In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- The last minute cancellation of a troubled festival
- A retaining wall coming down after a Council stop work order
- Safety concerns shut down a major council facility
- NSW and QLD councils brace for Alfred’s arrival
- A regional CEO stepping down
- A lord mayor taken to task over social media
- Another council to auction properties over unpaid rates
- A council’s win in court over illegal tree removal,
- plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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 436:
Victorian Roundup:
The Esoteric Musical Festival in Donald, Victoria, which was expected to attract over 11,000 people, has ultimately been cancelled just days after receiving a council permit.
The municipal building surveyor declined to grant a crucial occupancy permit on 33 grounds, and Buloke Shire Council does not have the authority to overturn it.
The festival will now be postponed until 2026.
Devastated organisers told ABC News last night that the cancellation was “bureaucracy and politics gone mad.”
A retaining wall at Frankston Beach is coming down after work was halted by Frankston City Council earlier this week.
ABC News reported that the works prompted more than 50 complaints to local MP Paul Edbrooke’s office.
The council issued a stop work order, saying it had no record of approved vegetation removal or construction plans.
CEO Phil Cantillon said the council was investigating whether the structure, which includes 4-meter deep galvanised pylons, encroaches on Crown land, and is held concerns about the impact on coastal ecosystems.
Home owner Gene Neill told ABC Radio that he believed the beachfront area was his property, but that he would pull down the works, and sell the home and move elsewhere.
The State Government has moved to deal with one of the concerns Councils have been expressing about its new fire services levy system.
It announced yesterday that eligible CFA and VICSES volunteers would be able to claim rebates after paying the levy through their rate notices.
Rebates will be able to be applied across a range of farm ownership structures, and councils will receive additional funding to support the implementation of the new system.
Legislation to enable the new fund to replace the existing fire services levy is being introduced to Parliament this week.
The Geelong Resource Recovery Centre and Transfer Station in Douro Street has been closed indefinitely due to structural safety concerns identified in a building condition report.
Greater Geelong council is investigating the issues and communicating with impacted staff and contractors as a first priority.
While the facility remains closed, residents can access alternative waste disposal services at multiple locations including Drysdale, Wyndham, and several specialised facilities in the Greater Geelong area.
Mornington Peninsula Shire councillors have unanimously approved a new policy framework governing forced property sales or bankruptcy proceedings for ratepayers with long-term unpaid rates.
The Mornington News reported that the measure would only be used as a last resort for delinquent ratepayers who refuse to engage with the council.
The policy includes specific criteria to protect vulnerable residents and principal places of residence, requiring debts to exceed $5000 and be more than three years overdue.
The council noted this extreme measure hasn’t been used since 2009.
It is however being used in NSW – I have a story about just that coming up later this episode.
Cardinia Shire Council has decided to close facilities at the Pakenham Golf Course, after the current management company announced it would cease operations at the site from 1st April.
The Council says the difficult decision was made due to the significant investment required because of previously unidentified infrastructure issues and weed infestation.
While the café, bistro, and function rooms will close, the Deep Creek Eco Play space, wetlands, and kickabout area, and public toilets will also remain accessible.
Meanwhile, the council will continue to consider next steps for the site.
In a welcome announcement for Melton City Council, the federal government will invest $1B to upgrade the Western Highway, between Melton and Caroline Springs.
Mayor, Cr Steve Abboushi said the Western Hwy upgrade has been a top priority for Council and the community.
Details are to be confirmed, but works will likely include extra lanes and upgrades to key interchanges.
Mitchell Shire Council has voted to cancel the $5.4 million restoration project of Seymour’s Old Goulburn River Bridge, settling the contract for $860k instead of proceeding with full restoration.
The Council determined the project could not be justified financially and would not contribute sufficiently to tourism outcomes, with future management options to be evaluated under the Heritage Act 2017.
A Ballarat environmental group, is requesting Ballarat City Council reconsider a decision to terminate a three-year, $285,000 funding agreement.
It’s been alleged that the agreement with BREAZE was canned after antisemitic comments were posted online by a former president.
According to an ABC News report, pressure was placed on council executives to act on the comments after being brought to their attention by a councillor.
A council representative said any conduct brought to its attention was taken seriously and investigated.
It’s understood the group’s new president has made a complaint to the council and asked for a review of the decision.
