On the Local Government News Roundup for 19th April 2024:
- More sites impacted by the discovery of asbestos in Melbourne’s west
- Residents oppose a Banyule Council deal with Woolworths
- Maribyrnong Council refutes claims it is responsible for the cancellation of a new venue’s opening event
- Waverley Council to hold a community vigil for victims of the Bondi Junction tragedy
- Two NSW Councils make CEO level appointments
- A dispute over a Tasmanian council’s GM recruitment takes another twist
- And the cost of Hong Kong’s first ‘patriots only’ council elections revealed
Plus more Council news from across Australia and beyond on the Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, hosting a members only online professional development workshop on Managing Difficult Conversations – Friday 19th April;
and with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment service and business advisory practice.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Transcript for episode 325:
Victorian Roundup:
The number of sites in the Hobsons Bay City Council area with asbestos contamination has now climbed to 14, according to the latest update from the EPA.
Just 7 of 21 sites inspected have been cleared as being free of asbestos, according to the EPA, although a Hobsons Bay statement puts the total number of sites inspected at 22.
The EPA and the Council have determined the likely source of contamination at all but two of the 14 affected parks was historic dumping or legacy in situ contamination.
The source of contamination at Donald McLean Reserve in Spotswood, and Kororoit Creek Reserve, North Altona, remains under investigation.
EPA will also forensically examine Hobsons Bay City Council’s mulch supply chain, focusing on contamination risk controls of those involved in transporting, handling and laying mulch.
It has reiterated that its inspection of three mulch producers that supplied the council’s parks showed they have appropriate controls to prevent contamination in the end product.
Meanwhile, City of Casey Council has completed clean-up at Minihans Reserve, and received a clearance certificate, with fencing expected to be removed from the site by the end of the week.
A deal between Banyule City Council and Woolworths to demolish an old library in Rosanna and sell a part of the site to the supermarket chain is facing opposition from residents.
According to The Age, some residents are arguing that the deal process was improper and doesn’t represent good value for money.
The project, which includes a new community hub and a Woolworths outlet, is expected to cost $16.5 million, offset by a state government grant and the sale of land to Woolworths for around $2.7M.
However, critics claim the deal was presented to the community with the promise that the sale price would cover the cost of the new building, which is not the case.
When announced in 2021, the project was hailed by the council as a win-win for the Rosanna community. Since then, the cost to deliver the project has increased considerably due to construction cost rises, an increase to the building’s footprint and pandemic related delays.
The much-anticipated opening of Moon Dog’s new brewery in Footscray’s Franco Cozzo building was cancelled just 10 minutes before the event, with claims that Maribyrnong City Council had refused to issue a fire safety permit.
The Age and 9 News were among those that reported that the council had concerns about the fire hydrant booster assembly point encroaching onto the footpath.
But Maribyrnong City Council says the cancellation has nothing to do with any action it had taken.
In a statement, it said Moon Dog’s private building surveyor, who is responsible for issuing the relevant building permits and the certificate of occupancy required for the venue to trade, had flagged issues with the fire hydrant and booster cabinet; and that it was disappointed that the cancellation of the opening has been misrepresented by Moon Dog as being a decision made by Council.
Former Geelong mayor, Stretch Kontelj, has confirmed he will run for council in the Kardinia ward in the upcoming October election.
Kontelj, who previously served as mayor in 2001-02 and represented the former Kildare ward for 17 years, is calling for greater transparency regarding councillor complaints.
His brother, Eddy Kontelj, will stand in the neighbouring Hamlyn Heights ward.
Meanwhile, incumbent councillor Sarah Hathway has confirmed she will run for election in the Corio ward, setting up a potential contest with current deputy mayor Anthony Aitken.
A report by housing advocacy group Yimby Melbourne suggests that affluent suburbs in Boroondara, east of Melbourne’s city centre, should shoulder more of the burden for new housing.
According to The Guardian, the report recommends enforceable housing targets for local governments and an overhaul of restrictive zoning rules.
