On the Local Government News Roundup for Monday, 24th March 2025:
- E-scooter operators bail on the City of Yarra
- Hepburn Shire denies its rate increase proposal is linked to a failed development project
- A northeast community concerned about biosecurity waste
- A call for a delay to the glass recycling bin rollout
- Startling bullying claims about a NSW council
- Back to the drawing board for a GM recruitment process
- Plus a Queensland CEO stepping down
- Launceston Council calls in the Police, and
- Perth’s Lord Mayor bids farewell
Plus much more news from around the world of local government in 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 443:
Victorian Roundup:
E-scooter operators Lime and Neuron are set to cease operations in Melbourne’s City of Yarra following a dramatic increase in council fees.
The Age reported that the operators have labelled the council’s decision to raise daily per-scooter fees from $1 to $5 as “totally unsustainable.”
The two companies will withdraw their combined fleet of 500 e-scooters by early April.
Mayor Stephen Jolly told the Age that it wasn’t the Council’s intention to force the operators out.
The Council has issued a statement expressing its disappointment in the decision, but says that it will not continue to subsidise the services from ratepayers’ money.
Neuron and Lime’s e-scooters will be removed over the coming weeks, but Lime’s e-bikes will remain in place.
Hepburn Shire Mayor Don Henderson insists the council’s proposed 10 per cent rate increase is not linked to the controversial failed Rex Theatre development project, according to a report from the Ballarat Courier.
The Council is seeking to increase rates by 7 percent above the rate cap, despite recording a $5.65 million loss on the failed Rex community hub project in Daylesford.
A leaked Local Government Inspectorate report revealed the Council purchased the Rex building in 2016 without an independent valuation and at $1.6 million above its previous sale price.
The project’s estimated costs later ballooned from $1 million to nearly $10 million before works were suspended in 2018.
Mayor Henderson maintains the rate increase is necessary due to rising operational costs and natural disaster recovery expenses.
A decision on the rate variation application is expected next month.
There are heightened concerns in the Rutherglen community about the disposal of biosecurity waste by Agriculture Victoria, related to an aviation influenza outbreak in Euroa.
Indigo Shire Mayor Sophie Price said the council was not informed until last week, and had been seeking answers to a range of questions in response to concern and anxiety in the community.
It has published Agriculture Victoria’s responses about the type of contaminated waste being disposed of, and why it is being transported to Rutherglen.
Agriculture Victoria has committed to providing ongoing information about the issue to Indigo Shire, which has not been involved in the planning or approval process as the activities are exempt from council permit requirements.
A coalition of metropolitan and regional councils is calling on Environment Minister Steve Dimopoulos to review the July 2027 deadline for implementing separate glass recycling bins.
Kylie Spears, the Mayor of Maroondah, which is one of more than thirty councils behind the push, said the program will cost councils around $4 million to implement, with households facing an additional $27 annual charge.
The councils argue that expanding the existing Container Deposit Scheme to include wine and spirit bottles could achieve similar environmental benefits at a fraction of the cost.
Cr Spears said the Queensland and South Australian governments have already chosen this alternative approach.
Tensions are running high in the Kiewa Valley over a proposed battery storage facility, highlighting growing divisions over renewable energy projects in regional Australia.
ABC News reported that more than 200 residents packed the Mount Beauty town hall to voice their opposition to a planned 400-megawatt-hour battery installation near Dederang.
Alpine Shire Council has voted to lobby against the project, and holds concerns about environmental impact and bushfire risks.
Independent MP Helen Haines says communities generally support renewables but want more say in their implementation, and the issue is expected to influence voting patterns in the upcoming federal election.
Three councils in Melbourne’s north – Hume, Darebin and Merri-bek – are collaborating to launch an anti-racism support booklet, providing information about protection, reporting options, and support services.
A 2023 survey revealed that while 75% of residents experienced racism, most were unsure where to report it or feared lack of support.
The initiative is targeting Melbourne’s northern suburbs with their significant migrant communities, and was launched on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The Cobblebank Community Services Hub, a six-level 5 Green Star rated facility is set to begin construction later this year.
