On the Local Government News Roundup for Wednesday, 6th November 2024:
- More early vote reports from Victorian council elections, as the sector awaits first official count figures from today
- Councils tackle a childcare crisis in western Victoria
- Australia Post calls on councils for help with dog attacks
- A plan to convert car parks into affordable housing
- Townsville’s mayor is made the top priority for Queensland’s new Local Government Minister
- A warning with a difference to young men headed for Schoolies on the Gold Coast
- Concerns over a low voter turnout for a council election in the NT
- And a new local government recruitment campaign launched in the UK
Plus more news from across the world of local government in 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 393:
Victorian Roundup:
The Border Mail reports on a shake up for Wangaratta Council, with former state MP Tania Maxwell poised to take one position.
Ms Maxwell has captured nearly 55 per cent of first preference votes in early counts.
Incumbent Dave Fuller looks safe to return, while fellow sitting councillors Ashlee Fitzpatrick and Harvey Benton lead on first preferences each with around 46 per cent of votes counted so far.
The Euroa Gazette reported that Scott Jeffery and Fiona Stevens held strong leads in early counting for Strathbogie Shire Council.
Progressive count figures for East Gippsland Shire Council showed an early lead for Sonia Buckley and John White for positions on the unsubdivided council.
More than 20 candidates are contesting nine positions on the council. The Bairnsdale Advertiser has been following that count.
The Lilydale Star Mail reported that former mayor Jim Child looks likely to retain his seat for a fourth term on Yarra Ranges Shire Council.
Jeff Marriott, Tim Heenan and Len Cox have polled strongly on first preference votes to lead the count in their respective wards, and there are some close contests in other wards that will likely be determined by preference distribution.
They include incumbent mayor Sophie Todorov who is in a tight battle with 19 year old Liberal Party member Mitch Mazzarella.
The Ballarat Courier reports on the likely re-election of Ben Taylor and incumbent mayor DesHudson at Ballarat City Council.
Amy Johnson is in a fight to retain her spot on Council, as are Samantha McIntosh and Belinda Coates who are head to head in the battle for Central Ward.
Other wards are also too close to call at this stage.
And the latest updates from the Age’s Slow Blog tell us that at least one of the sacked former councillors at Casey looks set to return.
Stefan Koomen holds a healthy lead on first preferences, while other wards are too close to call.
Five incumbent councillors are set to return to Moorabool Shire Council, including Paul Tatchell and former mayor Ally Munari.
And a shift away from the Liberal Party is firming up in Boroondara with “teal” type independents making ground, according to the Age.
Probable winners include Rob Baillieu and Sophie Torney, while incumbent Felicity Sinfield looks likely to be the only Liberal left on the council.
From today, we may start to see official counting figures from the VEC.
The VEC website flags earliest possible results may come today for Banyule, Corangamite, Central Goldfields, Greater Dandenong, Horsham, Loddon, Mount Alexander, Pyrenees, Towong and West Wimmera.
They could be followed by a host of results tomorrow and Friday for other councils.
Residents are expressing frustration over the increasing presence of pigeons and their droppings in public eating spaces in the city of Glen Eira, and are calling for council action to address the issue according to ABC News.
The Council has launched an education campaign about the issues with feeding feral birds and has installed signs prohibiting pigeon feeding in problem areas. ABC News
Mornington Peninsula Shire is cracking down on illegal rubbish dumping and irresponsible dog owners.
The Mornington News has reported on recent court cases resulting in substantial fines for offenders.
Illegal dumping of waste, particularly by commercial operators, is costing ratepayers thousands of dollars annually and damaging the environment, while dangerous dogs pose a serious threat to community safety.
The council is using CCTV cameras to catch offenders, issuing nearly 100 fines in the past financial year. MPNews
Yarriambiack and Hindmarsh Shires are facing a severe childcare crisis, with closures and staffing shortages significantly impacting families, businesses, and community well-being.
Council representatives recently met with shadow Federal MPs Dr Anne Webster and Angie Bell to discuss the crisis and potential solutions, including block funding for rural childcare providers, integrated long day care with kindergartens on school sites, and incentives for early childhood professionals to work in rural areas.
11 out of 19 towns lack childcare access, there are 415 children on waitlists, and there is a need for 104 staff to meet current demand in the Wimmera Southern Mallee region. Yarriambiack Shire Council
Meanwhile in the east of the state, Gippsland Lakes Complete Health (GLCH) and East Gippsland Shire Council have announced a partnership to provide maternal and child health services at the Orbost Service Centre.
