25th September, Episode 162
In this episode, a councillor’s social media remarks referred to the conduct registrar; a reduction in councillor numbers for Western Australia under new reforms; sensational corruption claims against a NSW Mayor to be investigated; and a NT council in the spotlight over claims of a toxic workplace culture.
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; and by the Local Government Show 2022 – on the 8th to 10th November at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Listen to this episode here, and catch up on any of the 162 episodes to date with links for your podcast player here.
You’ll find links to stories referenced (where available) in the transcript below.
Transcript (with links):
Hello and welcome to the Local Government News Roundup. This is your update for the 25th September. I’m Chris Eddy.
In this episode, a councillor’s social media remarks referred to the conduct registrar; a reduction in councillor numbers for Western Australia under new reforms; sensational corruption claims against a NSW Mayor to be investigated; and a NT council in the spotlight over claims of a toxic workplace culture.
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; and by the Local Government Show 2022 – on the 8th to 10th November at the Accor Stadium in Sydney.
First up today, a brief Victorian roundup after what’s been a quiet week including two public holidays for the National Day of Mourning, and the AFL Grand Final.
At Gannawarra Shire Council in the state’s northwest, a councillor’s social media remarks will be examined by the Principal Conduct Registrar to determine if the behaviour is a breach of the governance and integrity regulations.
The ABC has reported on a meeting of the Council held last Wednesday at which a motion from deputy mayor Cr Jane Ogden to refer the matter to the registrar was passed by four votes to three.
The online remarks by Cr Garner Smith were in relation to a video of AFL player Dustin Martin allegedly touching a woman’s bare breast.
Cr Smith has told the ABC he is not concerned about the investigation, saying facts and evidence will show it doesn’t stack up.
In raising the matter, Cr Ogden said the comments demonstrate poor leadership, have affected the reputation of the Council, and should not be excused.
The City of Ballarat is one step closer to hosting an international team as part of the FIFA Women’s World Cup next year.
Ballarat is one of 35 shortlisted options in Australia that could potentially become a Team Base Camp for an international squad, comprising 24 metropolitan options across five Host Cities and 11 other regional centres.
If successful, the Mercure Ballarat Hotel & Convention Centre would accommodate a squad, with training to be conducted at the Ballarat Regional Soccer Facility at Morshead Park.
It is expected 29 of the 32 Team Base Camp sites will be selected before the end of the year.
In Campaspe Shire, a new arts precinct will take shape after the Council approved construction to proceed for the Echuca Arts Park.
The Bendigo Advertiser reports that the park will provide a functional space to enable artistic, cultural and economic expansion within the precinct.
Mayor Chrissy Weller said there will also be a pedestrian focused area to improve activity opportunities and a safer space to hold events.
(Bendigo Advertiser, 24-9-22)
The Metropolitan Transport Forum is staging a series of free public forums next month to focus on transport issues with candidates for the upcoming state election.
Six forums will be held between the 4th and 19th October in Merri-bek (formerly Moreland), Melton, Mornington Peninsula, Banyule, Whitehorse and Casey council areas.
The MTF is encouraging people to book a seat or participate in a live stream, and ask questions about transport policies of local candidates.
The National Roundup is next, but first a quick reminder to check out the VLGA Connect YouTube and podcast channels for more great local government related content.
The State Election series now includes three special episodes, including a panel session with local government minister Melissa Horne.
There’s a new interview with two of the co-founders of Mosaic Lab about their new Big Book of Facilitating Deliberation; and don’t miss the interview with new Federal Local Government Minister, Kristy McBain.
And of course, the regular news review on the Governance Update which comes to you every Friday.
All episodes available now on the VLGA YouTube channel or by subscribing to VLGA Connect on your podcast player.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association – the national broadcaster on all things local government.
Now for today’s the National Roundup:
Further detail has emerged about reforms to the local government sector in Western Australia, with nearly 50 councils set to operate with fewer councillors after the 2025 elections.
Local Government Minister John Carey has announced a number of reforms, including setting clear limits on the number of councillors based on population.
The West Australian reports that at least one councillor position will be removed from nearly 50 councils, with some to lose as many as four positions.
Other reforms include the removal of wards from eleven councils; direct election of the mayor in 22 councils; and the mandating of optional preferential voting.
Councils have received correspondence from the minister, offering a voluntary pathway to implement the reforms. The minister says if local governments are unable to agree on a plan, or opt out of the voluntary process, he may enact provisions to spill those councils completely at the 2023 elections.
Corruption claims made against the Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown Khal Asfour will be the subject of an investigation, with the Council engaging a barrister to oversee an inquiry.
The Daily Telegraph reports that Labor MP Tania Mihailuk was removed from the party’s front bench after failing to provide Labor leader Chris Minns with evidence to back up the claims she made under parliamentary privilege.
Mr Minns said he doesn’t believe the allegations and that there is no evidence to support claims of corruption.
Canterbury Bankstown CEO Matthew Stewart said the allegations were an attack on the integrity of the Council and its hard working staff, and it was incumbent on him to investigate the claims.
Arthur Moses SC will conduct oversight and advise the review, while experienced investigator Kath Roach will undertake the investigation.
