On the weekend update from the Local Government News Roundup for 23rd September:
The Victorian local government sector responds to the state government’s announced housing and planning reforms;
Councils react to the NSW state budget;
A council GM’s employment terminated at the third attempt;
Mayoral election results from across NSW;
A high profile mayor found to have engaged in misconduct;
Aggressive behaviour against and by council candidates in Western Australia, with one councillor charged with stealing
And a South Australian council appoints its new CEO.
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Transcript for this episode (with links where available):
23rd September 2023
Intro/Headlines:
Hi, this is Chris Eddy, coming to you from the land of the Wadawurrung People with the latest from the Local Government News Roundup.
On the podcast today:
The Victorian local government sector responds to the state government’s announced housing and planning reforms;
Councils react to the NSW state budget;
A council GM’s employment terminated at the third attempt;
Mayoral election results from across NSW;
A high profile mayor found to have engaged in misconduct;
Aggressive behaviour against and by council candidates in Western Australia, with one councillor charged with stealing
And a South Australian council appoints its new CEO;
Just some of the many local government stories getting our attention today… let’s round ‘em up!
Sponsor Acknowledge:
Thanks for joining me for today’s podcast – brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association – the national broadcaster on all things local government;
And by Snap Send Solve, in the business of keeping shared spaces safe, clean and great to be in.
Victorian Roundup:
The big story in Victorian local government this week has been the government’s announced housing and planning reforms. If you haven’t listened to it already, check your podcast queue for a breaking news update I released on Wednesday which will give you the main points in about three minutes.
I won’t repeat that today. Instead, I’ll focus on how the sector has responded to the announcements.
The sector’s peak body, the MAV, released two statements in one day – the first of which said it was encouraged by the statement, highlighting the need for a meaningful partnership with local government to ensure successful implementation.
It said the short-stay rental accommodation levy was a good start, and reiterated research that dispelled claims that council planning processes are a significant cause of the housing crisis.
Later in the day, the MAV revealed that the government had already gazetted changes to all planning schemes, noting that no consultation had occurred with the MAV or councils.
MAV Deputy President Joseph Haweil, who is the Mayor of Hume City Council, said there are concerns the Planning Minister had been given the power to reduce or remove a requirement for 10 per cent affordable housing in residential developments without any guidelines about when that would be appropriate.
“… gazetting planning scheme changes without consulting councils at all is
obviously less than ideal. In fact, unacceptable to us as a sector. I think that we are coming to the table with a very open and transparent and reasonable approach, if I can use that word.
But I think that has to be reciprocated as well.
120,000 permits have been issued for townhouses and units by councils that have not even been
acted upon by the sector. So there is that question there about how do we ensure that the sector is not delaying things only to deliver them when economic times are better for them and to maximise their profits. That has to be addressed as well.”
Those comments are from an interview I’ve recorded for the next Local Leaders episode from VLGA Connect which drops on Tuesday.
On Thursday morning, the Premier and Planning Minister released a further statement providing more detail on the package of reforms to the planning system.
In that statement, the government criticised councils for a backlog of 1400 planning permits for multi-unit housing, with 550 of those waiting more than a year for approval.
It said those projects had a development value of over $10M and would deliver nearly 5,000 new homes.
It took particular aim at Yarra City Council for the time taken to process applications, and Stonnington council for the number of applications rejected for neighbourhood character reasons.
Yarra City Council responded, saying that in the last financial year it had approved approximately 10 percent of dwellings in the Greater Melbourne area, and is doing the heavy lifting for housing supply.
It said 98 percent of planning applications received during that time had been approved by the council.
The council also said that while local government has been criticised by the state for not meeting a 60 day timeframe, it appeared to have set a 4 month timeframe for its own new streamlined planning process.
Stonnington City Council also issued a statement in response to government criticism, saying that over the past two years it had reviewed more than 3,000 applications, approved 98 percent, while refusing just 65 applications.
Other sector bodies have released statements, most reacting cautiously to the week’s announcements and with a general tone of awaiting further details before assessing potential impacts.
The commitment to building 152,000 homes in regional and rural Victoria was welcomed by Rural Councils Victoria. Its Chair Cr Mary Ann Brown said the group wanted to understand how measures to make it easier to build a small home would work in rural settings where larger blocks can accommodate several small houses or larger garden units.
Peri Urban Councils Victoria also welcomed the statement, which it said contains key initiatives that can ease pressure on a tight housing market in the short term. However, it noted that the reduction of community involvement in a bid for a more efficient planning system could create local tensions.
ABC News ran a story late Wednesday quoting several regional mayors who welcomed the short-stay accommodation levy, but most were concerned that only 25 percent of the revenue raised would be invested back into the housing in the regions – noting that nearly half of the state’s short-stay accommodation properties are in the regions.
