On the Local Government News Roundup for 2nd December:
- Newly elected mayors waste no time taking the reins
- Concerns about the cultural future of the city of Melbourne
- Another surprise resignation from a NSW Council chief
- A high profile mayor loses a defamation case
- Calls for a Queensland council CEO to be removed
- A mayor’s social media spend questioned
- A SA mayor refusing calls to resign
- A major change to funding arrangements announced for UK councils
Also today, a major new report calls for a rethinking of how we are tackling the housing crisis in Australia.
And more of the latest local government news from around 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 406:
Victorian Roundup:
Victoria’s newly elected mayors have hit the ground the running.
Greater Geelong’s new mayor Stretch Kontelj has prepared a 100 day plan for the city, which he has pitched to the Council’s CEO Ali Wastie, according to the Geelong Advertiser.
Cr Kontelj, who was previously mayor around 20 years ago, says he wants to make Geelong’s CBD great again, and to see an end to the involvement of state appointed monitors at the city.
He also believes the new council is a good blend of old and new, describing the group as smart and articulate.
Greater Dandenong mayor Jim Memeti has attended the launch of Parliamentary Friends of Albania in Canberra, meeting with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and prominent Albanian-Australians at Parliament House.
The City of Greater Dandenong has the fourth-highest population of Albanian-born residents in Australia, with Victoria having the highest Albanian population overall including two mayors – the other being Cr Shane Sali in Greater Shepparton.
The Dandenong Star Journal reported that while in Canberra, Cr Memeti discussed potential funding for major capital projects and roads ahead of federal elections, building on previous success in securing $20 million in federal funding for the Dandenong Wellbeing Centre.
Friends group in high places: Mayor Memeti meets PM | Dandenong Star Journal
Indigo Shire Council’s re-elected mayor Sophie Price has welcomed the findings of a State Government inquiry into local government funding and services, which includes 48 recommendations addressing various aspects of council operations and sustainability.
The inquiry’s recommendations focus on key issues such as rate capping, grants, cost shifting, and financial sustainability, with particular emphasis on increasing Federal Government’s Financial Assistance Grants to 1% of federal revenue.
Mayor Price called on the state government to take the report seriously and implement the recommendations as soon as possible.
Council welcomes enquiry recommendations
The Herald Sun has reported that the City of Melbourne is in negotiations to sell an eight-storey car park known as the Parkade building on Little Collins Street.
Sydney-based pub giant Merivale Group’s Justin Hemmes has reportedly offered up to $60 million for the site, which industry insiders consider is low considering its location.
The building is expected to be redeveloped under Capital City zoning, with the City of Melbourne expressing interest in the inclusion of affordable housing in the development plans.
A restructure at Melbourne City Council, which will see the elimination of the Creative City branch has given rise to concerns for the city’s cultural future.
Questions have also been raised about the timing of the restructure, which was announced during the election period just days before the October election.
In an opinion piece published by CBD News, Esther Anatolitis, an unsuccessful candidate for Deputy Lord Mayor, says the changes threaten Melbourne’s status as Australia’s cultural capital.
Her concerns are shared by the Australian Services Union, which said members may be “shocked or scared” about the proposed changes.
Council jeopardises Melbourne’s cultural capital status
Maribyrnong City Council‘s customer service is returning to the Footscray Town Hall on this week, following a two-year relocation to Footscray Library during the construction of a new civic precinct and community hub.
The upgraded facility includes community meeting rooms, multi-purpose function spaces, infant facilities, a multi-faith room, and a new community park, and a public open day is planned for February 2025.
Customer Service is moving back home
Victorian Briefs:
Ararat Rural City Council has adopted a comprehensive 10-year Environmental Sustainability Strategy (2024-2034) following extensive community consultation and input from an expert Environmental Working Group.
The strategy focuses on three key themes – Climate Change, Natural Landscapes and Biodiversity, and Sustainable Living – with ten specific objectives aimed at creating a more environmentally sustainable future for the municipality.
Ararat Rural City Council Adopts Environmental Sustainability Strategy | Ararat
Horsham Rural City Council has launched Business Bingo, a festive initiative where shoppers can collect stamps from local businesses for a chance to win prizes when they spend $10 or more.
The program runs until December 20, 2024, with winners to be drawn at the Santa Day races on December 22.