Boroondara, identified as the most in-demand area with growth capacity, should aim for 4,900 new homes in the next year.
The report also suggests that 40,000 new homes should be built in inner Melbourne in 2024-25.
However, Boroondara council opposes the targets, citing issues such as cost-of-living crisis and labour shortages.
The City of Greater Bendigo Council will consider endorsing proposed models to upgrade Bendigo Stadium, Bendigo Showgrounds, and Bendigo Bowls Club and Bendigo Croquet Club facilities, funded by the Victorian Government’s Regional Sports Infrastructure Program.
The upgrades are in response to the cancellation of the Victoria 2026 Commonwealth Games. Development Victoria is recommended to oversee the Bendigo Stadium and Bendigo Showgrounds projects, while the City of Greater Bendigo will handle the Bendigo Bowls Club and Bendigo Croquet Club upgrades.
All projects are expected to be completed by 2026.
Mornington Peninsula Shire is considering a development contribution scheme to address the housing crisis.
The scheme would require planning permit applicants to contribute 3.3% of the market value of developments that increase the number of dwellings or industrial or commercial floor space.
Funds raised would be directed towards social housing initiatives.
The scheme could deliver between 600 to 1,000 social housing dwellings, representing 9-17% of total need for the Shire by 2041.
The fate of two River Red Gum trees in Noble Park, approved for removal for a six-story apartment tower, remains in the hands of the Greater Dandenong Council.
The Dandenong Star Journal reported that despite initial approval from Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny, the council is seeking to save the trees, which partly stand on council land.
Kilkenny has confirmed that the council’s consent is required for their removal. The decision has sparked public protest, with over 1350 signatures collected to retain the trees.
The City of Casey’s kindergarten service review, conducted in response to the State Government’s Best Start, Best Life reforms, found that an additional 5,800 kindergarten places will be needed by 2036.
In response, a new service and infrastructure model will be implemented, with Council building infrastructure in line with population growth and maintaining essential services.
The Council will continue to deliver kindergarten services with no increase in staffing levels, and will work with other providers in the sector to meet the additional demand.
Victorian Briefs:
Wyndham City has resumed its cat trapping service following a pause due to a nationwide cat vaccine shortage.
The service was initially halted to reduce potential disease exposure in shared spaces.
Residents are encouraged to explore alternatives before surrendering healthy cats and to provide vaccination documentation if surrendering their cat to a shelter.
Cardinia Shire Council is inviting the community to comment on proposed changes to its Governance Rules.
The changes aim to improve public transparency and community engagement, including adjustments to the notice period for publishing agendas and lodging notices of motion, and altering community question time.
Feedback will be considered before the Council adopts the revised rules in June 2024.
The City of Whittlesea is seeking feedback on a new Integrated Transport Plan aimed at improving transportation options for the next decade.
The plan, which covers walking and cycling, public transport, road transport, road safety, and freight movements, was developed with community input highlighting the need for better public transport connectivity, reduced traffic congestion, and improved walking and cycling infrastructure. .
National Roundup:
NSW:
A candlelight vigil will be held on April 21 at Dolphin Court, Bondi Beach to honor the victims of the Bondi Junction tragedy.
The event, supported by Waverley Council and the NSW Government, will include a one-minute silence and attendees are asked to bring their own candles.
Counsellors and mental health first aid will be available on site.
An online condolence book and a temporary floral tribute at Oxford St Mall are also available for those wishing to pay their respects.
George Greiss has announced that he will not seek another term as Mayor of Campbelltown Council at this year’s elections.
After 16 years as a councillor, and nearly three as mayor, Cr Greiss said his decision was not easy to make, and came after much “reflection and foresight”.
An investigation report into allegations against Newcastle Council CEO Jeremy Bath, accused of authoring critical letters under the pseudonym Scott Neylon, has been released.
2HD reported this week that the report from Pinnacle Integrity has found insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims.
The report stated that it is unlikely Bath would use a pseudonym linked to a close friend, and there was no evidence that Bath incentivised Neylon to write the letters or revealed confidential information.
