On the Local Government News Roundup for Wednesday, 12th February 2025:
- Chaotic scenes as another council considers a major rate increase
- And a former PM’s extraordinary call to boycott council rates
- A council’s move to ensure political neutrality
- Competing petitions on a name change proposal in Dandenong
- A hiring freeze for one of the country’s largest councils
- Dysfunction brings a North Queensland council to a minister’s attention
- Adelaide Council under fire over green space and parking plans
- and UK councillors step aside as a messaging scandal widens
All that and more on Australia’s number one local government podcast, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Symphony3 – simple, connected customer experiences.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Here is all the news from episode 426:
Victorian Roundup:
Frankston City Council has implemented new guidelines requiring political neutrality from councillors running for higher office and from grant recipients.
The move is to deal with past concerns about bias and damaged relationships, according to a report from the Frankston Times.
Tensions arose last year when then-mayor Nathan Conroy was preselected for the Dunkley by-election.
Current mayor Kris Bolam said the council would play a ‘straight bat’ under his watch, while working to keep Frankston and its advocacy priorities front of mind for state and federal election candidates.
A housing forum in Boroondara last night heard that the state government was considering adjustments to heritage protections that could see increases in height limits as part of plans to build more homes in new activity centres.
The Herald Sun has reported that 80 per cent of attendees to the forum were concerned about the plans to build tens of thousands of extra homes in the inner city.
They were told there are no compulsory acquisitions planned, and the government has listened to concerns that have been raised, with more announcements expected in the coming weeks.
Greater Dandenong Council has received two opposing petitions about the renaming of city’s Afghan Bazaar precinct.
One group is advocating for the name to be changed to “Little Bamyan” while another is fighting to preserve the current name.
The Dandenong Star Journal reported that as of yesterday each petition had well in excess of 3,000 signatures.
Council CEO Jacqui Weatherill said both petitions would be given careful consideration, and that any change would follow genuine and thorough consultation over a number of months.
Mount Alexander Shire Council and Hepburn Shire Council have partnered to deliver consolidated building services across both shires.
The combined team will be managed by Mount Alexander and is expected to result in cost savings for both councils.
Mount Alexander CEO Darren Fuzzard said the combined resources would mean a stronger, more efficient service, with better support for local builders, businesses and residents.
The new service starts on 1st April.
From The Age, a story about a failed playground trial in Footscray’s Nicholson Street Mall.
Maribyrnong Council has reportedly pulled the pin as a result of overwhelming community feedback that it hasn’t worked, and was attracting the wrong kind of behaviour.
The playground was funded by a COVID19 stimulus program, and the council is considering potential alternative uses for the equipment.
Victorian Briefs:
Colac Otway Shire Council has temporarily relocated the Colac Customer Service for two weeks, while urgent roof replacement works are carried out on the Rae Street building.
Customer service has moved to the Colac Visitor Information Centre until 21st February.
A Building Blocks Partnership between the state government and Mitchell Shire Council has been announced, including almost $13 million in funding for two kindergarten projects – at Beveridge and Wallan East
This is part of a larger $23M investment in Mitchell Shire to deliver hundreds of new kindergarten places in part of the fast growing Melbourne’s north.
Greater Shepparton will host the world’s largest grass court tournament next February.
Tennis Victoria Country Week will feature over 1,300 players across 28 grades of men’s and women’s competitions.
The city previously hosted then event in 2014 and 2019. It’s expected to inject over $2M into the local economy.
Moorabool Shire Council has been nominated for an ITNews Benchmark Award for its new Datascape property and rating system.
It’s one of just five councils in the country to be nomination for the Best Local Government Project award.
National Roundup:
NSW:
North Sydney Council has voted for an 87% rate increase in the wake of a $122 million pool redevelopment that has left the council with significant debt and depleted infrastructure reserves.
The controversial decision attracted strong opposition from residents at a council meeting described in media reports as ‘chaotic’ and ‘shambolic.’
If approved by IPART, the decision will see residential rates rise from $715 to $1200 per quarter.
Mayor Zoe Baker defended the decision as necessary due to what was described past financial mismanagement by previous councils.
Only 5% of respondents in a council community survey supported the proposal.
Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott has called **Northern Beaches Council’**s proposed 40% rate increase undemocratic, and has suggested that residents boycott the additional charges.
The Daily Telegraph reported that Mr Abbott, who is a Northern Beaches ratepayer, said that ignoring the results of a postal ballot of residents and proceeding with a proposed rate increase amounts to a flagrant denial of democracy.
