On the Local Government News Roundup podcast for 31st July 2023:
- A council CEO makes a stand in court against gendered abuse
- A controversial planning decision in Port Phillip to be challenged at VCAT
- Dog owners warned after a spate of attacks in Victorian and Queensland LGAs
- A call for more resourcing for Victoria’s local government inspectorate
- A Sydney councillor taking her council to the Supreme Court
- A so-called ‘view tax’ catches Gold Coast apartment owners by surprise
- A controversial wind farm project gets council approval in Tasmania,
- A UK council rejects cancel culture,
- and outrage in the Mediterranean after a local official asked residents to stay indoors.
Plus special guest Greg Box, CEO of Bass Coast Shire Council, talks to Chris about an award winning public building, project management excellence, and the tv show set to promote Bass Coast to the world.
And yet more of the latest news from around the world of local government 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 369:
Victorian Roundup:
Greater Geelong City Council CEO Ali Wastie and two other female council officers have taken court action to seek personal safety intervention orders against a property owner after he sent them abusive and threatening messages.
The Geelong Advertiser has reported on the court session on Monday, which heard that Mr John Verikios’ behaviour was in response to the adoption of an urban design framework that affected his property.
Ms Wastie said she was fearful of Mr Verikios, noting his use of gendered language with anger and vitriol directed towards her in a personal capacity.
Despite acknowledging the conduct as unacceptable, Mr. Verikios’ lawyer argued the actions did not amount to a serious threat or warrant court orders.
But judicial registrar Michael Bolte described the behaviour as “entitled”, and the language used as “abhorrent” and intimidating”, and questioned how anyone could not feel apprehension and concern as a result.
The applications for intervention orders were withdrawn after discussions between the parties in which Mr. Verikios agreed to an undertaking.
(Join us in the fight against toxic behaviour towards elected representatives and public officials. Register your free place for the global online summit, Tackling Toxicity, Cultivating Civility coming up in October, led by international civility campaigner Diane Kalen-Sukra. Details in the show notes.)
Greater Geelong Mayor Trent Sullivan has been elected as the Vice President – Country Male for the Victorian Division of the Liberal Party.
He is one of four vice presidents of the Victorian branch.
The Geelong Advertiser has reported on insider concerns about the implications for the council, given an already strained relationship with the state Labor Government.
Cr Sullivan said he is focused on his mayoral role and does not believe his party role will negatively impact on the council’s relationship with the government.
A proposal to build a 200-person so-called swingers club in South Melbourne will be challenged at VCAT after being approved by Port Phillip City Council.
Some locals believe the location of the club is inappropriate, being near residential areas, and they fear the area is becoming an epicentre for adult businesses.
The decision has divided councillors, with some calling for the separation of moral judgments from planning decisions, according to news.com.au.
The proposal, which meets current zoning requirements, received over 30 objections from business owners and residents.
Objectors have launched a crowdfunding effort to support an appeal of the Council’s decision to VCAT.
In the latest on the dispute from the Herald Sun today, the proponents have hit back at critics.
They say the proposal could transform the area into a tourist mecca, attracting patrons from all over Victoria and Australia.
A recent court case in Greater Shepparton has underscored the importance of responsible dog ownership, and the need to keep dogs under control and on a leash in public spaces.
The case involved a 50kg American Bulldog which attacked a leashed Cavoodle, resulting in the Bulldog’s owner being fined nearly $10,000 and given a two-year good behaviour bond.
Greater Shepparton City Council has highlighted the legal and financial repercussions of non-compliance with the Domestic Animals Act 1994 and has urged dog owners to register, securely contain, and leash their pets to prevent similar incidents.
Maribyrnong City Council has reaffirmed its stance on banning trucks on Williamstown Road after what the Star Weekly describes as a fiery debate on the council’s submission to the Victorian Freight Plan.
The submission supports banning large freight trucks on key roads when the West Gate Tunnel opens and calls for immediate enforcement.
A councillor proposed amendment for reduced speed limits and other safety improvements was criticised for a lack of detail, and for being presented too late for proper consideration by all councillors.
Ultimately, the council voted to include only the truck ban on Williamstown Road in the submission.
The MAV has called for increased funding for the Local Government Inspectorate amid concerns about the resourcing of the integrity body.
The issue has been highlighted in Hepburn Shire, where an investigation into the council’s handling of The Rex building project in Daylesford is incomplete after five years.
ABC News has reported on the frustration of councillors and residents as they wait for the Inspectorate to deliver its findings on the project which has seen the council lose $5.5M.
MAV President David Clark told the ABC that a better resourced inspectorate would serve communities better, and mean more matters that wouldn’t need to go to IBAC.
The Victorian government has launched a new Small Sites Pilot program, offering surplus government land in four Melbourne suburbs to private developers with a delayed payment incentive to build 260 homes.
The Age reported that the developers must allocate 10% of their projects to affordable housing.
The program targets sites in Preston, Coburg, Alphington, and Malvern, with expressions of interest closing on August 27.
