Today on the Roundup,
A mayor reacts to disgraceful scenes at a local community protest;
Yarra City Council votes to extend a trial of 30kph speed limits;
A council resigns its role as a waterway manager over cost-shifting concerns;
A four-day working week trial commences at Mitchell Shire;
A new councillor elected, a by-election underway, and lots of mayoral election news;
The sector welcomes major changes to the NSW rate peg methodology;
Big cost savings claimed from a four day work week trial in England;
Plus the new ‘buy recycled campaign’ aiming to change purchasing behaviours in local government.
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Victorian Roundup:
The mayor of Glen Eira has responded to community protests about the Israel-Hamas war that took place in Caulfield South in recent days.
Jim Magee described the scenes as disgraceful, and not reflective of the Glen Eira community and its values.
He said the council is working with community groups and police to ensure a safe and inclusive community, where residents can respectfully share their views and exercise their right to protest.
Cr Magee said no one should ever feel unsafe at their place of worship, and the council will always work to stamp out racism and antisemitism.
He said the council stands united with the community in condemning the attacks in the Middle East and mourning the loss of life.
Yarra City Council has voted to expand a trial of 30 kph speed limits across most of Fitzroy and Collingwood in a bid to improve safety.
ABC News reports that the council last night agreed to a two-year trial of the reduced speed limits, which it hopes to start in February if it gets state government approval and external funding support.
A council-commissioned study found that 80 per cent of crashes on the roads around Fitzroy and Collingwood involved pedestrians, cyclists or motorcyclists.
The existing trial on some streets is said to have contributed to a 70 per cent reduction in serious crashes in the area, although it was noted that COVID-19 lockdowns may have also played a part.
There’s still no word on who the second municipal monitor will be at Glenelg Shire Council.
Jim Gifford was announced as the first monitor last week and was due to start work in the role from Monday.
At Strathbogie Shire, the release of a monitor’s report is still pending, and we await a decision from the local government minister who is reported to be considering suspending the council.
It has been confirmed this week by the Euroa Gazette that councillor-elect Shirley Saywell has chosen not to take up the position that she gained through a countback in August as the only remaining eligible candidate.
Two positions on the council currently remain vacant and there’s been no announcement about countback or by-election arrangements to date.
In more Strathbogie Shire news, the council has formally resigned from its role as Waterway Manager for the Goulburn River.
Mayor Laura Binks said the decision was challenging, but ultimately the inability to secure funding from the Victorian Government meant the financial burden on Council and its ratepayers was unsustainable.
Mayor Binks said the council was challenged by increasing costs, rate capping, and limited revenue opportunities faced by small rural shires.
The waterway management responsibility was costing the council up to $200K per annum.
A trial of a four-day working week at Mitchell Shire Council has commenced, according to a report from the North Central Review.
The limited trial is being undertaken with operations and parks staff, who will work a 38-hour week across four, 9 1/2 hour days.
CEO Brett Luxford said the trial was about a more flexible outdoor working environment, and to provide outdoor staff with access to the work arrangements that indoor staff members have.
The trial is said to have the support of the staff and union.
Four-day working weeks are topical at the moment, and I’ll have details on a review of a controversial trial that has been under way in England, later in this episode.
From next month, there will be no requirement for a planning permit for small second homes (also known as granny flats) on properties 300 square metres or larger, where there are no flooding or environmental overlays.
The state government says the move is designed to make it easier for families to build a small second home on their property, which can be used for a variety of purposes, such as keeping family members closer, providing temporary housing, or being rented out for additional income.
Small second homes will still require a building permit, will need to meet ResCode setback and siting requirements, and cannot be subdivided or sold off separately from the main home.
Christine Walker has been elected as a councillor for South Ward on Macedon Ranges Shire Council, after the Victorian Electoral Commission conducted a countback of votes from the October 2020 general election.
The countback included unsuccessful candidates who were still eligible for election.
The vacancy occurred after the resignation of Councillor Anne Moore in October for health and family reasons.
A busy week for mayoral elections kicked off on Monday night, with five councils conducting their annual meetings
At the City of Ballarat, Des Hudson has been re-elected for a second consecutive term as mayor, with first term councillor Peter Eddy chosen as deputy mayor.
At Banyule – experienced councillor Tom Melican has taken on the mayoralty for the fourth time in his 20 years on council. The new deputy mayor of Banyule is Rick Garotti.
There’s a new mayor at Cardinia Shire, where Jack Kowarzik has been elected to the role. He served as deputy mayor last year under mayor Tammy Radford, and this year Graeme Moore will take on the deputy role.
At Latrobe City, a new leadership team with councillors electing Darren Howe to the mayoralty, and Tracie Lund as deputy.
A change also at Mitchell Shire, where Louise Bannister takes the mayoral baton from Fiona Stevens, with Nathan Clark stepping into the deputy mayor post.
Last night, it was Super Tuesday with no less than 10 councils conducting elections.
