On the Local Government News Roundup for 19th November 2024:
- Complaints about the council elections process on the rise
- Melbourne’s Lord Mayor outlines a first 100 days plan
- Mayoral election season in full swing in Victoria
- An overhaul of building approvals for NSW takes councils out of the loop
- A mayor hits back at online rumours
- An audit raises concerns about termination payouts at a Queensland council
- and poor councillor behaviour makes news in New Zealand, the UK and in Canada
plus more local government news from across 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 400:
Victorian Roundup:
Complaints to the Local Government Inspectorate about the council election process have exceeded the 2020 election period by more than 150 so far.
Over 1,000 complaints have been received, mostly about authorisation of materials, and misleading or deceptive materials.
Chief Municipal Inspector Michael Stefanovic AM said the Inspectorate is preparing a post-election report which will provide a clearer picture of complaint volume and related anaylsis.
Local Government Inspectorate Spring 2024 newsletter
Nick Reece, Melbourne’s newly elected Lord Mayor, has outlined his top priorities for his first 100 days in office, focusing on city cleanliness, safety, and addressing homelessness.
His ambitious plans, revealed in an exclusive Herald Sun report on the weekend, include negotiating new cleaning agreements, creating a city safety and cleaning portfolio, and opening the major new homelessness shelter called Make Room.
The Lord Mayor says he will work collaboratively with his deputy and fellow councillors to implement his policies, which include a one year freeze on rates, enhancing city lighting, deploying safety officers, and transforming Melbourne into a “Garden City”.
The Age has analysed the results of recent council elections in Victoria, highlighting significant shifts in political landscapes across various regions.
Key findings include struggles for Labor in the outer suburbs of Melbourne, a conservative trend in regional areas, and the continued influence of teal independents in Melbourne’s inner east.
The piece also notes the failure to achieve gender parity in council representation and discusses voter turnout patterns, particularly the correlation between low turnout and areas with high renter populations.
Mayoral election results
Ballarat – Mayor Cr Tracey Hargreaves, Deputy Mayor Ben Taylor
Banyule – Mayor Elizabeth Nealy in a two way contest with Cr Alida McKern; Deputy Mayor Peter Castaldo
Boroondara elected Mayor Cr Sophie Torney, and Deputy Mayor Cr Victor Franco
Gannawarra – Cr Garner Smith is the new mayor, and last year’s mayor Cr Ross Stanton will serve as deputy mayor.
Greater Dandenong Mayor – Cr Jim Memeti is back in the mayoral robes for the sixth time, Deputy Mayor Cr Sophie Tan
Mitchell – Mayor Cr John Dougall, and Deputy Mayor is Bob Cornish
Moorabool – Cr Paul Tatchell has been elected mayor in a two way contest with Moira Berry; the council did not have a deputy mayor last year, and there was much debate on whether to reinstate the role. Ultimately, it was decided to proceed with the role, and there were four nominations, with Cr Rod Ward ultimately elected.
Warrnambool City Council has re-elected Ben Blain and Vicki Jellie unopposed as mayor and deputy mayor respectively.
Wellington – Cr Scott Rossetti is the new mayor, and Cr Cindy Madeley is the new deputy mayor
Whitehorse – Cr Andrew Davenport is the new mayor, stepping up from deputy last year; Cr Prue Cutts was elected as deputy mayor.
Victorian Mayors • Local Government News Roundup
Mayoral elections due today:
Wodonga – where new councillor Michael Gobel has confirmed that he will nominate for the position, according to the Border Mail. Returning councillors Olga Quilty and Libby Hall are also believed to considering putting their hand up for the position.
Bayside, Yarra, Hume, Maribyrnong, Casey and Whittlesea due tonight; also today Campaspe, Greater Shepparton, Golden Plains and Mornington Peninsula.
Another eleven scheduled for tomorrow, and we’ll round up all of those results on our next edition due on Thursday morning.
National Roundup:
NSW:
The NSW government has announced a major overhaul of the residential development approval process, allowing developers to bypass council approvals for large projects.
A new Housing Development Authority, led by three senior public servants, will handle expressions of interest for projects above $60 million in Sydney and $30 million in regional NSW.
Th reform is set to come into effect in early 2025.
ABC News reported that a secret taskforce has been analysing projects “stuck in the system”, according to Planning Minister Paul Scully, claiming to have unblocked 13,000 homes in two months.
