On the Local Government News Roundup for 22nd April 2024:
- An after-hours service provider to local councils hit by a cyber attack
- A controversial apartment tower gets the green light in Frankston
- A 24-hour cat curfew back on the agenda for Greater Geelong council
- Disendorsement concerns for as many as 20 Labor councillors in NSW
- Councils and the NSW government at odds over funding for water pollution testing
- Noosa Shire considering a congestion tax for tourists
- And the US council considering an innovative pay-to-foster scheme to reduce overcrowding in animal shelters
Plus more Council news from across Australia and beyond on the Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, hosting a members only online professional development workshop on Managing Difficult Conversations – Friday 19th April;
and with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment service and business advisory practice.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Transcript for episode 326:
Victorian Roundup:
Councils around the country are potentially caught up in a cyber security incident targeting OracleCMS, which provides after hours customer service support to councils across Victoria and Australia.
Darebin City Council said on the weekend that it has suspended its service with third-party supplier OracleCMS due to the incident.
An unauthorized third party accessed and published a portion of OracleCMS’s data online, primarily consisting of corporate details.
Darebin said its systems were not compromised, and any potentially accessed customer data is expected to be basic contact information.
The council is working with the supplier to understand the impact further and will contact customers directly if their data has been accessed.
Reporting on the issue by CyberDaily dot au suggests information from over a dozen councils around the country may have been exposed, including the city of Sydney, Tweed Shire and Campbelltown, Greater Dandenong, Playford, Kwinana and Moreton Bay.
The City of Sydney has confirmed it is working with Oracle CMS to investigate the incident
VCAT has approved a controversial 14-storey apartment tower in Frankston, despite strong opposition from residents and community activists.
The Age reported that the tower, part of the suburb’s so-called Great Wall of high-rise development, will have 94 apartments and a ground-level cafe.
While critics argue the development is an unacceptable departure from historical council plans and will dominate the skyline, supporters like Frankston Mayor Nathan Conroy, believe the development will bring much-needed housing diversity and boost local businesses.
Geelong council is set to vote on a recommendation that would require cat owners to confine their pets to their property 24 hours a day.
The issue will come before the council meeting on Tuesday, after being deferred pending the receipt of further information from a meeting in February.
The Geelong Advertiser reports that the proposal, which has received mixed reactions, aims to reduce the impact of cats on neighbours, pets, and the environment.
A survey showed 62% of respondents supporting the introduction of a 24-hour curfew, citing issues with wandering cats in their neighborhoods.
However, concerns remain about the enforcement and cost of implementing such a change.
ABC News has reported on a trial by Hume council in Melbourne’s north, which has seen proactive patrols helping residents dispose of unwanted items and clean up dumped rubbish.
The council’s waste response team educates residents on alternative ways of disposing of unwanted items, resulting in a significant decrease in illegally dumped rubbish.
The council is calling on the state government to reduce the waste levy, arguing that the increased fees are leading to more illegal dumping.
The trial has been described as a “profound success”, saving the council $440,000 in clean-up fees in the first five months.
The Victorian Government has announced the provision of immediate support to the City of Ballarat to implement initiatives to prevent violence against women, in response to the loss of three local women due to alleged male violence.
A $250,000 investment will fund initiatives as part of the Free from Violence Local Government Program 2024-27, including an awareness campaign, engagement with local businesses and community groups, and a family and gendered violence prevention strategy.
Former Victorian MP Andrew Elsbury has announced his independent candidacy for the Wyndham Council, emphasizing the importance of community advocacy.
Elsbury, a former Liberal Party member, believes his independence from political organizations will allow him to better serve the community.
And the EPA has advised no new reports over the weekend of potential asbestos contamination in mulch in public parks and reserves.
On Saturday, it reported that PA Burns Reserve in Hobsons Bay would likely reopen on Monday, 22nd April, and that the likely source of the contamination there was determined to be legacy in situ contamination, which has now been removed.
Victorian Briefs:
Local government was well represented at last week’s announcement of the IPAA Victoria Top 50 Public Sector Women Awards.
Established women leaders recognised include Merri-bek Council CEO Cathy Henderson, Debbie Wood from Whittlesea, Lynley Dumble from Brimbank, Rosa Zouzoulas of Glen Eira, and Fiona Shanks from Hume.
Jess Hurse from Greater Geelong, and Justine Cook and Melissa Falkenburg of Wyndham were recognised in the emerging leaders category.
