On the Local Government News Roundup for 11th December 2024:
- Greater Geelong reconsidering its position on Australia Day
- The first councillor resignation of the new term in Victoria
- A push to deal with childcare deserts in the south-west
- The Sydney councillor taking his own council to court
- A council CEO to depart in Queensland and two new appointments in South Australia
- The historic equal play claim result at a UK council
- and a US council suing two of its members over ‘dysfunctional and raucous’ behaviour
and more news from across the world of local government in Australia and beyond.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Davidson recruitment and business advisory services.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Transcript for episode 410:
Victorian Roundup:
Greater Geelong City Council has voted to begin reversing a previous decision to stop referring to January 26 as Australia Day.
Cr Eddy Kontelj’s motion directing the CEO to prepare a report on returning to commemorating the date received majority support from councillors, with a 7-4 vote.
The Geelong Times reported that the decision was met with protests during the council meeting, and warnings that it would damage relationships with First Nations people.
Cr Kontelj said his motion was not intended to be disrespectful but aimed to align with federal government responsibility for the date.
Geelong council backflips on Australia Day stance – Geelong Times
Meanwhile, the council’s employees have delivered a YES vote on their new enterprise agreement.
Nearly 1600 employees participated in the vote, more than double that of the 2021 vote, with 51.8 percent voting yes to the new pay deal.
CEO Ali Wastie said the outcome was close, driven by a ‘no’ campaign by the ASU.
Ms Wastie said she is especially proud of the de-gendering of parental leave clauses, which improves support for all new parents, regardless of their gender.
We have our first councillor resignation of the new term.
Lachlan Glen, a first time councillor who recorded the highest first preference vote in the October election for Golden Plains Shire Council, has resigned for personal reasons.
In a statement posted to his Facebook page, Mr Glen said personal circumstances meant he was now in a position where he needed to weigh the needs of his family against his service to the shire.
Lachlan Glen – Councillor for Golden Plains Shire
The position will be filled by a countback including the remaining eligible candidates.
They include former councillor Gavin Gamble who received the highest number of first preference votes among the unsuccessful candidates.
He told the Geelong Advertiser that the resignation was “good news” and that he would like to continue the work he started in the last term in the council.
A date for the countback has not been announced.
A local building that was intended to be used as a creative art space in Greater Dandenong will instead be demolished, after the discovery of structural deficiencies.
The council purchased the Precinct Energy Plant building from Development Victoria in 2020, with due diligence reports at the time suggesting it could be re-purposed for public use.
But Council CEO Jacqui Weatherill said structural engineering reports had now confirmed that the building may not withstand a significant earthquake.
Despite that being a very, very low likelihood, the council had taken the decision to demolish in the interests of the surrounds and public safety.
Demolition will commence within three months, and the future use of site will be determined at a later date.
Council Announces Demolition of Local Building
South West Victorian councils have launched a push for increased Commonwealth funding to address severe childcare shortages in the region.
The SouthWest Victoria Alliance comprises seven councils along with Deakin University and Wannon Water.
Its Chair, Warrnambool Mayor Ben Blain, says the region is riddled with childcare deserts, and that the shortages must be a top-tier issue ahead of next year’s federal election.
It’s one of a number of issues in the Alliance’s federal election platform, which also calls for infrastructure investment, a local government sustainability fund, and a hydrogen innovation plan for the south-west Victoria.
South West councils push for action on “childcare deserts”
The City of Melbourne’s $25M Make Room project is ready to take its first residents from next month.
The council and Unison Housing have transformed a commercial building in Melbourne’s CBD into 50 supportive housing apartments for people experiencing homelessness.
The project includes comprehensive support services, including health services, case management, and culturally safe practices for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.
The Victorian Government and philanthropic donors have contributed to the cost of the project.
Victorian Briefs:
Stage 1 of the Omeo Mountain Bike Trails project has officially opened in East Gippsland Shire, featuring 50km of trails for all skill levels along with comprehensive facilities at Livingstone Park trailhead.
The project has been funded through a collaboration of all levels of government and is expected to expand to over 100km of trails over the next year.
Media Release: Stage 1 opening of Omeo trails cranks up tourism potential
Greater Shepparton City Council has installed 62 new heritage plaques across various locations including Shepparton, Mooroopna, Tatura, and Murchison to celebrate and acknowledge the region’s rich historical heritage.