The $19.6M City of Melton project will provide essential services including mental health, family support, and culturally specific programs to the growing community.
The project is funded through contributions from both the Australian Government’s Thriving Suburbs program and the Victorian Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, and is expected to be operational by late 2026.
Horsham Rural City Council is seeking community feedback on whether to permanently remove or reinstate parking meters in the city centre following their temporary suspension last December.
The council has made surveys available both online and in paper format for business operators and community members to share their experiences and thoughts on how the parking meter suspension has affected accessibility, convenience, and parking behaviour in the area.
Victorian Briefs:
Frankston Mayor Kris Bolam says a Federal Government commitment of $50M to rejuvenate the Nepean Highway will be a ‘catalyst’ for the city’s transformation.
The funding will support the implementation of the Nepean Boulevard Master Plan and broader city centre revitalisation efforts.
Kingston residents being called on to provide feedback on developments that will shape their neighbourhoods, following the state government’s unveiling of plans for new precincts around the Suburban Rail Loop.
The plans for Cheltenham and Clayton precincts include proposals for buildings ranging from 4 to 18 storeys, and mayor Georgina Oxley is encouraging community members to review and comment on the draft plans by April 22.
Alpine Shire Council is proposing to integrate the Dinner Plain alpine village into its commercial and industrial differential rating strategy, moving away from the current special rate system.
The change aims to streamline the rating process and ensure equitable distribution under the rate cap.
The proposal set for public consultation before the final Revenue and Rating Plan is adopted later in the year.
This is the Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association – with its flagship councillor development program FastTrack coming up on Friday 2nd May – registrations are now open on the VLGA website
And support for the podcast comes from Symphony 3, which has developed SmartGlue, a platform that integrates over 55 council systems, automating data flow without the need for manual work. It turns confusion into simplicity.
Symphony 3 – simple, connected customer experiences.
NSW Roundup:
NSW:
A state MP has made startling claims in Parliament about the work environment for female employees at Shellharbour Council.
The Illawarra Mercury (19th March 2025) reported the comments made by Member for Shellharbour Anna Watson, who said female employees at the council have been begging for help over workplace bullying.
Ms Watson said she had received anonymous letters describing workplace bullying and harassment from some senior officials, and that she held grave concerns for the women.
She was speaking in support of a bill to establish SafeWork as a standalone regulator.
Goulburn Mulwaree Council has announced it will restart its search for a new General Manager after the initial recruitment round failed to identify a preferred candidate.
Mayor Nina Dillon says while there was strong interest in the position, Council believes additional steps are necessary to find a candidate who truly aligns with community needs.
In the interim, Marina Hollands will continue serving as Acting Chief Executive Officer.
The Council maintains this decision reflects their commitment to securing the right leadership for the region’s future development.
In other Goulburn Mulwaree news, the council is seeking funding to establish a Special Entertainment Precinct, to cover the CBD of Goulburn.
The precinct would provide certainty of trading hours and sound conditions to support live performances.
If successful in gaining funding, an engagement process will be conducted about a 12 to 18 month trial of the precinct.
Willoughby Council has reported a successful trial of its new Public and Open Forums format.
Thirteen speakers participated in the March 17 forum, both in-person and online.
Mayor Tanya Taylor praised the community’s engagement with the new format.
She said the strong turnout and productive discussions show the format is working well for the community.
Currently, residents must register two business days before speaking at forums, but the council is considering reducing this to same-day registration in future.
Five Western Sydney councils, including Hawkesbury City Council, have drafted a plan to deliver 3,600 new affordable rental dwellings over 10 years, addressing the growing housing affordability crisis in the region.
The plan is the result of a collaboration of Hawkesbury, Blue Mountains, Blacktown, Camden and Wollondilly councils.
The plan, which will be introduced from March 2028, involves collecting monetary contributions from new developments to fund affordable rental housing that will be managed by the not-for-profit community housing sector.