His comments come as new data reveals the number of Sydney councils operating at a deficit hasn’t shifted from prior to amalgamations reducing the number of councils with promises of more cost-effective council operations.
Oppostion Leader Mark Speakman has called on Premier Chris Minns to review council expenditure and entitlement policies, urging more cost control by councils.
Local Government NSW has strongly criticised calls for residents to boycott paying council rates, pointing out that such actions would not address the underlying financial sustainability issues faced by councils.
LGNSW President Cr Phyllis Miller said councils are already struggling with cost shifting burdens of $1.36 billion annually and restricted income due to rate pegging, and has encouraged residents experiencing financial difficulties to discuss payment arrangements with their local council.
Port Stephens Council is this week considering pushing for an urgent review by the government of jet ski usage in Port Stephens.
The move from Mayor Leah Anderson is in response to increasing resident concerns about marine life impacts and swimmer safety from jet ski usage at highly populated beaches in the area.
Mayor Anderson’s motion notes the need to balance economic impacts of local tourism with safety, and an officer report notes that Council doesn’t have any jurisdiction to manage jet ski usage.
If supported, the motion will call for jet ski restrictions to be imposed at Port Stephens’ highly populated beach locations.
The NSW Country Mayors Association is calling for the restoration of Commonwealth funding for Local Government, highlighting how Federal Assistance Grants have decreased from 1% to 0.5% of Commonwealth taxation revenue since 1996, severely impacting rural councils’ ability to deliver services.
Chairman Cr Rick Firman OAM, who is the Mayor of Temora Shire, said rural councils face unique challenges including maintaining extensive road networks and providing services across large geographical areas.
Some councils rely on grants for over 70% of their revenue while dealing with stagnant rate bases and rising operational costs.
Cr Firman said Special Rate Variations have become a necessity in NSW, but they harm the relationship that councils have with their ratepayers.
QLD:
Queensland’s Local Government Minister Ann Leahy says her office is monitoring events at Cairns Regional Council, where concerns have been raised that dysfunction is hampering the city’s ability to provide effective governance.
The Cairns Post reported earlier this week that Member for Cairns Michael Healy has raised the concerns, saying the council must return to stable, accountable, and collaborative governance.
Mayor Amy Eden is reportedly losing the confidence of councillors, some of whom have considered a no confidence motion.
The situation has escalated to the point where councillors have forced Cr Eden to publicly declare CEO Ken Gouldthorp’s job safe after she refused to apologise for actions that were seen as undermining his position.
The Post reports today that Minister Leahy has confirmed she is aware of media reports of councillor tensions, and “will continue to monitor the council’s delivery of services to its communities.”
Sunshine Coast Council has unanimously approved a proposal from new CEO John Baker for a hiring freeze and the creation of a new chief financial officer position.
It’s part of a major restructure plan,nas reported by ABC News.
The CFO role is being created to help manage the council’s $39.3 million monthly operating costs and deliver efficiencies.
Experts and councillors have given their support to the proposal, believing that an executive-level CFO would provide stronger financial leadership and help achieve cost savings for the council.
Former long-term council CEO Andrew Chesterman has been named to head up a new Local Government Red Tape Reduction Taskforce.
The appointment has been welcomed by LGAQ, which stands ready to support Mr Chesterman and the Taskforce in its work.
The former Redland City Council CEO has an extensive background in strategic leadership and public administration.
A report from the Taskforce is expected to be delivered to the government around mid-year.
National Briefs:
A countback election has been set to fill a casual vacancy on Newcastle City Council, triggered by the resignation of former Lord Mayor Nuatali Nelmes.
Election day has been set for 25th February with the count to commence at 10am and results to be published soon after.
The Mayor and General Manager of Wagga Wagga City Council will lead a delegation to the Historic Wall Festival in Nordlingen, Germany in September.
While in Germany, they will continue discussions with an major manufacturing company about opportunities to establish a presence in Wagga.
Entries have opened for the 39th year of the National Awards for Local Government, with 13 categories including a new Affordable Housing category, and an expanded waste management category now called Environmental Sustainability.
There is also a new outstanding rural and remote council award.
Enties close on the 17th March, with winners to be announced in June.
TAS:
A former mayor of Tasmania’s West Coast Council has warned that small councils are being set up to fail because of current accounting requirements.
Phil Vickers has told The Advocate that asset depreciation challenges and the council’s $4.4 million in underlying losses over the past four years were of particular concern.