Participants need to collect stamps from five different business categories to complete their bingo card.
HRCC launches Business Bingo to boost Horsham shopping
Stonnington City Council has shared the sad news of the passing of former councillor John Patrick McMorrow.
Mr McMorrow served on the council during the 2016 to 2020 term, and was described as serving with kindness and thoughtfulness, leaving a lasting impact on the city.
His funeral will be held this morning in Malvern.
National Roundup:
NSW:
Natalia Cowley, Coffs Harbour City Council‘s first female general manager, has unexpectedly resigned from the position she has held since July 2022.
Ms Cowley recently received the Outstanding Contribution to the Public Sector Award from the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.
Her resignation was reportedly sent to Mayor Nikki Williams early last week and announced after a council meeting on Thursday, and no reason has been given for her departure.
The Daily Telegraph reported that the council’s infrastructure director Andrew Beswick has been appointed as interim GM.
Meanwhile, the United Services Union has filed proceedings against Coffs Harbour City Council in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission over inadequate lifeguard staffing levels, claiming that lifeguards are working up to 30 consecutive days and critical positions remain vacant.
The case will be heard later this week.
Liverpool City Mayor Ned Mannoun has lost a defamation case against former councillor Peter Ristevski over a Facebook post in which he was accused of fraud and called a “crim” and a “grub”.
ABC News reported that the court ruled the post did not meet the “serious harm” threshold required under recent defamation law reforms.
The case stemmed from a long-running dispute between the two men that began around 2015.
Cr Mannoun was ordered to pay Mr Ristevski’s legal costs.
Social media post calling Liverpool mayor a ‘crim’ and ‘grub’ not defamatory, court rules
The Sydney Morning Herald has published a report on parking fine revenue collected by councils across the Sydney metropolitan area last financial year.
It shows the City of Sydney collected over $45 million in parking fines, more than double any other council area, while Sydney councils collectively received almost $226 million in parking violations.
The most common parking offences were failing to pay for parking, parking for longer than indicated and disobeying no stopping signs.
How much your local council makes off parking fines
Broken Hill City Council has voted to withdraw from Local Government NSW (LGNSW) after a contentious debate about mining at the annual state conference, where council members felt there was a lack of understanding about regional mining communities.
Mayor Tom Kennedy argues that the benefits of the council’s $45,000 annual membership are primarily conference attendance and wage negotiations.
A complicating factor is that one of its own councillors, former mayor Darriea Turley, is the current President of LGNSW.
She would have to step down from that role once the withdrawal becomes official, and has expressed concerns about a reduction in support services and lobbying power as a result of the decision.
Mining town walks away from state council body over concerns it keeps ‘targeting regional NSW’
Low-risk traces of asbestos have been discovered in fill material at two parks and Lithgow Council stockpile site, prompting immediate containment measures including barricading and covering the affected areas.
A specialist contractor began removal of the contaminated material on Friday, and both parks will reopen once the work is completed and the areas are deemed safe.
Trace amounts of asbestos found at two parks and Council stockpile – Lithgow City Council
The City of Newcastle has awarded a $38.7 million tender for the largest roadworks project in the city’s history.
Major road upgrades in the western corridor are being partially funded by $7.61 million from the NSW Government’s Accelerated Infrastructure Fund, and aim to reduce congestion and improve traffic flow through notorious bottlenecks.
Construction will begin in next year.
Tender awarded for record roadworks project
Maitland City Council has identified over $30 million in essential repairs needed for the heritage-listed Maitland Gaol, which was closed due to significant electrical and fire safety issues.
Despite having $11.7 million in state and federal grants plus a $1.2 million Council contribution, there remains a $20 million shortfall that Council is urging the NSW Government to cover as the site’s owner.
The Council says using ratepayer funds for the state-owned site would divert resources from essential local services.
The earliest possible reopening would be late 2026, pending development approval and funding.
Council calls on the NSW Government to cover Gaol repair costs | Maitland City Council
QLD:
A Cairns councillor has called out the practice of outsourcing the production of social media videos for Mayor Amy Eden, questioning why they couldn’t be produced in-house.
The Courier Mail reported that the council is refusing to disclose the costs of externally produced content despite having an internal media team.
The criticism from Division Five councillor Rob Pyne comes amid broader concerns about council spending, including a $30,000 team-building event and a $19,000 mayoral induction ceremony, contrasting with Ms Eden’s pre-election calls for greater fiscal responsibility and transparency.