MrBath has welcomed the outcome, reiterating his denial of the allegations.
Edward River Council has appointed former Victorian and Tasmanian council CEO Gary Arnold as interim CEO, for up to 12 months commencing 29th April.
Mr Arnold retired from the CEO position at Kingborough Council in February after 9 1/2 years. He was the longest-serving President of the LG Professionals in Tasmania. He previously held the CEO position at Moira Shire Council in Victoria between 2009 and 2013.
The appointment of Mr Arnold at Edward River follows the termination of the employment contract of former CEO Phil Stone in March.
Lockhart Shire Council has appointed Gavin Rhodes as its new general manager, replacing long serving GM Peter Veneris who is set to retire in July.
Mr Rhodes is the General Manager of the Central Tablelands Water County Council and has previously worked at Orange City and Cabonne Shire Councils.
QLD:
Federal Minister for Environment and Water Tanya Plibersek has announced that the proposed development project in Toondah Harbour in the Redland City Council area has been withdrawn by Walker Corporation.
Minister Plibersek said the project would have significantly impacted local wildlife and destroyed 58.7 hectares of internationally protected wetland, and was deemed “clearly unacceptable” under federal environment law.
Redland City Council, which has long advocated for an upgrade to the ferry terminal at Toondah Harbour, said it was aware of the withdrawal, and supported the declaration of the area as a Priority Development Area in 2013.
It said the Council aims to progress vital upgrades, create new jobs, and boost the local economy through tourism, residential, and retail opportunities, and will continue to work with partners to progress these upgrades.
TAS:
The dispute over the appointment of a new general manager at Latrobe Council has escalated, with Councillor Claudia Baldock signing a legal document supporting claims that Mayor Peter Freshney denies.
According to a report in the Advocate, Cr Baldock alleges that Freshney instructed councillors not to conduct their own reference checks and to destroy all notes after interviews.
Mayor Freshney has refuted the allegations, calling them a complete fabrication and misrepresentation of the truth.
The new general manager will replace retiring local government veteran Gerald Monson.
Due to unprecedented demand, the Central Coast Council is reassessing its childcare services.
Sea FM has reported that in order to meet future demand, the council needs to almost double its staff from 40 to 70 and increase placements from 250 to 440 over the next 8-10 years.
The council may need to consider alternative ownership models, including outsourcing or significantly increasing its investment, which would require a multi-million dollar commitment.
A decision is expected in September after stakeholder consultation.
SA:
The Mayor of Wattle Range Council, Des Noll, has rejected a request from the RSL Millicent sub-branch not to include an Acknowledgement of Country at a local Anzac Day service, according to a report from The Border Watch.
Mayor Noll has described his shock at receiving the request in an invitation letter, a request that the CEO of Reconciliation SA has described as disappointing.
Mayor Noll said he would be including an Acknowledgment of Country in his address, saying that it’s important to represent all community members and recognise the contributions of Indigenous servicemen and women.
South Australian councils have access to a new guide, developed by the University of South Australia with support from the SA Local Government Association, to help build better public spaces.
The guide provides specific advice for strategic planning of public spaces, emphasizing the importance of well-managed spaces for economic and environmental outcomes.
It also highlights the role of public spaces in fostering community connections and responsibility, particularly in the post-COVID era with increased remote work and local activities.
WA:
From PerthNow, a report that the City of Joondalup removed a lakeside fence at Picnic Cove, which had only been installed a month prior to protect wildlife.
The fence’s installation and removal, along with restoring the area to its original state, cost the city nearly $5,000.
The decision to install the fence was questioned by residents, and there was a petition with 183 signatures asking for its removal.
The fence was taken down after consultation with the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions
National Briefs:
With NSW Council elections due in September, the Office of Local Government has launched a dedicated webpage with information and resources for candidates, councils, and councillors.
A Pre-Election Guide has been published, outlining key tasks, rules, and restrictions for councils in the lead up to the elections.
