On the Local Government News Roundup for 4th December 2024:
- More councils call for action after a State Parliamentary inquiry
- Councils get tough on illegal dumping and unregistered cat breeding
- More NSW Council General Managers on the way out
- The high cost of six code of complaints against one metro Sydney councillor
- Case dismissed after a no show from a suspended Queensland mayor
- An elector poll looming in Hobart over a controversial bike lanes project
- A war of words over planning reforms in Western Australia
- Embarrassment for a NZ Council with the inadvertent release of a confidential report
Plus former Glen Eira mayor Jim Magee joins Chris to talk about the recently released inquiry report and what it means for the future of the sector in Victoria.
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 407:
Victorian Roundup:
The MAV says its call for a formal partnership between State and Local Government has been reinforced by a State Parliamentary inquiry, which highlighted significant funding and service delivery challenges faced by councils.
The inquiry’s recommendations address critical issues including improving state-local government partnerships, increasing untied funding, updating disaster recovery arrangements, and addressing cost-shifting in areas like library services and maternal health programs.
The report acknowledges that councils manage a disproportionate amount of infrastructure compared to their revenue, with Victorian councils managing $10 of physical assets for every dollar of revenue collected, compared to $4 for the state government and 40 cents for the Commonwealth.
Formal State and Local Government agreement the best way forward
Wyndham City Council Mayor Mia Shaw also welcomed the findings, and said as a growth council, it needed state government assistance in a timely, equitable manner.
Cr Shaw highlighted the growing imbalance in the cost of delivering libraries and maternal and child health services in particular, where the state’s contribution had declined over the years to 17 and 40 per cent respectively.
Glen Eira City Council has added its voice to calls for urgent implementation of the recommendations of the report.
It estimates that cost shifting amounts to around 10 per cent of its budget, and Mayor Simone Zmood said a review as recommended would make a big difference local government’s long-term financial sustainability.
In a few moments I’ll be joined by former Glen Eira mayor Jim Magee, a vocal proponent for change in how the sector is funded, for his thoughts on whether the inquiry has hit the mark and next steps.
To other news now:
Mitchell Shire Council has successfully fined six illegal dumpers following community reports, with each offender receiving fines exceeding $1,000 and orders to clean up their waste.
Community members are encouraged to report illegal dumping through online channels or the My Mitchell App, and CEO Brett Luxford says community vigilance is crucial to maintaining a clean environment.
The Council works in partnership with the EPA and offers convenient waste disposal options at Resource Recovery Centres in Broadford, Pyalong, Seymour, and Wallan, including both free and paid disposal services.
Knox City Council has successfully prosecuted an unregistered cat breeding operation, resulting in fines totaling $105,000 and 10-year bans for the operators from conducting animal businesses.
A raid discovered 49 cats and several newborn kittens at a residential property in Bayswater, where multiple breaches of animal welfare regulations were found.
The court noted that financial greed was the driving force behind the illegal operation that disregarded proper animal welfare standards.
Illegal cat breeders convicted and fined over $100k
New Victorian gambling legislation aimed at reducing harm from electronic gaming machines has been welcomed by Hume City Council, whose residents lost $138 million to pokies in 2023/24 – the fourth highest in the state.
The reforms will implement mandatory player cards that allow users to set spending limits and track their losses in real-time, addressing concerns that one-third of Hume’s gamblers spend more than intended.
While the Council says the changes align with its advocacy efforts, it is continuing to push for additional measures to cap monthly and annual gambling losses.
New state gambling reforms aim to reduce gaming losses in Hume
Melton City Council has secured $18 million in funding from the Victorian Government’s Building Blocks Partnerships Fund to construct two new children’s and community centres in Aintree and Weir Views, set to open in 2027 and 2026 respectively.
Each facility will provide 251 funded kindergarten places for 3 and 4-year-olds, along with Maternal and Child Health consulting rooms and community meeting spaces.
The total project costs amount to $35.17 million, with the Council contributing $17.17 million.
