Today on the Roundup weekend edition, 22nd July, available in your podcast queue now:
A last minute attempt to stop the release of the Operation Sandon report;
A Council call for a ban on commercial kangaroo shooting, while another will stop fossil fuel advertising on its buildings;
A regional council to require photo ID to attend council meetings;
A new mayor elected at Toowoomba;
Councillors coming and going in NSW;
And a Council CEO reportedly stood down in the NT
And much more ahead in your roundup of news from across the world of local government.
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 Snap Send Solve, helping keep shared spaces safe, clean and great to be in.
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Transcript (with story links where available):
Hi, this is Chris Eddy, coming to you from the land of the Wadawurrung People with the latest from the Local Government News Roundup.
On the podcast today:
A last minute attempt to stop the release of the Operation Sandon report;
A Council call for a ban on commercial kangaroo shooting, while another will stop fossil fuel advertising on its buildings;
A regional council to require photo ID to attend council meetings;
A new mayor elected at Toowoomba;
Councillors coming and going in NSW;
And a Council CEO reportedly stood down in the NT
Plus much more ahead in the latest update from the Local Government News Roundup.
Thanks for joining me for today’s podcast – brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
And by Snap Send Solve – in the business of keeping shared spaces safe, clean and great to be in.
Here are some of the Victorian council related stories making news in recent days.
A bid to block the release of IBAC’s Operation Sandon report has been launched in the Victorian Court of Appeal.
The Australian reported on Thursday that property developer John Woodman is seeking leave to appeal an earlier Supreme Court ruling denying his bid for an injunction.
If the request is granted, it could be months before the report is released.
The court will hear the matter on Monday.
If unsuccessful, it has been speculated that an action in the High Court might be mounted, which could delay the report’s release.
Read more here: The Australian $
Mt Alexander Shire Council has voted to advocate for a ban on commercial kangaroo shooting.
The council will lobby the government expressing its opposition to the commercial practice, which is allowed with a government permit.
Deputy Mayor Matthew Driscoll told the ABC that an overwhelming number of residents are in favour of a ban, while farmers say it would be devastating as kangaroo numbers are out of control, destroying crops and farm fencing.
Yarra City Council has resolved to ban new fossil fuel advertising on Council property.
Mayor Claudia Nguyen said the action supports the community’s demand for local action on climate change, and it would apply to all venues and facilities owned by the city.
The ban will be phased in as existing commercial agreements expire.
A decision to phase out deep fryers in canteens in Greater Dandenong is being criticised by sports clubs, who say being forced to switch to healthier food options will hurt their bottom line.
The Herald Sun reports on the new Council guidelines which seek to encourage safety and healthier eating in Council facilities.
Clubs are being encouraged to use air fryers in place of benchtop deep fryers, which pose a safety risk.
Changes to how Council meetings are run at Greater Bendigo have been announced.
The Council will require attendees at its monthly meetings to show photo identification on entry; and question time items must be submitted by 4pm on the Friday of the week prior to the meeting.
The changes will be trialled for the rest of this year, and are aimed at keeping Council meetings open, accessible and safe for the community to attend.
A police presence is likely to be a feature of future Brimbank council meetings, after recent disruptive behaviour.
The Star Weekly has reported on outbursts during the council’s recent consideration of an LGBTIQA+ Action Plan which led to the meeting being adjourned for a short time.
Mayor Bruce Lancashire has reminded members of the public of the need to behave respectfully, and said the council will continue to put measures in place to ensure the safety of everyone in attendance.
Brimbank Northwest Star Weekly
Greater Bendigo is set to decide on a January 26 Statement of Intent, and a proposal to bring the Australia Day citizenship ceremony forward by one day.
The Council says the Statement of Intent is proposed to be a demonstration of its increased understanding and leadership when it comes to recognising the impact of January 26, Australia Day, on the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community.
The recommendations will be considered by the Council at its upcoming meeting on 24th July.
Campaspe Shire and Murray River Councils released a joint statement this week emphatically denying that they are withdrawing support for visitor services for their regions.
The statement followed media reports that Echuca Moama Tourism will close its Visitor Information Centre next month.
The tourism body’s CEO reportedly linked the closure with a significant downturn in revenue, while the Riverine Herald has suggested the decision followed the councils deciding to withdraw funding for visitor services.
