On the Local Government News Roundup for Monday 17th June 2024:
- New housing targets revealed for Victorian councils
- A radical proposal to transfer parts of the City of Melbourne to neighbouring municipalities
- A privacy breach at a Melbourne council
- The 2024 community satisfaction survey results released
- The Sydney council counting dog poops
- A council says NO to a nuclear power plant
- A Perth council rejects a boundary change proposal
- And the UK council accused of gender pay discrimination
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 350:
Victorian Roundup:
The Victorian government has announced new housing targets for every local government area in the state, aiming to boost housing stock by over 2 million by 2051.
Premier Jacinta Allan and Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny have unveiled the draft targets in the City of Kingston, alongside Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns.
Kingston is proposed to accommodate 59,000 new homes by the 2050s, along with a pattern of growth along the Suburban Rail Loop corridor.
67,000 new homes are proposed for Boroondara, while it’s suggested Greater Geelong will contribute nearly 140,000 new homes in that time.
Significant increases are also planned for the City of Melbourne, Maribyrnong, and Whitehorse Councils.
In percentage terms, the largest boost is planned in Mitchell, at 312%, followed by a 190% increase in Melton.
The Age reported on concerns that have been raised from urban design experts and industry bodies about potential labour and material shortages and weak economic conditions that may limit the ambitious target of building 800,000 new homes in a decade.
The MAV responded to the announcement, saying it understands the need for aspirational targets and looks forward to working closely with the State Government to ensure cities and places are shaped to be more human-centred and connected to enable communities to thrive.
The Government says it will consult closely with councils to harness local knowledge, with councils to report back on the draft target and the local changes they propose.
A proposal to reduce the size of the City of Melbourne by transferring suburbs to neighbouring councils has been suggested as a means of revitalising the city centre.
The Herald Sun reports today on the idea proposed by Port Phillip councillor and former mayor Marcus Pearl, includes transferring parts of South Yarra to the City of Stonnington, Kensington and parts of Flemington and West Melbourne to the City of Moonee Valley or the City of Maribyrnong, and Fishermans Bend to the City of Port Phillip.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp told the Herald-Sun that she doesn’t support the transfer of Fishermans Bend, and that Melbourne is best placed to deliver the entire precinct.
Melbourne Racing Club’s plan to redevelop Sandown Racecourse into a new suburb has raised concerns about flood risks, according to a report today from The Age.
Greater Dandenong Council Melbourne Water, and South East Water have all expressed concerns about the lack of information on how storm water and flood flows will be managed.
The proposed redevelopment would see the 112-hectare site transformed into 7500 homes, retail and commercial space, and parkland over 20 years.
The council has also raised concerns about the lack of affordable housing in the plans and the potential for disjointed redevelopment.
Yarra City Council has apologised for a mistake that saw the names and addresses of over 200 Richmond residents published online.
The information was online for four hours before a resident alerted the council and it was immediately removed.
The Herald Sun reported that the error was compounded when a councillor published a map on social media which highlighted the addresses of people who had a signed a petition opposing a new park and resulting traffic impacts.
The map was also later removed.
The council said the error has been reported to the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner.
The City of Greater Geelong is reviewing its “preferred parking” initiative for electric and hybrid vehicles at the Norlane Aquatic Recreation Centre following confusion and criticism.
The initiative was included as part of achieving a five-star “Green Star” building rating for the centre.
But the Geelong Advertiser has reported that the signs have now been covered while a review is undertaken.
The council is now seeking a solution that maintains the Green Star rating while making more parking spaces available to all vehicle users.
Strathbogie Shire Council’s withdrawal from the school crossings program has left Nagambie Primary School unsupervised, and calls for the shire to rejoin the program.
The Seymour Telegraph reported that Local Government Minister Melissa Horne was asked in Parliament about the situation, to which she said the council can still rejoin the program and ensure necessary funding for supervision.
State Member for Euroa, Annabelle Cleeland, said it was urgent to ensure the crossing was supervised urgency due to reports of near-misses and speeding vehicles.
She said Funding disputes between councils and the state government are not helping anyone, and instead are putting the safety of children at risk.
The state government has announced 27 new projects to receive funding to boost local economies and communities in regional towns.
The projects, funded through a $25 million Council Support Package, include initiatives to increase tourism, improve infrastructure, strengthen businesses, and support volunteers.
Examples include a new creative space in Maryborough and new outdoor facilities in Ballan.
Greater Shepparton City Council was quick to welcome news that it would receive $3 million from the program for major upgrades in the region.
The funding will enhance the Shepparton Sports City Precinct, including Shepparton Sports Stadium and VISY Stadium, and expand the Yahna Gurtji Shared Path.
Hepburn Shire is excited to receive $100,000 for activation of the Djuwarang Baring Creswick Trails, helping to make it a destination of choice for mountain bikers of all abilities.
CEO Bradley Thomas said the trail was close to opening and will become a real asset for the state.
All projects are expected to be completed by 30 June 2026.
The government says it has invested $45 billion investment in regional Victoria since 2014.
The results of the 2024 community satisfaction survey have been released on a statewide basis.
