letters and social media tiles have been prepared for people to support the campaign.
In today’s Age, plans are revealed for a new linear park in Melbourne stretching from Queen Victoria Market to the new State Library metro station.
The plans are expected to be released for community consultation after consideration by the council at an upcoming meeting.
There is a catch – the removal of a roundabout at Queen and Franklin Streets will be required to unlock the development, and sections of both streets would be discontinued.
The linear park is one of three major projects associated with the redevelopment of the market and surrounds that the Council will consider putting out for consultation at a meeting on Tuesday.
Now in today’s Victorian Briefs:
The City of Greater Geelong has been named a Top7 Smart Community of 2023 by the Intelligent Community Forum – a global network that connects cities and regions collaborating through digital technology.
Geelong and Sunshine Coast are the only two Australian cities to make the list.
Geelong has jumped 67 places on the Global Innovations Cities index in the last 12 months.
Maribyrnong City Council is partnering with nine other councils to trial a FOGO service for multi-unit dwellings.
The trial is being led by circular economy experts, and will involve residents at six selected dwellings in the city.
It aims to establish sound foundations for ongoing best waste practices to roll out to other multi unit dwellings in the future.
Campaspe Shire Council has moved to close off access to Echuca’s River Boat Dock, due to a rise in the Murray River.
Public access is temporarily restricted until water levels recede as there may still be instability due to last October’s flood event.
The Council and SES are also monitoring the situation around Rochester, which was also heavily impacted by last year’s event.
Stage 2 electoral structure reviews are under way for eight councils, with a further eight to commence in the next two weeks.
Submissions for the proposed structural options for Ballarat, Greater Bendigo, Horsham and Mildura are due next week, with Greater Geelong, Greater Shepparton, Warrnambool and Wodonga due the week after.
Preliminary reports will be released this coming week for Frankston, Latrobe, Wangaratta and Yarra; with Glen Eira, Monash, Port Phillip and Stonnington to follow on the 19th July.
Final reports on the stage one reviews covering 12 rural councils have been submitted to the Local Government Minister.
Victorian Electoral Commission
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Now for some of the stories making local government news from around Australia this week.
QLD
Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio has announced his retirement from local government after a long and successful career.
He has been in the role since 2012, previously serving as the mayor and a councillor on the former Millmerran Shire Council.
Cr Antonio was re-elected in 2020 with a significant majority of the primary vote.
He plans to spend more time on his farm and do some travelling once his retirement takes effect on 21st July.
LGAQ is among those paying tribute to Cr Antonio’s contribution to the Toowoomba community over 40 years in public life.
ceo Alison Smith said it was incredible proof of his commitment to his community and the local government sector, and wished him well for the future.
Deputy Mayor Geoff McDonald will take over as the acting mayor, and the Council has begun the formal process of appointing a new Mayor , as per the requirements of the Local Government Act 2009.
There will be no election to fill the vacant Mayor position since it is within 12 months of the next quadrennial local government election in March 2024. The Council will convene a special meeting on July 21, 2023, to formally decide which Councillor will serve as Mayor until the next election.
If the Deputy Mayor is appointed as the new Mayor, a subsequent Council meeting will be scheduled to appoint a new Deputy Mayor from the current Councillors.
Additionally, the CEO of the Council must follow the LGA requirements to fill the vacant Councillor position for the remainder of the term.
Within 14 days of the new Mayor’s appointment, nominations will be invited from qualified individuals and former candidates from the last local government election.
The CEO will publish notices calling for nominations and notify former candidates individually. Council will then formally resolve to appoint one of the nominees as the new Councillor within two months of July 21, 2023.
ABC News; Toowoomba Regional Council; Local Government Association of Queensland
Mackay Regional Council has called out the reckless disposal of an oil container that caused a messy spill.
A resident threw the container into their kerbside bin, leading to oil spilling all over a collection truck and nearby driveways, and having flow-on effects for the waste collection process.
Mayor Greg Williamson said it was prohibited to put motor oil in recycling or general waste bins, and has reminded residents that they can take up to 20 litres of motor oil free of charge to any of the council’s transfer stations.
NSW
Penrith City Council is the latest in NSW to move to an electronic method of issuing parking tickets.
According to the Western Weekender, there are now nearly 40 councils in the state no longer putting paper parking tickets on windscreens, opting instead to send infringement notices by mail.
A Penrith Council spokesperson said the new streamlined system captures images and details and uploads it to Revenue NSW.
People can view infringement notices online and through a Service NSW smartphone app.
Critics of the new system, including the NRMA, say it denies drivers the chance to take photos or gather evidence if they wish to challenge a fine.
Councils contend that it is more sustainable, and improves safety for officers who often face abuse from members of the public.
More than 10 local government organisations across the Riverina and Murrumbidgee have joined forces in a blood drive that launched on the 1st July.
Wagga Wagga City Council is among those to have councillors and staff donate blood and plasma, as part of a target of over 150 donations in the Riverina over a three month period.
The blood drive was kicked off in Wagga Wagga on Tuesday when Mayor Dallas Tout donated blood and encouraged others to do the same.
At Dubbo, the council is getting ready to press the print button on a new amenities block.
It will be the first time the council has used cutting edge 3D printing technology, and it expects a lot of locals will be wanting to see the process in action.
A printing gantry is expected to arrive on site today, with printing of the new building to start on Monday.
Mayor Matthew Dickerson has asked people to be smart about where they drive and park around the Macquarie Lions Park site and to follow traffic management directions.
He said the technology offers the chance to see the future of construction as it happens, and it’s hoped that if successful there will be other opportunities to utilise the technology.
SA
The war of words between Whyalla Council and Rex Airlines has continued, with Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone accusing the airline of defaming his council and issuing misleading statements.