The Councils say they are in fact expanding both collaboratively and individually on tourism and economic growth, and are re-directing funds towards a modernised, region wide strategy.
Nationals Leader and Member for Murray Plains Peter Walsh told the Riverine Herald that the closure of the centre was an unexpected and devastating blow for the region.
He said that the mayors of the two councils would have to answer to residents and the tourism industry about the loss of the centre.
Victorian and South Australian Government funding has secured the future of the Overland train service, at least for the next four years – an outcome that has been welcomed by Horsham mayor Robyn Gulline.
Cr Gulline said the Overland provides a fundamental public transport link for western Victoria, with twice weekly services each way between Melbourne and Adelaide.
She said the Overland is the only passenger rail service in the Wimmera, and is of high importance to the community.
The council successfully led a fight to retain the service in 2020, with supporters from both sides of the border joining forces to advocate for its retention.
Now in today’s Victorian Briefs:
The Lord Mayors of Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Adelaide have been in Melbourne this week, joining Lord Mayor Sally Capp for a meeting of the Council of Capital City Lord Mayors.
Cr Capp told the Herald Sun that the nation’s housing crisis was one of the pressing issues to be discussed by the group at its annual meeting on Thursday.
Herald Sun, 21-7-23
Bass Coast Shire Council has appointed three executives to fill the shoes of outgoing CEO Ali Wastie, who is heading to Greater Geelong in the top job soon.
The Council has appointed three of its general managers – Greg Box, James Stirton and Jodi Kennedy – to rotate as interim CEO for a period of eight weeks each.
The sixth annual International Rose Garden Festival Morwell has been launched by Latrobe City Council Mayor Kellie O’Callaghan.
The free community event is expected to attract thousands of visitors to Gippsland in November, with 4,000 roses on display at the Morwell Rose Garden.
And the appointment of a new electoral commissioner has been announced, following the retirement of Warwick Gately after 10 years in the role.
Public sector executive Sven Bluemmel will take up the position next month. He has been Victoria’s Information Commissioner since 2017.
Minister for Government Services
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Now for some of the stories making local government news from around Australia this week.
NSW
Two western Sydney mayors have put their hands up to host the 2026 Commonwelth Games, according to a report from the Hawkesbury Post.
Hawkesbury mayor Sarah McMahon, and Liverpool Ned Mannoun said western Sydney has the necessary infrastructure in place or on the way to be able to pick up the hosting duties that were dropped this week by Victoria.
The offer doesn’t have the backing of the NSW Government, with Premier Chris Minns reportedly ruling out any state backing.
Similarly in Queensland, the government has rejected a proposal by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate that his city could pick up the hosting duties.
City of Ryde CEO Wayne Rylands has provided an update on the ongoing inquiry into mismanagement of funds from the council’s restricted reserves.
An action plan, developed with guidance from the Office of Local Government, has been shared with councillors, staff and the community outlining actions taken and underway.
Mr Rylands reports funds have been returned to the relevant reserves, which will not adversely impact rates or Council services.
He said the council has provided extensive materials relating to the ongoing external investigation to the OLG, and staff continue to cooperate with the OLG on any further lines of enquiry.
Residents of Kiama Municipal Council will be asked to decide whether future mayors of the municipality should be directly elected.
The Council has decided to hold a referendum alongside next year’s elections, which are scheduled for September.
It has deferred a decision on a proposal to reduce the number of councillors from nine to seven.
Kiama is the only council in its region not to have a directly elected mayor.
Long standing Penrith City Councillor, Jim Aitken has resigned after 28 years of service.
It’s understood the resignation follows a period of ill health.
The timing of the resignation in the current council term means a countback can’t be held, and a by-election would be required to fill the position.
However, on Monday night the council will consider a recommendation to seek approval from the Minister for Local Government to leave the position vacant until the September 2024 council elections.
QLD
Toowoomba Regional Council has elected Cr Geoff McDonald to the mayoralty at a special meeting on Friday.
Cr McDonald moves from the deputy mayor position and succeeds Paul Antonio who recently announced his retirement.
A further election will need to be held to fill the deputy mayoral position. This will occur at a future Council meeting.