The initiative offers appointments two days per week, with outreach services available to surrounding areas including Cann River and Mallacoota.
The collaboration will boost accessibility to essential health services for families in the Orbost district, while also promoting the use of other resources available at the service centre and library. East Gippsland Shire Council
Southern Grampians Shire Council has corrected an error which saw a $1.4M contract awarded to the wrong entity.
The Warrnambool Standard reported that the contract for flood restoration works was awarded in July to DWB Engineering, when it should have been given to Ontrack Civil Earthworks.
CEO Tony Doyle said the error was identified prior to any contracts being signed, and was corrected at the October Council meeting.
He said the tender is progressing as intended. The Standard, 4/11/24
Former City of Melbourne councillor Ken Ong OAM has died.
Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece paid tribute to Mr Ong, who served two terms on the council between 2008 and 2016.
He said Mr Ong was a respected voice in the Chinese and Malaysian communities and an enduring advocate for the arts and children’s health and wellbeing. Vale Ken Ong. Nicholas Reece – LinkedIn
National Roundup:
Australia Post is urging local councils to take stronger action against dog attacks on Posties, as new data reveals over 49 incidents per week in the past six months.
The organisation is calling for stricter enforcement of animal management laws and increased monitoring to ensure the safety of their delivery personnel, especially as the holiday season approaches.
Queensland has been identified as the state with the highest number of dog-related incidents, followed by New South Wales and Western Australia. Australia Post
NSW:
ABC News has reported on plans by Sydney’s Inner West Council to convert four car parks into 200 affordable homes for essential workers.
It would more than double the existing affordable housing stock in the area.
Under the proposal, the council would retain ownership of the land, while a community housing provider would build and manage the homes. ABC News
A former Councillor and deputy lord mayor of the City of Newcastle has passed away.
Andrea Rufo, a councillor of nine years until his retirement in 2021, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia late last year. He was 60. City of Newcastle
Muswellbrook Shire Council is conducting a survey to better understand the impact and extent of damage in the community from earthquakes and ongoing seismic activity.
The area was hit with three main earthquakes in August and September.
The council’s application for natural disaster assistance has been rejected by the NSW Reconstruction Authority. Muswellbrook Shire Council
Gunnedah Shire Council has deferred defer a decision about a proposed Special Rate Variation (SRV) until another Councillor workshop has been held.
Council held extensive community engagement about a proposed Special Rate Variation ahead of the election and a report on the consultation was presented to Councillors at the October Council meeting alongside a revised SRV proposal.
The matter is expected to come back to an Extraordinary Council Meeting in the next couple of weeks. Gunnedah Shire Council
Local Government New South Wales has welcomed the release of draft rules supporting the safe use of e-scooters, but says ongoing consultation with councils is critical.
Rural/Regional Vice-President Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM said it was important that the State Government developed a clear and comprehensive regulatory framework to adequately address safety, infrastructure, and enforcement concerns. LGNSW
Another council has sounded a warning about the disposal of batteries this week.
Willoughby Mayor Tanya Taylor has asked residents to learn about safe and responsible disposal methods, after a lithium battery combusted and set surrounding waste on fire inside a garbage truck.
The driver managed to extinguish the fire before emergency services arrived. Willoughby City Council
Leeton Shire Council has secured a 100% renewable electricity supply agreement through to the end of 2030, as part of a buyer’s group facilitating a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for 13 regional councils in New South Wales.
The agreement secures cost savings and budget certainty through the supply of over 390 gigawatt hours of electricity to 163 large council sites and streetlighting across regional NSW. Leeton Shire Council
QLD:
New Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has made his first visit to Townsville since the state election, and refused to meet with the city’s mayor, according to the Townsville Bulletin.
He has made the future of Mayor Troy Thompson the top priority for new Local Government Minister Ann Leahy, who was sworn in to the portfolio last Friday.
The Premier is waiting on Crown advice about options for the government to deal with the issue, and repeated his call for Mr Thompson to step aside while a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation continues. Townsville Bulletin
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has issued a warning to young men headed for the city for Schoolies celebrations to not engage with OnlyFans escorts.
It follows the publication of an invitation to young men on social media from an adult content creator, which the Gold Coast Bulletin reported has ignited a firestorm of controversy.
Mayor Tate warned about potential long-term consequences, and how digital content could impact future careers. Gold Coast Bulletin
The Toowoomba region is in the middle of a three day heatwave, and mayor Geoff McDonald has urged residents to take precautions.
The low intensity heatwave is expected to impact the entire region until Friday, with some parts of the region to experience ‘severe heatwave’ conditions. Toowoomba Regional Council
TAS:
Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey has congratulated former alderman Peter Ridler on being re-elected to the Council.
