A new episode of the Roundup is now available, bringing you some of the latest local government news stories for 2nd August 2023, including:
Operation Sandon targets dismiss the IBAC report as lies and half-truths;
A third Greater Geelong councillor resigns;
Ballarat council approves a trip to Türkiye;
Another metro council bypassed by state government fast tracked planning assessment;
A council CEO sacked after less than three months, and a mayor takes leave for health reasons;
Senior executive appointment news;
A council’s changed Acknowledgement of Country wording becomes controversial;
And claims that an English council’s funds were used to buy a businessman’s private jet.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; and by Snap Send Solve, helping keep shared spaces safe, clean and great to be in.
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Transcript (with story links where available):
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:
Operation Sandon targets dismiss the IBAC report as lies and half-truths;
A third Greater Geelong councillor resigns;
Ballarat council approves a trip to Türkiye;
Another metro council bypassed by state government fast tracked planning assessment;
A council CEO sacked after less than three months, and a mayor takes leave for health reasons;
Senior executive appointment news;
A council’s changed Acknowledgement of Country wording becomes controversial;
And claims that an English council’s funds were used to buy a businessman’s private jet.
Just some of what’s ahead in your midweek update from the Local Government News Roundup.
Thanks for joining me for today’s podcast – brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
And by Snap Send Solve – in the business of keeping shared spaces safe, clean and great to be in.
Here are some of the Victorian council related stories making news in recent days.
As the local government sector awaits a government response to the 34 recommendations in the IBAC Operation Sandon report, some of the individuals named in the report have held a press conference to defend their positions.
Developer John Woodman and former Casey Councillor Sam Aziz launched an attack on IBAC and its report at an event for the media on Monday, and denied allegations of inappropriate activities.
According to the Guardian, Mr Woodman said the report contained “302 pages of lies, half truths and hoaxes”, and said that he had not bribed any Casey councillors.
Some journalists in attendance described the event as bizarre, colourful, and plagued by technical difficulties.
A report from The Age said “journalists’ attempts to clarify facts were brushed aside.”
Greater Geelong councillor and former Mayor Stephanie Asher has resigned from the council with immediate effect.
Ms Asher notified the Mayor and Acting CEO on the weekend of her resignation due to an impending move out of the municipality.
She said her work obligations as a Melbourne-based project director have led to the decision, and that managing council duties alongside work, family and caring commitments was no longer sustainable.
Ms Asher served six years on the Council including almost three as mayor.
She stepped down from the mayoralty shortly after her unsuccessful bid for election to state parliament as a Liberal candidate last year.
Geelong Times; Geelong Advertiser $
While Greater Geelong recently denied a proposed overseas trip for its mayor, Ballarat City Council has endorsed Council representatives to travel to Turkiye to attend the UNESCO annual general meeting.
Ballarat is one of four UNESCO Creative Cities in Victoria, along with Geelong, Bendigo and Melbourne.
A councillor and a council officer will head to Istanbul in September, at an estimated cost of $10.5K.
There’s disappointment in Ballarat at the news that the Road Nationals cycling event will have a new host following next year’s event, after 18 straight years in the regional Victorian city.
From 2025, the host location will be rotated through other parts of Australia.
Mayor Des Hudson said the council is hopeful the event will return in the not too distant future.
Meanwhile, the council says the discovery of remnant sections of tram tracks dating back to 1905 during its Bridge Mall redevelopment project is expected and has been planned for.
The council is working with an archaeologist on the recording and removal of the track sections, which are in poor condition and discontinuous.
Most of the track was removed when the tram network was decommissioned in the 1970s due to reduced patronage.
A state government decision to bypass Stonnington City Council and take control of the approval process for the expansion of Cabrini private hospital in Melbourne has sparked controversy.
The $220 million upgrade will include a new building with single-bed ensuite rooms, consulting suites, and a cancer research facility; and will also involve the removal of part of a local street and the scrapping of heritage overlays on Cabrini-owned buildings.
As reported in the Age, Stonnington Mayor, Jami Klisaris, has expressed concerns about the development, and said the hospital’s decision to approach the planning minister without involving the council or the community was premature and in poor taste.
The proposal is currently being assessed under the Development Facilitation Program, which prioritises projects that contribute to Victoria’s economic recovery.
The state government is expected to make a final decision on the redevelopment later this year.
The use of the Development Facilitation Program has also faced criticism from other councils as well, such as Darebin and Whitehorse, where planning authority for similar large projects has been taken over by the state.
Central Goldfields Shire Council says it’s committed to reopening Maryborough Town Hall, despite three unsuccessful tender processes.
Mayor Grace La Vella said the council has reviewed the scope of the project, and has conducted a successful EOI for contractors with heritage building experience. It hopes to appoint a contractor to carry out electrical work soon.
Restoration of the late 19th century provincial town hall is seen as central to a full civic upgrade planned for Maryborough.
Central Goldfields Shire Council
Now in today’s Victorian Briefs:
Frankston City Council’s CEO Phil Cantillon has received a new three year contract effective from September.
Mr Cantillon has been in the position since 2019, after a couple of years at the council as director of community assets.
