On the Monday 5th August edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- No monitor for Northern Grampians
- An historic joint meeting of three northeast councils planned
- Warrnambool set for its biggest ever live music event
- Alarm about alleged falsified environmental samples on development sites in NSW
- A council at odds over its alcohol for councillors policy
- A South Australian council goes to court to protect its data
- A state government backs away from statewide cat registration.
- A councillor found in breach of conduct rules over social media use
- A joint council overseas trip under scrutiny
- and riots in UK cities have local leaders on alert.
And yet 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 371:
Victorian Roundup:
Victoria’s Local Government Minister, Melissa Horne, says she will not be appointing a monitor to Northern Grampians Shire Council after calls from a councillor and an advocacy group in recent weeks.
The North Central News revealed last week that the minister has written to the Women for Council group in response to their request which echoed a call made publicly by Cr Lauren Dempsey.
Minister Horne told the group that a municipal monitor appointment was made when there was a serious risk to council governance and integrity, and usually in response to a recommendation from an integrity body like the inspectorate or IBAC.
Hepburn Shire Council is opening 32 kilometres of the Djuwang Baring (Creswick Trails) five months ahead of schedule, with the full 60-kilometre network expected to be completed by December 2024.
Mayor Brian Hood said the early opening was a significant milestone for the transformational project, which is expected to have a strong positive impact on tourism and visitation in the shire.
The project is being funded by the State Government’s Regional Tourism Infrastructure Fund and Creswick Community Bank, along with the council.
Temporary signage is in place for the early opening, with a formal celebration planned for December 2024.
A councillor at Hume City Council is pushing for the eradication of the common myna bird in the city.
Cr Jack Medcraft wants the bird to to be listed as a pest because of its impact on native species, and for ratepayers to fund an action group.
However, as Sunbury Life has reported, his stance is not supported by the RSPCA or the State government.
Opinions were divided also around the council table, but ultimately a majority supported the proposal.
An historic joint meeting of three northeast councils will held laster this month, when Indigo, Towong and Alpine councils come together to discuss a collective stance on the future of health services in the region.
A key element for the discussions is a push for the state and federal governments to abandon the current plan to upgrade Albury Hospital in a favour of a new single site facility.
Indigo Shire Mayor Sophie Price said she hopes the joint meeting will lead to a resolution that will carry some weight in convincing the two state governments and the federal government to redirect their efforts towards a new single site hospital.
Warrnambool is set to host triple j’s One Night Stand on September 14, marking the event’s return post-pandemic.
The sold out event is all-ages, and drug-and-alcohol-free, and is expected to attract 10,000 attendees.
Warrnambool Mayor Ben Blain said it would be the biggest music event the city has ever seen, and the council will support the local live music community with a number of events in the lead up, including an industry forum on September 12.
Victorian Briefs:
Benalla Rural City Council has received an additional $1 million from the Victorian Government for the pump track project outlined in its Fawckner Drive Masterplan.
The council says the funding, combined with a previous $300,000 commitment, will support the development of a versatile recreational facility for all ages and skill levels.
After community consultation on the design, it’s expected that construction can begin in 2025.
Bass Coast Shire Council has received $96,585 from the Victorian Government’s Circular Economy Innovation Fund for the Circular Economy Business Accelerator Program.
The initiative aims to help 20 local businesses transition to sustainable models by eliminating waste and fostering innovation.
The program includes a launch event, one-on-one consultations, and a showcase of achievements.
Enrolments for eligible residents and ratepayers to vote in the October council elections close this week.
The VEC is urging anyone yet to enrol to act before the close of enrolment at 4pm this Wednesday, and to contact them for further information on 131 832 or online via vec.vic.gov.au
National Roundup:
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is urging the Federal Government to take decisive action to maintain regional connectivity following Rex Airlines’ voluntary administration.
ALGA President Councillor Linda Scott said reliable airline services are critical for regional communities, and the many councils operating local airports are already under financial strain.
She said increased federal funding through Financial Assistance Grants is needed to support the modernisation and maintenance of aviation infrastructure, which is crucial for sustaining regional access and services.
NSW:
The EPA is investigating allegations of falsified sampling results by an environmental consultant affecting 135 sites across NSW, including childcare centres, residential properties, and industrial sites.
More than 30 councils across the state are impacted.
The EPA raised the alarm last week when it revealed that it is investigating Noel Child of N G Child and Associates in relation to the allegations of falsified samples as part of his work to test potential development sites and make environmental assessments for clients.