In making his pitch for the votes of his colleagues, Cr McDonald called for a reset of the group and for councillors to be supportive of each other while having robust, inclusive debates.
Cr Carol Taylor, who also put her hand up for the job, expressed disappointment that in her view gender diversity isn’t valued at the council, and she called out the existence of factions that she described as inappropriate.
Nominations will soon be called from members of the community to fill the vacant councillor position.
An investigator has upheld a claim of inappropriate conduct by Toowoomba councillor Nancy Sommerfield.
The Courier Mail reports that an exchange between Cr Sommerfield and the Council’s CEO Brian Pidgeon was the subject of the investigation.
Mr Pidgeon made the complaint about comments allegedly directed at him by Cr Sommerfield in a confidential session last year at which his employment contract was being discussed.
The comments are understood to have related to an incident that was subject to a confidential report in 2021, arising from an anonymous staff complaint.
The investigator found that the allegation could be substantiated and appeared to have been careless, and made with limited insight into the inappropriate nature of the conduct.
He has recommended a reprimand, along with training or counselling.
The council said in a statement that no decision has been made on whether inappropriate conduct has occurred. It’s understood the matter will be considered at a meeting in August.
Courier Mail$; Toowoomba Region Council
NT
The chief executive of West Arnhem Regional Council has been stood down amid allegations that alcohol was smuggled into a dry community.
The NT News has reported on the allegations that the CEO Paul Hockings and other staff consumed the alcohol while visiting a dry community for cultural awareness training.
Mayor Matthew Ryan said the council was investigating the allegations, and that Mr Hockings is currently on leave.
NT Police have confirmed that eight people will be issued with infringement notices.
SA:
A 60 year tradition has come to an end in Port Lincoln, with the iconic Tunarama Festival having been held for the last time in its current form.
The organising committee announced earlier this month that it was winding up, but Port Lincoln Mayor Diana Mislov says the festival may continue albeit in a reimagined format.
Cr Mislov told the Port Lincoln Times she had been contacted by many community members, and she feels there is enough push for the event to continue in some form.
She is encouraging people to register their interest in attending a community meeting on the matter.
The Council is taking possession of custom-made equipment and will assume ownership of branding and trademarks in order to safeguard the essence of the event.
Source: Port Lincoln TImes 20-7-23; Port Lincoln City Council
WA:
Cottesloe Council has dropped its legal challenge to a major beachfront development approved by the WA Planning Commission.
The council is believed to have decided against further legal action due to limited legal grounds, significant cost and low chances of success, according to the Sound Telegraph.
The council and the WA Local Government Association will continue to oppose the state government’s special development pathway, which they say circumvents local involvement in the planning process in its current form.
More from the Sound Telegraph here.
The City of Wanneroo in Perth has endorsed a draft Cat Local Law, and will seek public comment on some significant changes.
According to PerthNow, the new law proposes to prohibit cats from some areas, such as Yellagonga Regional Park and Lake Gnangara.
There’ll be an obligation on cat owners to prevent their animal from creating a nuisance.
State legislation currently does not give councils power to introduce more restrictive policies, such as containment provisions.
There is a proposal to change the Cat Act 2011, which would allow local governments to bring in stronger provisions, potentially within 12 months.
More from PerthNow here
While many councils are partnering with private companies to install more electric vehicle chargers in their areas, one WA council is pushing back, saying it is not cost effective due to low usage.
The ABC reports that the Shire of Collie has rejected a proposal by Sonic Charge to install 11 chargers, as they could be a future liability.
The council says the one existing charger is adequate for the current demand, and is being run at a loss.
The proponent says the Council’s fears of a future financial burden are unwarranted, and that more chargers are needed to lead the uptake of electric vehicles.
Briefly:
A new councillor has been sworn in at Shoalhaven.
Gillian Boyd has joined Shoalhaven Council after a countback to fill the vacancy created by Liza Butler’s resignation. Ms Butler was elected to state parliament in March this year.
Edward River Council has endorsed the first stage of its 2050 growth strategy project, by appointing AEC Group to deliver the strategy.
Council CEO Phil Stone said the strategy will include a planning framework to support urban expansion and infill development.
Ipswich City Council has welcomed Federal Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones’ announcement of a parliamentary inquiry into insurers’ response to the 2022 floods.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the inquiry would be followed closely by the council, after hundreds of residents were severely impacted by the February and May floods last year.
