On the latest edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- Work commences on Melbourne’s transformational Greenline Project
- A Melbourne council calls on the government to step up its maintenance and graffiti removal works
- A youth hub facility to be demolished due to structural defects
- The trial that may have us walking on coffee grounds
- The cost of a Bayside Council demerger revealed
- A NSW Council debating the merits of a rate freeze
- The launch of a unique global event tackling toxicity and incivility in public life
- And another UK council sounds warning bells about its finance
Plus more Council news from across Australia and beyond on the Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association,
with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment service and business advisory practice, presenting LG Innovate: Artificial Intelligence Summit for the local government C-Suite at Peregian Beach in September – early bird bookings open now.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Transcript for episode 340:
Victorian Roundup:
The City of Melbourne has begun construction on the Birrarung Marr stage of the Greenline Project, a $30 million transformation creating new boardwalks, promenades, and native habitats along the river’s edge.
The project, funded in part by a $20 million grant from the Australian Government, aims to transform the north bank of the Yarra River, creating connected promenades, parks, open spaces, and cultural activations.
The project business case estimates a benefit to cost ratio of $3.29 for every dollar spent and $1.9 billion of private sector investment.
More than 3,400 jobs are expected to be created during construction.
Hume Council will call on the Roads and Road Safety Minister Melissa Horne for regular maintenance of roundabouts and median strips, and the removal of graffiti in Sunbury.
The Star Weekly reported that Cr Jack Medcraft told a recent council meeting that the graffiti, particularly on Aboriginal artwork, is as an insult and disgrace, and that people are so fed up they are taking upon themselves mow overgrown roundabouts.
The council also wants the Department of Transport and Planning to clean graffiti off the railway bridge across Station Street in Sunbury.
Hobsons Bay council will consult the community on a permanent closure of the Altona Esplanade between Pier Street and Bent Street, according to a report from the Star Weekly.
The proposal follows successful seasonal closures over the past five years.
The closure is part of the Altona Foreshore Redevelopment Project, which aims to transform the street into a pedestrian space.
The council has a contract in place to commence works in the coming financial year.
Mornington Peninsula Shire says it has made significant progress in preparing land use and development strategies after completing a four yearly review of its planning scheme.
Key highlights include strategies for housing, environmental conservation, heritage preservation, and the protection of environmentally significant areas.
The review supports advocacy to the State Government for action on sea level rise hazards, reform of bushfire planning controls, stronger controls for the Green Wedge, elevated environmentally sustainable design standards, and the release of surplus land around the Port of Hastings.
Following the liquidation of Allmore Constructions and the discovery of structural defects, Cardinia Shire Council has decided to demolish the unsafe Youth Hub building in Pakenham.
The demolition process is expected to take approximately 12 weeks.
Meanwhile, youth services will continue from My Place in Main Street, Pakenham.
Mayor Jack Kowarzik said the Council is discussing options and next steps for the project with key stakeholders, including government and youth services.
RMIT University and Macedon Ranges Shire Council are conducting a world-first trial using coffee concrete for footpaths.
The process involves transforming spent coffee grounds into biochar, which is then used to make concrete 30% stronger.
The technique can also be applied to other organic waste, such as wood chips.
The project could potentially replace up to 655 million kilograms of sand in concrete annually in Australia alone.
Victorian Briefs:
Manningham Council will consult its community on upgrades to two local dog off-lead areas, Warrandyte Reserve and Burgundy Reserve, following a $700,000 grant announcement by the state government.
The projects are expected to be delivered by mid-2026.
Greater Geelong’s proposed budget includes funding to enable the introduction of food and garden organics and glass kerbside collection in the coming years.
$16.7M has been allocated to upgrade the city’s existing waste facilities to enable food and garden waste to be processed together in large quantities, with a move to FOGO service expected by 2027/28.
An $8.6M allocation will pave the way for glass collection to commence in the 2026/27 financial year.
Corangamite Shire Council has appointed a new operator for the Timboon Children’s Centre.
Ready, Set Go will take over from Kardinia Early Learning, under a new agreement with the council.