The EPA maintains that no immediate risks to public health and safety have been identified, and that it is working with councils to review and address the issue.
Impacted sites include 24 childcare centres, which have all now been inspected by EPA officers.
Ballina Shire Council has confirmed that due process was followed when it awarded a $70k contract to a business linked to a councillor.
Allegations were made against the council, prompting an investigation and legal advice, confirming that three documented quotations were obtained as per procurement requirements.
But Mayor Sharon Cadwallader has admitted that while legal advice confirmed that the process was above board, that it didn’t pass the ‘pub test’, as reported by the Lismore App.
The council said it would seek feedback from the Office of Local Government to improve transparency in any similar future scenarios.
Councillors at Federation Council are at odds over a proposed policy change to stop reimbursing councillors for alcoholic drinks consumed during remote council business.
The Border Mail reported that the proposed change was opposed by some councillors for being discriminatory and unnecessary, while others feel that consumption of alcohol should not be covered by ratepayers.
The issue also led to debate over replacing the mayor’s council-supplied vehicle with access to a municipal pool car or reimbursement for private car use, aimed at reducing costs.
Ultimately, the council decided to leave the decision to the incoming council after elections in September.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council says it has significantly outperformed the NSW state and regional averages in development application processing times.
The council said it took an average of 79 days to process applications, compared to the state average of 114 days and regional average of 100 days.
For residential developments, the Council’s average processing time is 61 days, well below the state average of 113 days and regional average of 102 days.
Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill has welcomed the announced reduction of night flights over Linden as a positive step, but says further action is needed to address flight paths over the lower Blue Mountains.
The changes are part of revisions to draft flight paths for the new Western Sydney International Airport, and Mayor Greenhill said while it was a step in the right direction, there was more work to do.
He has highlighted ongoing concerns about environmental impacts, noise, and threats to the UNESCO World Heritage status of the Greater Blue Mountains.
SA:
Wattle Range Council has obtained a court-ordered injunction to prevent the access, dissemination, or publication of its data on the dark web following a cyber incident.
An investigation is ongoing to determine the extent of the data breach, which primarily involves publicly available information and internal documents from a legacy server.
The Council has urged the public not to access the stolen data and is working with authorities to address the incident.
The City of Port Lincoln has responded to an announcement by the RSPA that it will withdraw its onsite presence in the city at the end of the month.
The decision is understood to be because of rising costs and decreased revenue.
The council said it assessing the impact of the decision on its dog and cat management team as well as the broader community.
It said it will collaborate with the RSPCA Whyalla team to ensure ongoing animal welfare and rehoming services.
National Briefs:
Chris Littlemore has been inducted as the new Division One Councillor for the **Cassowary Coast Regional Council,** succeeding Peter Reed.
Cr Littlemore has 28 years of experience in both public and private sectors across Australia and is following in the footsteps of his late father, a former councillor.
Gunnedah Shire Council is proposing a Special Rate Variation (SRV) to increase local rates by 38.88% over two years, with 24% to be applied in the first year.
The council will engage in community consultations to gather feedback before submitting a detailed proposal to the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal (IPART).
The City of Mitcham has won the Government category and Overall winner of the Premier’s Climate Change Committee 2024 SA Climate Leaders Awards for its Community Renewables Program.
The program provides no up-front cost solar panels and batteries, reducing carbon emissions and easing cost of living pressures, and has reached over 4,000 residents.
TAS:
The Tasmanian Government has reportedly backed away from mandating cat registration statewide and will leave it to individual councils to decide.
The Examiner reported that the government has taken the view that current legislation, giving councils the power to act locally, does not need to change despite calls for across the board registration and cat curfews.
Not all states require cat registration. NSW, Victoria and Western Australia have state wide systems, while Queensland leaves it to local councils to determine.
A new community pantry has been installed in Civic Square, Launceston, as part of a council trial.
The pantry has already started receiving donations, and aims to provide nonperishable food and personal care items to those experiencing food insecurity.
Mayor Matthew Garwood said the trial will explore different locations and storage options to ensure the pantry’s sustainability and effectiveness.
QLD:
Townsville City Council has acquired a new hedging machine for $270,000.
The machine aims to improve worker safety and reduce traffic lane closure times during hedge maintenance.
It is expected to increase efficiency, allowing gardening crews to focus on other tasks.