Ararat Rural City Council elected Bob Sanders mayor after Jo Armstrong held the role for four years. Cr Armstrong takes on deputy mayor for the last year of the term.
Brian Hood has been returned as mayor of Hepburn Shire while Juliet Simpson is the new deputy mayor.
There’s another all-female team taking on the leadership roles at Knox – Jude Dwight steps up from deputy to mayor taking over from Marcia Timmers-Leitch, while Sorina Grasso steps into the deputy mayor position.
Loddon Shire has Gavan Holt elected as the new mayor, with Wendy Murphy also nominated for the position. Cr Holt succeeds Dan Straub after two years in the role. Loddon chooses not to have a deputy mayor.
Nicky Luo has been elected mayor of Monash City Council, with former mayor Brian Little elected deputy mayor.
No change at Surf Coast Shire where Liz Pattison and Mike Bodsworth have been re-elected as mayor and deputy respectively. It’s a second consecutive term as mayor for Cr Pattison.
VLGA President Denise Massoud has been elected the mayor of Whitehorse. Cr Massoud returns to the mayoralty in her third term on the council, and will be supported by Andrew Davenport as deputy mayor.
And a changing of the guard at Yarra Ranges, where Jim Child has stepped down after two years as mayor, with Sophie Todorov stepping up from deputy to mayor. David Eastham is the newly elected deputy mayor.
Congratulations all of the newly elected mayors and deputy mayors around the state.
I believe there are still a couple of results to come through from last night, and another eight elections to take place tonight.
Head to lgnewsroundup.com to keep up date with results as they come to hand.
Victorian Briefs:
South Gippsland Shire mayor Nathan Hersey will not be contesting the next federal election as the Liberal candidate for Monash.
He and incumbent Russell Broadbent have lost a preselection contest to Fujitsu executive Mary Aldred.
The Age reported that Ms Aldred scored a convincing win, polling 161 votes from a possible 193.
South Gippsland Shire is celebrating being named the winner of a state award for planning excellence for its coastal strategy.
CEO Kerryn Ellis said she was thrilled to win the award from the Planning Institute of Australia, and proud of the work that has gone into developing the strategy, which identifies and plans the actions needed to ensure the shire’s coastal communities are resilient into the future.
The VEC has advised that ballot packs are on the way now to voters in Croydon North and the surrounding area for the Maroondah City Council by-election.
People are advised to check the mail for their ballot packs, which must be in the mail or delivered by hand by Friday 1st December at 6pm.
National Roundup:
NSW:
Changes to the rate peg methodology in NSW have been welcomed by the state’s peak local government body.
LGNSW said the changes should help ease pressures that are currently pushing councils to the financial wall.
President Cr Darriea Turley AM congratulated IPART for listening to the sector’s concerns, and delivering a simpler rate peg methodology.
Changes include indicators that are forward looking, rather than retrospective; recognition of different kinds of councils, from large metros to small rurals; and recognition of employee and asset costs.
The new methodology also recognises the impact of the discontinuation of the state’s emergency services levy.
New South Wales Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has expressed his concern over the “fire sale” of assets at Kiama council, which is currently under an improvement order.
The council is planning to sell its large aged-care asset Blue Haven and several other parcels of land to help it out of a tough financial position.
According to a report from ABC News, Mr. Hoenig is monitoring the situation in Kiama closely and wants to ensure that the council is getting a fair return for the assets they are selling.
Blue Haven is one of the largest publicly owned aged-care providers in New South Wales, employing half the Kiama council’s workforce and providing services to about 2,000 families in the Illawarra.
Greens MLC Amanda Cohn has questioned the minister on whether he has the authority to intervene in the sale and whether the council should have explored other options.
Mr. Hoenig has said that he is currently having the Office of Local Government examine the situation.
Kiama Council has moved ahead with the divestment process in recent days, putting out a select tender to shortlisted tenderers that have expressed interest in buying Blue Haven Bonaira.
In good news for the NSW Central West, a commitment of $50M in flood recovery funding from the state government has been matched by the federal government.
According to a report from the Midstate Observer (13th November 2023), the money is expected to support the rebuilding and retrofitting of housing, as well as transport and infrastructure, and community assets.
Cabonne Shire Mayor Kevin Beatty said the confirmation of funding was a huge relief, just as the community marks 12 months since the devastating deluge.
QLD:
Hinchinbrook Shire Council in Queensland has warned its community of potential disruptions to key services, with enterprise bargaining over staff pay increases having again reached a stalemate.
Mayor Ramon Jayo said the council is doing its best to operate business as usual, but warned about inconvenience to residents and called for patience with delays to the delivery of some services.
He said the Council’s offer of a 13% pay rise over three years had been rejected by the unions, who want 19% over that period, plus enhancements to superannuation.
A public assembly was due to occur outside the main Council office yesterday, ahead of the Council and unions meeting again next week.