The book “International Connections,” written by Andrew Wrathall, explores the history of Latrobe City Council’s sister city relationships with Takasago in Japan and Taizhou in China.
Celebrating the 20-year anniversary of these agreements, the book provides insights into the cultural exchanges, educational programs, trade arrangements, and business projects that have emerged from these partnerships.
The 109th anniversary of the ANZAC troops landing at Gallipoli will be commemorated with a free projection art program at Geelong’s City Hall from ANZAC Day through until 28th April.
The program will display historical images, paintings, and monuments to honor Australian soldiers, and also highlight the contributions of First Nations soldiers and women during WW1.
National Roundup:
NSW:
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the NSW Labor Party may have to disendorse over a dozen councillors and candidates before the upcoming local government elections due to their status as banned donors, potentially breaching state electoral laws.
An email from the party’s assistant general secretary, David Dobson, says that “registered club directors and their spouses or de facto partners” would be barred from nomination for council positions if a proposed motion passes at the party’s state conference in July.
It follows change by the Minns government to the state’s electoral laws, adding directors or close associates of registered clubs to the list of banned donors in NSW, because of perceived influence of clubs and poker machine revenue on major political parties.
The revelation is said to caught current councillors off guard, with as many as 20 potentially affected by the rule change
A dispute between local councils and the NSW government over funding for water pollution testing may leave visitors to Sydney beaches uninformed about swimming safety, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Beachwatch program, which has monitored water quality since 1989, may be abandoned due to the government’s push for councils to contribute to the costs of water testing.
The move has sparked criticism from local mayors, including Sutherland Shire, Northern Beaches and Randwick, who argue that the program should remain state-funded.
The New South Wales government has initiated a multi-agency investigation into the National Parks and Wildlife brumby re-homing program following the discovery of hundreds of dead horses on a property in southern NSW.
The discovery was made by officers from Wagga Wagga City Council, who estimated the number of carcasses at around 500, according to a report from ABC News.
The investigation will scrutinize the restrictions on licensed re-homers and their ability to euthanize horses.
The owner of the property, Adrian Talbot, disputes the number of horse carcasses found and maintains that all the horses he slaughtered were un-rehomeable and used to feed his dogs.
The NSW Food Authority is also investigating potential offences under the Food Act.
Several Sydney councils are resisting state government calls to return to issuing paper parking tickets, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.
The ticketless system, which sends fines via mail, has been criticised for its lack of transparency and delay in notifying motorists of fines.
Councils including as Liverpool and North Sydney have cited safety concerns for parking rangers as a reason for not reverting to paper tickets.
Finance Minister Courtney Houssos has called for councils to address the system’s shortcomings by providing physical notifications.
TAS:
A former Central Highlands Council employee has been sentenced to 18 months of home detention for defrauding the council of over $100,000 between 2012 and 2020.
Pulse Tasmania reported that Kasey Marie Bryant used the council’s money to buy personal items and has been ordered to repay all the money and complete 210 hours of community service.
Her husband also pleaded guilty to fraud and received a suspended 6-month prison sentence.
QLD:
Noosa Shire Council is considering a congestion tax for tourists to alleviate traffic gridlock during peak times.
The proposal, as reported by ABC News, would not apply to local residents, and aims to encourage the use of public transport and active transport methods.
The tax could potentially cover the costs of sustainable transport options, such as free bus services, currently funded by a $30 annual levy on residents.
The idea was unpopular when previously considered in 2017, but Deputy Mayor Brian Stockwell believes there is now majority support amongst councillors for such a change.
SA:
The future of one of South Australia’s most visited jetties, the 148 year old Kingston jetty, is uncertain despite a $2.87m state government offer for repairs.
The Adelaide Advertiser reports that Kingston District Council must decide whether to accept the offer, which requires the council to match the funding and extend its lease agreement for another 15 years.
Without repairs, the jetty could close within four to five years.
The council argues that the cost of structural repairs should not fall on them as they are the tenant, not the landlord.
The jetty sees between 43,000 to 85,000 visitors annually, contributing significantly to the local economy.
Adelaide City Council is planning to increase charges for short-term accommodation owners, such as Airbnb and Stayz, for the sake of “fairness and equity”.
The Adelaide Advertiser reports that the proposed changes in the 2024/25 budget will categorise properties predominantly used for short-stay rentals as ‘commercial-other’, leading to a 22% increase in rates.