Hepburn mayor Brian Hood said the 25 percent share was problematic for his council, and that it would prefer funds raised in the shire were invested back into housing needs in the shire.
Warrnambool mayor Debbie Arnott called for a greater share, saying regional areas are often overlooked in favour of the city;
And Bass Coast mayor Michael Whelan said that there should have been more consultation in developing the measures, noting that it was now unclear how his council’s work on a local law around short-stay accommodation could be progressed in light of the government’s announcement.
That’s a rundown of many of the responses that have emerged since the government’s announcements on Wednesday morning. You’ll find links to all of those statements and media stories in the transcript for this episode on www.lgnewsroundup.com
Let’s now look at a few other news items from Victoria
Latrobe City Council has announced that it will return to in-person council meetings next month.
The council took its meetings online in July in response to months of disruptive behaviour from members of the public.
A review of in-person proceedings has been conducted, and some new measures will be implemented to ensure orderly conduct of meetings.
These will include pre-registration through an online booking system and a requirement to provide photo ID on arrival. Attendance is limited to 60, due to the capacity of the meeting room; and anyone wishing to speak to an item on the agenda can register to do so before midday on the day of the meeting.
The council said it remains committed to transparency and accessibility, and will continue live-streaming meetings.
Victorian Briefs:
An Aboriginal Gathering Place in the city of Whittlesea is a step closer, with the council appointing a contractor for design and construction this week.
The centre will be built at Quarry Hills Regional Parkland, with construction to commence mid next year with an opening targeted for 2025.
Greater Shepparton City Council has decided to cease hosting and supporting Australia Day activities on 26 January from next year.
The decision follows a community consultation process which demonstrated strong support for changing how the council acknowledges, and support to continue marking Australia Day on that date.
The council will also continue its advocacy to the Australian Government for a change of date for Australia Day.
Maribyrnong City Council is another to have recently decided to move its citizenship ceremonies away from 26th January.
It has also decided to hold a Coming Out Day event next month in support of its LGBTIQA+ community.
The event, to be held on 11th October, will coincide with National Coming Out Day. (Source: Star Weekly, 20/9/23)
And Swan Hill Rural City Council has rectified a 12 year mistake – removing a beard from a statue of Australia’s first female riverboat skipper.
The mistake was brought to the attention of the council by the grandson of Captain Pearl Wallace.
The ABC reports that the beard appeared on the statue when it was repainted because of flood damage in 2011. The council consulted with Captain Wallace’s descendants and an artist before correcting the statue’s appearance.
National Roundup:
NSW:
Victoria’s new short-stay accommodation levy is being closely watched across the border, with the NSW government expected to review its regulations at the end of this year.
ABC News reports that a number of mayors in the state’s tourism destinations see room for improvement with the Victorian approach.
Shoalhaven Mayor Amanda Findley wants councils to have more control of any similar approach, while Byron mayor Michael Lyon said the levy would not create a disincentive for people buying properties for short term leasing.
Tourism representatives want to see more detail of Victoria’s strategy, and are keen to see how short term accommodation will be classified given there are multiple versions and uses in the short term space.
NSW Housing Minister Rose Jackson said all options are on the table at this point.
An attempt to overturn a decision by Ku-ring-gai Council to terminate the employment of its general manager, John McKee, has failed at the second attempt.
Consideration of a rescission motion was delayed after the council could not maintain a quorum at an extraordinary meeting last week.
The matter was dealt with in public at this week’s council meeting, with a majority of councillors voting against a motion to reverse the termination decision and to extend the GM’s contract by 12 months.
That decision was followed by a late item of business, confirming the appointment of the council’s Director Corporate to act in the role of general manager, and to commence a recruitment process to fill the position.
It has engaged Local Government NSW Management Solutions to conduct the recruitment, and expects to make an appointment of a new general manager in December.
A number of regional and rural NSW mayors have reacted to this week’s state budget. Here’s a look at what some of them have said…
Singleton Mayor Sue Moore says she is devastated at the loss of Resources for Regions grant funding in the NSW state budget.
The program ensures communities that are directly affected by mining activities receive their fair share of the royalties generated from their region. The Singleton region is expected to contribute $2.7B in coal royalties over the next four years.
Mayor Moore is hopeful a new Regional Development Trust Fund will deliver much needed funding for Singleton.
The mayor of Cowra Shire, Bill West, says he is very disappointed by a state government decision to scrap plans for an upgrade of Wyangala Dam.
The Boorowa News this week reports that the central west towns and communities will now face greater risks from droughts and floods because of the decision not to raise the dam wall.