(Daily Telegraph, 24-9-22, p.7)
A Northern Territory outback council is continuing to make news after its mayor stood down last week after being charged with drug related offences.
The ABC has reported on a string of resignations at Barkly Regional Council against a backdrop of alleged bullying and mismanagement.
The United Workers Union has raised concerns about the culture at the council, where it is reported six people have resigned and numerous staff are on stress leave.
The report suggests the resignations are linked to alleged behaviour of the Council’s CEO Emma Bradbury, who has dismissed the complaints as being from a small group of disgruntled ex-employees.
More from the NT, where a Broken Hill City councillor has resigned from the National Party, after being preselected as a candidate for the upcoming state election just a week earlier.
Cr Dave Gallagher was to be the party’s candidate in the seat of Barwon, but this week said he doesn’t have enough support from the party and has withdrawn.
The ABC reports that the matter has also led to a majority of members of the party’s Broken Hill branch also resigning.
Cr Gallagher says he will now focus on his role with Broken Hill City Council.
In Tasmania, West Tamar Council will release details of a confidential report into allegations of bullying and sexual harassment at the council.
The report resulted from an independent investigation, and according to the Launceston Examiner, was released to staff members last month.
It’s understood the report confirmed that unacceptable behaviour from some staff, including senior staff, had occurred in the workplace.
Councillors debated bringing the report into the public domain as an essential aspect of dealing with workplace culture.
An executive summary will be released by the Council soon.
(Launceston Examiner, 25-9-22, p.4)
Tweed Shire Council has called for caution from motorists after a horror spate of koala deaths and injuries this year.
A least 30 koalas have been either hit by cars or attacked by dogs across the Northern Rivers since mid-July.
The Council has joined with the Friends of the Koala group to urge people to contain dogs at night, and look out for koalas when driving, particularly between dusk and dawn.
In NSW, nominations are open for the 2022 Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government.
The awards, in their 15th year, showcase the dedicated women serving their communities in local government across several categories including a Young Achievers Award, Elected Representative Awards, and the Councillor Lillian Brady OAM Award.
Nominations can be submitted until 19th October.
Meanwhile, last year’s winners were announced in an awards ceremony last week, delayed due to the pandemic.
10 deserving women were honoured across metro and regional/rural categories, with the Cr Lillian Brady OAM Award going to Leanne Barnes, former General Manager of Bega Valley Shire Council.
In today’s National Briefs:
The City of Canada Bay has re-elected Cr Stephanie Di Pasqua as Deputy Mayor.
She is the youngest councillor to ever serve on the council, being first elected in 2017. She was first elected as deputy mayor in January this year.
WA’s City of Cockburn has been recognised for an Australian-first engineered fringing reef project at the state’s Coastal Awards for Excellence.
The city has received a special commendation for the $565K project which delivered a 100m artificial reef shield that is reducing erosion, and fostering healthier ecosystems.
A new $46M grants program for NSW Councils has opened to fund the provision of new FOGO collection services.
Grants will be open to councils twice a year for four years, with the first round applications closing on 16th November.
Councils in the NSW Six Cities region can also now apply for funding of up to $500,000 a year for two years to host major cultural events in partnership with the state government.
The money will go towards festivals to be held in 2023 and 2024, and applications close on the 7th October.
The Local Government News Roundup is a media partner for the Local Government Show 2022, being held 8th to 10th November in Sydney at Accor Stadium.
There will be four knowledge streams on digital technology, parking, resource recovery and smart communities, with a host of knowledgeable speakers lined up to share their insights and experiences.
Some of those speakers will join us during the upcoming October Series of interviews from the Roundup.
As a listener of the Roundup, you can get 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:
Local governments in the US have been invited to apply for new cybersecurity grants worth $1B over four years, as part of a White House program to combat the threat from cyberattacks.
Insurancejournal.com says jurisdictions battling ransomware and other cyber attacks on public services like schools, railways, power grids and waste-water systems have 60 days to apply for the first round of $185M in funding.
In Canada, a chief executive has spoken out about the hostility and disrespect in the community towards city employees.
Lanie Hurdle, the Chief Administrative Officer of Ontario’s City of Kingston, admitted that issuing a public message was unusual for a CAO; but says that these are unusual times.
She said decorum and respect have been forgotten in the discourse and interactions taking place, in a growing trend of broad negative statements that are personal, and public attacks on staff.
Ms Hurdle said as a community we need to do better to build partnerships and move forward together.
And in Scotland, after weeks of strike action during which rubbish piled up on city streets, a new pay deal has been agreed.
The BBC reports that refuse workers and non-teaching school staff have accepted a flat rate increase of more than £1900 for those earning less than £39,000 per annum, with increases backdated to 1st April.
Previous offers of 3.5% and 5% increases were rejected before the new offer was agreed.
And now you’re up to date with the latest from the Local Government News Roundup. The regular twice-weekly bulletins will be taking a break now until early November.
But stay subscribed for a special series of interviews as part of our October Series starting next Sunday. A range of interesting topics over the next few weeks include the key leadership attributes of effective mayors; the impact of low levels of councillor remuneration; critical incident management in local government; and the changing public perceptions of the role of local governments.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; and by the Local Government Show 2022, 8th to 10th November at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Until next time, thanks for listening and bye for now.