On the midweek update from the Roundup for 26th July 2023,
A developer loses his latest bid to stop the release of IBAC’s Operation Sandon report, as reports emerge of a plan to strip decision making powers from councils;
Two councils reject proposals for overseas delegations;
A council apologises for distressing ‘eviction’ letters;
A council CEO’s employment terminated over allegations;
Calls for an investigation into allegations about a Council CEO’s relationship with a serial letter to the editor writer ;
And in a Roundup exclusive, the WA council bringing the first trackless tram to Australia.
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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:
A developer loses his latest bid to stop the release of IBAC’s Operation Sandon report, as reports emerge of a plan to strip decision making powers from councils;
Two councils reject proposals for overseas delegations;
A council apologises for distressing ‘eviction’ letters;
A council CEO’s employment terminated over allegations;
Calls for an investigation into allegations about a Council CEO’s relationship with a serial letter to the editor writer ;
And in a Roundup exclusive, the WA council bringing the first trackless tram to Australia;
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.
Property developer John Woodman has been unsuccessful in his bid to delay the release of the IBAC Operation Sandon report through the Victorian Court of Appeal.
According to the Guardian, on Monday the court refused his application for leave to appeal an earlier Supreme Court ruling.
There has been speculation that Mr Woodman may yet pursue an action in the High Court, but various media outlets are suggesting an imminent tabling of the report in Parliament.
The report into matters that precipitated the sacking of Casey Council in 2020 is expected to make findings that may have significant impacts on how planning matters are dealt with by councils in Victoria.
The Herald Sun this morning says that the report is expected to give the government impetus to strip councils of decision-making powers in new priority precincts.
Inner and middle suburbs of Melbourne will be targeted for high rise precincts around transport hubs where housing developments can be fast-tracked.
The report quotes a government source that suggests all developments above a certain threshold may be taken over by the state; and predicts decision making in some regional centres may also be taken out of the hands of councils.
A broader ‘housing statement’ is expected to be announced by the Premier in the coming weeks.
Greater Geelong City Council has rejected a proposed overseas delegation, after a lengthy and at times heated debate.
The proposal was reported by the Geelong Advertiser on the weekend, prompting community opposition after a tough budget process, and including comments from an inside source that described the proposal as a bad look.
The trip, estimated to cost $25K, would have seen the Mayor and a council officer visit South Korea, Turkey, Belgium and Scotland.
At one point in the debate, Mayor Trent Sullivan directed Cr Melissa Cadwell to withdraw a comment suggesting that council officers were out of touch for bringing the report forward.
Cr Cadwell withdrew the comment after insinuating that she was being bullied.
After the motion was lost by 5 votes to three, an alternative itinerary dropping the Belgium and Scotland legs was also rejected.
During the debate, concerns were raised that failing to undertake the trip would place the council in breach of its agreement with UNESCO as a member of its Creative Cities Network and Australia’s only UNESCO City of Design.
Geelong Advertiser $; Greater Geelong City Council; Watch the Council meeting
Residents in an industrial estate in Hobsons Bay have received an apology from the council for distress caused by previous correspondence that was seen as an eviction notice.
The Herald Sun reported this week that the letter states the council does not wish to see anyone become homeless, and that no further enforcement steps would be taken until residents’ individual circumstances are clarified.
Residents have been offered an extension of time in which the council wants to hear from them.
Greater Bendigo City Council has formally resolved to move citizenship ceremonies away from 26 January, and adopted a “statement of intent” for its relationship with Traditional Owners.
Mayor Andrea Metcalf has called for community members to be kind and respectful when discussing indigenous matters, highlighting the impact that words can have on a person’s wellbeing.
Delivery of a new Geelong Convention and Exhibition Centre has moved a step closer this week with the unveiling of proposed designs, and the appointment of a project consortium to deliver the $300M project.