A community petition has been launched calling for the termination of Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council CEO Kate Gallaway, citing concerns over transparency and trust issues.
The petition, started by former council candidate Kawia Sunai, comes after the state government appointed financial and governance advisers in August to oversee council operations for a six month period due to governance concerns.
Council members have not responded to media inquiries about whether they still have confidence in the CEO.
NPA residents call for council to sack CEO over ‘breach of trust’ | Cape York Weekly
A former environmental health officer, is suing five Queensland councils for $1.2 million in damages after developing mesothelioma from alleged asbestos exposure over a 19-year period between 1988 and 2007.
A lawsuit on behalf of Darryl Brooks claims that Banana Shire, Mackay Regional, Somerset Regional, Bundaberg Regional, and South Burnett Regional councils failed in their duty of care by not providing proper protection or warnings while he worked inspecting tips and illegal dumping sites where he was exposed to asbestos materials.
The Courier Mail reported that Mr Brooks was diagnosed with the condition this year, after becoming aware of symptoms late last year.
Townsville City Council has earned international recognition by securing a place on Green Destinations’ Top 100 Stories 2024 for its innovative low-cost environmental sensor program, which collects vital data about weather patterns and environmental conditions.
The sensors, developed in collaboration with research groups and local businesses over the past decade, measure various environmental factors including temperature, humidity, rainfall, and water quality, while also engaging hundreds of school students in STEM education through sensor-building workshops.
Townsville nabs spot on international sustainability list
National Briefs:
MidCoast Council has extended its e-scooter trial in Forster-Tuncurry until June 2025, with over 60,000 trips taken in the first year showing strong uptake particularly during holiday periods.
While the hireable e-scooters have provided popular car-free transport options for tourists and locals, the trial has faced some concerns about incorrectly parked scooters, and personal e-scooters remain illegal on NSW roads and public spaces.
Sunshine Coast Council is preparing to submit an application for reconstructing the Moffat Beach seawall, with a design that aims to preserve the beloved Norfolk pine trees while addressing damage from severe weather events in 2022 and 2024.
The new design features a hybrid approach with a wider, gentler-sloped wall that will partially extend onto the beach and parkland, including improved beach access with wider stairs and a new emergency vehicle ramp.
Moffat Beach seawall design retains Norfolk pine trees | Sunshine Coast Council
The City of Darwin is offering free parking in Zones A and B of the city centre after 3pm on weekdays until February 28, 2025, as part of a three-month initiative to support local businesses during the non-peak season.
Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis said he hoped the initiative encourages residents and visitors to visit the city centre during the holidays.
City of Darwin announces free weekday parking after 3pm in Zone A and Zone B in the city centre
TAS:
The Tasmanian government’s attempt to introduce development assessment panels (DAPs) that would bypass councils for certain planning decisions has been defeated in the state’s upper house, despite having the support of both major parties.
The proposed legislation would have allowed panels appointed by the Tasmanian Planning Commission to assess developments including social housing projects and proposals valued over certain thresholds.
The move was blocked by one Greens and seven independent MPs, echoing the concerns of councils about a lack of community engagement and adequate consultation on the proposal.
ABC News reported that the government plans to reintroduce the bill in the new year.
Plan to bypass council approval for ‘controversial’ developments fails to pass Tasmania’s parliament
SA:
New details are emerging of what has led to calls for Adelaide Hills Mayor Jan-Claire Wisdom to resign her position.
An investigation allegedly found she had bullied staff, misled the community and council, and covertly recorded conversations with elected members.
The council voted to censure her last week, requesting her resignation by Friday and repayment of $45,000 in legal investigation fees, though she has refused to quit and is seeking legal advice, according to the Adelaide Advertiser.
Dr Wisdom claims she wasn’t given proper opportunity to respond and was unable to attend the vote for medical reasons.
She has been relocated to work from a glass office in a Council library away from council staff.
Mid Murray Council in South Australia has made the difficult decision to close the Mannum swimming pool for the summer as part of cost-cutting measures, saving $32,000 annually but forcing residents to travel 30 minutes to alternative facilities.
Mayor Simone Bailey told the Advertiser that it was heartbreaking to have to close the pool, but that the council had to resort to such measures to deal with a crippling lack of financial assistance grants.
