In the Friday 16th August edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- The monumental stuff-up in NSW that has led to the forced retirement of more than 40 current councillors
- A councillor resigns, heading off an arbiter-ordered suspension
- Yarra Ranges responds to a “high five” school crossing commotion
- A new renewable energy plan proposed as election campaigning picks up pace
- A NSW councillor censured and referred for further action for alleged misconduct
- The Albury Wodonga hospital on a council’s agenda again
- A council meeting suspended as a protest leads to safety concerns,
- Pressure on Townsville Council to decide on contentious City Deal funding, and
- The councillors who want to ban kebab shops from their city centre
Plus more of the latest news from around the world of local government 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 376:
Victorian Roundup:
Merri-bek Councillor James Conlan has resigned, effective immediately, before the tabling of an arbiter’s decision that would have seen him suspended from his councillor duties for one month.
Mr Conlan was accused of misconduct by fellow councillor Helen Davidson for his use of the word “shamefully” to describe a group of councillors including Cr Davidson who left the council chamber before a vote on a motion in support of Palestine.
Arbiter Joanne Mazzeo reached a finding of misconduct over the post, which she said was below the required standard of conduct and misleading.
The arbiter’s decision was due to be tabled at a council meeting on Wednesday night.
Mr Conlan told The Age that he resigned, rather than legitimise the arbitration process which he described as “secretive, repressive and undemocratic”.
it’s understood the now former councillor was not intending to nominate for re-election in October.
Yarra Ranges Council has addressed community concerns following media reports about a school crossing supervisor giving high-fives to children.
Mayor Sophie Todorov said school crossing supervisors play a pivotal safety role and their work is highly valued.
However, there are concerns about the practice of high fives, which is discouraged by School Crossings Australia and School Crossings Victoria.
She has gently reminded parents that having arms out of moving vehicles is a traffic offence.
The issue was brought to light by a complaint from a parent about a crossing supervisor in Mount Dandenong giving high fives to children as they were driven past.
The Council’s policies and Victorian standards categorise unnecessary physical contact with children or young people as unacceptable behaviour.
Glen Eira City Council has endorsed a proposal for Bayside City Council to deliver in-home and social support services for Glen Eira residents starting in November.
The decision follows extensive community consultation, and the council says it will ensure the continuation of high-quality, council-led care.
Bayside City Council, with over 50 years of experience in aged care services, will support Glen Eira clients, including through Home Care Packages and the future Support at Home Program.
The arrangement does not affect Glen Eira’s Warrawee Residential Aged Care services or other senior services.
The Age has reported on Warrnambool City Council’s innovative response to the housing crisis by using 12 hectares of its land to build 50 homes for key workers and those struggling to find affordable rentals.
The land will be leased for 25 years to provide a mix of affordable housing and units for key workers.
The council is seeking state government approval to fast-track the planning process, with construction by Geelong-based FormFlow and management by Haven Home Safe.
The project is expected to cost between $15 and $18M.
And from the Herald Sun this morning, details of a renewable energy plan proposal from Melbourne Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece.
He and his running mate Roshena Campbell say that if elected in October they will introduce a scheme based on a similar one operating in Sydney that would use collective buying power to secure the lowest possible rates for renewable energy.
It’s reported that the scheme could help more than a million people save as much as 40% on their power bills, if the neighbouring M9 councils participate in the scheme.
Campaspe Shire Council’s Animal Shelter will transition to a pound to improve animal welfare and financial efficiency.
Stray animals will be handed over to rescue or animal welfare groups after 8 days instead of being held for extended periods awaiting adoption.
Mayor Rob Amos said the change follows a service review which showed the council’s cost of service per animal was double that of similar councils.
The transition to the new model will take place over the next 12 months.
Yarra City Council has welcomed the Victorian Government’s approval of an increase in the public open space contribution rate from 4.5% to 8.65%.