The council argues that this is fair to other operators and the extra costs will support city maintenance and services.
The draft budget was discussed at a committee meeting and will be released for public consultation.
WA:
The Western Australian government is introducing new regulations to clarify and ensure long service leave entitlements for approximately 23,000 local government workers.
The regulations, effective from 1 September 2024, include provisions for a longer permitted break between local government employers, counting parental leave pay towards long service leave accrual, allowing advanced long service leave and cashing out, and clear protections in case of unfair or unlawful dismissal.
The changes are expected to benefit part-time, casual, and transitioning employees.
National Briefs:
Townsville City Council is advertising for an interim Chief Executive Officer, following the resignation of Dr Prins Ralston last week.
Applications for the 3 to 6 month assignment are being taken by Peak Services until Wednesday 24th April.
Logan City Council is hosting an online photo competition as part of the 2024 City Nature Challenge.
Residents are encouraged to upload photos of local flora and fauna to create a snapshot of biodiversity.
The competition aims to record local biodiversity and encourage community engagement with nature.
The Townsville region has achieved ECO Destination Certification at the Nature Tourism level, making it the third destination in Queensland and ninth in Australia to earn this recognition.
The certification, funded by the Queensland Government’s Eco-certified Tourism Destination Program, underscores Townsville’s commitment to sustainable ecotourism.
Eight local businesses are certified through Ecotourism Australia’s programs, and the region is dedicated to enhancing sustainability in tourism.
International Spotlight:
UK:
A dispute has arisen between Medway Council and a government minister over the estimated costs for road repairs, including the repair of around 2,000 potholes, which the council estimates at £50m.
BBC News reports that Roads Minister Guy Opperman has criticized the council for allegedly budgeting £25k per pothole.
The council has clarified that the figure referred to overall road conditions, not just potholes.
The Department for Transport allocated £3.5m to the council for its road network in 2024/25.
Essex County Council has been criticised for “woeful” oversight of payments made to internet prankster Simon Harris for social media services during the Covid-19 pandemic.
An internal report found no evidence of competitive procurement in the process that saw Harris and others receive thousands of pounds.
The council has been unable to find any evidence of value for money, and councillors have criticised the lack of governance and accountability.
Harris, who was paid about £500,000 to help distribute the council’s Covid-19 information on social media, has been open about the arrangement and is believed to have acted in good faith.
NZ:
Interim CEO of Gore District Council, Mr. Parry, who remained in the role after resigning last year, has confirmed his intention to step down next month.
His successor, Deborah Lascelles, will take up the role on June 3, following a vigorous recruitment process.
The council is prepared to manage the three-week gap between Mr. Parry’s departure and Ms. Lascelles’ arrival.
USA:
Los Angeles City Council is advancing a pay-to-foster program for pets to alleviate overcrowding in animal shelters.
The council will evaluate existing foster programs and consider models from other cities to establish a monetary stipend for fostering animals.
CBS News reported that the initiative follows a temporary moratorium on dog breeding permits to address overpopulation in city-run shelters.
Chicago City Council has approved an additional $70 million for migrant services, after contentious debate according the CBS News.
This is in addition to $150 million already budgeted for 2024.
The funds will be used to house, feed, and provide other services to thousands of asylum seekers.
The council also approved the use of $48 million in grant money from state and federal government to pay outstanding staffing and shelter costs.
Despite the additional funding, concerns remain about the city’s ability to manage the migrant crisis and the strain it places on other city services.
ITALY:
Lake Como, a popular tourist destination in Italy, is considering implementing a daily visitor fee to manage overtourism.
The city’s mayor, Alessandro Rapinese, is considering a Venice-style charge, which would apply to day visitors and possibly only on busy days.
The exact details of the fee are yet to be determined.
The decision comes as the city struggles with the impact of increasing tourist numbers, which have led to overcrowding and disruption.
INDIA:
In an effort to manage plastic waste and provide meals for those in need, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi initiated the concept of “garbage cafes”.
Individuals who bring in one kilogram of plastic waste to these designated cafes receive a voucher for a free meal at participating restaurants.
The initiative, which commenced in 2020, has not only encouraged waste collection and recycling, but has also been life-changing for many, providing them with a sustainable way to secure meals for their families.
Find out more from the website Reasons To Be Cheerful