Demand for early learning services in the region is expected to grow by more than 36,000 children under five by 2051.
Council receives $18 million for new children’s and community centres
Victorian Briefs:
A six week program to support multi-cultural women to learn how to ride a bike is being delivered by Maribyrnong City Council with state government support.
The program, called Empower Her Ride, aims to teach fundamental cycling skills while building confidence and community connections.
It’s part of the Change our Game program, an $18.8M initiative to advance gender equality in sport.
Bike Skills For Multicultural Women In Maribyrnong
Vandals have dampened the festive spirit in Swan Hill, destroying Christmas lights installed on the Rotunda at Riverside Park over the weekend.
Mayor Stuart King said the council was disheartened by the incident, which is now under police investigation, and urged community members to report any information about the vandalism to authorities.
Vandals dim the Christmas spirit at Riverside Park
Recent storms have caused significant damage to multiple beach access points and infrastructure in the Borough of Queenscliffe, including the Point Lonsdale Back Beach ramp, Dog Beach facilities, and Springs Beach access.
While some urgent repairs are underway, particularly to support summer beach patrols, the Council is working to plan and sequence other repairs as resources and funding allows.
Victoria’s Local Government Inspectorate has released a new fact sheet outlining the ways that it works with councillors in the state.
The fact sheet covers the role and powers of the Chief Municipal Inspector, as well as key offences under the Local Government Act, the conduct of governance examinations, and crucially the issues the inspectorate does not deal with.
It’s part of an extensive series of fact sheets available on the Inspectorate’s website.
Fact sheets and report summaries
National Roundup:
NSW:
One councillor at the City of Canterbury-Bankstown has been the subject of six code of conduct complaints costing ratepayers up to $140,000 in investigation fees over the past two years.
The Daily Telegraph reported that independent councillor Barbara Coorey has been censured five times as a result of the complaints.
Cr Coorey claims the code of conduct system is being “weaponised” against her as an independent councillor, while Labor councillor Khal Asfour argues the costs could have been avoided if she had simply apologised for her behaviour.
It highlights broader issues with the local government code of conduct system, which the Office of Local Government is seeking to reform due to the belief that thousands of complaints are being lodged for trivial reasons, diverting resources from more serious matters.
A heated debate has erupted at Griffith City Council over Deputy Mayor Anne Napoli’s proposal to ban alcohol consumption on council premises.
Region Riverina reported that the decision has been now postponed until January while a detailed report is prepared.
The controversy stems from social media gossip suggesting councillors drink during meetings, though Councillor Jenny Ellis clarified that alcohol consumption only occurs after meetings during shared meals in the mayor’s office.
Some councillors want to see an immediate ban for workplace safety reasons, while others including Mayor Doug Curran don’t believe such a measure is necessary.
Griffith Council booze ban proposal postponed after debate heats up over ‘gossip’ | Region Riverina
Griffith City Council GM Brett Stonestreet has announced that he will not seek reappointment when his contract expires in August next year.
Mr Stonestreet made the declaration in relation to a Notice of Motion at last week’s council meeting to establish a General Manager recruitment sub-committee.
The motion was subject to a series of amendments regarding the composition of the sub-committee, ultimately agreeing that it it should comprise the mayor and three councillors
Mr Stonestreet was granted a one year extension to his contract earlier this year.
Kempsey Shire Mayor Kinne Ring has paid tribute to outgoing General Manager Craig Milburn.
Mr Milburn leaves the council later this month to commence his retirement after around 30 years in the local government sector.
Cr Ring said he leaves the council in a better place than he found it, when he took on the role in 2018.
The council has appointed director of corporate and commercial Stephen Mitchell as its acting GM from 16th December.
QLD:
Legal proceedings brought against Townsville City Council by its suspended mayor Troy Thompson have been dismissed without being heard, according to the Townsville Bulletin.
Mr Thompson brought the action earlier this year when he alleged a breach of his human rights after the council barred him from returning to duties while he was on leave for mental health reasons.
