On the Local Government News Roundup for 12th July 2024:
- Colac Otway becomes the latest Victorian Council to have a monitor installed
- Yarra adopts an ambitious new climate emergency plan
- It’s official – The Block is coming to Daylesford
- New speed limits unveiled in Sydney
- A celebrated Australian soccer identity honoured by a NSW council
- A permanent CEO appointed for Noosa Council
- A new organisation structure unveiled at Moreton Bay City Council
- Some Perth councils rein in their proposed rate increases
- Abusive behaviour leads to new measures at Tasmanian councils
- The Western Australian Council CEO heading across the ditch,
- And code of conduct complaints in the news in New Zealand.
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 361:
Victorian Roundup:
The State Government has appointed a municipal monitor to Colac Otway Shire Council.
Local Government Minister Melissa Horne announced on Wednesday that Christine Ferguson will support good governance processes and practices at the council from Friday 12th July through the 31st January next year.
The appointment was recommended to the Minister by the Chief Municipal Inspector, based on reports of issues relating to the conduct of councillors and a lack of adherence to governance rules.
In a statement, Colac Otway Mayor Marg White said she welcomed the appointment, and said she is confident that Councillors will continue to work together, and with the monitor, to ensure we act in the best interests of the community.
Ms Ferguson is an experienced public sector executive and board director, currently serving as a non-executive director at Triple Zero Victoria.
Colac Otway Shire Council becomes the sixth council with municipal monitors in place currently, joining Greater Geelong, Brimbank, Moonee Valley, Buloke and Glenelg councils.
Yarra City Council has adopted its second Climate Emergency Plan focusing on ambitious climate action and supporting vulnerable communities.
The plan includes achieving net zero emissions by 2035, collaborating with Traditional Owners, and transitioning to a circular economy.
The Council has already achieved a 70% reduction in emissions since 2001 and became carbon neutral in 2012.
Some of the elements of the new plan have attracted the media spotlight this week, with the Herald Sun focussing on a push for residents to go vegetarian, and shift banking and superannuation away from fossil fuel investments.
It reported that while the council has been serving meat dishes to councillors and executives before its meetings, a plant-based only menu will be offered from next month.
The plan also flags the use of Aboriginal land management practices to “decolonise” the urban landscape.
It also includes measures to increase the use of bikes and scooters on the city’s streets.
The plan was carried unanimously at this week’s Council meeting.
After a false start earlier this year, it now appears certain the tv show The Block will be setting up in Daylesford for a future season.
Executive Producer Julian Cress told the website TV Tonight that Hepburn Shire Council had approved plans for the production and the decision has been made to set the show in Daylesford in 2025.
Mr Cress said he was not concerned about pushback from the community, despite initial objections, and that he expects the show will celebrate the community in the way that this year’s season has for Phillip Island.
Two rural councils in the state’s west have punched above their weight in the latest Community Satisfaction Survey results, outscoring the state average on a number of measures.
Ararat Rural City Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison said the council had scored in the high 70s for arts centres and libraries, emergency and disaster management, waste management and customer service.
He hailed an improved score in waste management as significant, given the introduction of a universal, in-house service and a four-bin system.
Meanwhile at West Wimmera Shire, the council ranked above the state average with an overall score of 59 – ahead of the average for small rural councils of 53 and the state wide average of 54.
Appearance of public areas, elderly support services, family support services and waste management were the council’s top performing areas.
The CEOs of both councils recognised the efforts of their staff but emphasised the need to do more to improve service delivery for their communities.
Nillumbik Shire Council has given its support to a new 200km Birrarung Valley Walk, linking existing trails from Port Phillip Bay to the Upper Yarra Reservoir.
The project, proposed by Birrarung Valley Walk Inc and part of the Yarra Strategic Plan, aims to protect and promote the natural environment and First Nations culture.
The Council endorsed a Memorandum of Understanding to support the project, which includes future consultations and cultural mapping.
45 councils across Victoria will receive up to $85,000 each in state government funding to reduce roadside weeds and pests in preparation for the fire season.
The funding supports activities such as treating blackberry, boxthorn, and serrated tussock weeds, and managing rabbit populations.
The initiative is part of the Roadside Weeds and Pests Program.
The economic impact of invasive species on the state is estimated to be over $900 million annually.
Victorian Briefs:
The Victorian Government, in partnership with Maribyrnong City Council, is reducing speed limits on Hopkins Street and Dynon Road to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
Hopkins Street’s limit will drop to 40km/h and Dynon Road’s to 60km/h following 31 reported crashes in the past five years, including one fatality.
Greater Shepparton City Council will host a Swim Instructor recruitment day this month to simplify the job application process through practical sessions and informal conversations.