Mayor Hickey said the Tasmanian Electoral Commission undertook a recount following the sad passing of Harry Quick last month.
Mr Ridler will be officially sworn in as a Glenorchy City Councillor in the coming days. Glenorchy City Council
SA:
The City of Adelaide has launched a program to promote live music in partnership with a national organisation devoted to helping the troubled industry.
The program will be supported by a new pocket guide to music venues, festivals and experiences within the CBD and North Adelaide, to be launched at a live music industry forum hosted by Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith. City of Adelaide
WA:
A Western Australian councillor has been found guilty by the Magistrates Court of one count of breaching confidentiality under the Local Government Act 1995 (LG Act) with respect to a minor breach complaint.
The unnamed councillor was fined $750 (suspended) and was granted a spent conviction. The Court also made an order waiving the operation of section 2.22(1)(b) of the LG Act. Accordingly, the councillor is not disqualified from office. Department of Local Government, Sport and Cultural Industries
NT:
The Barkly Regional Council election has seen low voter turnout, with less than 35% participation in the mayoral race according to ABC News.
Sid Vashist, who is likely to become the next mayor, has acknowledged voter fatigue and a sense of disenfranchisement, particularly in remote communities and among young people.
The Electoral Commission plans to analyse the poor turnout.
The area has been without an elected council since it was suspended in October last year, and then sacked in June this year. ABC News
Global Roundup:
NZ:
A councillor who refused to comply with directions to apologise and undergo training over breaches of a councillor code of conduct will not face any further consequences.
Hamilton councillor Andrew Bydder was censured by the Council after an expletive-laden public submission to a neighbouring council, prompting 23 complaints.
Radio New Zealand reported that the Council’s CEO Lance Vervoot says there is a lack of options to force Cr Bydder to comply with the penalties, and that the council would not be pursuing the matter further.
The council’s code of conduct is under review, and the sector’s peak body is seeking reforms to the code of conduct process for all councils. Radio New Zealand
Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale has defended council staff against unsupported allegations made on social media regarding recent property transactions.
Mayor Drysdale said work is underway to clarify concerns and report back on the probity of the transactions, according to the NZ Herald.
He said there is no evidence of staff wrongdoing and that he backs the staff to deliver on the decisions made for the future of the city. NZ Herald
UK:
The UK Local Government Association has launched a nationwide recruitment campaign to encourage people to work for their local councils in England.
The ‘Make a Difference, Work for your Local Council’ initiative includes advertising across various media platforms and a new toolkit to help councils promote job opportunities.
The campaign has been developed in response to widespread talent shortages, with a recent report indicating that 80% of councils are experiencing service impacts due to staffing issues. UK LGA
A Belfast City Councillor has been suspended from the Sinn Féin party following allegations of exchanging inappropriate online messages with a minor.
The local government standards watchdog has confirmed it is investigating the allegations against J J Magee, according to the Irish News.
BBC News reported that Stephen McCabe, the 60-year-old leader of Inverclyde Council, has been charged with alleged domestic assault and breach of the peace.
The incident has prompted his administrative suspension from the Labour Party and a police investigation. BBC News
East Lothian Council has apologised for a data breach that exposed personal details of objectors to a flood defence scheme.
Unredacted information from six objections to the controversial £96 million project was published online.
The issue has intensified calls for a halt to the proposed scheme, which has faced criticism for its potential environmental impact and high costs. The National
And Middlesborough Council has been targeted by a second cyber attack within a week.
Just days after an initial attack took its website offline for two days, it was impacted again over the weekend.
BBC News reports that Pro-Russian hackers have claimed responsibility for a wave of attacks on councils across the UK in recent days. BBC News
CANADA:
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has addressed concerns about the misuse of code of conduct complaints in municipal councils and school boards during a UCP convention in Red Deer.
Ms Smith indicated that the Alberta government is considering transferring responsibility for handling these complaints to a third party, potentially an Ethics Commissioner.
Cochrane Now reported that the comments follow concerns raised by some councillors who have faced multiple investigations and expressed frustration with the current system’s potential for abuse. Cochrane Now
The City of Toronto is preparing for Taylor Swift’s Eras Tour with extensive security and traffic measures.
It is expecting up to 500,000 visitors for six shows at Rogers Centre from next week.
The city plans road closures, increased public transit services, and a significant police presence to manage the influx of fans and ensure safety.
The Canadian Press reported the event is anticipated to have an economic impact of over $282 million for the city.