Mayor Edward Crossland said with the increased public open space contribution rate, the council can ensure that new spaces are created and existing ones are maintained, for the benefit of current and future residents.
He said the decision follows years of sustained advocacy on the issue.
The City of Kingston has launched a campaign to reduce litter on its beaches by relocating bins to accessible points along the foreshore.
As part of the “Bin it, or swim in it” campaign, bin collections will be increased during summer to prevent overflowing bins, and improve beach cleanliness and safety.
The initiative includes 216 new bins with QR code reporting and sensors to optimise collection.
Mayor Jenna Davey-Burns has urged everyone to take personal responsibility for maintaining the coastline’s beauty and safety.
Warrnambool City Council and nine other major regional cities in Victoria have recommitted to the advocacy group Regional Cities Victoria (RCV).
The alliance aims to address housing shortages, attract new industries, and ensure adequate services and infrastructure amid rapid population growth.
Representing over 800,000 residents and contributing 10% to Victoria’s economy, the group has signed a Memorandum of Understanding to continue their collective advocacy.
Victorian Briefs:
Melbourne City Council’s decision to cancel contracts with e-scooter hire companies Lime and Neuron has been described by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan as “interesting”.
Premier Allan told 9News that she hopes the council reconsiders its decision, and urged e-scooter users to use the devices appropriately.
Ararat Rural City Council has become the first small rural council in Victoria to sign the Child Friendly Cities and Communities (CFCC) Charter, which promotes the rights and well-being of children.
The Council already aligns with the Charter’s principles through various community projects and strategic plans.
The Women Leading Locally program, funded by the Victorian Government and delivered by the Institute of Community Directors Australia (ICDA) and Women for Election, has graduated over 120 women from diverse backgrounds to run in the 2024 Victorian local government elections.
The program aimed to address gender imbalances in 32 local government areas by equipping women with the necessary skills and confidence.
National Roundup:
NSW:
The NSW Liberals are in turmoil after failing to nominate nearly 140 candidates in as many as 18 council areas ahead of the September 14 elections.
The full extent of the issue became clear after final nominations were confirmed yesterday afternoon.
More than 40 sitting councillors will lose their positions as a result of the blunder, according to the Daily Telegraph.
NSW Liberal Party leader Mark Speakman yesterday called for the resignation of state director Richard Shields, who has apologised for the failure to lodge nominations, saying the error was a result of limited resources.
Mr Speakman said it was the worst act of mismanagement in the party’s history.
Some party members have also called for the resignation of state President Don Harwin, who is understood to have called a meeting of the state executive for last night.
He said decisive action would be taken as a result of the blunder, described by some members as “unmitigated disaster.
But as ABC News reported, Mr Shields called a press conference late yesterday at which he said calls for his resignation were premature, appearing to blame Mr Harwin for the stuff-up as he had volunteered to run the local government process.
Calculations by election analyst Ben Raue show no Liberal candidates in Campbelltown, Blue Mountains, Cessnock, Lane Cove, Maitland, Northern Beaches, Shoalhaven and Wollongong.
And Liberal nominations missing from Camden, Canterbury-Bankstown, Central Coast, Georges River, Hornsby, Newcastle, North Sydney, Penrith, and Queanbeyan Palerang.
Mr Raue said the mistake would have a significant effect on the upcoming elections in those areas, leaving very few options for conservative voters.
Penrith Deputy Mayor Mark Davies is one of those sitting councillors to have his local government career cut short unexpectedly because of the mistake.
The Western Weekender reported that it effectively means Labor and independents will hold the balance of power when the new Council is formed.
In one ward, the Labor ticket is the only group on the ballot paper.
Lane Cove Mayor Scott Bennison, who was removed from the Liberal ticket in favour of a 22 year old candidate, sensationally quit the party on live radio yesterday.
The Daily Mail reported that he said it was the last straw, and he was fed up with the party. He is reportedly running as an independent and says he is now officially an independent mayor.