The council hopes the initiative will bring a fresh wave of dedicated and passionate individuals to help address workforce shortages at Aquamoves Swim School.
The City of Greater Bendigo has adopted a new Good Governance Framework to ensure transparent, accountable, and effective decision-making that serves the public interest.
Mayor Cr Andrea Metcalf said the framework includes principles to outline how councillors and staff should act, and that appropriate behaviour was important for establishing a desired culture for the council and the organisation.
National Roundup:
NSW:
The City of Sydney has announced a reduction in speed limits to 40km/h across local and regional roads to enhance safety for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers.
The change applies to the remaining local and regional roads with a default speed limit of 50km/h.
The changes are being funded by the NSW Government, with the aim of decreasing crash rates and severity, and reducing noise and emissions.
Further reductions to 30km/h are planned for high activity areas such as the city centre.
Graham Arnold, a celebrated figure in Australian football, has been honoured by Sutherland Shire Council with the renaming of Canberra Road Oval to Graham Arnold Oval.
A celebratory event attended by former teammates, local footballers, and fans, highlighted Mr Arnold’s significant contributions as both a Hall of Fame player and Socceroos coach.
Sutherland Shire Mayor Carmelo Pesce has praised Mr Arnold’s legacy, noting his impact on the local and national football scene.
The NSW Government is implementing measures to hold local and State Government accountable for approving more housing to meet the target of 377,000 homes by mid-2029.
The measures include planning reforms, new performance standards, and financial incentives for councils.
The government will publish performance data and has introduced a Statement of Expectations and league tables to monitor council performance.
If councils underperform, the Minister for Local Government says he will step in, potentially issuing performance improvement orders to rectify ongoing issues.
QLD:
Larry Sengstock has been unanimously endorsed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Noosa Shire Council after acting in the role since March last year.
Mayor Frank Wilkie said Mr Sengstock was the standout in a list of well-credentialled applicants, and that he had done an impressive job as Acting CEO.
Mr Sengstock’s previous roles include a senior position at Latrobe City Council and consulting on sporting facilities across Australia and New Zealand.
He is a former Olympian, representing Australia in basketball four times, and a former chief executive of Basketball Australia.
Mr Sengstock officially takes on the role as the permanent CEO on July 29 after a couple of weeks of leave.
Noosa Council has proposed planning amendments to increase smaller housing options to address limited availability for key workers, older people, and small families.
The Sunshine Coast News reports that the amendments will incentivise developers to build smaller units in medium and high-density zones, limit the gross floor area to 75 square meters, and restrict new short-stay accommodations to tourist zones.
Rezoning some tourist areas to residential zones is also proposed to increase housing availability for permanent residents.
The proposed changes are currently on exhibition for public comment.
The CEO of Moreton Bay City Council, Scott Waters, has announced the result of an organisational structure review.
The current six directorates will be realigned into four functional groups under the CEO’s leadership, alongside three new executive general manager roles.
Implementation of the new structure is expected to be completed by the 1st November, and recruitment for the three new executive positions will commence soon.
National Briefs:
The mayors of Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick have come together for a celebration of the Charging the East program – a push to install more than 250 new public EV chargers across Sydney’s eastern suburbs by the end of 2025.
The project has received $1M in state government funding.
The WA Government has distributed the latest round of grants to local government authorities to help attract and retain regional child care workers.
More than $780k has been distributed through the program’s two rounds so far, as part of a $1M four year program.
Gunnedah Shire Council’s Access Working Group has held an awareness event to address the misuse of designated access parking bays in the town’s CBD.
The group highlighted the inappropriate excuses drivers use for parking in the bays, which are reserved for individuals with legitimate disabilities who display proper permits.
TAS:
Two southern Tasmanian councils are implementing measures to combat increasing abusive behaviour towards council staff and councillors.
The Mercury has reported on how Clarence City Council is launching a community awareness campaign to promote respectful communication, while Huon Valley Council has introduced a policy to manage unacceptable customer behavior.
The abuse, which includes sexualised and threatening messages, has led to staff resignations and the use of private entrances to avoid confrontations.
The Local Government Association of Tasmania is also understood to be developing resources to support respectful debate and safe working environments.
SA:
Adelaide City Councillor Jing Li has missed nearly half of all council meetings in the past seven months, as a legal battle related to his narrow election in 2022 has consumed much of his time.
The Adelaide Advertiser reported that Cr Li has missed 25 out of 52 meetings, including 16 formal apologies and nine while on approved leave.
Attendance figures tabled after a question from Cr Phil Martin reveal that other members of the council have also had notable absences.
It has prompted a reminder from the acting chief executive about the significance of a councillor missing three council meetings consecutively without leave or an apology.
WA:
Some Perth region councils have reined in anticipated rate rises after their budget exhibition periods.