Plenary Conventions will lead the project to transform a 1.6 hectare waterfront car parking site into a world-class precinct, with a 1,000 seat venue, exhibition spaces, meetings rooms and conference facilities.
There will also be a 200 room Crowne Plaza hotel and a large public plaza, with completion targeted for 2026.
Victoria’s Minister for Police and Crime Prevention, Anthony Carbines, has met with the Mayor and CEO of Port Phillip City Council for a discussion on efforts to address disadvantage in the city.
Mayor Heather Cunsolo said the meeting was an opportunity to brief the minister of the council’s budget commitment to outreach services for people sleeping rough, and for increased food relief.
The meeting with Minister Carbines followed earlier discussions with other state MPs, as part of furthering the council’s advocacy aims.
Questions are being asked about why an innovative planning scheme amendment has not been dealt with by the Victorian Minister for Planning one year on from its submission.
The amendment, prepared on behalf of 24 local councils, elevates sustainability requirements for new buildings, and encourages a move towards net zero carbon development.
The Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment (CASBE) says its member councils are leading the way on sustainability requirements, but they need the buy-in of the State Government.
Source: Municipal Association of Victoria
Now in today’s Victorian Briefs:
Latrobe City Council has now completed remediation works on all 72 landslip sites, registered following a storm event in June 2021.
Most of the landslips were in the Strzelecki Ranges or Yallourn North.
The remediation was funded by Federal and State Governments to the tune of $15M, with further funding contributed by the Council.
La Trobe University and Mildura Rural City Council have a new MOU to further strengthen their partnership.
The MOU affirms a commitment from the two organisations to build on existing projects, such as upskilling the health workforce, and drive positive outcomes for the community and the region.
15 Victorian councils are among recipients of a new round of Building Blocks Planning Grants from the State Government.
$2.5M in grants have been announced for planning, design and pre-construction work on kindergarten building projects.
Funded councils include Boroondara, Darebin, Monash, Greater Shepparton, Warrnmabool and Baw Baw councils.
As one council calls for a ban on commercial kangaroo harvesting, the Victorian Farmers Federation says it wants to see cull quotas increased along with reforms to the system.
The issues are being highlighted as the state government conducts a review of the Victorian Kangaroo Harvest Management Plan.
According to the Bendigo Advertiser, the VFF has submitted that numbers of kangaroos have dramatically increased around the state, and farmers feel quotas are insufficient for managing the burden.
Mount Alexander Shire last week resolved to lobby the government for a ban on commercial harvesting within its boundaries, citing overwhelming community support.
More than 700 submissions have been received, and a summary consultation report is expected to be released soon.
Bendigo Advertiser, 25-7-23
National Roundup
Now for some of the stories making local government news from around Australia this week.
In the NT, West Arnhem Regional Council has terminated its CEO’s employment contract after allegations emerged that he and other staff had taken alcohol into a dry community.
Mayor Matthew Ryan has confirmed that Paul Hockings was removed from his position at a special meeting of the Council, and appointed governance and risk advisor Jessie Schaecken as Acting CEO for three months.
The NT News reports that other staff members are still subject to the investigation, while police have confirmed that infringement notices will be issued to eight people in total.
Mayor Ryan said the identity of those other staff members would not be disclosed while the investigation is ongoing.
The staff member chosen for the acting role is not a member of the senior executive staff, and Mayor Ryan would not be drawn on why the council had made that choice.
Ms Schaeken has been with West Arnhem council since January this year, and was previously the executive assistant to the CEO at the City of Palmerston.
A planned overseas trip for Penrith councillors and staff has been abandoned, just hours before the Council was due to vote on the proposal.
Media coverage of the proposed trip over the weekend led to a strong backlash, and the withdrawal of support by Mayor Tricia Hitchen and a number of her councillor colleagues. They include current councillor and Member for Penrith, Karen McKeown told the Sydney Morning Herald that the trip was “probably not the wisest move.”
