On the 17th July 2024 edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- Frankston stands by its decision to fine a resident who filled a hole on council land
- It’s budget take 2 at Warrnambool after an administrative oversight
- A former mayor ejected from a Council meeting over a stunt with a prop
- A mayor withdraws a controversial motion to vary an Acknowledgement of Country
- Proposed cuts to library services draw protests at a regional council
- Residents mobilise to save an icon in danger of falling into the sea
- and the US council forced to shut down its public comment section at meetings due to threats of violence.
Plus in Roundup Extra, Chris speaks with Fabian Dattner and Zoe Dattner from the Dattner Group about their recent local government event, “The Wisdom of the Crowd” and their big succession planning news.
Plus more of the latest news from around the world of local government brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association,
with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment service and business advisory practice, presenting LG Innovate: Artificial Intelligence Summit for the local government C-Suite at Peregian Beach in September.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Transcript for episode 363:
Victorian Roundup:
Frankston City Council has fined a resident $11,500 for illegally filling a hole on council land, according to a report from Bayside News.
The council is standing by its decision despite a swell of public support for the resident after the story featured on 9’s A Current Affair.
The resident claimed the hole was left unaddressed for six months after a tree removal, but the council says it has no record of any contact about a hole at that location.
It said it takes a zero tolerance approach to illegal fill and the detrimental impacts it can have on the environment and community.
Warrnambool City Council will need to adopt its budget again due to an administrative oversight involving outdated property value data.
A corrected budget will be put before the council next month, incorporating the latest data from the Victorian Office of the Valuer-General. It does not alter any fund allocations, revenue, or expenditure, and maintains compliance with the 2.75% rate cap.
CEO Andrew Mason said the updated Budget reflected an administrative change only and has no impact on ratepayers.
A former mayor has been ejected from a Cardinia Shire Council meeting after bringing a prop into the chamber.
Bill Ronald used a light fitting to illustrate his opposition to the council’s removal of original light fittings from Heritage Springs, attracting the disapproval of Mayor Jack Kowarzik.
The stunt took place during community question time at a meeting last month, leading to a dispute over the appropriateness of the prop, and ultimately, the ejection of Mr Ronald from the Council chamber.
Melton City Council has passed a motion to address the lack of car parking at Cobblebank, Rockbank, and Caroline Springs train station.
The Council has resolved to lobby the state government and VicTrack to investigate the shortage which is impacting commuters and accessibility to other services in the area.
The Star Weekly reported that the council wants additional car parking at stations explored, and suggests new bus routes as a potential solution to ease pressure on parking spaces.
Hume City Council is investigating ways to reduce fines and provide leniency for parking on narrow streets, according to a report from the Star Weekly.
Cr Sam Misho raised a motion to review the council’s infringement management policy, communicate with those fined, and consider installing more indented parking bays.
He wants more done to protect ratepayers and address the challenges of parking in narrow streets.
The council says its indented parking bay program is fully allocated for the next 10 years, with around 420km of narrow streets yet to be completed.
In Sydney recently, Liverpool Council decided to stop issuing fines for cars parked on rolled kerbs after community backlash over parking in narrow streets.
Northern Grampians Shire Council has voted to join the Victorian Local Government Women’s Charter, leaving just four other Victorian councils that are yet to do the same.
The charter was introduced in 1997 and aims to improve family violence outcomes by promoting gender equality and diverse representation.
The Weekly Advertiser reported that the proposal met with resistance at a meeting earlier in the year, but passed with majority support at the Council’s July meeting.
The only councils now not party to the charter are Alpine, Indigo, Pyrenees and Wodonga.
Victorian Briefs:
Knox City Council will consider appointing new, experienced, not-for-profit kindergarten providers at its 22 July meeting, transitioning from running its own services.
Final decisions will be announced in August, pending Department of Education approval.
The Council will support the transition and continue managing registrations for local families.