Bass Coast Mayor Cr Rochelle Halstead has paid tribute to the late Neville Goodwin OAM, a dedicated community leader who served Bass Coast in multiple roles including Commissioner, Councillor, and Mayor.
His extensive contributions to local organisations and tireless advocacy left an indelible mark on the region.
Victorian Briefs:
The Great Victorian Rail Trail in Mansfield Shire has undergone essential maintenance works, including surface repairs and vegetation management.
The Council has invested $54,800 to keep the popular recreational asset in good condition.
The trail, which has attracted nearly 60,000 users since June 2024.
Loddon Shire has welcomed a $950,000 election pledge from The Nationals towards the Little Lake Boort Recreation Precinct Project.
The project aims to enhance the foreshore area including improvements to various recreational facilities.
Mayor Dan Straub said it would be a welcome boost for the local community and tourism.
Wangaratta Council will transition from physical parking meters to the EasyPark app as the sole payment method for CBD parking.
The council has included provisions for those unable to use the app in its transition plans.
The system will offer benefits such as paying only for time used, remote session extension, and usability across multiple locations.
Local councils know how challenging it can be to manage data across all your different systems. That’s where Symphony3 comes in. They’ve developed SmartGlue, a platform that integrates over 55 council systems, automating data flow without the need for manual work. It turns confusion into simplicity.
With SmartGlue, councils save time, reduce errors, and empower staff to focus on what really matters. Their clients see a real difference—up to a 20% boost in productivity, with savings of over $30,000 per integration every year.
Symphony3 helps councils work smarter, faster, and more efficiently, all while better supporting the communities they serve.
National Roundup:
TC ALFRED:
Councils across southeast Queensland and northern NSW have been working around the clock this week preparing communities for Tropical Cyclone Alfred.
Tweed Shire Mayor Chris Cherry expressed confidence in the community’s resilience, and acknowledged the hard work of council staff and emergency services.
She said it’s been a challenging few days and there is a long way to go, calling on people to stay safe and work together to manage through the event.
In Lismore, which has bracing for yet another flooding event, council facilities have been closed since Tuesday evening and kerbside waste collection suspended for the week.
The council has assured the community that the levee system, including pumps, gates and levees, is fully operational.
The Lismore App reported that all damage from the 2022 flood disaster has been repaired.
LGAQ CEO Alison Smith said councils have been opening refuge centres, distributing sandbags, and keeping communities informed while working with various other agencies on cyclone preparations.
Moreton Bay Regional Council says it has already gone through three times the amount of sand used in preparing for TC Alfred than in its biggest previous weather event.
As at yesterday, the council said it had used 300,000 sandbags and 3,000 tonnes of sand.
A rapid response plan to evacuate key areas of Bribie Island was activated yesterday.
Brisbane’s sandbag stations ceased operations last night, along with the council’s four recovery centres, which will remain close until safe to reopen.
Sunshine Coast Council yesterday warned people to stay off coastal dunes and seawalls, as shifting sands and rocks posed a serious risk of collapse and instability.
Numerous locations along the shoreline have been weakened by erosion, creating steep drop-offs and increasing the danger of sand collapsing on top of children.
NSW:
Orange City Council will begin the search for a new CEO next month, after David Waddell announced that he won’t seek to renew his contract when it expires in August.
Mr. Waddell has led the council’s executive team since 2019.
The 60-year-old chief executive says he’s looking to step back from full-time work to spend more time with family and pursue other opportunities.
During his tenure, Mr. Waddell steered the council through significant challenges including COVID-19, drought, and a period of substantial growth for the regional city.
Orange Mayor Tony Mileto has praised Mr. Waddell’s 15-year contribution to council, including six years as CEO.
Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath has challenged Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge over social media posts about staffing issues, according to a report from the Newcastle Herald.
The dispute centres around unfilled positions in the Lord Mayor’s office, which have remained vacant for over five months.
Mr Bath claims multiple candidates have withdrawn their applications, citing concerns over the Lord Mayor’s social media activity.
He is believed to have discussed the Lord Mayor’s social media activity with him privately, and holds concerns about the effect on staff well-being.
The Executive Assistant and Chief of Staff positions are expected to be filled by the end of March
The South West Sydney Alliance is calling for urgent government commitment to expand rail infrastructure in the rapidly growing region, which is projected to reach 1 million residents within 15 years but currently faces severe transport inadequacies.