She said the Council will give consideration to preparing a submission to the inquiry when appropriate.
Applications have opened for the CEO position at two South Australian councils.
The recruitment for the top roles at Port Lincoln and Wakefield Regional councils is being handled by McArthur, with applications due by 7th August and 14th August respectively.
Port Lincoln CEO Matthew Morgan is heading to a private sector role, while Wakefield CEO Andrew McDonald is taking on the CEO position at the Town of Walkerville in September.
Recruitment is also underway for the CEO positions at a number of WA councils – City of Melville and the shires of Katanning, Denmark and Menzies.
Australian Local Government Job Directory
Now for today’s International Spotlight:
A city council in Texas has triggered a criminal investigation over an online data breach.
Odessa City Council held an emergency meeting this week after the discovery of the breach.
Mayor Javier Joven said investigations had revealed a former city attorney’s email account and city databases were accessed numerous times after the individual’s employment had been terminated.
According to a report from The Texan, the mayor has also suggested another account belonging to a former city official has been accessed.
Officials say once the investigation by law enforcement is completed, any violations of the law will be fully prosecuted.
Source: The Texan
Las Vegas City Council has approved an expansion of the underground tunnel network being built by Elon Musk’s The Boring Company.
Public funding for the first two mile stretch of tunnels underneath the Las Vegas Strip was approved in 2019.
The Boring Company plans to use Teslas to move three passengers at a time along the loop.
The expansion given council approval this week would see the network increase to 68 miles, with 81 passenger terminals.
A newly hired manager at the city of Newport, Rhode Island, has resigned after just three months in the role because of historic inappropriate text messages.
It has recently emerged that Stephen Waluk allegedly sent multiple racist, sexist and homophobic text messages while working for the Rhode Island District Court.
According to Newport This Week.com, he resigned from that role last year, after an internal investigation, the results of which are confidential.
The existence of the texts has emerged through media coverage, leading the city’s Mayor to make a strong statement against hate,
racism and intolerance. He also said he is pleased that Mr Waluk had resigned.
In Canada, a council’s controversial decision to retain the policing services of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police over a transition to a municipal policing service has been overruled by the province.
The City of Surrey made the decision in June, saying it was a better option for ratepayers.
However, British Columbia Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said the decision would lead to a crisis in policing, as it would exacerbate a staffing shortage in the RCMP across the province and the country.
CBC reports the overrule will likely set the scene for a battle with the city, whose Mayor Brenda Locke made keeping the RCMP a signature election issue last year.
There’s an outcry in the English city of Brighton over planned honours for two former councillors.
According to the Argus, the former Green councillors Alex Phillips and Phelim Mac Cafferty are to receive the titles of Honorary Alderman and Alderwoman of Brighton and Hove.
Some residents believe the honours should not be givento either of the former councillors due to past controversies.
Ms Phillips, a former mayor of the city, was found by an independent inquiry to have overclaimed expenses for childcare, including some claims made during the pandemic when she was in France. She repaid almost £500 to the council.
Mr Mac Cafferty was criticised for taking a plane to a climate conference in 2021 while accusing the government of not doing enough about climate change. He was the leader of the Council at the time, and apologised for a major failure of judgment.
Neither councillor contested the last round of elections.
In Pakistan, a newly formed city council in Karachi has had an inauspicious start, with its first meeting descending into chaos this week.
The meeting lasted a mere 40 minutes before being adjourned indefinitely after members chanted slogans and threw insults at each other, with the new mayor a particular target.
When one government member attempted to speak, a scuffle broke out and the microphone was snatched away by opposition members.
The Express Tribune reported that police were called before the meeting was called off.
It’s unclear when another attempt to hold the meeting will be made. It was the first meeting of the elected local government leadership in three years.
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That’s the latest from the Roundup for the 22nd July 2023 – brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Snap Send Solve.
Check your podcast queue for the latest edition of our monthly interview special, Council Conversations.
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The Local Government News Roundup is recorded in the city of Greater Geelong, Victoria, on the land of the Wadawurrung People of the Kulin Nation.
More of the latest local government news coming your way next week. Until then, thanks for listening, and bye for now.