Cr West questioned how $4B could be spent on light rail in the city, but no money be allocated for food and water security and flood mitigation in a part of the state that is crucial for regional growth and development. (Source: Boorowa News, 21/9/23, p.2)
But at Liverpool Plains, mayor Doug Hawkins is thankful that the Werris Creek bypass will go ahead.
He told the Northern Daily Leader that he had been concerned the $4.5M project would suffer from budget cuts, but was pleased to see it retained as part of the Restart NSW fund. (Source: Northern Daily Leader, 22/9/23, p.5)
A draft plan that was expected to bring a unified approach to transport in the twin cities of Albury Wodonga is in doubt, after Wodonga Council rejected a recommendation to put it out for community consultation.
The Border Mail reports that the council’s decision comes after Albury Council approved it unanimously earlier in the month, pending endorsement by its neighbour council.
Mayor Ron Mildren said the plan had “very narrow outcomes”, was based on “wrong assumptions” and favoured cycling and walking over cars.
He told the Border Mail that the plan had been given back to staff to “have a think about.” (Border Mail, 21/9/23, p.3)
Mayoral election update:
At Ku-ring-gai Council this week, a new mayor has been elected. Cr Sam Ngai won a contested vote against incumbent Jeff Pettett, while Cr Christine Kay was elected unopposed as deputy mayor.
Cr Neil Reilly will continue as mayor of Kiama Municipal Council, after being re-elected at a council meeting this week. He will be supported by re-elected deputy mayor Imogen Draisma.
At Wollongong, the council has re-elected Cr Tania Brown as Deputy Lord Mayor at a council meeting on Monday.
Gunnedah Shire Councillors have re-elected the leadership team of Mayor Jamie Chaffey and Deputy Mayor Rob Hooke for a further 12 months.
A changing of the guard at Bathurst Regional Council, where Jess Jennings has taken on the mayoralty from Robert Taylor.
Cr Jennings was reported to have hit the ground running with a meeting on Thursday with NSW Premier Chris Minns to discuss Bathurst-related matters, and was expected to raise the issue of cost-shifting in the meeting. (Source: Western Advocate, 22/9/23)
A former mayor returns to the position at Bayside Council. Bill Saravinovski was elected to the mayoralty on Wednesday, with Joe Awada appointed as deputy mayor.
At Upper Lachlan Shire, Mayor Pam Kensit and Deputy Mayor Mandy McDonald have been re-elected to their positions for the forthcoming 12 months.
Inner West Council has elected its youngest ever deputy mayor. 29 year old Chloe Smith was chosen by councillors at a meeting this week.
At Parkes Shire, Neil Westcott has taken on the mayoralty in his second council term, with Ken Keith OAM stepping down after 17 years in the role. Cr Marg Appleby has been appointed Deputy Mayor. Cr Westcott is just the 5th mayor at Parkes in the last 57 years.
Junee Shire Council also has a new mayor. Bob Callow has been elected to the position, taking over from Neil Smith who has stepped down after 9 years as mayor.
The leadership team at Liverpool Plains Shire remains unchanged. Doug Hawkins and Ken Cudmore have retained the mayor and deputy mayor positions respectively, in what the Country Leader described as a swift election this week.
Similarly at Blayney Shire, Mayor Scott Ferguson and Deputy Mayor David Somervaille were re-elected unopposed at a council meeting on Tuesday, as reported by the Central Western Daily.
Goulburn Mulwaree Shire Council has re-elected Peter Walker as mayor in a two way vote contested by fellow councillor Bob Kirk – the vote was six to three in favour of Cr Walker.
Steve Ruddell was re-elected as deputy mayor.
Cr Craig Davies has been elected unopposed as Mayor and Cr Dawn Collins has been elected unopposed as Deputy Mayor of Narromine Shire Council. Cr Davies has held the mayoralty for seven years.
Leeton Shire Council has announced the re-election of Cr Tony Reneker as Mayor and Cr Michael Kidd as Deputy Mayor.
And at Tweed Shire, Chris Cherry has been re-elected as mayor for a third term. She was the only nomination for the position.
However, Crs James Owen and Rhiannaon Brinsmead left the meeting in protest, saying later that they don’t support the process of electing the mayor. This follows a failed attempt in August to get the council to agree to a referendum on whether the Tweed Shire mayor should be directly elected. (Source: Echonet, 22/9/23)
QLD:
A councillor conduct tribunal has found that Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate engaged in misconduct when he charged ratepayers for two annual memberships to the Titans football club.
It also found that he should not have asked the city to reimburse thousands of dollars in donations on five occasions between 2016 and 2018, according a report from ABC News.