The Alliance has identified three critical rail projects for the region encompassing Camden, Campbelltown, Liverpool and Wollondilly councils.
They include extending the airport metro line to Campbelltown, building a rail extension between Leppington and Bradfield, and extending the T8 Line to Wilton Growth Area.
Campbelltown City Council has received nearly $77,000 in federal funding to install battery storage systems at five of its early learning centres, which will help reduce electricity costs by utilising excess solar energy.
The funding is part of a broader national initiative that awarded 58 grants in its first round, with local governments required to match at least 50% of project costs.
Murrumbidgee Council will auction more than 20 properties with over $350,000 in unpaid rates and charges.
Some payments being in arrears for over five years.
The properties in Jerilderie, Coleambally and Darlington Point.
The auction will take place at the Jerilderie Council Office on June 11, following the advertising and notification procedures required by the Local Government Act 1993.
Coonamble Shire Council has extended water bill payments by 60 days after faulty usage readings affected around 300 assessments in the last quarter of 2023/24.
The billing issues arose from contractor calculation errors and technical faults, with Council now working to verify correct amounts and offering instalment payment options to affected residents.
QLD:
Tablelands Regional Council Mayor Rod Marti has initiated reviews of the council’s customer request management system and road maintenance programs.
The reviews will be conducted by CEO Dr Nikola Stepanov, with the aim of identifying areas for improvement and resource requirements
The findings will be presented at a future Council meeting.
Douglas Shire Council‘s Bin Tagging program has successfully increased recycling efforts, with an additional 546kg of recyclable material collected and an 8% improvement in yellow bin usage after monitoring 2,625 households.
The program used a colour-coded tag system to provide feedback on bin contents.
The council has rewarded four participants who showed improved recycling habits with $100 vouchers to local businesses.
Meanwhile, Bundaberg Council commences a bin tagging program this month after a recent audit showed 18 per cent of recycling bins were contaminated, and 1 in 3 households were putting batteries in bins, creating a potential fire hazard.
National Briefs:
Hawkesbury City Council has welcomed 11 new staff members across six departments in various apprenticeships, cadetships and traineeships, with roles ranging from accounting to parks and gardens.
Mayor Les Sheather said the Council is committed to developing local talent, highlighting that over 50% of their staff are local residents.
Townsville City Council is trialing a new initiative with Containers for Change by installing 50 Container Exchange Points, allowing residents to place eligible containers for others to collect and redeem for 10-cent refunds.
The trial aims to increase container recycling rates and reduce bin diving, with Townsville already demonstrating strong recycling engagement through over 88 million containers returned through the program last year.
Wingecarribee Shire Council has secured a $500,000 federal grant to replace gas boilers with electric heat pumps at Moss Vale War Memorial Aquatic Centre, a project that will cost $1 million in total and be completed by March 2027.
The upgrade will reduce Council’s gas usage by 88% and cut annual CO2 emissions by 517,000kg while delivering yearly cost savings of approximately $170,000.
TAS:
The City of Hobart is seeking community input on plans for a new Sandy Bay passenger ferry terminal at Lords Beach, which will include facilities like a kiosk, toilets, bike storage, and charging stations for e-bikes and e-scooters.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds noted that the ferry service from Bellerive to Hobart has been wildly popular with more than 120,000 ferry trips taken in its first year, highlighting the potential success of an expansion to the ferry network.
SA:
A tree removal contractor in Burnside, South Australia has been convicted and fined $10,000 for illegally removing a regulated River Red Gum tree in Rosslyn Park.
City of Burnside CEO Julia Grant said the outcome would act as a strong deterrent against future instances of illegal tree damage.
Following this incident and the City of Burnside’s lobbying efforts, the State Government has implemented stricter tree protection regulations, lowering the size thresholds for regulated and significant trees across Greater Adelaide.
The District Council of Cleve is considering purchasing a $50,000 kangaroo family sculpture by local artist Peter Crosby, and is holding a public consultation on the proposal.
The sculpture, featuring three kangaroos named after the artist’s grandmother, aims to enhance tourism appeal and showcase local artistic talent in the region.