The report also refers to permit data, compiled by pro-housing advocacy group YIMBY Melbourne, which shows Melbourne councils are more likely to approve tall buildings and single houses than medium-density projects .
Victorian Briefs:
Campaspe Shire Council is looking to purchase the former Echuca High School site from the Victorian Department of Education to incorporate it into its Vic Park master plan.
The 4.2ha site, estimated to cost around $150k, housed the school from 1903 to 2005, and will have a new life as a proposed sports and recreation facility if the sale goes through, according to the Riverine Herald.
Mitchell Shire Council will organise a forum to seek improvements to mental health and disability support services following the withdrawal of service provider Nexus due to funding issues.
The forum is the outcome of a motion brought to the council by Cr Bill Chisholm, who expressed concerns about the service gaps and continuity of care for residents.
The North Central Review reported that the idea received the unanimous support of the Council.
Melton City Council has established a one-off $40,000 Mayoral Charity Fund to support local, not-for-profit community groups with up to $2000 for projects.
Applicants must meet specific criteria and can apply via SmartyGrants by August 11, with successful applicants announced on September 6.
National Roundup:
NSW:
Parramatta councillor Kellie Darley is taking her council to the Supreme Court after being censured for sharing social media posts about its partnership with the Eels’ NRLW side, which she claims was already public information.
Cr Darley, who has been critical of the $1.15 million partnership, argues she is being unfairly targeted and silenced, according to a report from the Daily Telegraph.
The council’s external investigator found she breached the code of conduct by disclosing confidential information.
The case is set for a directions hearing on September 3.
A councillor’s push for more transparency on councillor expenses has been rejected for fear that it would cause unwarranted embarassment, according to a report from the Dubbo News.
Dubbo Regional Councillor Josh Black proposed a monthly report modelled on a process used by Warrumbungle Shire Council, saying it was about accountability and transparency of how councillors are spending ratepayer money.
But other councillors thought it would embarrass councillors for using their entitlements, noting that some were forced to spend more time travelling than others.
The NSW Government has announced a $252.2M investment to hire 1,300 new apprentices and trainees in the local government sector across NSW.
The plan is to focus on in-demand trades like electricians, plumbers, and engineers, and address the critical shortage of skilled labor faced by local councils.
Guidelines for the program are being developed, with the first batch of apprentices and trainees starting early next year.
Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council is calling on motorists in the two towns to adhere to parking time limits to ensure parking availability for shoppers, in the wake of complaints from business owners.
Region Riverina has reported that traders are frustrated about vehicles being parked for extended periods outside their premises, which they say is causing a loss of customers.
And they say fellow business owners and their staff are among the culprits.
The council says its reluctant to issue fines, but may start doing so if the warnings continue to be ignored.
QLD:
High-rise apartment owners on the Gold Coast are facing significant rate hikes based on their floor level.
Dubbed by some as a “view tax”, the new rates calculation aims to ensure fairness by considering unit size and floor level.
It means increases of up to 50% for those above the 40th floor.
News dot com dot au has reported on concerns that the changes have been poorly communicated and unfairly target apartment owners.
Concerns are also rising that other councils may adopt similar measures.
Sunshine Coast Council is warning pet owners to ensure their dogs are properly restrained and enclosed following a significant rise in dog attacks.
382 incidents were reported in the 2023-24 financial year.
The warning comes as new Queensland Government laws come into effect this week, bringing tougher penalties for uncontrolled dogs.
National Briefs:
The City of Canterbury Bankstown, in collaboration with the Bulldogs NRL team have launched a video campaign to combat illegal dumping and promote booking free bulky waste clean-ups.
The campaign features several Bulldogs players and aims to leverage the team’s influence to encourage community responsibility and cleanliness.
Glenorchy City Council elected Russell Yaxley as its new Deputy Mayor on Monday night.
The council said Alderman Yaxley won a majority of votes from fellow councillors to gain the role.
The Deputy Mayor position became vacant after Sue Hickey was elected Mayor, succeeding Bec Thomas, who won the Upper House seat of Elwick in State Parliament.
The Town of Port Hedland has successfully diverted a record amount of recyclable goods from the South Hedland Landfill in the last financial year, including 136 tonnes of tyres.
Large amounts of lithium-ion batteries, car batteries, scrap metal, and E-Waste were also collected at the landfill, aligning with a core objective to reduce waste going to landfill.
And South Australia’s Alexandrina Council has opened applications for the CEO position.
Applications to Perks People Solutions close on 30th August.
The vacancy arose with the resignation of Nigel Morris, who is joining Boroondara Council in Melbourne in a senior position.
TAS:
The Tasmanian Government has welcomed approval by Central Highlands Council for a controversial wind farm project that has been on foot since 2019.
The St Patricks Plains Wind Farm will feature 47 turbines with a generation capacity of up to 300MW, contributing significantly to Tasmania’s Renewable Energy Target to double energy production by 2040.
Minister for Energy and Renewables, Nick Duigan, has called on the Federal Government to expedite its approval process.