PerthNow reported that the City of Belmont reduced its advertised 3.5 per cent increase by point one of a per cent after updated CPI figures were released.
The City of Canning had originally proposed a 6.75 percent increase, reduced to 6.2 per cent as a result of cost savings identified by council staff, and ultimately 5.59 per cent after an amendment in the chamber.
And the City of Cockburn has capped its residential rates increase at 4 per cent despite ongoing cost increases.
The City of Melville is going with 4.5 per cent; a 5.4 per cent increase has been proposed at Fremantle; and at the Town of Victoria Park it’s looking like an 8 per cent increase.
Shire of Tammin CEO Joanne Soderlund is swapping the Wheatbelt of Western Australia for a chief executive position in New Zealand.
She is heading to Grey District Council as that council’s first female CEO.
In 2021 she became the state’s youngest female council CEO when appointed to the position at the Shire of Tammin at the age of 33.
You might notice a few new stories of abuse and toxic behaviour towards elected members and public servants in today’s episode.
It serves as a timely reminder of the importance of the upcoming global summit on Tackling Toxicity, Cultivating Civility with Diane Kalen-Sukra in October.
Diane is the acclaimed author of Save Your City: how toxic culture kills community and what to do about it.
And she has assembled an amazing lineup of visionary global leaders who will share their strategies for bridging divides, enhancing civil discourse and renewing civic culture.
It’s happening on Friday morning, 11th October from 7am AEDST; which is the afternoon and evening of Thursday 10th October for the UK and North America.
It’s a free event but registrations are required.
Head to kalenacademy.com/summit to find out more.
Global Roundup:
NZ:
Two NZ mayors have written to the Local Government Minister calling for the establishment of an independent arbiter for councillor code of conduct complaints.
It follows a much publicised expletive-laden rant by a Hamilton councillor directed at the mayor of Waipa District Council.
NZ Herald reports that the mayors of the two councils feel current mechanisms are inadequate for dealing with bad behaviour by elected officials, and that it’s bringing the local government sector into disrepute.
They have argued that a consistent national approach to complaints is needed.
However, Local Government Minister Simeon Brown has said he expects elected members to meet their legislated obligations, and that he does not intend to intervene in the Hamilton City Council matter.
Napier City Council is proposing a reduction in the number of councillors from 12 to 11 for the 2025 local elections.
The NZ Herald reported that the council’s preferred option, following initial consultation on five options, would see three general wards established with three councillors each, and the city’s first Maori ward with two members.
Community consultation is now being undertaken on the proposal.
Abuse of council staff and elected members in New Zealand is on the rise, with a new poll showing a significant increase in incidents reported over the past year.
One of the worst examples occurred when former Nelson Mayor Rachel Reese found an enraged intruder armed with a nail gun inside her house.
A poll by Local Government New Zealand (LGNZ) revealed that 53% of elected members face more abuse than a year ago.
65 per cent of elected members say they’ve faced online abuse, 39 per cent at community events, and 33 per cent while carrying out every day activities.
Councils are also reporting increasing levels of abusive and threatening behaviour towards their staff.
You can read more on that story from the Otago Daily Times.
UK:
Kirklees Council leader Cathy Scott is facing a no confidence vote after leaving the Labour party and forming the Kirklees Community Alliance, a group of former Labour, now independent, councillors.
The Labour group, now led by Carole Pattison, says Cr Scott lacks a legitimate mandate, according to a BBC News report.
If the vote is passed by a majority of the council, Scott would be removed, and a new leader elected.
The London council chief arrested recently on driving and drug offences has resigned from his position, according to BBC News.
Bayo Dosunmu is stepping down as Lambeth Council CEO from next week as the fallout continues from his arrest in Westminster on 23 June, after allegedly failing to stop at the scene of an accident.
Mr Dosunmu was promoted to CEO from within the council in April 2022.
The Unite union has overwhelmingly rejected the local government pay offer of £1,290 (5.77% for the lowest paid) and is likely to ballot for strike action at English councils.
The Local Government Chronicle reported that Unison has also rejected the offer, while the GMB union voted to accept with 53 per cent in favour,
The unions’ joint claim was for £3,000 or 10 per cent, whichever is higher.
Unite said it is considering its next steps, which will likely include ballot for industrial action.
CANADA:
In Canada, a councillor at London, Ontario has been reprimanded by the Ontario Civilian Police Commission for using denigrating language in social media posts about homelessness and addiction.
The commission found that Susan Stevenson, one of three councillors appointed to the London Police Services Board, had made posts that breached the police services board’s code of conduct.
Some of her posts referred to individuals with addiction issues as “junkies” and used photos of unhoused people without permission.
CBC News reported that while Cr Stevenson has been cautioned to improve her conduct, she claims the complaints were politically motivated.