Mayor Kate Makin said the transition was aimed at minimising disruption to families and staff.
A handover is expected towards the end of June.
National Roundup:
The Federal Government will allocate $4.4 billion to the Roads to Recovery program over the next five years, aiming to make local roads safer.
The funding will progressively double to $1 billion annually, allowing local governments to plan long-term maintenance and upgrade of their road network.
The funding increase will be phased to avoid inflation pressure and impacts on supply costs and the construction labour market.
The Black Spot Program and the new Safer Local Roads and Infrastructure Program will also receive funding increases.
Details of the funding increase for each state are available from the link in the show notes.
NSW:
Sydney’s Bayside Council has received a desktop business case analysis this week, looking at the potential separation of the council into its predecessors, Botany Bay and Rockdale.
The analysis puts the cost between $33M to $50M, including $6.5M to $8.5M to refurbish the Mascot Administration Centre.
A report to Council said the impact of that spending on future projects and financial sustainability was not considered in the analysis, and that a deeper analysis would be required to consider the limitation of externally restricted reserve funds.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council is debating a potential rate freeze for the 2024-2025 financial year, which would prevent a $60 annual increase for residential rates but result in significant revenue shortfalls.
News of the Area reported that the proposal has divided the council, with some councillors criticising it as irresponsible and detrimental to essential services, while others are in favour.
The council’s average rates are currently below those of other NSW regional councils.
The issue will be revisited in the council’s June 2024 meeting.
Wagga Deputy Mayor Amelia Parkins has announced her ‘Labor for Wagga’ ticket for the September NSW local government elections, according to the Region Riverina website.
The ticket includes former federal Labor candidates Tim Kurylowicz and Mark Jeffreson, as well as Peita Vincent and Steve Dale.
Cr Parkins, who has a background in heritage conservation and project management, has cited Inland Rail and the airport lease as critical issues that would benefit from a connection at the local level into the current Labor state and federal governments.
A waste audit conducted by the Southern Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils has found that 14% of red household garbage bins contain waste that should be in yellow or green bins.
The St George and Sutherland Shire Leader reported that the audit showed despite improvements in waste separation, many recyclable items were being put in general waste.
Hazardous materials such as batteries and e-waste were also improperly disposed of in red bins.
The audit suggests that unbagging recyclables and increased awareness and education could improve recycling rates.
TAS:
The Governor of Tasmania, her Excellency the Honourable Barbara Baker AC will visit Devonport today.
Devonport City Council is hosting the Governor on a visit to local attractions and community groups, capped off with a Civic Reception in her honour.
Mayor Alison Jarman said it was a privilege to host the Governor in recognition of her interest in the rich heritage and dynamic economy of Devonport.
QLD:
Cairns Regional Council has approved a $2.5 million project to construct three breakwaters at Clifton Beach to mitigate sand loss and protect the foreshore.
The State Government will contribute $985,300 to the project under the Coastal and Estuarine Risk Mitigation Program.
The Council says the impacts of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper, which caused significant erosion and damage, have highlighted the fragility and dynamic nature of Cairns’ northern beaches.
Construction is expected to be completed by March 28, 2025.
Bundaberg Regional Council’s Disaster Dashboard has been upgraded to provide more tailored information during emergency events such as bushfires and major storms.
The Disaster Dashboard provides essential information on preparing for severe weather events.
Users can opt to receive emergency alerts and the information is accessible in over 125 languages.
National Briefs:
Goulburn Mulwaree Council recently received a delegation from Shibetsu City, Japan, marking the 25th anniversary of their Sister City Agreement.
The visit included a range of activities and discussions on topics like student exchange programs and tourism marketing initiatives.
The council plans to continue exploring opportunities for collaboration with Shibetsu City Council.
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has submitted a response to the Climate Change Authority’s 2024 Issues paper, emphasising the importance of managing climate change impacts at the local government level.
In its submission, ALGA said it supports a science-based target to fulfill Australia’s obligations under the Paris Agreement and insists on a 2035 target for significant and sustained emissions reductions to combat dangerous climate change.
Applications are being invited for the General Manager position at Kyogle Council.