Nearly 300 Liberal candidates were nominated on time in other council areas including Parramatta, Strathfield, Blacktown, Inner West and Bayside.
A pro-Palestine protest disrupted an Inner West council meeting in Sydney, leading to police intervention after a motion to boycott Israel was rejected.
Approximately 100 protesters rallied, causing the meeting to be abandoned and forcing Labor councillors to remain in chambers until police arrived.
Greens Councillor Dylan Griffiths, who tabled the motion, criticised the Labor councillors for voting against the motion.
The Daily Telegraph reported that protestors threw chants and accusations towards councillors, behaviour that Mayor Darcy Byrne condemned as extreme, unsafe, and undemocratic.
NSW Police confirmed no arrests were made and the group had left prior to officers arriving.
A rural NSW councillor has been formally censured over a Code of Conduct breach relating to the lodgement of councillor expense claim forms.
An independent investigator found that Cr Michelle Cook of Weddin Shire Council had made demands for payment of legal fees without obtaining a Council resolution authorising the expenditure.
The investigator also found that some of the amounts quoted purported to be for legal costs relating to a Code of Conduct complaint were incurred apparently for other matters.
Cr Cook’s actions were described by the investigator as overbearing, threatening, misleading and deceptive.
The matter has been referred to the Office of Local Government for further action under the misconduct provisions of the Local Government Act.
Cr Cook has nominated to contest re-election to the council next month.
The Albury Wodonga Regional Hospital Project has fired up local councillors again this week.
On Monday night, Albury Council passed a motion calling on the NSW and Victorian Governments to urgently release information about a planned $558M investment will deliver, and commitments for a fully funded single site hospital.
The motion, proposed by Cr Jess Kellahan, was carried but was not unanimous.
The Border Mail reported that Cr Darren Callahan was the one dissenting vote, criticising the motion as “grandstanding” and accusing some councillors of using the hospital as an election issue to help them get elected.
National Briefs:
The NSW Office of Local Government has launched a post-election guide for councils and joint organisations.
The document provides guidance on key tasks that need to be completed at the first two council meetings and in the first 12 months after elections.
Brian Eime has been elected unopposed to fill a vacancy on SA’s Wakefield Regional Council.
The former Citizen of the Year winner replaces former deputy mayor Denni Agnew, who resigned from the council in April.
Tamworth councillors have voted to borrow $30M needed for a multi-million aquatic centre project in the city.
NBN News reported that the decision was unanimous, but has attracted criticism from a local ratepayers association which says residents will be hit in the hip pocket by the decision.
Alice Springs Town Council has restructured its meeting arrangements to align with nationwide best practices, guided by the Department of Local Government.
The new structure prioritises critical discussion items and allows residents to address questions at the beginning of meetings.
The new format starts on 27th August 2024.
Fifty local government leaders have participated in an online roundtable with Federal Minister Kristy McBain to discuss the impact of Rex Airlines’ collapse on regional communities.
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) organised the roundtable with the Federal Government to voice concerns about the loss of regional aviation services, and the need for government action to maintain regional connectivity.
ALGA President Linda Scott said around 200 councils run and operate airports and aerodromes around the country, and they need support to facilitate and continue regular flights into regional and rural communities.
QLD:
Federal MPs and local officials are urging the Townsville City Council to make a decision on a $98 million concert hall project, as part of a City Deal arrangement agreed in 2016.
There are calls for the public release of a $2 million business case for the project, and concerns about the potential diversion of funding to the Reef HQ aquarium, a $100M project that was overlooked in the federal budget this year.
The Townsville Bulletin has reported that a special meeting of the council is set for today to discuss the City Deal funding.
SA:
The District Council of Robe has announced a working party to explore options for the future of the historic Robe Obelisk.
The Obelisk has been at the centre of much contention in the community in recent months, after the council initially decided not to intervene as the landmark comes under threat from coastal erosion.