But current mayor Shane Pitt said a financial turnaround plan was under way, aimed at balancing the books within five years, and that the council is continuing to deliver new infrastructure projects and maintaining multiple facilities across five townships.
SA:
The Advertiser reports today on a backlash against Adelaide City Council from critics who say the council is waging a ‘war on cars.’
The concerns related to a plan to turn a section of road west of Light Square into green space, which business owners say will increase congestion.
The council is also considering concept plans to reduce parking on some other streets as part of a $12M revitalisation plan.
The mayors of Port Pirie and Port Augusta have thrown their support behind Whyalla Mayor Phill Stone, as reports about the future of the city’s steelworks send shockwaves through the community.
They say their councils are ready to assist in any way possible, as the future viability of the steelworks has wide ranging implications for the entire Upper Spencer Gulf region.
In the latest developments, the steelworks owners GFG Alliance say they are finalising new financing, and AAP reported Premier Peter Malinauskas was in Whyalla, intensifying pressure on them to pay the tens of millions of dollars owed to government and businesses.
The City of Charles Sturt is conducting a representation review to address new requirements that limit council members to 13 (including Mayor).
The council is proposing to maintain the current structure of 16 Ward Councillors, which would require it to seek exemption from the Electoral Commission
The council is also proposing to realign some boundaries, with public feedback being accepted until March 3, 2025.
WA:
The City of Fremantle has announced that it will cease collecting waste from all commercial properties from July 1st.
Businesses will be required to arrange their own waste collection services with private providers.
The city says the change is to allow it to focus on improving residential waste collection and public area maintenance, including enhanced street cleaning and public bin services.
Global Roundup:
UK:
According to The Guardian, two former senior figures at bankrupt Woking council – ex-chief executive Ray Morgan and ex-finance director Leigh Clarke – are to be investigated by the UK’s accounting watchdog.
It follows the council’s accumulation of over £2bn in debt from failed investments.
Woking declared bankruptcy in 2023, having invested borrowed money in risky ventures including skyscrapers and a luxury hotel, marking one of the biggest financial failures in local government history.
A political Whats App messaging scandal has forced three Labour councillors at Tameside Council to step down from executive roles this week.
The scandal led to the sacking of UK Health Minister Andrew Gwynne.
The three councillors, Claire Reid, Jack Naylor and George Newton, decided to step away from executive roles while the Labour Party conducts an investigation into the matter.
BBC News reported that another Tameside councillor has made a hate crime report to police after concerns were raised by constituents about some of the messages.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed that Buckinghamshire Council has sold over £28 million worth of assets since its establishment in 2020.
BBC News reported that most of disposals were used for affordable housing or education initiatives.
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council has announced a £20m investment to replace 280 vehicles with environmentally friendly alternatives over the next three years.
It follows a successful first phase which began in 2021 with electric bin lorries and vans, and aims to help the council achieve its carbon neutral goal by 2030.
USA:
Malibu City Council is this week expected to discuss an ongoing issue with its City Manager, who has been absent since November, with his initially planned January 2025 return date now passed.
The Malibu Times reported that the prolonged absence has caused concern among residents, particularly given ongoing challenges from the recent wildfires.
CANADA:
The City of Calgary is considering a proposal to defer nearly $900 million in capital spending from its 2025 budget. including $294.5 million for an event centre development and $165 million for water infrastructure projects.
The Calgary Herald reported that the deferrals are being attributed to various project delays including land acquisition challenges and procurement constraints, with much of the funding being reallocated to 2027 and beyond.
NZ:
Wellington City Council has launched a groundbreaking new website functionality that makes council decisions, voting records, and meeting data easily accessible to the public, replacing hard-to-navigate PDFs with a user-friendly search system.
The award-winning tool, which is the first of its kind in New Zealand and possibly worldwide, allows users to quickly view how council members voted on issues and track the implementation of decisions dating back to June 2021.
The project, developed collaboratively with input from council staff, residents, and elected officials, aims to enhance transparency in local governance and has already garnered interest from other councils looking to implement similar systems.
Waipā District Council is implementing significant changes to its governance structure in 2025, including moving committee meetings to bi-monthly schedules, shifting meeting days from Tuesdays to Wednesdays, and streamlining agendas under the leadership of new Chief Executive Steph O’Sullivan.
The changes aim to create a more efficient and strategic decision-making process, with a focus on continuous improvement and better outcomes for the community, while maintaining transparency and effectiveness.