63 of the state’s 79 councils participated in the survey, now in its 26th year.
The results show a small drop in overall performance of two points, to 54, with the lowest scores seen in large rural shires and interface councils.
One point drops were also experienced in the value for money, overall council direction and tourism development categories.
Most categories remained stable, while appearance of public areas and waste management achieved a one point increase in satisfaction.
Participating councils will receive their results over the coming weeks, and a review of the survey methodology is under way with a working group set to provide recommendations for improvements that would take effect from 2026.
Victorian Briefs:
Over $5 million in Australian Government funding will be used to improve four known crash sites in and around Ballarat under the 2024–25 Black Spot Program.
The funding will be used for safety measures such as the construction of a roundabout with splitter islands and raised safety platforms, right-hand turn signals and lane markings, and improved signage and street lighting.
Bass Coast Shire Council is preparing a Local Area Traffic Management Plan for Cape Paterson and is seeking public feedback on transport and road safety experiences from June 13 to July 4, 2024.
The plan aims to improve traffic conditions by evaluating existing conditions, traffic, parking, crash data, and community feedback.
Hobsons Bay City Council has submitted its priorities to the Victorian Government’s Plan for Victoria, which will guide the state’s growth and development until 2050.
The submission focuses on housing affordability and choice, equity and jobs, liveable and thriving neighbourhoods, and sustainable environments and climate action.
The next in the series of Global Executive Panels from the VLGA and LGIU is coming up on Thursday 27th June, on the topic of resetting relationships between levels of government.
Join a panel of leaders from Australia and UK for a Q&A discussion on maximising engagement and ensuring councils can be heard on the big issues affecting their communities.
The online panel starts at 5.30pm AEST – registrations and details on the events page of the VLGA website.
National Roundup:
NSW:
Six residents of Paddington, Sydney have lodged a complaint with the Australian Human Rights Commission as part of attempts to stop the City of Sydney from constructing a bike lane on Oxford Street.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports today on the complainants’ argument that the bike lane, particularly the “island bus stops” that require passengers to cross the bike lanes to reach the bus stop, will be discriminatory against the elderly and disabled.
They have requested the commission to halt the construction and planning of the cycleway.
The City of Sydney says the cycleway has undergone extensive community consultation, and that the project design meets current safety and accessibility requirements.
Lane Cove Council in Sydney has conducted a two-month audit to count the number of dog poops and holes dug by dogs in local parks, sparking backlash from dog walkers.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the audit is part of a new policy aimed at addressing conflicts between dog walkers and sports groups who hire the parks.
The council found a significant increase in dog numbers and high demand for sporting facilities, leading to conflicts.
The audit revealed several parks as defecation hotspots and found 296 holes across five parks.
Dog walkers accused the council of an “anti-dog” approach, fearing restrictions on unleashed dog walking. The council plans to engage a consultant to reduce conflicts between sports groups and pet owners.
Lithgow Council has rejected the idea of a nuclear power plant in Lithgow, following speculation stemming from comments by the Federal Opposition.
Mayor Maree Statham reaffirmed the city’s four-decade-old policy as a nuclear-free zone and plans to invite Peter Dutton to explain his stance.
The council urges all levels of government to invest in strengthening economies like Lithgow for a future less reliant on mining and power generation.
The Independent Commission Against Corruption (ICAC) has issued guidance for councillors on corruption risks associated with overseas travel.
The guidance aims to help councils understand and mitigate corruption, integrity, and security risks.
It covers statutory requirements for overseas travel, promoting council projects abroad, potential for blackmail, and corrupt conduct.
The guidance was prompted by ICAC’s Operation Galley, which demonstrated that overseas travel poses corruption risks for councillors.
QLD:
The Courier Mail has reported that City of Brisbane ratepayers have paid $325,000 over the past three years for council staff to travel overseas on Olympic and Paralympic business, despite the council being responsible for only one of ten planning programs.
Seven staff have accumulated a $200,000 international travel bill.
The spending revelation comes as the council announced an average rate increase of 3.8%.
Opposition leader Jared Cassidy has criticised the council for cutting Olympic related items within the council but still funding overseas trips for politicians.
A 73-year-old contractor for Mackay Regional Council died after falling 10m from the George L Vickers bridge in the Mackay region.
The Courier Mail reported that the incident occurred during his shift at 3am on Friday and it is believed he fell between the gap separating the railway line and road.
Mackay council CEO Scott Owen said it was a sombre day and the thoughts of everyone at council were with family, friends, and colleagues.
SA:
Investors and developers are investing in Whyalla, anticipating a boom due to a planned $600m hydrogen energy project, according to a report today from the Adelaide Advertiser.
Whyalla Council has approved 114 projects worth $13m since September, a significant increase from the previous year.
The projects include commercial and industrial developments worth over $4.5m, with $60m in plans still under assessment.
The state government’s planned hydrogen energy project, set to open in 2026, is expected to generate over 700 jobs.
The District Council of Robe, South Australia, has decided not to use ratepayers’ money to investigate saving the town’s famous obelisk from falling into the sea due to erosion.