The Aerotropolis International Study Tour was to include visits to a range of international airports, at an estimated cost of $200,000.
Reporting from Daily Telegraph; Sydney Morning Herald; 2GB
Allegations that a serial letter-to-the-editor writer in Newcastle is a close friend of the council’s CEO have led to calls for an independent investigation.
The Newcastle Herald revealed the relationship between Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath, and a long term letter contributor, Scott Neylon, who the paper describes as having led a decade long misleading campaign about goings on in the city.
The Herald reports that Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has taken an interest in the matter, and will formally request that Mayor Nuatali Nelmes undertake an investigation.
That call has been supported by local MP Sonia Hornery, described as a primary target of recent letters. She is calling for an independent party to be appointed to look into the matter.
Mr Bath has denied any involvement in the letters, and Mr Neylon told the Herald that Mr Bath had not asked him to write them.
Newcastle Herald $; Newcastle Weekly
Long term Port Macquarie-Hastings councillor Sharon Griffiths has resigned her position and is stepping away from local government.
Cr Griffiths said it was the right time to step away after more than a decade of involvement in the region’s political landscape.
CEO Dr Clare Allen said she received the resignation on Friday, and thanked Cr Griffiths for her service to public life.
Mayor Peta Pinson also acknowledged the resignation and wished Cr Griffiths well for the future.
The council will consider a report about the vacant position in due course,
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council
WA
The City of Stirling will take delivery of the first trackless tram ever to be delivered into Australia later this year.
Mayor Mark Irwin told the Roundup that a public trial of the net zero, hydrogen based technology will take place in the City of Stirling in November.
The coup for WA’s largest local government area by population comes after a recent delegation to China to view the trackless trams in action and to visit the factory where they are made.
QLD
The mayor of Queensland’s Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council, Jason Ned, has passed away from a heart attack.
The Courier Mail reports that Cr Ned, 47, was at home on his property and experienced chest pains. Paramedics attended but he could not be revived.
Cr Ned, a former rodeo champion and stockman, was serving his third term as mayor of the remote municipality.
Nominations are open for the vacant Councillor position on Toowoomba Regional Council, following the recent resignation of Mayor Paul Antonio.
A nomination method is being used to fill the position, rather than an election, as there is less than 12 months remaining on the current council term.
Nominations close on the 15th August, and the Council will resolve on a replacement by 21 September.
This Friday, the council will hold another special meeting to elect a Deputy Mayor, after Geoff McDonald was chosen to step into the mayoralty last week.
The Toowoomba Chronicle says three councillors have thus far indicated they will seek the role, with at least two more believed to be considering whether to nominate.
Toowoomba Chronicle; Toowoomba Regional Council
Briefly:
Applications are open for the CEO position at West Torrens in South Australia.
The incumbent Terry Buss is retiring and Morton Phillips is conducting the recruitment of his replacement. Applications close on 10th August.
Australian Local Government Job Directory
Albury City Council has awarded a 10 year, $69M contract to Cleanaway for kerbside collections.
According to the Border Mail, one councillor did not support the new contract, saying it was an “astronomical amount of money” and accusing colleagues of a deeply distressing degree of fanaticism and religious fervour around recycling.
Border Mail 25-7-23
Greater Sydney and the Central Coast will benefit from a state government investment of $41M to fast track critical infrastructure to support the construction of around 18,000 new homes.
The funds support road upgrades, improved pedestrian connectivity, and a new Central Coast sporting complex – projects to be delivered by Parramatta, Central Coast and Ryde Councils along with Transport for NSW.
Now for today’s International Spotlight:
CANADA:
Comments made by Toronto city councillor Mike Colle about newly-elected Mayor Olivia Chow’s age during her first council meeting have generated backlash.
Colle praised Chow for her efforts in finding solutions with the provincial and federal government regarding asylum seekers sleeping on the streets of Toronto.