The state government and the City of Darebin have agreed to a new Building Blocks Partnership, providing funding over $2.4 million to create 97 new kindergarten places in Melbourne’s north.
The initiative includes the expansion the Merri Community Childcare & Kindergarten.
A $1.2 million investment from the state government for the Women’s Public Art Program will see six new public artworks installed celebrating significant Victorian women.
The program aims to address the underrepresentation of women in public statues, which currently make up only about two percent of nearly 600 statues across Melbourne.
Applications for the next round are now open.
A new Vietnam Vets Museum on Phillip Island is a development seven years in the making.
The project at the gateway to the island has been met with excitement by Bass Coast Shire Council, which says it will become an integral part of the local tourism landscape.
All Australian veterans will have free access to the museum.
Ararat Rural City Council last week welcomed a second group of visitors for a tour of the city as part of its Settlement Activity Program, which has successfully attracted more than 40 new residents into secure long-term jobs.
The initiative is a partnership with Wyndham Community Education Centre, and includes guided bus tours to match potential settlers with local employers looking to fill existing roles.
CEO Dr Tim Harrison said the program was part of the council’s commitment to fostering cultural diversity and economic development.
26 new infrastructure projects across Victoria will share in more than $20 million from the Regional Community Sports Infrastructure Fund.
Backed by $1 million from the Fund, the Seymour Tennis Complex will receive a new synthetic grass surface on its four synthetic courts, along with club competition-standard lighting.
The Ballarat Aquatic Leisure Centre will get almost $750,000 to add three accessible and sensory friendly change rooms and, install automatic gates and sliding doors at the venue.
$1 million will also go towards the new Port Fairy Skate and Play Precinct which will have a skate park, playground, picnic shelters and games activity zone.
National Roundup:
NSW:
The Mayor of Port Macquarie Hastings Council, Peta Pinson, has withdrawn a notice of motion from this week’s meeting agenda, which proposed additions to the council’s Acknowledgement of Country statement.
Cr Pinson proposed to recognise migrants and veterans as part of the statement at Council meetings and formal events, alongside acknowledgement of Traditional Owners.
She says she has been delivering the “inclusive message” for two years at public events.
But the Daily Telegraph has reported on how some councillors and locals were angered by the proposal, which they say came forward without consultation.
Cr Pinson said she had received extremely disappointing and in some cases vitriolic feedback, and as a result had decided to withdraw the motion from this week’s agenda.
French restaurateur David Poirier’s plan to transform Banjo Paterson’s historic cottage into a dining space has been halted by Ryde City Council due to unauthorised work and termite damage.
Poirier, who has invested heavily in the project, has told Nine’s A Current Affair that he had to address urgent repairs, but the council insists the delays are due to his actions and not red tape.
In a statement, the council said it has a legal obligation to protect the heritage site and has attempted to support Poirier through the process.
The state government is considering forcing every council in NSW to introduce food scrap bins by 2030, according to the Sunday Telegraph (14th July 2024).
Nearly half of councils have either introduced or are planning a FOGO service, and the government is gathering feedback on an across the board introduction which it says could divert around a million tonnes of waste from landfill annually.
Inner West backtracked from a FOGO rollout earlier this year due to community backlash, while others like Penrith have persisted.
Mayor Todd Carney said it had been embraced and was now second nature in that community
Snowy Valleys Council is proposing to reduce operating hours at Batlow Library from five days to two days per week to cut costs, prompting a community outcry according to a report from About Regional.
Budget cuts will also affect other libraries and services as the council looks to save more than $130,000.
Some community members are campaigning against the cuts, proposing alternative reductions to distribute the impact more equitably.
Interim General Manager Steven Pinnuck said the council was unable to deliver services from current revenue for a range of reasons, exacerbated by IPART’s decision to deny the council a further special rate variation.
QLD:
Rockhampton Regional Council has decided to fill a Division 2 vacancy by requesting that the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) approach the runner-up from the recent local government elections.