After he failed to appear in court and did not provide any explanation despite repeated attempts to contact him, the proceedings were dismissed by the Industrial Commissioner.
A $4 million joint program between the Australian Government and Ipswich City Council will restore nine priority waterway sites across Ipswich, focusing on the Bremer and Brisbane Rivers, Woogaroo Creek, Bundamba Creek and Ironpot Creek.
The project aims to rehabilitate over 14,000 square meters of riparian corridor, prevent 18,000 cubic metres of sediment from entering waterways annually, and will include planting more than 30,000 native plants to restore habitat and provide bank stability.
The restoration work will benefit 30 threatened species including platypuses and Queensland lungfish, and is part of a larger $200 million nationwide Urban Rivers and Catchments Program.
Funding boost for Ipswich waterway restoration – Ipswich First
National Briefs:
Glenorchy City Council has been recognised as a Tasmanian Employer of Choice and has won Change Champion Award for its commitment to creating an exceptional workplace environment.
The Council says the accolades demonstrate its success in implementing supportive workplace policies and fostering a culture that prioritises employee wellbeing while maintaining high standards of community service.
Glenorchy City Council named an Employer of Choice! | Glenorchy City Council
Port Lincoln City Council has appointed a new deputy mayor, after Jack Ritchie chose not to seek a further term after four years in the role.
Cr Robyn Rowsell was the only nomination for the position and has been elected to serve a two year term commencing next week.
The Town of Gawler has received the 2024 Excellence Award in Road Safety for their $760,000 Redbanks Road infrastructure project that improved pedestrian safety through new refuges and shared paths.
The council was also named regional winner of the 2024 Minister for Health and Wellbeing’s Excellence in Public Health Award for leading a multi-council initiative to improve sustainable onsite wastewater system management.
The Town of Gawler Received Two Awards 2024
TAS:
Opposition to a controversial bike lanes proposal in Hobart could lead to an elector poll, according to the Mercury, with a business group collecting the 1,000 signatures needed to force a public meeting.
The Confederation of Hobart Businesses wants Hobart City Council to abandon the proposal for bike lanes in Collins Street, which has lost state government funding support over the controversy.
Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds is standing by the proposal, which she says underwent extensive engagement and will make the streets more people friendly.
The Local Government Act requires the council to hold a public meeting on the issue within 30 days of receiving a petition with 1,000 signatures.
An elector poll could be the next step, although the result would not be binding.
Meanwhile at Glenorchy City Council, an elector poll earlier this year demonstrated overwhelming community support for the redevelopment of the ageing Glenorchy War Memorial Pool, which was closed last year.
The council will seek state and federal government funding assistance to build a new aquatic centre and health club, at an estimated cost of $83M.
Mayor Sue Hickey told the Mercury that the pool was an essential community asset, and the council is expected to press its case in the lead up to an expected federal election next year.
SA: The makeup of Port Lincoln City Council will not change after the completion of an electoral representation review.
The Council has resolved to maintain the existing structure of a mayor and nine councillors, with no wards.
The review has been certified by the Electoral Commissioner.
City of Port Lincoln maintains current Elected Member numbers for next election
WA:
Western Australia’s peak local government body has hit back at “baseless and disappointing” comments made by Premier Roger Cook in a radio interview.
Mr Cook criticised councils as being unaccountable and under the influence of noisy stakeholders , rather than serving ratepayers effectively, according to a report from WA Today.
WALGA President Karen Chappel strongly refuted the claims, asserting that local governments are actually the most accountable level of government and effectively handle thousands of planning approvals annually.
Ms Chappel, who is also the Shire President of the Shire of Morawa, said the generalised comments were unhelpful and unbecoming of the Premier.
Recent reforms have reduced local councils’ influence over development applications, with WALGA now seeking changes to restore more balance in the planning approval process.
Perth councils fire back on premier’s ‘unbecoming and baseless’ attack
Contaminated loads of FOGO material will be diverted to landfill in parts of southwest Western Australia, as recent high contamination volumes have exceeded the decontamination capacity of the Dardanup Organics Processing Facility.