The plaques, which feature QR codes for community contributions and storytelling, are part of an initiative that began in March 2021.
62 new Heritage Plaques installed across Greater Shepparton to acknowledge history
Anew 24-hour cat containment order comes into effect in Swan Hill from the 1st January.
All cats will be required to be confined to their owners’ properties unless properly restrained in carriers or on leashes.
There’ll be a 6-month grace period focused on education before enforcement begins on July 1, 2025.
24-Hour Cat Containment Order to commence on January 1
National Roundup:
NSW:
Penrith City Councillor Glenn Gardiner is engaged in a legal dispute with his own council over a fine he received for displaying election posters on his parked vehicle during the Local Government Election campaign.
The Western Weekender reported that Cr Gardiner is arguing that his election posters were exempt from regulations under State Environmental Planning Policy.
The Council maintains it was a prohibited activity, and the matter set to continue in court in February.
Councillor in awkward legal battle with own Council • The Western Weekender
A cyber incident impacted Muswellbrook Shire Council last week, disrupting some of its IT systems.
The council said the incident involved unauthorised access to a portion of its IT environment, and that it had been able to reinstate access to all council systems and return to business as usual.
External experts have been helping the council understand how the incident occurred and the extent of the impact.
IT disruption due to cyber incident : Muswellbrook Shire Council
A review of processes at Kiama Council has revealed overcharging under its Development Contributions Framework during the 2022/23 financial year.
A spreadsheet error is believed responsible for around 20 levies being incorrectly calculated.
It has resulted in an overcharge of around $1.5M, of which around $623K will now be refunded with interest.
The City of Canterbury Bankstown has launched a new social cohesion podcast, called Voices of CBCity.
The podcast will feature personal stories and lived experiences from individuals of different cultural, ethnic and social backgrounds.
It has been funded through the NSW Government’s Social Cohesion Grants program.
Voices of CBCity | City of Canterbury Bankstown
QLD:
Toowoomba Regional Council CEO Brian Pidgeon has announced he will not seek another term when his contract ends in July 2025.
Mr Pidgeon has served in the role since 2013, and has been with the council since 1998.
The Council has begun the recruitment process for its next CEO.
Toowoomba Regional Council starts recruitment for new CEO
The Queensland Ombudsman is reported to be looking into Gold Coast City Council’s controversial ‘view tax,’ which imposed rate increases of between 10 and 50% on high-rise unit owners based on their floor level.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that multiple body corporates have launched petitions against the policy, arguing it is unfair and fails to consider factors like obstruction from new developments.
The Ombudsman is understood to be assessing a complaint from one of the petitioners.
Mt Isa City Council has signed an MOU with Cobalt Blue to collaborate on a potential operation to produce sulphuric acid.
The move follows the announced closure in 2030 of the Glencore Mount Isa copper smelter which will create a critical shortage of the vital resource for numerous industries in the region.
The council is concerned that the shortage threatens to impact thousands of jobs and hinder the region’s economic growth.
Cobalt Blue and Mount Isa City Council Sign MOU
National Briefs:
Logan City Council has installed innovative drowning prevention technology at its aquatic centre.
The system uses artificial intelligence to deliver real time alerts to lifeguards, pinpointing the location where swimmer might be in trouble.
It’s the first use of the technology in Queensland.
Queensland-first technology improves swimmer safety – Logan City Council
Penrith City Council has celebrated its Olympic and Paralympic athletes at a special event.
It included the presentation of the Key to the City of Penrith to champion canoeist Jessica Fox OAM, the fifth time the achievement has been made in the city’s history.
Kempsey Shire Council is offering a $5,000 scholarship through Charles Sturt University to support local students in their university studies.
The scholarship is available for any course of study and includes potential work placement opportunities at the Council.
Kempsey Shire Council Scholarship
TAS:
Hobart City Council has approved a site for a new Derwent Ferry Terminal, despite some local opposition.
The Mercury reported that a majority of councillors voted for a stretch of beach at Sandy Bay to be the preferred site for the terminal.
It will be one of six new terminals across Greater Hobart as part of a planned expansion of the government’s ferry service.
SA:
The City of Burnside has appointed Julia Grant, current Director Community at the City of Onkaparinga, as its new CEO.
Ms Grant brings extensive experience in local and state government with a focus on sustainability and climate change impact, and will commence her role on January 28, 2025.