ABC News reported that the council will also delay deciding on how to replace the obelisk until after it collapses.
Despite a survey showing that 58% of respondents wanted all options explored to save the monument, and 70% supporting the construction of a replica if it collapsed, the council deemed preserving the obelisk in its current location as not a responsible use of funds.
WA:
The City of Swan has rejected a proposal to adjust boundaries and hand over Guildford to the Town of Bassendean.
Despite earlier votes by electors in both areas to explore the idea, a staff review concluded it would offer little benefit and would actually increase costs for residents.
The review suggested that for a beneficial financial outcome, Bassendean should merge with the City of Bayswater instead.
Bassendean Mayor Kath Hamilton has questioned the process used to conduct the review, and PerthNow reported that there are now calls for a proper independent review.
National Briefs
Dubbo Regional Council is constructing a new animal shelter to accommodate the region’s growing demand.
The facility will feature 101 dog pens and 40 cat enclosures, thermal insulation, climate control, and office facilities.
The estimated completion date is April 2025.
Queensland’s 16 Indigenous councils will benefit from an additional $61.6M from the state government over the next two years.
The investment will also fund a new entity to support the sustainability of councils serving First Nations communities.
Ipswich City Council says it advocacy for improved bus services has resulted in the State Government allocating $36 million in the budget for new and expanded bus services to rapidly growing suburbs like Redbank Plains, Collingwood Park, and Deebing Heights.
The improvements, to be implemented over three years, will also enhance service connectivity to the Ripley Valley priority development area and Ipswich Hospital, among other areas.
Applications are open for the CEO position at North Burnett Regional Council in Queensland, following the recent resignation of Margot Stork.
Interested applicants are asked to contact Mayor Les Hotz directly, with applications due by 11th July.
And the Shire of Toodyay is recruiting for a CEO.
The regional WA council is just 85kms from Perth, with a population of 5,000. Applications close on the 8th July with Beilby Downing Teal.
Join us in October for a unique global online event featuring a group of visionary civic leaders from across the globe, sharing strategies on tackling toxicity, bridging divides and renewing civic culture.
I’m delighted to be co-hosting this event with Diane Kalen-Sukra, author, speaker and former senior local government executive,
It takes place on the morning of Friday October 11 in Australia, which is the afternoon or evening of the 10th October across North America and the UK.
Act now to reserve your free space at Tackling Toxicity, Cultivating Civility – supported by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Head to kalenacademy.com/summit to register and find out more.
Global Roundup:
UK:
The GMB union has accused Brighton & Hove City Council of gender pay discrimination, launching claims that could affect thousands of women and be worth tens of millions of pounds.
BBC News reports that the union is demanding an unreserved apology from the council, alleging that the predominantly female workforce has been paid less than those in equivalent male-dominated jobs.
The council has acknowledged the correspondence and says it will set up a meeting to discuss in due course.
Taylor Swift’s performances in Edinburgh entertained 220,000 fans over three days, marking the biggest stadium shows ever seen in Scotland.
Edinburgh City Council says the sell-out shows contributed an estimated £77m to the local economy and boosted the city’s global reputation.
Despite the inevitable disruption, the council says the event’s success was thanks to the collective efforts of various teams and services.
The city plans to introduce a visitor levy from summer 2026 to further invest in the city’s culture, heritage, and infrastructure.
The Local Government Chief Executives’ Development Framework, a first-of-its-kind development programme for chief executives from councils across the country, has been launched by the UK’s LGA and Solace.
The curriculum, designed to evolve and address pressing issues, is based on seven core themes including the chief executive role, politics, governance, ethics, improvement, resource management, and leadership.
The programme was piloted earlier this year and received positive feedback, indicating a strong demand for a full programme.
The full Chief Executive Development Programme is now open for applications.
USA:
Los Angeles City Council President Paul Krekorian has accused law enforcement agencies from neighboring cities of transporting homeless people into LA.
He told NBC News that his claim was based on a recent incident where a homeless man was dropped off in front of his North Hollywood office.
Mr Krekorian claims that other cities are avoiding addressing their homelessness problem and instead pushing them into Los Angeles.
The issue of homelessness is persistent in California, with an estimated 181,000 homeless people, 28% of all homeless people in the U.S.
Amarillo City Council in Texas has rejected a proposed abortion travel ban, making it the largest conservative city in the state to do so.
The Texas Tribune reported that policy would have prohibited the use of city roads and highways for seeking an abortion out of state.
Mayor Cole Stanley raised doubts that the city had the authority to implement such a policy.
The issue may still go to voters in the fall, as a group of residents who petitioned for the ordinance decide their next steps.
Cities across the United States are preparing for the advent of air taxis, with small, electric aircraft potentially transforming urban travel.
Context reported that while the designs and operation methods vary, and none have yet won full U.S. regulatory approval, the process is underway with some companies aiming to fly as early as next year.
Despite the potential benefits for local economies and connectivity, concerns about noise, environmental impact, safety, and equity persist.
The Federal Aviation Administration plans for services to start by 2028, and cities are working to ensure the sector develops fairly and benefits a broad segment of society.