SA:
The City of Playford in South Australia has defended its action in giving notice to a woman to leave a backyard caravan that she has been living in.
Mayor Glenn Docherty *told the Adelaide Advertiser ($)* that the council had an obligation to enforce state legislation around the unlawful occupation of caravans on private property.
The law allows a caravan to be stored on a property, but it cannot be lived in for more than 30 days in a year without council approval.
The case has sparked an outcry on social media, including calls for the law to be changed.
TAS:
A former City of Hobart councillor will be back at the council table, after being elected in a recount.
The Tasmanian Electoral Commission conducted the recount as a result of the resignation of Simon Behrakis, who was elected to parliament in the seat of Clark.
Mr Coats is expected to be sworn in on 27th November.
And the Local Government Association of Tasmania has presented its annual service awards and bestowed life membership of the association on West Tamar mayor Christina Holmdahl and former West Tamar General Manager Rolph Vos.
John Brown from Break O’Day Council, and Jon Doole formerly of Kingborough Council have each been honoured with an Outstanding Commitment and Service to Local Government Award.
National Briefs:
Darriea Turley AM has been re-elected as LGNSW President and will serve a second consecutive two-year term in the role.
Inside Local Government reports that the peak body has elected Nuatali Nelmes, the lord mayor of Newcastle, as its new Treasurer.
The City of Nedlands has appointed Tony Free as its Acting CEO.
Mr Free takes the reins from Bill Parker, who has been appointed the CEO of the City of Wanneroo.
Mr Parker takes up his new position on the 4th December.
Singleton and Inner West Councils are this year’s winners of the AR Bluett Memorial Award for outstanding achievement in local government.
Singleton took out the regional/rural category for its work assisting the transition of the coal mining community and a partnership with Business Singleton.
In the metro category, Inner West Council impressed the judges with customer experience, environmental leadership, and the delivery of $22M in savings since amalgamation.
Nominations are open for a local government representative to sit on the South Australian Local Government Grants Commission.
The commission comprises three members, including a member nominated by the LGA.
Applications close on the 22nd of December.
International Spotlight:
UK:
The UK council experimenting with a four-day working week has released a report on the progress of the trial, showing significant cost savings and a reduction in staff turnover.
South Cambridgeshire District Council commenced the trial for office-based workers in January and was hit recently with a Best Value notice from the government which has been openly critical of the trial.
A report to the council’s Employment and Staffing Committee last week outlined the results of a review, which demonstrated projected savings of £776K from a reduction in use of agency staff, and a 36 per cent reduction in staff turnover.
The review also found a range of improvements in employee health and wellbeing, improved recruitment and retention of staff, and improvements in productivity.
A similar trial for workers in the council’s waste service commenced in September, and while very early, the report author says initial signs are demonstrating performance improvements.
Four rural counties in England and Wales have formed a new economic partnership to boost their regional development and influence.
The Marches Forward Partnership has been hailed as the first of its kind and includes Herefordshire, Shropshire, Powys and Monmouthshire council areas, which have a combined population of over 750,000.
The partnership aims to secure government funding for projects related to transport, tourism, skills and the environment, and has already received a £3.25m grant to improve 5G reception in the area.
The council leaders signed an agreement at Hay Castle, a symbolic location that shows how the national border does not affect the daily lives of the residents.
UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has appointed a new local government minister in this week’s cabinet reshuffle.
Former local councillor Simon Hoare has taken on the portfolio in the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities.
He said on X, formerly Twitter, that he was delighted and honoured to take on the role, and that it was nice to be home after previously serving for 13 years as parish, district and county councillor.
NZ:
Auckland Council has moved to rein in speculative land development on its urban fringe, by reducing the amount of land zoned for future development due to flooding risks.
Stuff reports that the council is also concerned about future infrastructure costs.
While developers have been lobbying the council against the move, two-thirds of respondents to the consultation have supported the reduction in land zoning.
The decision means growth will be supported within city limits where existing infrastructure is under-utilised, and slow down escalating rural land prices due to property speculation.
USA:
More detail is emerging about the new rules to apply at city council meetings in Chicago, where elected members are in fear for their safety due to what the Chicago Sun-Times has described as raucous, profane and threatening behaviour.
The council’s sergeant-at-arms has drafted rules that would ban profane, vulgar, threatening, abusive or disruptive language; demeaning, discriminatory or harassing behaviour and speech directed towards others; and all banners, flyers or signs.
The new rules for public meetings will also ban backpacks, large bags and sharp objects, limiting the size of any bags and requiring them to be clear and not tinted in colour.
Violators of the new rules will be asked to cease the disruptive conduct in the first instance, and subject to removal if they refuse to comply.
The escalating unruly behaviour in Chicago has been exacerbated by a migrant crisis, followed by tensions over the war in the Middle East.
The new rules were read out for the first time at a committee meeting this week, and immediately tested with one individual threatened with ejection by the chair.