The tribunal has ordered Cr Tate to make a public admission of misconduct at a council meeting, and ordered him to pay a penalty of $2,322 relating to the football club memberships and the purchase of audio-visual equipment.
He will also be required to undergo training on the council’s expenses and reimbursement policy.
Cr Tate said he would be appealing the decision to the Queensland Civic and Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
WA:
In Western Australia, a first-time candidate for election in the City of Swan has faced aggressive abuse on his campaign journey.
Mani Singh believes a rogue individual defaced his signs with abusive language and stole many others. Police are investigating the incidents by reviewing CCTV footage.
WA Today reports that experienced former councillor Kevin Bailey, who is now running for mayor, has also had signs vandalised, and he believes the tension between potential and current councillors has escalated and become increasingly abusive and personal.
He says the aggressive tactics are linked to changes such as the introduction of preferential voting system.
Meanwhile in the City of Canning, a councillor has been charged over the theft of election signage.
Police arrested and charged Cr Jesse Jacobs with stealing corflutes, at least some of which belong to Canning Mayor Patrick Hall, who has called on Cr Jacobs to resign.
National Briefs:
Snowy Monaro Regional Council has issued a statement expressing disappointment in a councillor’s use of language at a council meeting this week.
The statement said the language used by Cr Craig Mitchell towards Cr Louise Frolich was inappropriate, and that personal attacks and name calling have no place in the council or at its meetings.
It acknowledged that Cr Mitchell had quickly apologised for the offensive remark.
Eric Brown has been announced as the new CEO at the City of Port Lincoln, following the recent departure of Matthew Morgan.
Mr Brown has been CEO at Flinders Ranges Council for four years, and will undergo induction and handover in mid-November before taking pre-arranged leave, and commencing formally in January.
Mt Gambier City Council will keep its Australia Day awards ceremony on 26th January for next year. It has however decided to move its citizenship ceremony to the 24th January, and will consider further changes to Australia Day programming. (*************************Source: ABC News, 20/9/23)
International Spotlight:
UK:
New research has found that more than £15B in public assets has been sold by English councils over the past 13 years.
The sell-off of around 75,000 assets has been largely to plug budget holes, according to the think tank IPPR, as reported by the Guardian.
The data comes as Birmingham City Council plans to sell more assets to help address its £87M shortfall this financial year – projected to rise to £165M in 2024/25.
Birmingham has already sold more assets than any other council in the last nine years.
Asset sales to fund funding shortfalls became possible with a change to the law in 2016 which meant councils no longer had to put proceeds from sales towards to new public assets.
Harrow Council in north west London has revised plans to fine people for feeding ducks in a local park after a public outcry.
Initially, the council proposed a public space protection order that would have imposed a £100 fine on individuals feeding the birds. The council cited concerns about public health nuisance, but residents argued that it would deprive them of a simple pleasure.
The BBC reports that the council has now decided to designate a specific area in the park for duck-feeding, which is expected to be implemented in early 2024
Other parks in the borough will be assessed individually before similar designated areas are established.
Meanwhile, Newham Council has faced criticism for issuing £150 fines to pensioners for feeding birds in one of its parks.
The council defended the fines by stating that bird-feeding can attract vermin. However, some have deemed the fines punitive and called for a reconsideration.
USA:
Domestic violence allegations have led to the resignation of a mayor in Wyoming.
Bruce Knell, the mayor of Casper since 2020, has denied accusations that he physically attacked his wife.
But he says the allegations have damaged his reputation to a point where stepping down from his position has become necessary.
The Casper City Council moved quickly to elect a new mayor and deputy mayor and a replacement councillor for the remainder of the current term, which runs out in January. (Source: Wyoming Public Radio, 22/9/23)
And in Portland, Maine, a council meeting has been Zoom bombed this week, bring the city’s mayor to tears before calling for a pause in proceedings.
The incident occurred during the meeting’s public comment section, with several people spewing off-topic or racist comments, according to local news station WABI-5.
The council has apparently been dealing with regular disruptions during its online meetings, and its communications director says the remote policy is under review to see what changes could be made.
Close:
That’s the latest from the Roundup for 23rdSeptember 2023.
Brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Snap Send Solve.
You can find links to the stories referenced in this episode and a full transcript at www.lgnewsroundup.com.
While you’re there, check out the latest breaking news updates and learn how you can support the Roundup by becoming a subscriber through a small monthly contribution, which you can cancel at any time.
The Local Government News Roundup is recorded in the city of [Greater Geelong, Victoria, on the land of the Wadawurrung People](https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/rap/article/item/8d87039c8c758ca.aspx#:~:text=Wadawurrung People are the Traditional,intangible heritage of their land.) of the Kulin Nation.
More of the latest local government news coming your way next week. Until then, thanks for listening, and bye for now.