The machine is a 3.5-tonne, single-seater vehicle with a mechanical boom and vacuum system for collecting leaf material.
The Council has urged drivers to slow down when they see crews maintaining median strips.
NT:
Katherine Town Council has sanctioned Councillor Amanda Kingdon for breaches of the Code of Conduct and Social Media Policy.
The sanctions include the removal of any social media page that references the council or her councillor title, prohibition from representing the Council at public events, and removal from committee responsibilities.
Cr Kingdon’s personal Facebook page has been locked to the public.
WA:
A planned overseas trip involving the mayor and CEO of the City of Rockingham has faced scrutiny, with councillors and residents questioning the cost and need for the trip, according to a report from the Sound Telegraph.
They will join counterparts from Kwinana, Fremantle, Cockburn, Melville and East Fremantle councils on a US trip to prepare for the arrival of US Navy personnel at HMAS Stirling.
The trip is being funded by the Perth Southwest Metropolitan Alliance, of which the councils are members, and is said to be crucial for understanding the social and administrative impacts of the AUKUS agreement on the local area.
The City of Vincent has received a $980,000 Housing Support Program grant from the Australian Government to conduct a Servicing and Infrastructure Study.
It’s the only council in the state to receive support from the program.
The study will assess the current urban infrastructure and plan for future upgrades to support the city’s growth, aiming to accommodate 11,500 new dwellings and 25,000 new residents by 2050.
Global Roundup:
UK:
The UK city of Sunderland has been subjected to significant violence and destruction in recent days, as far-right rioters, many from outside the city, clashed with police, looted a police centre, and set fire to buildings.
Sunderland Council deputy leader Kelly Chequer told the Independent that the mindless violence and disorder had been led by a minority with an agenda of hate.
She said many of those in the city were not from the area, but came to cause chaos and stoke tensions.
The riots followed similar unrest in Southport, triggered by misinformation after the recent tragic knife attack.
The council chief of the Isles of Scilly, Robert Francis, says the cancellation of a new ferry service between Penzance and St Mary’s before it had even launched is “hugely disappointing”.
Harland and Wolff, the owners of Scilly Ferries, have deemed the service overly ambitious under current circumstances, pulling the pin ahead of its planned launch on the 20th August, according to BBC News.
Mr Francis said despite the setback, the council would continue to work towards securing sustainable and affordable sea links for the community.
USA:
The City of Columbus, Ohio, has thwarted a ransomware attack and is investigating the extent of data accessed by the attackers.
Security Week reported that the incident disrupted multiple city services, though 911 and 311 systems were unaffected.
The attack aimed to disrupt IT infrastructure and potentially demand a ransom.
The city is working with law enforcement to identify affected individuals and restore systems securely.
The attack was attributed to a sophisticated overseas threat actor. Security Week
CANADA:
The announcement of reductions in train services in Ottowa has sparked anger among riders and city councillors.
Significant reductions will start later this month, with trains on the Confederation Line running every 10 minutes during off-peak hours, doubling current wait times.
CBC News reports that the changes have given rise to concerns about reduced ridership and the potential for a “transit death spiral.”
Some city councillors say they plan to push back against the changes in upcoming meetings.
NZ:
Kaipara District Council may become the first in New Zealand to disestablish its Māori ward under new legislation, with a decision expected at an extraordinary meeting called by Mayor Craig Jepson.
The Māori ward, established in October 2022, could be removed before the next local elections in October 2025, according to a report from Radio New Zealand.
A new national law allows councils to eliminate Māori wards without polling voters.
The council must finalise its political representation structure by 13 September if the ward is to be removed.
The mobility company Lime has launched a pilot of its AI computer vision technology, Lime Vision, in Christchurch to collect surface riding data from e-scooters.
The technology identifies the type of surface riders are on, enhancing safety and user experience.
Previous pilots in Auckland and Melbourne showed that riders spend minimal time on footpaths, with experienced riders spending even less.
Lime said the data helps it to collaborate with local councils to improve safety messaging.
EUROPE:
The German city of Gelsenkirchen which renamed itself “Swiftkirchen” for Taylor Swift’s concerts last month, has put the signs it used temporarily up for sale to raise for money for local charities.
The sale attracted 1,400 bids for the signs from Germany and abroad.
The highest bid was 3,000 euros.
The city told the Associated Press that one sign is now displayed at Germany’s museum of post-World War II history in Bonn.