Local Government NSW president Darriea Turley said the government’s plan will deliver windfall gains for developers, worsen congestion, and create overcrowding .
The three people who will bypass councils to speed up housing supply
Shoalhaven Mayor Patricia White has refuted claims that the council plans to make 500 staff members redundant, describing them as “grossly inaccurate” and “totally false.”
The Daily Telegraph reported that the rumours originated on Facebook community groups and were further spread by a union statement.
They have emerged in the context of the council’s financial challenges and the surprise resignation last week of CEO Robyn Stevens.
While the council is undergoing restructuring and facing financial difficulties, Mayor White says massive staff cuts are not being considered and has called for an end to the spread of misinformation.
North Sydney Council has unanimously approved a motion to review the allocation of sporting facilities, focusing on gender equity and accessibility for people with disabilities.
The North Sydney Sun reported that the review will examine training and playing hours by gender at key locations, as well as assess hiring policies and access opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
The council hopes to address a reported inequity in sports facility access, where female athletes currently have less than 50% access to fields and often at less favourable times.
North Sydney Council to investigate gender inclusion at sporting facilities – North Sydney Sun
A proposed ban on advertising by fossil fuel and gambling companies on council-owned assets in Mosman Council is on hold while councillors await further information of the impact.
The proposal, brought forward by Deputy Mayor Michael Randall, was debated in the council chamber, with some councillors supporting the move on the grounds of climate change concerns and social impact.
However, the Daily Telegraph reported that others are concerned about the potential financial impacts, particularly regarding an existing advertising contract worth $900,000 annually.
The council has decided to seek a report on the sustainability of future contracts if the ban proceeds.
There will be two countback elections conducted today to fill vacancies on NSW Councils – they are for Ward 3 of Shoalhaven City Council, with six candidates to be included in the countback; and for Glen Innes Severn Shire Council, where only two candidates remain in contention.
2024 Shoalhaven City Council Ward 3 countback election
2024 Glen Innes Severn Shire Council countback election
Four by-elections are due to be conducted on the weekend for Berrigan Shire, Cowra Shire, Junee Shire and Lachlan Shire’s E Ward; and a countback is scheduled for Bathurst Regional Council next week.
QLD:
The Queensland Audit Office has found that Townsville City Council paid termination benefits exceeding contractual entitlements to two senior executives and one employee.
ABC News reported that $4.3 million was paid in termination benefits for the 2023-2024 financial year.
The audit also found that the council lacked policies governing when it would be appropriate to negotiate payments beyond employment contracts, as well as errors in asset revaluations, leading to a $76 million adjustment in accumulated depreciation.
Toowoomba Regional Council has decided to decommission after-hours drop boxes for animals following community backlash over animal welfare concerns.
The Toowoomba Chronicle reported that the decision comes after a review that included input from the RSPCA and addresses issues such as the potential for animal abandonment and mistreatment.
The council is implementing several changes to its animal management practices, including improved signage and information, as well as focusing on dealing with dangerous animals and emergency situations rather than impounding all stray pets.
TAS:
Circular Head Council in Tasmania is lobbying to reduce the window for code of conduct complaints against councillors from six months to two months.
The Advocate reported that the council believes the current six month window creates stress and uncertainty for elected representatives.
The proposal will be presented to a meeting of the Local Government Association of Tasmania this month, seeking support from other councils to lobby for the change.
Changes to the code of conduct system, which took effect in September, are aimed at addressing concerns about the process being weaponised for trivial complaints.
‘Threat’ to councillors causing ‘great deal of stress and uncertainty’
The sector is mourning the passing of Glenorchy City Council Alderman Jan Dunsby, who has died of cancer.
She was in her third term serving on the Council.
It is the second death of a Glenorchy alderman in recent weeks, following former deputy mayor Harry Quick, who died of cancer in October.
The Electoral Commission will conduct a recount to fill Ms Dunsby’s seat on the council.
Glenorchy City Council mourns passing of Alderman Jan Dunsby
The City of Launceston has voted to formally transfer ownership of UTAS Stadium to Stadiums Tasmania.
Mayor Matthew Garwood said the move will help to alleviate the financial burden on local ratepayers and unlock more than $130M investment from state and federal governments for future upgrades.
The Council’s formal decision marks the culmination of a process initiated in 2021.