If purchased, it would join Mr Crosby’s existing public artworks including Bonnie and Clyde the Clydesdales and Redgie the Wedgie.
WA:
WA’s Shire of Murray council has rejected a proposed structure plan amendment for Point Grey that would have delivered over 2000 dwellings, local parkland, a primary school and commercial facilities in place of a previously planned marina.
While supporters argued the development would be self-sufficient and help address the housing crisis, the council’s economic analysis found the substantial infrastructure and environmental costs outweighed potential benefits.
According to PerthNow, there are also concerns that the somewhat isolated site is at high risk of bushfires and there would need to be the clearing of native vegetation to reduce the bushfire risk.
Global Roundup:
UK:
Surrey County Council has warned that finding a permanent solution for the two large sinkholes that appeared in a local town could take several months.
The sinkholes appeared in Godstone’s High Street last month, leading to the evacuation of 30 homes and requiring foam concrete stabilisation as a temporary measure.
BBC News reported that the council is hopeful that residents can return sooner than the initially forecasted timeline of up to a year.
St Albans City and District Council has voted 25-20 to remove Christian prayers from the start of council meetings, over concerns about the exclusion of individuals with different faiths or no religious beliefs.
The decision, supported by the National Secular Society, comes as census data shows Christians make up 47.4% of the local population, while 37.1% report having no religion.
The Daily Mail reported that a moment of reflection could be added to meetings, at the discretion of the mayor, to be conducted in an entirely non-denominational way.
Newcastle City Council has signed UNISON’s anti-racism charter, committing to implement policies and actions that promote racial equality and combat discrimination in the workplace.
The charter requires specific measures including race equality policies, ethnicity pay gap monitoring, and anti-racism training, supporting the council’s broader vision of creating an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive.
USA:
In Los Angeles, the city council has voted overwhelmingly to uphold Mayor Karen Bass’s decision to remove Fire Chief Kristin Crowley from her position.
The council voted 13-2 against reinstating Crowley, who was fired in the aftermath of the recent Palisades and Eaton fires, according to ABC News.
Crowley defended her leadership during a hearing this week, citing severe understaffing and equipment shortages.
She revealed that about 1,000 firefighters had to be sent home during the fires due to a lack of working vehicles, with over 100 emergency vehicles out of service due to maintenance issues.
While Crowley has lost her position as chief, she will remain with the department in a lower rank.
Everett City Council has voted unanimously to demand its Mayor, Carlo DeMaria, return $180,000 in overpayments received through misapplication of the city’s mayoral longevity ordinance between 2016 and 2021.
The vote comes after an Inspector General’s report revealed the payments were hidden from the city council and public.
WCVB dot com reported that it has led to new oversight measures being implemented.
In Spokane, Washington, the council is considering significant amendments to its homelessness policies, including changes to shelter activation requirements and the introduction of good neighbour agreements for city-funded facilities.
The Center Square dot com reported that the city is waiting to see how state legislation might impact local regulations before making major changes.
CANADA:
Councillors in Niagara-on-the-Lake this week approved a motion requiring the town purchase Canadian-made goods and services.
Niagara This Week reported that the council heard almost $120B in goods cross the US border in Niagara, and there are concerns about the impact on local businesses from US President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Around 80 town businesses produce goods for the US market, employing about 1700 people.
NZ:
Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has proposed a ‘Time of Use Charge’ to address the city’s severe traffic congestion, which is projected to cost Auckland $2.6 billion annually by 2026 according to a new Cost of Congestion white paper.
The Time of Use Charge solution aims to manage peak-time demand on motorways and major roads, alongside other measures like dynamic lanes and improved public transport infrastructure.
East Ward Councillor Mark Donovan has resigned from Hamilton City Council after serving since 2021, having held various leadership roles including Chair of the Regulatory and Hearings Committee and Sports Ambassador. His resignation, citing a focus on other commitments, will not trigger a by-election due to proximity to October’s local government elections, with Council set to discuss duty reallocation at their March 20 meeting.
Hamish Riach has been reappointed as Chief Executive of Ashburton District Council for another five years, following the completion of his maximum seven-year term under the Local Government Act.
The reappointment came after a competitive recruitment process that attracted 25 applicants, with Mayor Neil Brown citing Riach’s experience and consistency as crucial for leading the organisation through upcoming local body elections and Government reforms.