However, he repeatedly referred to her as a “young lady” and a “young mayor,” despite Chow being 66 years old.
The comments were criticised for reflecting the misogyny that women in public roles often face.
A spokesperson forEqual Voice, a non-profit organisation promoting women’s representation in politics, said that the comments diminish Chow’s experience and perpetuate gender stereotypes.
Mayor Chow was officially sworn-in last week after riding her bicycle to city hall accompanied by a large group of fellow cyclists.
The actions of the Chestermere City Council in Alberta province have attracted the attention of the Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver, who has written to the mayor and council expressing disappointment with the council’s response to the directives given by the province.
The directives were based on a report by a third-party inspector, which found irregularities in the city’s management.
The council’s response focused on disputing the findings of the report and questioning the inspector’s credibility.
The Minister said the council’s limited discussion and attempts to undermine the report were troubling, and that further action could be taken if the issues are not addressed.
He has also expressed concerns about the council’s compliance with the supervision of the official administrator, who was appointed to oversee their decision-making and has the power to disallow council resolutions.
Chestermere is the first municipality in Alberta to undergo a municipal inspection since 2018.
US
Voters in Santa Ana, in Orange County, California, will have the opportunity to vote on whether to recall a City Councilmember.
The Police Union has gathered the required number of signatures for a recall effort targeting councilmember Jessie Lopez due to her support for rent control and opposition to large police pay raises.
A similar recall effort against another council member, Thai Viet Phan, is still pending, according to a report from the Voice of OC.
The date for Lopez’s recall election may be determined at the next City Council meeting on August 1.
UK
The majority of local authorities in England have failed to build a single council home in the past five years, according to an analysis reported by The Independent.
This comes as more than 1.2 million families are on waiting lists for properties.
In 2021/22, only a third of local authorities completed any new build homes, and more than half of councils did not build a single house during that year.
The government claims to be on track to fulfil its promise to build one million new homes for buyers, but there are concerns that rising rents are pricing many people out of the housing market.
The waiting list for council homes has increased by over 88,000 households in five years.
Councils cite a lack of funding and restrictive measures as reasons for their struggle to build more homes for social rent.
This week, the levelling up secretary Michael Gove, announced a £24M planning skills fund in response to challenges facing council planning departments.
A super squad of planners will be deployed to support local areas in busting planning backlogs.
Research from the Local Government Chronicle has found just one in 10 councils have fully staff planning departments.
The Independent; Local Government Chronicle
_________
To Northern Ireland, where a council in Mid and East Antrim has voted to refer a councillor to a local government watchdog over an alleged breach of confidentiality during a meeting about bonfires.
The meeting, called by the mayor, was intended to discuss legal advice on bonfires built on the council’s land.
However, the meeting was adjourned until September.
Councillor Aaron Skinner publicly criticised the delay, calling it “unbelievable” and warning of potential legal consequences.
At a subsequent meeting, a majority of councillors voted to refer Skinner to the Public Services Ombudsman for investigation.
The Mayor Gerardine Mulvenna has also come under fire for convening the meeting, with allegations that she had “politicised” her office and abused her position.
The council has been considering its approach to bonfires on its land following safety concerns after a man’s death last year.
Amsterdam’s city council has made the decision to close a cruise ship terminal in the city centre as part of efforts to restrict mass tourism.
The Guardian reports that move is in line with the council’s aim to limit the negative impact of tourism on the city.
The city says cruise ships are not compatible with the city’s sustainable ambitions, and the passage of cruise ships conflicts with plans for a new bridge between the historic southern district and the Noord district.
In recent years, Amsterdam has implemented various measures to restore peace and quiet to its historic centre. These include a ban on smoking cannabis in the streets of the red light district.
In March, the city launched a “Stay Away” campaign specifically targeting young British men, aiming to discourage drug and alcohol-fueled parties.
That’s the latest from the Roundup for 26 July 2023.
brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Snap Send Solve.
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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.