UTAS Stadium changes ownership
SA: South Australia’s District Council of Yankalilla is considering a three year budget which its mayor says will provide better line of sight to the administration and the community on where the council was tracking.
Mayor Darryl Houston outlined the longer term budgeting plan at a recent council meeting, but it is yet to be introduced to elected members, according to the Victor Harbor Times.
Mayor Houston said the council’s current financial challenges required a solid and clear foundation, and a three year budget would still be subject to the required annual budgeting process. Victor Harbor Times, 19/11/24
WA:
The City of Wanneroo council has voted 12-1 to move its Australia Day citizenship ceremony back to January 26, reversing a previous decision to hold it on January 27.
PerthNow reported that the decision followed community surveys indicating a majority preference for the January 26 date, despite concerns from the city’s Indigenous reference group.
The council has acknowledged the sensitivity of the issue but maintains that the broader debate about Australia Day’s date is a federal matter, not a local government responsibility.
Global Roundup:
NZ:
Advice to the government about behaviour ad Wellington City Council has been released, shedding more light on why the local government minister decided to appoint a Crown Observer.
The Department of Internal Affairs advice said the behaviour of councillors at Wellington caused “significant public concern”, according to the NZ Herald.
It pointed to behaviour in meetings and in media statements, where councillors directed criticism towards each other, with frequent meeting walk outs, refusal to participate in votes, and general confusion about decisions.
The minister has appointed Lindsay McKenzie as Crown Observer. He is a former chief executive at Tasman and Gisborne District councils and was appointed as an external adviser to Invercargill City Council when it was facing governance issues.
‘Significant public concern’: Wellington council Crown observer advice revealed
UK:
Stephen McCabe, the leader of Inverclyde Council since 2011, has resigned following his appearance in court on charges of assault and threatening behavior.
Mr McCabe, who denies the allegations, is accused of acting aggressively towards a woman and assaulting her at a home in Kilmacolm last month.
The Labour politician has been released on bail with special conditions, and a new council leader will be appointed at the next council meeting on December 5.
Inverclyde Council leader quits after assault allegations
Two Cambridgeshire County councillors, Steve Tierney and Sam Hoy, were found to have breached the council’s code of conduct for making “immensely discourteous and uncivil” remarks about Mayor Dr Nik Johnson on social media.
A conduct committee hearing determined that their posts fell below the required standard of accuracy and fairness, bringing the council into disrepute.
Cambridgeshire News reported that the committee has asked the Conservative opposition leader Steve Count to consider internal disciplinary action against both councillors.
‘Uncivil’ Cambridgeshire councillors breach code of conduct – Cambridgeshire News | CambsNews.co.uk
Rachel Reeves, the UK Chancellor, plans to introduce significant pension reforms, including merging local government retirement schemes into “megafunds” and consolidating smaller defined-contribution schemes across England and Wales.
The Guardian reported that reforms aim to pool assets, save on fees, and boost investment in local areas and national infrastructure, mirroring similar setups in Australia and Canada.
While previous Conservative governments attempted similar reforms, they didn’t set any deadlines and resulted in limited take up.
Ms Reeves’s plan will set a deadline for consolidation, and she is now under pressure to include green targets in the pension reforms.
Reeves to announce ‘megafunds’ shake-up of local government pension scheme
USA:
Chicago City Council has unanimously voted 50-0 to reject Mayor Brandon Johnson’s proposed $300 million property tax increase, sending his 2025 budget plan back for revision.
The rare unanimous decision follows a campaign promise from Mayor Johnson not to increase property taxes and raises questions about how he will fund his progressive initiatives while maintaining city services.
NBC Chicago reported that mayor remains committed to investing in youth employment and mental health, and is promising no cuts to city services, while exploring alternative funding options such as increases to fees and fines or a potentially smaller property tax increase.
Chicago City Council rejects property tax hike in 50-0 vote
CANADA:
Winnipeg city councillor Russ Wyatt is refusing to apologise for offensive comments about the council’s former CAO Michael Jack, despite an integrity commissioner’s report finding he breached the city’s code of conduct.
The report, conducted by Edmonton’s integrity commissioner Jamie Pytel, concluded that Wyatt’s public statements calling for Jack’s firing were disrespectful, offensive, and amounted to harassment.
Wyatt maintains he did nothing wrong and says apologising would set a precedent limiting councillors’ ability to speak freely, according to CBC News.
The report recommends a public apology or a public reprimand.