The City of Newcastle has commenced work on two major infrastructure projects along the Bathers Way coastal precinct, including stabilising a cliff face near Dixon Park and maintaining a seawall near South Newcastle Beach.
The essential works aim to ensure public safety and longevity of the coastal infrastructure while causing minimal disruption to the community through strategic timing outside the summer period.
A groundbreaking microclimate study in Sydney has revealed temperature differences of up to 15 degrees between harbour-side suburbs and southern areas, with St Peters recording 45.3 degrees while the Royal Botanic Garden stayed at 30 degrees during the hottest day of the study period.
The City of Sydney, in partnership with Western Sydney University, collected 1.5 million measurements between December 2023 and March 2024, finding that areas near green spaces had lower temperatures while places like Central Station at Haymarket were among the warmest.
In response to the findings, the City is actively working to increase tree canopy coverage to 40% by 2050, having already planted over 17,000 street trees and reduced 76% of emissions in its operations since 2006.
NSW Briefs:
Edward River Council has reduced standpipe water fees from $11 to $4 per kilolitre for the remainder of the financial year, to support rural communities with affordable water access.
The Council operates two permanent bulk water filling facilities, which are crucial for properties outside the reticulated water mains system, especially given the current conditions of reduced rainfall and hotter weather.
Wagga Wagga City Council is launching Wagga Leisure, a unified brand that will encompass multiple recreational facilities including the Oasis Aquatic Centre, the Jim Elphick Tennis Centre, and Bolton Park Stadium facilities.
The new brand rollout includes flexible membership packages for residents, while maintaining all existing services and casual access options.
Wilcannia has been approved as an RV Friendly Town by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia Limited for offering facilities like street parking, overnight stays at Victory Caravan Park, and essential amenities for travellers.
Central Darling Shire Council said the designation will bring tourism benefits to Wilcannia through promotions reaching over 68,000 club members.
The City of Parramatta has unveiled “Creative Parramatta,” a 10-year cultural strategy aimed at transforming the city into a cultural and creative hub.
The strategy focusses on five key priorities including First Nations recognition, cultural practice, infrastructure, education, and leadership.
It is currently open for public feedback until April 14.
QLD:
Sunshine Coast Council has received approval from the Queensland Government for planning provisions that will encourage the development of upscale hotels in Maroochydore and Caloundra, marking the first luxury hotel development in the region in over 30 years.
The initiative aims to add to the current accommodation landscape, where 70% is self-catering apartments, by introducing new four-star-and-above hotels.
Each new hotel is projected to generate $29.5 million annually in economic impact and create hundreds of jobs, with the region requiring approximately 2,450 new hotel rooms over the next decade.
The Sunshine Coast News reports that the Geoffrey Thomas Family Trust has appealed to the Planning and Environment Court to overturn Sunshine Coast Council‘s refusal of their proposed 38-unit short-term accommodation complex at Bald Knob.
The developers argue the project would protect scenic values and meet council benchmarks, contrary to the council’s concerns about the development’s urban nature and impact on the rural precinct’s visual amenity.
Charters Towers Regional Council CEO Martin Drydale has announced his resignation effective May 16, 2025, after serving three years in the role.
Mayor Liz Schmidt said it was disappointing to receive the resignation, and acknowledged Mr Drydale’s positive leadership and commitment to the organisation.
Mr Drydale said it was a carefully considered decision, and that the time is right to embark on the next chapter of his life.
TAS:
Launceston City Council has reported American singer Ronnie Radke to Tasmania Police after he posted an aggressive online video targeting local councillors who had expressed concerns about a photo taken with Mayor Matthew Garwood after a recent concert in Adelaide.
Pulse Tasmania reported the controversy arose when councillors, particularly Andrea Dawkins, questioned the appropriateness of the mayor posing with Radke, who has a history of domestic violence and assault charges.
The situation escalated when Radke responded with a hostile video sharing Dawkins’ contact information and making threats.
In a weekend post to Facebook, CEO Sam Johnson has condemned the singer’s actions for using social media to incite harassment, describing them as dangerous and irresponsible, as well as reckless and unacceptable.
