On the Local Government News Roundup for 9th December 2024:
- Concerns over a leaked recording of a Council’s confidential discussions
- A local mayor condemns last week’s attack on a Jewish synagogue
- Warrnambool City Council addresses social media controversy about its beloved Maremma dogs
- A councillor call for a wide ranging review of Newcastle City Council
- Futuristic new e-scooters arrive in Townsville
- A council’s planning officers arrested in the UK
and more local government news from across 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 409:
Victorian Roundup:
Concerns have been raised about an unauthorised recording of a confidential Hume City Council briefing that was allegedly leaked on social media during the recent council election campaign.
Cr Carly Moore raised a notice of motion for this week’s council meeting, seeking a council resolution to raise the matter with the Local Government Minister and integrity agencies, and to refer it to Victoria Police for investigation.
Cr Moore described the incident as “potential illegal surveillance”, and is seeking direction on how councillors and officers can be protected from such breaches in future.
Hume City Council Agenda, 9/12/24 p.143
The Mayor of Glen Eira has strongly condemned an antisemitic attack on the Adass Israel Synagogue in Ripponlea last week.
Cr Simone Zmood said such acts of hatred have no place in the diverse community of Glen Eira, which is the cultural home of Australia’s Jewish population.
In 2022, the council became the first in the state to adopt the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance definition of antisemitism.
Statement from the Mayor condemning antisemitic attack on Adass Israel Synagogue
The Dandenong Star Journal has described a “setback” for Greater Dandenong City Council in its appeal against a Supreme Court decision to deny its request to throw out a lawsuit from I Cook Foods.
The court has now refused the council’s bid to access ICF’s privileged legal documents and has ordered the council to pay legal costs.
The case centres around allegations of malicious prosecution and public misfeasance regarding the 2019 shutdown of ICF’s commercial catering facility, including claims of altered body-cam footage and a planted slug.
Council setback in ‘slug-gate’ battle | Dandenong Star Journal
Claims that structural changes at the City of Melbourne would be detrimental to the cultural future of the city have been strongly rebutted by the Council’s CEO Alison Leighton.
CBD News has published Ms Leighton’s response to an earlier opinion piece, in which she says the council’s vision will better embrace the fact that the arts do not exist in a silo.
A new Place Activation team will sit in the Creative Melbourne branch, where arts teams remain largely unchanged, and enable the activation of different areas of the city flexibly.
Furthermore, the council’s Future Melbourne Committee has resolved to establish a Creative and Arts portfolio, with two councillors dedicated to driving investment and support for the arts.
Ms Leighton said this year’s budget includes $13.4M for the creative sector, and funding support for 35 new arts projects.
By supporting the arts, we’re supporting Melbourne as a whole
Warrnambool City Council has addressed recent social media controversy regarding one of its elderly Maremma dogs, after photos posted on Facebook sparked unfounded accusations of neglect.
Amor, who is nine years old and has a medical condition affecting his rear legs, receives dedicated care from veterinarians and staff at Flagstaff Hill, where he lives in a spacious grassy area with other Maremma dogs.
The dogs are part of the Middle Island program and CEO Andrew Mason said they enjoy enriched lives, spending significant time in a 1500 sqm space near Deakin University complete with specially built shelters and even chickens to help maintain their guardian instincts.
Mr Mason said the team directly involved with the program is deeply invested in the dogs, and their welfare is a top priority.
He said the recent social media activity had been very upsetting for the staff and volunteers who make a huge effort to look after the dogs.
National Roundup:
NSW:
A proposal for a review of processes, procedures and performance at Newcastle City Council doesn’t go far enough, according to the city’s Lord Mayor.
Cr Ross Kerridge told the Newcastle Herald that a motion submitted for this week’s council meeting by deputy mayor Callum Pull is too limited in scope, particularly regarding the investigation of a controversial letter-writing campaign.
Cr Kerridge plans to move for an independent confidential community reporting mechanism, and a panel with authority to engage external investigators. Newcastle Herald, 7/12/24
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Schulz has called on the public for assistance with information concerning a suspected arson attack on Lake Macquarie City Council‘s Administrative Centre in Speers Point.
The fire has caused millions of dollars in damage, and NSW Police are investigating CCTV footage of two people seen outside the building before the incident on November 27.
The council has asked anyone with dashcam footage from the early morning hours of the incident to come forward.
Lake Mac mayor appeals for public assistance following council fire
Murrumbidgee Council is planning to sell over 20 properties due to unpaid rates and charges, with approximately $597,000 in outstanding payments across the local government area for 2023/24.
The Area News reported that the council’s annual report shows positive growth with increased revenue and population, though challenges remain in housing, communications, and childcare services.
The Local Government NSW Excellence in the Environment Awards 2024 have been announced, celebrating outstanding environmental achievements across 32 winners in categories ranging from asbestos management to climate change action.
Lane Cove Council received the Local Sustainability Award with a $10,000 prize, while Helen Burnie from Blacktown City Council won the Louise Petchell Memorial Award for Individual Sustainability for her innovative climate change initiatives.
The awards, hosted in Sydney and emceed by author, landscape architect, environmental educator and television presenter Costa Georgiadis.
Councils recognised for exceptional environmental achievements
Tamworth Regional Council has launched a campaign to address increasing instances of abuse towards Council staff.
General Manager Paul Bennett said council staff deserve respect and a safe working environment, like all workers in the region.