If the runner-up declines, a by-election will be conducted as there were no further candidates.
The vacancy occurred due to the recent passing of long-term councillor Neil Fisher.
Flinders Shire Council has opened applications for the position of CEO.
Bruce Davidson, retired former CEO of Noosa Shire, has held the position on an interim basis since May, following the departure of Hari Boppudi after 14 years as engineer and then CEO of the council.
National Briefs:
Bayside Council has strongly objected to the closure of the Rockdale Post Office, described by Mayor Bill Saravinovski as a blow for the local community.
The Council has urged Australia Post to reconsider its decision to close the outlet in September, and is writing directly to Australia Post’s CEO about the matter.
The Acting Mayor of the City of Launceston Hugh McKenzie has declared the city is open for business after a rise in the value of approved development applications in the last financial year.
The Sunday Examiner (14th July 2024) reported that 535 applications worth $372M were approved, up from $315M across 635 applications in the previous year.
The City of Darwin has officially opened the new $26.8 million Casuarina Aquatic and Leisure Centre, featuring multiple pools, a grassed area, and various recreational facilities designed for all ages and accessibility.
Over 2,500 people attended the opening event last weekend, enjoying live entertainment, food trucks, and activities.
Bega Valley Shire Council has taken over the operation of the Bega War Memorial Swimming Pool from the Philipzen family, who were thanked for their contributions.
The Council plans to maintain service levels and is recruiting for various roles.
Upcoming training courses for lifeguards, swim teachers, and foundation coaches are scheduled.
TAS:
Clarence City Council in Tasmania is considering a range of cat management measures such as curfews, mandatory registration, and indoor restrictions to improve cat management and protect wildlife.
Community input is being sought to shape the policy, with which the Council aims to balance the needs of cat owners and non-owners.
Mayor Brendan Blomely told Pulse Tasmania that the council wanted to better understand community perceptions on the issue before deciding on new measures.
SA:
Robe residents are urging their local council to preserve or recreate the town’s 169-year-old obelisk, which is at risk of falling into the sea due to coastal erosion.
The council recently decided not to fund preservation efforts, prompting an impassioned community response.
ABC News reported on suggestions from locals including moving the obelisk, building a replica, or creating a hologram.
The cost of constructing a new obelisk could reach $1.5 million, which the residents have proposed funding through tourism.
The council says it will review the community feedback before deciding the next steps.
Grape growers in the Renmark Paringa area will receive a $500 rate remission per property and the waiving of fines and interest due to challenging market conditions.
Extremely poor commodity prices and international market influences have led to the council’s decision to provide financial relief to those affected.
WA:
A mobile coffee vendor claims to have lost $4000 in income due to the City of Kwinana‘s new booking system for mobile food vendors, which PerthNow reports has replaced an informal arrangement.
The new system requires vendors to book timeslots online, leading to competition for spots.
The owner of Hugs with Mugs believes the system is unfair and that the business was not adequately consulted about the change to the new system
The city says it was an open and transparent process.
A petition is being prepared to ask the council to allow the vendor to trade permanently at its original location.
WA Police Minister Paul Papalia has visited Broome to discuss community safety with local officials, addressing issues such as police numbers, crime statistics, and streetlight funding.
The meeting emphasised the importance of collaboration between the Shire of Broome and WAPOL to improve local safety measures, including increased police presence and enhanced CCTV systems.
Shire President Chris Mitchell used the meeting to highlight the community’s safety concerns and is confident of achieving positive outcomes through continued advocacy and cooperation.
Councillor Serena Williamson has been elected as the new Deputy Mayor of the City of Gosnells, succeeding Adam Hort who resigned last month.
Mayor Terresa Lynes welcomed Cr Williamson’s appointment to the role, noting her commitment and passion for the community since her initial election in 2017.
Global Roundup:
A new data project has revealed the top cities in the world for sustainable transit, with Prague in the Czech Republic topping the list, followed by Wroclaw, Poland despite that city lacking a subway system.