He confirmed that he council is working with Tasmania Police to monitor the situation and has reported the video to Instagram, demanding Radke retract his inflammatory statements.
Six Greater Hobart councils have launched a joint campaign called ‘We Stand Together Against Racism’ to celebrate cultural diversity and combat racial discrimination in their communities.
The campaign launch featured a solidarity walk along Hobart’s waterfront led by council mayors, CEOs, and former Tasmanian Premier Peter Gutwein, coinciding with the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
The campaign was developed collaboratively between Brighton, Clarence, Hobart, Glenorchy, Kingborough and Sorell councils, with guidance from the Migrant Resource Centre, and demonstrates a unified commitment to fostering an inclusive and welcoming environment in Tasmania.
Break O’Day Council has unanimously rejected a Telstra proposal to build a 26.3-metre telecommunications tower in St Helens, citing visual amenity concerns and height restriction violations.
Pulse Tasmania reported the decision is a significant setback for mobile coverage in the region, particularly during peak tourist periods when network congestion is severe.
Telstra is considering appealing the decision at the Tasmanian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
SA:
The City of Mount Gambier and District Council of Grant are jointly advocating for improved regional air travel through a motion to be presented at the Australian Local Government Association National General Assembly in June.
The motion calls for increased federal investment in regional airports, fairer pricing policies, and better service reliability, addressing concerns about the 52% higher costs for regional flights compared to capital city routes and the critical importance of air connectivity for regional communities.
The scrutiny and count has been conducted for a supplementary election in the central ward of Mount Barker District Council.
Janette Size was declared provisionally elected, with more than 25 percent of first preference votes, from a field of eight candidates.
Ms Size replaces Sally Harding, who tendered her resignation in November after two years.
WA:
Outgoing Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas has shared a parting message with residents as he prepares to enter State Parliament.
He said has loved being the 18th Lord Mayor of the city, and nominated a range of highlights from his time in the role, headed by the activation of the city, a world class events program, and the lowest rate rises of any major Perth Council.
This week, the council will consider whether to support a request to allow the position of Lord Mayor to remain vacant until ordinary local government elections scheduled for October.
[Council papers show the cost](file:///Users/chriseddy/Downloads/Agenda%20-%20OCM%20-%2025%20March%202025.pdf) of an extraordinary election for lord mayor would be approximately $86,000.
A controversial proposal to subdivide a 104.6ha farm in Springfield, Busselton into 66 rural residential lots will return to council this week, after being delayed in December due to concerns over lot sizes and density.
The City of Busselton has suggested adjustments to increase the minimum lot size to 2ha with an average of 4ha.
The Busselton-Dunsborough Times reports that councillors could also choose to delay further, decline the proposal, or request independent modifications from the developers.
More News Briefs:
The City of Greater Geraldton has secured funding to review and update its list of nearly 700 heritage places.
The $50K review aims to balance heritage conservation with new development opportunities while ensuring the protection of historically significant buildings, homes, and places.
The Tasmanian Government is transferring administration of the councillor Learning and Development Framework to the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT), with the transition to be completed by July.
Minister for Local Government Kerry Vincent said the move is part of a broader reform agenda that includes making councillor education mandatory through new legislation later in the year.
Central Highlands Regional Council is seeking expressions of interest for surplus vacant land across the region, with the goal of encouraging development in housing, aged care, and essential infrastructure.
The council says it’s aiming to support sustainable growth while addressing housing demand.
An additional $570K in road and footpath upgrades is set to improve accessibility and safety in Maryborough.
Fraser Coast Mayor George Seymour said the projects would also deliver better drainage, as part of a $1.75M kerb and channel replacement project funded through the Works for Queensland program.
Interview:
Recently, I welcomed Emma Broomfield from Locale Learning onto the podcast to talk about an event aimed at confronting the growing issue of mental wellbeing for elected representatives, in light of disturbing statistics.
Today, Emma is back for a debrief.
Access the Experience of Being a Politician Survey here.