A strong community campaign led to a change of heart, and the formation of a group of technical experts and community representatives to help explore options for the preservation, enhancement or memorialisation of the obelisk.
The group will operate in an advisory capacity, with formal decisions on the obelisk’s future to be made by the council.
WA: Fremantle City Council has appeared at a federal parliamentary inquiry hearing in Perth about the challenges and opportunities in the Australian live music industry.
It was the only local government to appear at the hearing.
The City’s director of creative arts and community Pete Stone said the issue was important for Fremantle as a cultural hub with a unique and genuinely authentic live music scene.
The council has called on the government to invest and partner in initiatives to support a healthy and sustainable grass roots live music economy.
Global Roundup:
UK:
Parents in Glasgow have initiated legal action against Glasgow City Council‘s plan to cut 450 teaching positions over the next three years.
They argue that it will negatively impact children’s education, particularly for primary pupils and those with additional support needs, and that the council did not conduct a full equalities impact assessment, violating legal obligations.
BBC News reported on demonstrations over the issue, and rising concerns about increased teacher workloads and potential strikes.
Nearly 100% of voters in a parish poll have voted to dissolve their local town council, which has been embroiled in allegations of bullying.
The poll in Newby and Scalby, North Yorkshire, saw 96% percent of voters in favour of dissolution.
However, only 7% of residents turned out for the election, and the result is not binding.
The council is taking the allegations seriously, according to the LocalGov website, and has obtained an independent report into the matter.
A cyber attack on housing websites across Greater Manchester has left thousands vulnerable to a phishing scam.
The attack is affecting Manchester, Salford, and Bolton councils.
Software company Locata, was the target. It has apologised and is investigating, according to BBC News.
The attack has led to phishing emails asking users for personal data, and residents are being advised to follow cybersecurity guidance, monitor bank accounts, and report any fraud.
USA:
Mystery surrounds the sudden resignation of a council member in Jackson, Mississippi.
A brief press conference was called this week to announce the resignation of Councilwoman Angelique Lee for undisclosed reasons, according to a report from WLBT.
Ms Lee was elected in a special election in 2020 and reelected in 2021.
She has faced media scrutiny during her tenure, including an investigation into her residency, a DUI arrest, and wage garnishment for unpaid campaign expenses.
The Council President said the process to fill the vacancy will begin immediately.
CANADA:
Canada’s Whitehorse City Council has passed a civility policy.
The new policy allows sanctions for participants wearing offensive clothing at meetings, and prohibits signs and disruptive behaviour.
The policy was contentious, and was adopted by a 4-2 vote of the council.
It was amended to exclude clothing advocating causes beyond council’s roles.
Opponents to the move say they are concerned about limits on free speech and potential barriers to participation in local democracy, according to CBC News.
NZ:
The mayor of New Zealand’s Southland Council, Rob Scott has proposed amalgamating the region’s four councils into two unitary authorities to reduce costs, improve efficiency, and simplify governance.
He claims a merger could save $10 million annually for the 100,000 population currently covered by Southland, Invercargill, and Gore councils and the regional council, Environment Southland.
The idea has received mixed and cautious reactions from the other councils, according to Radio New Zealand.
Gore Mayor Ben Bell said it was factually incorrect and misleading, and was selling struggling ratepayers “hugs and rainbows”.
Environment Southland Chair Nicol Horrell said it was a timely conversation, while Invercargill mayor Nobby Clark said it would not be appropriate to make a comment until the other councils had considered the proposal.
GERMANY:
And in Germany, members of the Heilbronn City Council are pushing for a limit on the number of kebab shops in the city centre.
The Christian Democratic Union members say the shops have a “negative magnet effect” that leads to an overconcentration of similar businesses.
But as The Mayor website reports, their political rivals say that such a regulation would be an unjustified market interference and legally problematic.
They’re concerned that it could affect other food establishments like currywurst and pizza stands.