The position has been filled on an acting basis since late last year when the council controversially removed its long standing CEO Graham Kennett.
Brett Kelly and Chris White have since held the position for interim periods.
Applications are due with Leading Roles by 10th June.
Global Roundup:
A major announcement in the war on incivility in public life today, with the launch of an online global summit from author and speaker Diane Kalen-Sukra.
Diane is bringing together a group of visionary civic leaders from across the globe to share their strategies on tackling toxicity, bridging divides and renewing civic culture.
This unique, live event will take place on the morning of Friday October 11 in Australia, which as afternoon or evening on the 10th October across North America and the UK.
The program is live and free registrations are now open.
And it’s great to have the Victorian Local Governance Association on board as a supporter of this special event.
Tackling Toxicity, Cultivating Civility – make sure grab your spot soon as space is limited. Head to kalenacademy.com/summit to register and find out more.
UK:
Another UK Council has sounded warning bells about its financial situation.
The Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead is in discussions with the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities for a financial support package.
The council has a £30m budget deficit and increased debt, and the lowest known reserves of any unitary authority.
It is seeking Exceptional Financial Support from the government to avoid having to issue a section 114 notice, which would lead to more severe consequences for the borough and the local community.
The introduction of a Low Emission Zone in Glasgow has earned the council over £1m in the first 10 months.
BBC News reported that the council intends to reinvest the profits into local net-zero and clean air projects.
So far, £500,000 has been allocated for “urban greening” and “local community climate action projects.”
The LEZ, which restricts non-compliant vehicles from entering, has issued nearly 33,000 fines since its launch in June 2023.
Scottish council unions are awaiting a delayed pay offer, with staff yet to receive the pay rise due in April.
BBC News reported that the three main council unions, Unison, Unite, and GMB, are warning of potential strikes if the issue remains unresolved.
The pay rise is expected to be around 2%, but councils may offer more if tied to other employment matters.
However, that is likely to fall short of the unions’ expectations, which aim to keep up with the cost of living.
Strikes in previous years were resolved when the Scottish government provided funds to improve the pay offer.
Wiltshire County Council in the UK is seeking a commitment from the government to distribute solar farms more evenly across the country.
Councillors for the county, which already hosts over 40 solar farms, feel it has taken more than its fair share, and while not opposed to solar farms, they’d like a better explanation of the government’s term “cumulative impact”.
The council’s decision comes after a public consultation on the Lime Down project, which would be one of the country’s largest solar farms.
While some residents support solar power, they’d prefer to see panels placed on brownfield sites or rooftops instead of farmland.
EUROPE:
The council of Davos, in the Swiss Alps, is considering new restrictions on attendees of the annual World Economic Forum (WEF).
Politico reported that the measures are aimed at easing traffic congestion and infrastructure load.
Under the changes being considered, only official WEF partners would be allowed to rent buildings or construct temporary structures during the event, potentially reducing the number of non-official attendees.
There are fears that the move could impact the forum’s reputation as a global hub for tech and finance elites. The council is due to vote on the proposal next month.
NZ:
Over half of mayors and chairs across New Zealand are urging the Government to reconsider its provisional polls for Māori wards, viewing it as an overreach on local decision-making.
Stuff reported that a letter calling for a rethink, signed by 66% of municipal leaders, was sent by Local Government New Zealand to the government this week.
The new legislation would return to binding community polls and require compulsory polls on any Māori wards created since 2021.
Many councils, even those without Māori wards, oppose the Government’s interference in local government decision-making processes.
USA:
And finally from Nashville, Tennesee, a popular country music star has been punished for recent unruly behaviour.
Nashville’s Metro Council has denied permission for Morgan Wallen to place an external sign on his new bar.
Local news outlets reported that similar such requests are usually granted, but on this occasion the council voted 30-3 against granting permission for signage, with Mr Wallen’s behaviour the focus of debate rather than design standards.
The country star has been charged with three counts of reckless endangerment after throwing a chair from a balcony at police officers, and is due to appear in court in August.
He previously made headlines and saw his music removed from radio stations for a time, after a drunken rant including racial slurs was caught on camera and widely circulated online.