Global Roundup:
NZ:
Local Government New Zealand is warning that potential rates capping could backfire, as council credit ratings take another hit.
Eighteen councils and three council-controlled organisations have been downgraded by Standard & Poors, who cite rising debt levels and an increasingly volatile policy environment.
In a report from Radio New Zealand, LGNZ President Sam Broughton says examples from Australia show rate capping would have risks for councils’s financial stability, and unintended consequences on the ability to invest in infrastructure.
He points to South Australia’s transparency-focused approach as a better model than the caps used in Victoria and New South Wales.
UK:
Thousands of jobs could be at risk as English councils face a major reorganisation, according to the country’s largest trade union and as reported by The Guardian.
Unison’s General Secretary Christina McAnea has issued a stark warning as local authorities submit their final proposals for council mergers this week.
The shake-up will see county and district bodies combined into unitary authorities across six regions, with many lower-tier councils set to be abolished. Surrey council has already voted to split into two authorities, resulting in the loss of eleven borough and district councils.
McAnea has called on ministers to guarantee no compulsory redundancies and to protect workers’ terms and conditions.
City leaders across Britain are sounding the alarm over the growing divide between coastal and inland communities.
A new report from the Key Cities group reveals that traditional seaside towns have faced half a century of decline, falling behind on everything from health outcomes to job opportunities.
The report puts forward 28 recommendations to breathe new life into these struggling coastal areas. With member cities including Portsmouth, Plymouth, and Sunderland, the group is calling for urgent action to empower local communities and protect their futures.
Artificial intelligence could be the key to unlocking massive savings for one local authority, according to Yahoo News.
An internal report prepared for Cheshire East Council suggests that implementing AI technology could save the council up to £60 million over the next five years.
The council is eyeing AI solutions for multiple departments, including customer service and social care. Officials say the technology could help reduce call centre volumes and streamline administrative processes.
The council recently required exceptional financial support from the government, and it hopes AI initiatives will help address its ongoing financial challenges.
A new survey reveals that local authorities in England and Wales are facing a staggering £17bn backlog in pothole repairs, with over half of the local road network having less than 15 years of structural life remaining.
Despite spending over £20bn on carriageway maintenance in the past decade, including filling one pothole every 18 seconds, local authority highway teams report no improvement in network conditions.
The Annual Local Authority Road Maintenance survey results have prompted calls for a long-term financial package to address the deteriorating infrastructure.
USA:
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, city leaders have unveiled an ambitious plan to tackle the growing challenge of homelessness.
Mayor Monroe Nichols has signed an executive order outlining several key initiatives aimed at achieving what officials call “functional zero homelessness” by 2030.
The plan includes establishing a dedicated encampment decommissioning team, creating the city’s first extended-use winter weather shelter, and expanding overall shelter capacity.
Recent data shows more than 1,300 individuals are currently experiencing homelessness in Tulsa, with local shelters reporting maximum capacity during severe weather events.
This weekend, the city of Montgomery, Alabama is hosting a series of events to honour the 60th anniversary of the Selma to Montgomery Voting Rights March, a defining moment in the Civil Rights Movement.
The weekend events will include the launch of the Voting Rights Trail Metaverse, a cutting-edge digital experience that allows people across the world to engage in the historic moment like never before.
The Metaverse will provide an interactive, immersive learning experience featuring key moments, archival footage and storytelling from those who lived through the movement.
MEXICO:
In a historic vote that’s sending shockwaves through Mexico’s cultural landscape, Mexico City lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly to ban violent bullfighting.
The measure, passing with a decisive 61-1 vote, will prohibit the killing of bulls and the use of sharp objects in the ring.
The Associated Press describes scenes outside the city’s Congress building which captured deep divisions, as protesters from both sides gathered.
Bullfighting supporters, including matadors, attempted to breach police barricades, while animal rights activists celebrated with stuffed bull dolls.
The compromise legislation, dubbed ‘bullfighting without violence,’ allows the tradition to continue but with strict new regulations.
Mexico’s bullfighting industry generates approximately $400 million annually and supports over 80,000 direct jobs.