Bunbury Harvey Regional Council manages waste on behalf of the shires of Bunbury and Harvey, and processes FOGO waste for other councils in the region including the Shire of Augusta Margaret River.
The shire has called on its community to continue to separate waste and recycling from FOGO correctly to ensure as little contamination as possible.
FOGO to be Redirected to Landfill | Shire of Augusta Margaret River
The City of Melville is proposing to introduce a two-cat household limit as part of revisions to its Cat Local Law, which are on exhibition for community feedback.
Any additional cats would need council approval.
The law also provides for the creation of ‘cat-free’ zones in specified places with important flora and fauna, or significant conservation reserves.
Global Roundup:
UK:
An ambitious government plan to build 1.5 million new homes in England over five years has faced significant pushback from local councils across the political spectrum, who claim the targets are unrealistic and impossible to achieve.
BBC News reported that the government’s new methodology for calculating housing targets, which focuses on current housing stock and affordability rather than population projections, has led to dramatic changes in regional targets, with some rural areas seeing substantial increases while some urban areas face reductions.
Despite widespread concerns about infrastructure capacity, land availability, and construction industry limitations, even more ambitious targets of 370,000 homes per year are expected.
The Local Government Association has urged the government to provide councils with the necessary tools noting that national formulas would be greatly improved by local knowledge from those who know their areas best.
Backlash from councils over Angela Rayner’s housing targets
East Riding Council, one of the local authorities being sued by Thurrock Council, says it will vigorously defend itself against the claim, according to a report from BBC News.
Thurrock Council is pursuing a £40m legal case against 23 local authorities, including East Riding Council, over losses from solar farm investments made between 2017 and 2020.
The claim centres around allegedly “negligent and overvalued” valuations provided by the Association for Public Service Excellence (APSE), which Thurrock Council claims gave them misplaced confidence in their investments.
East Riding Council to fight Thurrock £40m legal claims
The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea has extended its ban on the contractors who were involved in the Grenfell Tower tragedy that killed 72 people in 2017.
The council has acknowledged its failures in keeping residents safe and not listening to their concerns, promising to improve its culture and practices through various initiatives including a new resident procurement panel and independent advisory board.
BBC News reported that thile the council has made commitments to change, resident groups are calling for more urgent action to address ongoing community concerns.
Grenfell: Kensington and Chelsea council extends contractor ban
USA:
A New Jersey town council is facing potential legal action over an ordinance that lists the American flag and Constitution among banned “props” during council meetings, according to NBC News
The controversy arose after a resident was escorted out of a meeting of Edison Town Council for displaying both items during his appeal, with council president Nishith Patel warning him about using them as props.
The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression said it is considering legal action over what it sees as a clear violation of First Amendment rights.
Mr Patel has since clarified that the council never intended to ban the American flag and that the ordinance was meant to prevent disruptive behaviour in council chambers.
NJ town council could face legal challenge over ‘prop’ ban barring US flags, Constitution
The City of St. Cloud, Minnesota has made history, appointing its first ever Somali American council member.
Hudda Ibrahim was selected by unanimous vote to fill a vacancy on the seven member council, after one of its members was elected to the mayoral position last month.
MPR News reported that the election is a sign of the growing clout of the city’s Somali American community, which has grown significantly over the past twenty years.
St. Cloud appoints first Somali American to city council
NZ:
Auckland Council CEO Phil Wilson called the public release of a critical City Rail Link report a “cock-up,” explaining it was mistakenly not marked as confidential and inadvertently released as part of a public agenda.
The report revealed concerns about French contractor VINCI Grand Projects’ forecasts for the $5.5 billion project, prompting senior executives to fly to New Zealand for meetings.
Despite the concerns, the Transport Minister Simeon Brown and Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown maintain that the project remains on track for its 2026 completion, according to a NewsTalk radio report.
‘Cock-up’: Auckland Council CEO says CRL report on blowouts not meant for public