New regulations for cat owners have come into effect in the city of Whittlesea.
From 1st August, all cats must be confined to their owner’s property or under effective control when outside, and newly registered cats must be desexed.
37 of the state’s 79 councils now have some form of cat confinement in place, with confinement laws under consideration at 17 others.
Yarra Ranges Shire Council is said to be considering a position on commercial kangaroo harvesting, according to a report from the Ferntree Gully Star Mail.
In response to a question at its July meeting, the council confirmed it is developing a nature plan which would include programs for the protection of native species, such as kangaroos.
Greater Geelong City Council has put out for consultation a draft biodiversity strategic assessment for its two major growth areas in the north and west of the city.
The two growth areas will be home to around 110,000 residents in the future, and the strategic assessment looks at how to deal with matters of national environmental significance – including protection for the Striped Legless Lizard, the Golden Sun Moth, and the Growling Grass Frog.
Strathbogie Shire has announced the installation of two new EV charging stations in Nagambie.
The location for the charging stations in the High Street car park was chosen after a community consultation process.
The stations were installed by Evie Networks as part of its drive to enable tourism and travel through key regional towns.
National Roundup
Now for some of the stories making local government news from around Australia this week.
QLD:
Queensland’s Aurukun Shire Council has terminated the employment of its CEO Kate Rosier less than three months after she took up the position.
Cape York Weekly reported that the council resolved last week to remove her from the role while she was still in her probation period.
The council said it would not be providing any comment on the matter, other than to confirm that its director of corporate services Lyndon Keane had been appointed as acting CEO.
Ms Rosier was the fifth person to hold the CEO position at Aurukun Shire since November 2021.
The Mayor of South Burnett Regional Council Brett Otto has taken extended leave due to a health issue.
The Council’s CEO Mark Pitt advised that Deputy Mayor Gavin Jones will act as Mayor during Cr Otto’s absence.
In a statement, the Council said it would not be making any further comment and asked that the family’s privacy be respected.
Read the Council’s statement here, and a report from southburnett.com.au here.
A former deputy mayor of Fraser Coast Regional Council has announced he will step down as a councillor from 9th August.
Darren Everard announced his resignation at a council meeting on Monday 31st July.
He said it is now time to focus on other pursuits and skill sets, having served as a councillor since 2012.
As there is less than 12 months until the next elections in March 2024, there will be a call for nominations from the general public to fill the vacant position in Division 7 within two months.
NSW
Liverpool’s Mayor Ned Mannoun says the state government’s commitment to completing a metro link to Bankstown is great news for Sydney’s south-west.
He said the announcement is long overdue and called for a shuttle train service from Bankstown to Liverpool to cater to the area’s growing population.
Mayor Mannoun said urban renewal opportunities along the rail corridor would bring a boost to housing supply and improved amenity for Greater Western Sydney residents.
Woollahra Municipal Council in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is bringing in new greening rules that will require property owners to have a tree canopy of 30% and set landscaping controls to prevent overdevelopment.
The aim of the new rules is to boost the tree canopy on private property, minimise urban heat, and mitigate climate change, after knockdown rebuilds have destroyed many of the area’s mature trees.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports on how the new rules are receiving support but also criticism for not going far enough, considering the state government’s target of 40 percent tree canopy cover by 2036.
Other councils, such as Northern Beaches, Mosman and The Hills have even stricter landscaping and tree cover requirements.
Source: Sydney Morning Herald; Woollahra Municipal Council.
There’s been a bit of movement at the GM level of Riverina councils in recent weeks.
Ken Gouldthorp, who was on a 12 month contract at Snowy Valleys, recently departed for a new opportunity which has now been revealed to be a 12 month interim appointment at Queensland’s Isaac Regional Council.
Snowy Valleys council has appointed former Greater Hume general manager Steven Pinnuck on a 12 month interim basis.
Mr Pinnuck retired last year after 18 years as Greater Hume’s GM.
And Temora Shire has farewelled general manager Gary Lavelle, who has retired after 35 years.
SA
Adelaide City Council and the South Australian government have committed $500K to explore the conversion of vacant above-shop premises into apartments in Adelaide’s CBD.
It is believed that finding adaptive re-use opportunities within the Adelaide CBD would not just increase the city’s housing supply but help grow Adelaide’s population and its diversity targets.
Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said adaptive re-use is a fast and efficient solution to increasing housing supply, as such conversions can be completed within six to nine months.
WA
Debate about revised wording for a Council’s Acknowledgement of Country has become controversial, with some councillors’ comments labelled as offensive.
ABC News has reported on the events at Bunbury City Council, where new wording was ultimately approved but with three councillors voting against.
The contention centred on the insertion of words that pay respect to all members of Aboriginal communities and their cultures.
Cr Betty McCleary said she couldn’t show that respect as not everybody in the community is pure. She later said that while she could have chosen her words better, she could not respect the murderers, paedophiles or domestic violence offenders of any culture.
A human rights lawyer and academic from Curtin Law School told the ABC the comments were very offensive, insinuating that Aboriginal people are dishonest.