She said her Council received only $4m in financial assistance grants despite being assessed as needing $11m.
Southern Mallee District Council has decided to stop dry grading of unsealed roads when there is insufficient moisture to effectively bind road material, with grader operators being reassigned to maintenance tasks during dry conditions.
The Murray Valley Standard also reported that the council will implement a five-year no-grading period for newly-built roads to evaluate new construction methods, and has decided to sell its oldest patrol grader due to the expected reduction in grading work.
Southern Mallee council to stop dry grading of unsealed roads | The Murray Valley Standard
Roundup Extra:
Rob Hall, lead economist at .id, joins Chris to talk about a major new report that looks to shift the discussion on tackling Australia’s housing crisis.
(interview)
Go to home.id.com.au to access the report.
Global Roundup:
UK:
The UK government has announced plans to redirect council funding from wealthy areas to England’s most deprived towns and cities, including a new £600m recovery grant mainly targeting the north and Midlands.
Ministers will consider allowing councils to raise council tax above current thresholds on a case-by-case basis to help address financial struggles, while also introducing an extra £250m for children’s social care.
The Guardian reported that the changes aim to create a fairer funding system weighted around deprivation from 2026-27, with plans to move to three year funding agreements and changes to business rates.
Council funding to be redirected from England’s rich areas to most deprived
The directly elected Mayor of Newham, Rokhsana Fiaz, has filed an employment tribunal claim against her own council, the London Borough of Newham, with a preliminary hearing having taken place in private last week.
The specific details of the claim remain private under tribunal rules, but the council has acknowledged receipt of the claim and stated it will not affect the normal functioning of the council, according to a report from the Local Government Lawyer.
It said the mayor has the right to assert her rights like any other citizen.
Cotswold District Council is under fire from Conservative councillors over the practice of sending recycled cardboard more than 6,600 miles away to Malaysia for processing.
BBC News reported on the concerns about the environmental impact of such long-distance transportation.
While the council maintains its commitment to addressing climate issues, it claims the destination of recycled materials is determined by market forces.
Cotswold council challenged over recycling being sent to Malaysia
USA:
A county in Washington state has completed a one-year evaluation of a 32-hour workweek initiative, showing positive results in fiscal health with budget savings, and improved employee recruitment with an 85.5% increase in job applications.
The report from San Juan County highlights significant benefits including a 48% decrease in voluntary separations, 23% reduction in sick time usage, and improved employee well-being,.
The county does acknowledge that areas for improvement that will be monitored, with plans for a comprehensive two-year report that will incorporate findings across multiple budget cycles and seasonal workflows.
SJC publishes one-year report for the 32-hour workweek | The Journal of the San Juan Islands
CANADA:
Newly elected councillors in Dawson City, in Canada’s Yukon territory who refused to take an oath of allegiance to King Charles III, have been thrown a lifeline.
The territory has moved to change the rules, allowing them to pledge to the constitution instead, according to BBC News.
The protest was initiated by indigenous council member Darwyn Lynn, who expressed concerns about the Crown’s historical relationship with indigenous peoples in Canada.
The alternative oath option has now been implemented in Yukon and Quebec, but it remains mandatory for national parliament members and most provincial legislators to pledge allegiance to the British monarchy.
Canada town offered alternative after refusal to take King’s oath
In Ontario, an integrity commissioner has determined that Kingston Councillor Jeff McLaren violated the Municipal Act by sharing confidential information from a closed meeting with the public, despite receiving advice not to do so.
The Kingston Whig Standard has reported that the commissioner’s report, which has been heavily redacted, recommends McLaren receive a formal reprimand and a 30-day suspension of his council remuneration.
Cllr McLaren argued that some of the information was already public and has accused the commissioner of unprofessionalism.
The council will consider the integrity commissioner’s report at a meeting this week.
McLaren violated code of conduct, Kingston integrity commissioner says
TURKEY:
The Turkish government has dismissed another Kurdish mayor, Ayvaz Hazir, on terror-related charges, making him the eighth mayor to be ousted since March 2024, all of Kurdish origin and from either the pro-Kurdish DEM Party or the main opposition party CHP.
The removals have drawn criticism from international human rights monitors, including Human Rights Watch and the Council of Europe, who argue that these actions undermine democratic processes and violate the right to free and fair elections.