The City of Holdfast Bay has appointed Pamela Jackson as its first female CEO, following the retirement of former CEO Roberto Bria.
Ms Jackson has been acting in the role since August, and has nine years of experience with the council in various leadership roles.
Ms Jackson has also held roles within the Department of the Premier and Cabinet and the Department of Planning and Local Government.
WA:
WA’s Shire of Waroona has warned residents not to swim in a local weir after tests indicated the presence of an organism responsible for amoebic meningoencephalitis.
Temporary health warning signs have been placed around Drakesbrook Weir, a natural water body that is not a managed aquatic facility.
The shire is now awaiting further test results which could take up to seven days.
News Story – 𝗗𝗿𝗮𝗸𝗲𝘀𝗯𝗿𝗼𝗼𝗸 𝗪𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗦𝘄𝗶𝗺𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗹𝗼𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲 » Shire of Waroona
Former City of Vincent Mayor Emma Cole has been appointed this week as the new Chairperson of the Western Australian Planning Commission.
She is the first woman to chair the commission.
Ms Cole has served on the commission since 2020, and was most recently its deputy chairperson.
She also chairs the State Emergency Management Committee.
Global Roundup:
UK:
Birmingham City Council is expected to pay around £250M to settle a historic equal pay claim.
According to the Financial Times, that’s significantly less than the original £650-760M estimate that led to its declaration of effective bankruptcy in September 2023.
The lower settlement amount has raised questions about whether the council could have avoided bankruptcy proceedings, with some critics suggesting alternative financial measures could have been pursued.
Plans for what would be Britain’s largest Chinese embassy opposite the Tower of London have been unanimously rejected by the local council.
The BBC reported that Tower Hamlets Council has concerns over potential protests that could disrupt the area’s critical traffic junction.
The final decision will be made by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner following a planning inspectorate hearing.
Tower Hamlets council rejects Chinese embassy by Tower of London
Edinburgh council leader Cammy Day has resigned following allegations of inappropriate behaviour involving messages sent to Ukrainian refugees, according to BBC News.
Those allegations are under police investigation.
Mr Day, who had led the Labour-run administration since 2022, was suspended by his party after the allegations emerged.
Cammy Day: Edinburgh council leader quits over alleged messages
Also from the BBC, news of a leader for Inverclyde Council in Scotland.
Labour Councillor Robert Moran has been elected as the new leader, replacing Stephen McCabe who stepped down following assault charges and a court appearance in November.
Cr Moran has served as a council representative for over 20 years and was previously the Provost of Inverclyde.
New council leader elected after former chief stood down
There’s pressure on Barcelona City Council to ban a traditional motorcycle parade where bikers dress up as Santa Claus and ride through the city centre.
Lavanguardia.com has reported that the Ombudsman has expressed concerns about environmental impact, mobility issues, health effects, and security risks.
The event is scheduled for this Sunday afternoon and is organised informally through Telegram and operates without proper permits.
It has been generating citizen complaints for years, leading authorities to consider preventive measures and potential sanctions.
Barcelona City Council asked to ban the traditional Santa Claus biker parade
USA:
A Boston City Council member has been arrested on federal fraud charges, according to ABC News Boston.
The FBI and the US Attorney’s office announced the arrest on X without initially naming the councillor.
It was later revealed that second term councillor Tania Fernandes Anderson, the first African immigrant and first Muslim elected to the council, was arrested on five counts of wire fraud and one count of theft concerning a program receiving federal funds.
Boston City Council member is arrested on fraud and theft charges
A Californian city is suing two of its own council members.
LAist.com reported that the City of Westminster, in Orange County, has filed lawsuit alleging members Amy Phan West and NamQuan Nguyen have repeatedly disrupted meetings and created a ‘dysfunctional and raucous’ atmosphere.
The city wants the court to resolve the issue through mediation, and for the two members to pay legal fees.
Westminster sues two City Council members for ‘dysfunctional and raucous’ meetings
NZ:
Hutt City Council in New Zealand has responded to legal proceedings threatened by the Free Speech Union regarding the removal of a Hutt News insert from libraries and facilities in February 2024.
The action was taken without the knowledge of senior leadership, and while the Council has attempted to resolve the matter outside of court, the FSU has chosen to proceed with legal action.
HCC response to threatened proceedings by FSU in respect of Hutt News insert