The campaign includes social media guidelines and reminds the community that Council staff are local residents who contribute to making the region a better place.
Council calls time on abusive behaviour | Tamworth Regional Council
QLD:
Townsville City Council has secured an Australian-first partnership with ARIO, which is providing futuristic, three-wheeled electric scooters for the city and Magnetic Island.
A trial of the new e-scooters commences this week, with ARIO becoming the second provider for the city.
The company says its cutting-edge technology prioritises safety, convenience and sustainability.
Ipswich City Council has decided to acquire 32 hectares of land in South Ripley for environmental conservation, specifically targeting the protection of koala habitats and other native species.
The land is strategically located between two major conservation estates, creating an important ecological corridor for wildlife. Under its Enviroplan program, the council has already secured over 7,000 hectares of land for environmental protection and management.
Ipswich koala population boost as council eyes land for environment – Ipswich First
A report to be considered by Cairns Regional Council this week will reportedly recommend against fluoridating the city’s water supply, despite strong support from medical professionals and health organisations.
The Cairns Post said the leaked report has been slammed by a local GP, who says the council has turned the issue into a political football.
The matter has been contentious since the council dismantled fluoridation equipment more than ten years ago.
TAS:
Launceston City Council is considering a proposal to restrict breeding of Japanese macaques in City Park due to concerns about genetic diversity and inbreeding.
The macaques, which have been part of the park since 1981 as a gift from sister city Ikeda, carry the herpes B virus, and cannot receive new genetic stock due to import restrictions.
If breeding restrictions are implemented, this would lead to the end of the macaque population in City Park within approximately twenty years.
Council to consider future of macaque breeding
WA:
A Town of Cambridge plan to renovate the parasite-affected Wembley Sports Park oval has hit a major setback, with costs ballooning from $660,000 to over $1 million in just 12 months, according to a PerthNow report.
The council is now considering cheaper alternatives to address the drainage and turf issues before the football season starts in April, including using liquid fertilisers and sand infill rather than the originally planned complete re-turfing.
Project to fix Perth’s ‘worst oval’ blows budget by $430k
Fremantle City Council has endorsed a draft local planning policy requiring residents to submit development applications before removing or damaging mature trees (8m or higher) on private property.
PerthNow reported that the move is in response to Perth having the lowest urban canopy coverage (16%) among Australian capital cities.
The policy aims to protect and retain mature canopy trees during development works.
REVEALED: The Perth suburb set for huge rule change
Global Roundup:
UK:
Edinburgh Council leader Cammy Day has been suspended by the Labour Party and faces calls to resign after allegations emerged that he sent sexually explicit messages to Ukrainian refugees.
The Herald Scotland reported that police are investigating allegations of “inappropriate behaviour” against Mr Day.
Multiple political group leaders have taken to social media calling for his immediate resignation.
Labour suspends Edinburgh council leader over alleged inappropriate behaviour
**Newcastle City Council’**s first female leader Karen Kilgour has survived a no-confidence vote, with councillors voting 37-30 to keep her in power according to a BBC News report.
The vote came after recent turmoil in which her predecessor and five other councillors left the Labour Party to become independents, leaving the council in ‘no overall control’ with Labour holding 39 of 78 seats.
Newcastle City Council leader survives no confidence vote
Four Leeds City Council planning staff members and five others have been arrested as part of a police investigation into suspected bribery offences.
All nine individuals have been released on bail while West Yorkshire Police’s Economic Crime Unit continues its complex investigation into reported corruption offences.
BBC News reported that the staff members have been suspended from their roles while the investigation continues.
Leeds City Council planning staff arrested in corruption investigation
Matt Prosser, the Chief Executive of Dorset Council, has announced his resignation to take up a new role as CEO of Wellington City Council in New Zealand after serving a decade in Dorset.
Mr Prosser has been selected by Wellington from an international field for his three decades of local government experience and proven leadership capabilities.
The start date for his new role is to be confirmed.
NZ:
Masterton councillor Brent Goodwin is facing calls to resign after sending an email where he admitted wanting to use offensive language towards the chief executive Kym Fell and several others.
It followed a heated council meeting about water reform decisions, with multiple councillors variously describing the behaviour as “disgusting and intolerable” and “totally unacceptable.”
According to The Post, Cr Goodwin says he will not be standing down.
NZ Transport Minister Simeon Brown has announced that control of transport planning and policy decisions for the Auckland region will be returned to Auckland Council.
Auckland Transport will become a service delivery agency.
The reforms will give elected officials direct control over transport decisions, an election promise made by Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown.
A new Regional Transport Committee will develop a 30-year integrated plan in partnership with central government.
Auckland Council takes the wheel for city’s transport future – Inside Government NZ
USA:
New York City Council has approved Mayor Adams’ City of Yes affordable housing plan with a 31-20 vote, which will invest $5 billion to create over 82,000 new homes in the next 15 years.
ABC 7 New York reported that the plan includes major zoning changes such as eliminating parking requirements, allowing apartments on single-family lots, and incentivising affordable housing development with increased density allowances.
New York City Council votes to pass City of Yes affordable housing plan
A peer learning network has been launched in the US to help cities implement climate-resilient infrastructure solutions like reflective pavements, porous surfaces, and green roofs.
The Smart Surfaces Coalition builds upon existing partnerships with major cities and aims to provide resources, funding opportunities, and knowledge sharing for city officials starting in 2025.