The airline ceased flights out of Whyalla last week after the council tried to pass on security screening cost increases, and it has accused the council of favouring Qantas.
Mayor Stone said Rex was being unfair and misleading, and was using the Council as a scapegoat for its decision to cut flights.
He told Australian Aviation that the council is working with the broader airline industry to explore options to minimise the impact of the Rex exit, and ensure a competitive local airline market.
TAS
There are reports that the controversial statue of former Tasmanian premier William Crowther could be removed from Hobart’s Franklin Square soon.
Pulse Hobart reports that an official planning application has been lodged for the statue’s removal, almost a year after a Council decision to do so.
The statue has been in place since 1889, and it will be the first monument dedicated to a former premier to be decommissioned.
WA
A couple of firsts in Western Australia this week.
The City of Stirling Council has resolved for local councillors to receive superannuation, bringing them into line with elected officials at state and federal levels.
The state government has agreed that councillors should receive superannuation, but it has not yet been prioritised in its local government reforms, leading to Stirling taking the matter into its own hands.
Mayor Mark Irwin said he expected other WA local governments to follow suit in resolving to become an eligible governing body for the purposes of superannuation and other tax related matters.
And at the City of Cockburn another state first, with the council announcing a co-investment in world-class digital connectivity for its business community.
The council has provided nearly $80K towards the establishment of a NBN Co Business Fibre Zone in Cockburn Central, which is expected to benefit more than 1200 businesses.
Mayor Logan Howlett said the city was one of the state’s most expansive industrial and commercial epicentres, generating 4.6 percent of regional exports across the state.
Briefly:
Supercars fans in Townsville have had the opportunity to meet their favourite drivers and get autographs at the SuperFest street party organised by the Townsville City Council.
The event on Thursday served as a welcome to the Supercars stars before the NTI Townsville 500, which will be held from July 7 to July 9, 2023.
Mayor Jenny Hill, who recently met with Supercars legend Craig Lowndes, expressed her excitement about SuperFest and encouraged everyone to attend and enjoy the festivities.
Tweed Shire this week played host to nine mayors from across NSW for the first ever Regional Cities NSW delegation to be held outside of Sydney.
Mayors from Albury, Armidale, Bathurst, Dubbo, Goulburn, Lismore, Orange and Tamworth joined Tweed Mayor Chris Cherry for a forum on current issues and a tour of places of significance across the Tweed.
Bayside Council in NSW has put out the call for experienced First Nations artists for the design and installation of its largest public artwork.
A large wall at a new town park under construction in Wolli Creek will provide a 327 square metre canvas for an artwork that is expected to highlight the significant Aboriginal heritage of the area.
The new park is expected to open late this year.
Now for today’s International Spotlight:
NZ
The recent troubles at Gore District Council in NZ have translated to a poor report card from locals.
Only 19% of respondents to a resident survey agree that the mayor and councillors have displayed sound and effective leadership.
The Southland Times reports that nearly 60% of respondents are disappointed in the infighting that has played out very publicly since the election of Ben Bell last year.
The telephone and online survey found that 63% of respondents were satisfied with the council’s performance, down from 71 percent last year.
The survey results are set to be discussed by the Council at its meeting scheduled for next week.
ASIA
New laws have been passed in Hong Kong this week eliminating most of the directly elected seats on local district councils.
The move slashes the proportion of directly elected seats at the municipal level from 90% down to less than 20% – the lowest level since the bodies were set up in the 1980s under British rule.
ABC News America reports that most of the seats will now be filled by appointment by the Chief Executive, rural committee chairpersons and pro-establishment appointments.
The change is said to be part of ensuring patriots are administering the city, and there’ll be a performance monitoring mechanism for sanctioning misconduct.
A former Council speaker at Tainan City Council in Taipei has been questioned by prosecutors over allegations of graft and profiteering.
The Taipei Times reports that investigations have centred on the rezoning of a plot of agricultural land for residential construction, through which it is alleged the former council speaker Kuo Hsin-Liang, and a current borough warden Kao Ching-chien received kickbacks from the developer.
Kuo lost a bid for re-election as council speaker last December and then quit his party to serve as an independent city councillor.
Prosecutors say the allegations of bribe-taking and kickbacks dated back to 2013.
It’s the latest high profile corruption case to hit local government in Taipei, after another council speaker and her secretary were freed on bail this week following an indictment for allegedly soliciting bribes from other local government officials.
UK
The UK’s Local Government Association has released new survey results that show a new high in the number of local councillors who reported feeling at risk in their role due to rising levels of abuse and intimidation.
82 percent of councillors responding to the survey say they have felt at risk at least some of the time while fulfilling their role.
The LGA has warned that a rise in abuse is preventing councillors from representing their communities they serve, and deterring individuals from standing for election.
It has called on the government to work with the police on guidance to address abuse, intimidation and harassment of councillors, describing current policing approaches as inconsistent and under-resourced.
Local Government Association UK
And finally, it seems the days of hanging basket floral displays in the medieval city centre of Salisbury are numbered.
The City of Salisbury Council in the UK has come under fire this week for its decision to ban hanging basket displays and planters because they are not biodiverse enough.
The move to replace the colourful floral displays with more environmentally sustainable planting has been described as ideological silliness.
The Guardian reports that the decision has been defended by Council leaders, who say the attacks are politically motivated, and that if the new displays are not well received, the baskets could be reinstated in future.
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That’s the latest from the Roundup for the 8th July 2023.
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The Local Government News Roundup is recorded in the city of Greater Geelong, Victoria, on the land of the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation.
I’ll be back soon with more of the latest local government news. Until next time, thanks for listening, and bye for now.