Another councillor, Michelle Steck, chose to oppose the statement because of the words noting the continuing connection of traditional owners to land and waters.
Source: ABC News
Briefly:
The new CEO of Infrastructure Australia has been announced.
Adam Copp, the acting CEO since August last year, has now been confirmed in the role with a contract term of three years.
Nominations have opened for a vacant position on Gold Coast City Council, after the election of Cameron Caldwell to federal parliament.
After considering applications from suitable candidates, the council will elect a new councillor by resolution on the 11th August.
Georges River Council has announced that it is now debt-free, hailed as a significant achievement in contrast to the financial struggles faced by other local governments in New South Wales.
The council recently repaid a 10-year $5 million loan, which was used to invest in local infrastructure.
This achievement puts the council in a favourable position to achieve its capital works program objectives and fund key projects without the burden of high interest bills.
Bayside Council is conducting a trial of its first EV charging station in Daceyville.
It says it will use the trial to assess the demand for commercial EV charging facilities, and monitor how this demand changes over time.
News of the trial comes as new figures show sales of electric vehicles in Australia this year have already surpassed the number of sales for all of 2022.
Bayside Council NSW; The Guardian
Tasmania’s West Coast Council is recruiting for a new General Manager.
This follows the announcement in March that incumbent David Midson will finish up at the end of the year.
Applications are being received now, and will be reviewed on an ongoing basis from the 21st August.
Now for today’s International Spotlight:
UK:
Council leaders have accused the government of postponing plans to implement changes to recycling bin collections in England until after the next general election.
The government claims that the delay until 2025 is part of broader recycling policy changes, but councils argue that the real reason is to avoid controversy during the election.
BBC News reports that the proposed changes would require households to use up to six separate recycling bins in a plan that has already been delayed multiple times.
Councils have expressed concerns about the cost and feasibility of the changes.
The government has stated that the bin collection changes were postponed until an extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme is in place, which would require large retailers and food producers to cover the cost of collecting and recycling packaging.
The scheme was originally set to start next year but has been deferred by a year.
A businessman has been accused of defrauding Thurrock Council of millions of pounds and using the money for personal expenses.
BBC News says documents have been leaked that reveal Liam Kavanagh used the council’s funds to purchase luxury items such as a yacht and a private jet.
The council is now effectively bankrupt after investing £655 million in Kavanagh’s solar farm business.
Administrators are currently selling the solar farms, but the estimated value is lower than anticipated, leaving Thurrock Council with a £200 million shortfall.
NZ:
Wellington ratepayers have been overcharged for regional council rates over the past four years due to an error in the rate collection process.
Residential ratepayers were overcharged an average of $30 per year, while rural ratepayers were overcharged $36 per year. In contrast, central business district ratepayers were undercharged $583 per year, and businesses were undercharged $160 per year.
The NZ Herald reports that error was discovered during a rates modelling exercise. The Council is seeking independent advice on how to address the issue of over and undercharged ratepayers.
Wellington, the capital city of New Zealand, has been awarded the Big Street Bikers’ Breakthrough Biking City of the Year Award.
The award recognizes cities or towns that have implemented initiatives to promote cycling.
The city has implemented ambitious plans to install 166 km of bike lane projects, aligned with the goal of creating a “Carbon Free CBD” and providing transportation choices that help meet climate goals and address the cost of living.
Canada:
Toronto City Council has approved a pilot program that will allow residents and visitors aged 19 and older to consume alcohol in select parks starting from this week.
The council voted 21-4 in favour of the program, although some councillors have expressed concerns about its potential impact on the community.
The program will initially include 27 parks, with the possibility of more being added later.
According to Beach Metro.com, during the pilot period, the city will not actively test for intoxication levels.
Supporters of the program argue that it will provide an economic boost to bars and restaurants, while also allowing residents to enjoy outdoor activities responsibly.
US:
In San Francisco, the strained relationship between Elon Musk and city officials has been tested further this week after a giant, glowing X was installed on top of his company headquarters.
X is the new name of Twitter, and the sign which was erected on Friday night attracted 24 complaints to the city’s building department by weekend’s end.
According to the Guardian, officials were denied access to the roof of the building to inspect the sign.
It has however now been removed, and the city says there will be fees imposed for the unpermitted installation of an illuminated structure.
The City of Santa Clara in California was renamed “Swiftie Clara” for two days this past weekend, in honour of the city being a stop on Taylor Swift’s concert tour.
The city council passed a proclamation renaming the city and declaring Taylor Swift as the honorary Mayor during her two-night concert appearance.
The renaming of the city is a way to celebrate the cultural impact of Taylor Swift and highlight Santa Clara and Levi’s Stadium as a world-class destination for national and international talent.
That’s the latest from the Roundup for 2nd August 2023.
brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Snap Send Solve.
For more listening, we have a bonus episode available now featuring my interview with the mayor of the City of Stirling about that council’s use of AI technology and the arrival later this year of Australia’s first trackless tram.
Check out VLGA Connect in your podcast app for a special episode with a panel discussion on the details of the Operation Sandon report.
Head to our website – www.lgnewsroundup.com – for more details, and to 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 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.