The Institute for Transportation and Development Policy’s Atlas of Sustainable City Transport evaluated over 1,000 metropolitan areas on metrics like proximity to frequent transit and car-free zones.
The results highlight that effective transit systems don’t need advanced technology, as seen in Wroclaw’s tram network.
Cities like Tel Aviv, Bogotá, and Seattle also performed well, due to a focus on accessibility and frequent service.
UK:
A plan to fire and rehire over 140 employees at Worcestershire County Council is proceeding, despite an election pledge from Labour to ban the practice.
Under the plan, workers’ weekly hours would be reduced from 37 to 35.
Local gov dot co uk reports that the council has been consulting on the proposal since December, which now has the chief executive’s authorisation.
The new Prime Minister, Sir Keir Starmer, is believed likely to include proposed legislation to ban the practice in the King’s Speech this week.
Birmingham City Council, along with 19 other major council landlords in England, has published an interim report outlining five solutions to secure the future of council housing.
The report highlights a financial crisis in the council housing system, predicting a £2.2bn budget shortfall by 2028.
Key recommendations include a sustainable Housing Revenue Account model, reforms to Right to Buy policies, removal of funding red tape, a long-term Green & Decent Homes Programme, and restarting stalled building projects.
Devolution in Hampshire is being reconsidered following a change in political leadership.
Southampton, Portsmouth, and Isle of Wight councils had previously withdrawn from discussions, halting efforts to secure £1.14bn in investment.
But a change in leadership after the May elections is fostering fresh discussions and building trust to avoid past failures, according to BBC News.
A successful devolution deal would see the transfer of powers and funding for skills and transport to local authorities.
USA:
A Florida council has suspended open public comment at its meetings for three months due to disruptions caused by YouTube activists.
One particular activist, Michael Taylor, has been using meetings of Clearwater City Council to create monetised content featuring such stunts as wearing a bulletproof vest packed with ammunition and using profanities.
The Tampa Bay Times reported that the council hopes suspending the ‘citizens-to-be-heard’ component of its meetings until October will improve safety, after the online videos have led to threats of rape and violence against city officials.
The suspension does not affect public comments on agenda items and will be revisited after tensions have eased.
Delivery company DoorDash is intensifying efforts to identify and remove delivery drivers who break traffic laws following numerous complaints from US cities.
The city of Boston says DoorDash riders have been running red lights, traveling the wrong way on one-way streets, exceeding posted speed limits and driving on sidewalks.
The Associated Press reported that the company is collaborating with local police to streamline the process of accessing drivers’ records and will consider removing drivers reported for violations.
DoorDash is also educating drivers on vehicle registration requirements and local laws, and implementing measures like real-time identity verification.
The initiative is starting in Boston, and may expand to other cities to enhance safety and compliance.
IRAN:
Tehran’s City Council is in turmoil over calls to dismiss its Mayor Alireza Zakani amid allegations of bribery, poor performance, and electoral dishonesty.
Ten out of twenty-four council members are lobbying for his removal after criticisms surfaced of his performance and his involvement in the recent presidential elections.
Iran International reported that the conflict is rooted in political rivalries, with fresh corruption allegations emerging, including a bribery accusation involving Mr Zakani’s adviser.
Mr Zakani’s tenure has been marked by multiple controversies, including plans to build mosques in public parks and a secret $2 billion deal with a Chinese firm.
Roundup Extra:
Fabian Dattner and Zoe Dattner join Chris to talk about the recent local government event, called Wisdom of the Crowd, which focussed on effective listening skills.
The participants agreed that listening requires time, investment, and a deliberate approach. Strategies identified to improve effective listening include self-reflection, following up on feedback with actions, creating opportunities to listen, developing a capability framework, early exposure to feedback, authenticity, and creating a safe space for dialogue.
And Fabian Dattner has big news about a succession plan at the Dattner Group.
Access the summary document from the Wisdom of the Crowd event here.