A local action group, which has been fighting the development for four years, has accused the council of acting with indecent haste to approve the project this week at a special meeting.
A spokesperson for the No Turbine Action Group told the Mercury that they just 2 and a half days to review a 1200 page report, and questioned whether councillors had time to properly consider the information.
A planning assessment found there were no grounds for the council to refuse the proposal.
Burnie City Council is calling out badly behaved drivers who are regularly destroying traffic management equipment on a road damaged by a landslide two years ago.
The Advocate has reported that the stretch of road at Horseshoe Bend is being targeted up to twice weekly, with the cost of replacing equipment being borne by the council.
Repairs are yet to be carried out on the section of road, which the council says is not suitable for vehicles, and the equipment is there to stop vehicles driving on the impacted side of the road.
Roadworks are on the hold for the winter, and will recommence in spring.
SA:
The City of Port Lincoln is conducting a representation review to assess potential changes to the Council’s structure and composition for better community representation.
The review however has resulted in a proposal to stay with nine area councillors (excluding the Mayor) and retain the “no wards” structure.
The community is invited to provide feedback on the Representation Report, before a final position will be submitted to the Electoral Commissioner.
The outcome will be effective for the November 2026 election.
WA:
The City of South Perth Council has decided not to adopt a draft Local Planning Policy on Tree Retention.
They have instead adopted an alternative motion proposed by Mayor Greg Milner, requesting the State Government provide clarity on the issue by adopting a consistent position on trees on private property.
It follows the State Government’s rejection of similar provisions in the City’s planning scheme.
The Town of Victoria Park is considering a proposal to update its local planning policy on parking, allowing businesses to choose their own parking requirements instead of adhering to minimum standards.
PerthNow reported that the current policy, adopted in 1998, is seen as outdated and contributing to high vehicle use and traffic.
The new policy aims to reduce car dependency by removing minimum parking requirements and encouraging walking and cycling through provisions for bicycle parking and end-of-trip facilities.
Public comments on the proposal are open until July 29, with the council to review submissions in a future meeting.
Global Roundup:
EUROPE:
The Greek island of Santorini faced a crisis of sorts last week, when 11,000 cruise passengers arrived in one day, leading to a government official’s call for residents to stay indoors.
The Mayor.EU reported that the controversial appeal was quickly deleted from social media accounts, after outrage built at the notion that residents should go into a lockdown so that tourists could move about their island undisturbed.
This incident has highlighted the increasing conflict between residents and tourists in popular destinations.
The Mayor of Santorini, Nikos Zorzos, has announced plans to limit cruise passengers to 8,000 per day starting next year to preserve Santorini as a unique destination.
NZ:
South Waikato mayor Gary Petley is facing a code of conduct complaint after removing a ratepayer from a heated long-term plan hearing, according to the Waikato Times.
The complaint was lodged by councillor Marie Farrell, who later clarified she only wanted her displeasure noted and did not request an official investigation.
Mayor Petley reportedly asked Zed Latinovic to leave the meeting when He began criticising council staff and questioning the employment history of the council’s chief executive.
The council is conducting an investigation, and the report will be made public once complete.
USA:
A Minnesota city has passed a controversial public camping ordinance after a marathon meeting.
The proposal by Duluth City Council originally sought to make public camping a misdemeanour, attracting opposition from critics who said it would effectively criminalise homelessness.
After extensive public feedback, including 81 speakers at the meeting, an amendment was made to the ordinance to instead impose a fine of up to $200.
ABC station WDIO reported that the ordinance will take effect in 30 days.
A panel of judges has struck down a Tennessee law aimed at halving the size of Nashville’s Metro Council, ruling it unconstitutional.
The law was part of a series of state measures targeting Nashville’s autonomy after it rejected a proposal to hold the 2024 Republican National Convention in the city.
The decision, which permanently halts the law, has been praised by Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, who said local voters had clearly determined their preference for a 40 member Metro Council.
UK:
A Glasgow city councillor has been cleared of breaching the code of conduct after calling gender-critical individuals “Nazis” at a Let Women Speak rally in Glasgow.
According to Holyrood.com, the Standards Commission found that while Elaine Gallagher ‘s comments breached the Councillors’ Code of Conduct requiring courtesy and respect, but her enhanced protection of freedom of expression as a politician on a public interest matter justified no formal censure.
The panel acknowledged the polarised nature of the debate on transgender and women’s rights and noted that Gallagher’s comments were partly about broader anti-trans sentiment.
However, they also acknowledged that the term “Nazi” could be deeply offensive and shocking to rally attendees.
A missing portrait of Henry VII has been discovered on a wall in Warwickshire, after being spotted by an art consultant on social media.
Art historians have confirmed that the portrait is part of a collection commissioned in the 1590s.
It has now been moved from Warwickshire County Council‘s Shire Hall to the council’s museum collections centre for further research.
As CNN reported, it’s not the first time the art consultant has discovered a missing artwork by perusing social media posts.