The District Council of Karoonda East Murray is recruiting for a new CEO to lead the team in the Murraylands region of SA, 150kms east of Adelaide. LG Talent is handling the recruitment, with applications closing on the 5th of May.
Northern Beaches Council has been recognized by the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA) for its work on two projects.
The Street Lighting Improvement program, a partnership with Ausgrid and 28 other councils, won the Engineering Excellence Award for an Environmental Enhancement Project.
The council also received a Highly Commended Award for the Taylors Point Bank Stabilisation Project, which successfully contained asbestos contamination and stabilized a collapsed bank, protecting private properties and Sydney Water assets.
UK Consul General Richard Cowin will visiting Townsville on Monday to meet with influential political, business, cultural, academic, and military leaders to discuss opportunities for further UK-Townsville collaboration.
Mr Cowin and Townsville Mayor Cr Troy Thompson will hold private discussions, followed by a brief media conference.
International Spotlight:
Hong Kong’s first “patriots-only” district council election in 2023 cost taxpayers about HK$1.2 billion (US$153.2 million), over 90% more than in 2019, despite a record-low turnout rate of 27.59%.
The South China Morning Post reported that the government spent an average of HK$102 on publicity for each vote.
The overhaul of the district councils to align with Beijing’s “patriots ruling Hong Kong” policy resulted in the chief executive appointing 179 out of 470 members in the new district councils, while only 88 were returned by popular vote.
UK:
Jonathan Nunn, the leader of West Northamptonshire Council, has resigned following allegations of physical abuse from five women.
Mr Nunn denies the accusations raised through a BBC investigation that he kicked, punched, spat at, and throttled the women.
In 2004, he admitted to assaulting his then-wife, Janice Nunn, and received a community order.
Mr Nunn said he was stepping down as council leader to deal with these issues which were having a massive impact on his mental health and wellbeing.
A proposal by actor/comedian Russell Brand to convert a village pub in Oxfordshire into a recording studio and community space has been rejected by South Oxfordshire District Council, according to BBC News.
The plan, which also included a food and drink outlet, faced 53 objections from neighbours and criticism from pub preservation officers.
The council argued that the proposed development would result in the loss of an essential community facility, and that Mr Brand had not shown the pub was economically unviable as a business.
A city council’s plan to ban chocolate advertising on bus shelters has been criticized as “nannying,” according to a report from the Daily Mirror.
The City of York is defending the plan, arguing that children are susceptible to such advertising and that it contributes to health inequalities.
The council aims to replace ads for unhealthy food with ads for healthy options, as part of efforts to address increasing rates of unhealthy weight among children and adults in the city.
CANADA:
The City of Ottawa is seeking $32.6 million from the federal government to build and operate a welcoming centre for refugees and asylum seekers, due to increasing strain on the city’s shelter system, according to CBC News.
The city is struggling to accommodate the rising number of asylum seekers, with shelters overflowing for months.
The proposed centre aims to transition asylum seekers into long-term housing within six months.
The city has requested $12 million for capital costs and $20.6 million over two years for operations.
USA:
In Colorado, Thornton City Council is considering measures to prevent hate speech during public comment periods at council meetings.
This follows instances of derogatory and racist comments made at recent meetings.
Proposed measures include limiting public comment to city-and-community-related items, requiring speakers to identify themselves and their topic, and allowing the mayor to interrupt off-topic speakers.
Another suggestion is to either move public comments to the end of the meeting or eliminate them entirely. However, any restrictions on speech will likely be challenged.
NZ:
A request by the commission leading Tauranga’s council for a hybrid of commissioners and councillors to be put in place at the city’s next local body election has been rejected by Local Government Minister Simeon Brown.
The commission, led by Anne Tolley, has made three attempts for commissioners or an observer to monitor the new council once elected in July, according to a report from Radio New Zealand.
The Minister has confirmed that Tauranga, the country’s fifth largest city, will return to a fully elected and democratically accountable council after the election in July, with no hybrid model of governance or Crown observers.
A team of four commissioners has been in place since late 2020 after an independent review found significant governance issues leading to the sacking of the elected council.