Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Plus lots more news from around the world of local government.
Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment and business advisory service; and from Ventia, making infrastructure work sustainably for our communities.
Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.
Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Plus lots more news from around the world of local government.
Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment and business advisory service; and from Ventia, making infrastructure work sustainably for our communities.
Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.
A motion calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war has been voted down by the City of Melbourne.
The Age reports on developments at last night’s council meeting, which it describes as fiery with hundreds of people rallying outside.
The vote on the motion from Councillor Jamal Hakim was tied at five votes all.
With Lord Mayor Sally Capp absent, Deputy Mayor and meeting chair Cr Nicholas Reece using his casting vote to defeat the motion, prompting cries of shame in the chamber and loud booing from outside.
Cr Reece said the motion had “too many red flags” and he feared it would inflame rather than heal tensions in the city.
In the wake of last week’s announcement of electoral structure changes for 39 Councils in Victoria, Mount Alexander Shire Council is one of the first to openly criticise the hand that it has been dealt.
A move to an even number of single-member wards means the residents will elect eight councillors in October, and the Council’s CEO is concerned it will be financially irresponsible and detrimental to governance.
The Midland Express has reported the comments by Darren Fuzzard, who is disappointed that the insights and experience of councillors and senior officers have been disregarded.
It’s been suggested that the even number of councillors will likely lead to more frequent use of the mayor’s casting vote.
Brimbank Council, one of the 30 moving to single member wards this year, has welcomed the outcome of the review.
It says the endorsed model is in line with the Council’s formally adopted preference and is considered the most effective model for grouping communities of interest together.
The council, which is currently under observation by two municipal monitors, will move to an 11-councillor single-member ward model for the October local government elections.
Brimbank Mayor Ranka Rasic has participated in a sod turning to mark the commencement of construction of a new Costco warehouse in Ardeer.
The Star Weekly (20/2/24) reported that new warehouse is anticipated to boost the local economy and provide a range of job opportunities.
This move aligns with Costco's expansion strategy, aiming to cater to the rapidly growing western Melbourne region.
Hobsons Bay City Council in Melbourne's west is facing criticism for a new initiative called Rubbish Dating, which combines speed dating with rubbish collection.
The initiative was a community suggestion from the Council’s Pitch Your Project program.
It invites singles aged 25-40 to participate in the event, aimed at meeting like-minded locals while cleaning up the environment.
As 7News has reported, some critics have slammed the idea as "bizarre" and a misuse of rate payer's money, but the idea has attracted positive feedback as well for its fun approach to sustainability.
Wodonga Mayor Ron Mildren has publicly requested that the Victorian government send a representative to the council's upcoming health summit.
The council is advocating for a review of the Albury hospital upgrade and consideration of a new hospital on a greenfields site.
The Border Mail (20/2/24) reports that the mayor’s call came at this week’s Council meeting, where he emphasised the importance of federal, state, and local governments working together.
Lobby group, Better Border Health, has also urged the Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas to reconsider her decision not to attend the summit.
The City of Casey's waste management provider, Cleanaway, is testing a new kerbside collection vehicle powered by converted cooking oil, a low-carbon alternative to diesel.
The initiative, part of the City's commitment to zero net corporate emissions by 2030, demonstrates the potential of the fuel in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in the heavy vehicle industry.
The fuel is made from used cooking oils and fats that are collected from commercial kitchens, restaurants, and shopping centres and then refined to produce the low-carbon fuel alternative.
Frankston City Council is adopting an innovative approach to tackling graffiti, including doubling its graffiti team and implementing proactive patrols and removal.
Previously, graffiti removal was driven by community feedback, with the most offensive graffiti prioritised.
From this year, the expanded team will proactively patrol high-profile locations and remove graffiti, aiming to reduce response times and discourage graffiti on council property.
The council is also engaging with State Government departments regarding graffiti on their infrastructure.
Moonee Valley City Council has launched the One, Two, Tree campaign to encourage tree planting on private properties in the west of Melbourne, aiming for a 30% canopy cover.
The council has developed an online education campaign with informative videos about tree planting.
The initiative, supported by the Metropolitan Partnerships Development Fund, aims to enhance the city's liveability and environmental health.
Northern Grampians Shire Council has launched the Stawell Thrive 50+ Healthy Ageing Hub, a health service initiative aimed at connecting residents aged 50 and above to community services, activities, and events.
The hub, funded by the Western Victoria Primary Health Network and managed in collaboration with Grampians Health and East Wimmera Health Service, offers individual support, health promotion sessions, skill-building activities, and social connection events.
The service is available at the Stawell Library on Tuesdays and Thursdays, and a similar hub will open in St Arnaud.
Victorian Briefs
Maribyrnong City Council has become just the third in Australia to sign the Darlington Statement, a commitment to stand in solidarity with Australia’s Intersex community.
Mayor Cuc Lam said signing the statement affirms the council’s commitment to hearing and advancing the needs of the Intersex and wider LGBTIQA+ community.
Ballot packs are in the mail for voters in Dandenong West and parts of Noble Park for the Greater Dandenong City Council Yarraman Ward by-election.
There are 13 candidates vying to replace former councillor and mayor Eden Foster on the council, after she was elected to state parliament in the Mulgrave by-election.
Ballots need to be mailed or delivered to the election office by 6pm on Friday March 8.
The Victorian Government has opened applications for the $2.2 million Living Libraries Infrastructure Program, offering grants between $10,000 and $200,000 to improve libraries across Victoria.
The grants will fund facility upgrades and mobile library vans, with applications open until 28th March.
Over the past eight years, the government has invested over $47.1 million in 120 library infrastructure projects.
National Roundup
The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) is urging the Federal Government to deliver on its pre-election promise of "fair increases" to Financial Assistance Grants for local governments.
ALGA President Cr Linda Scott said many councils are under significant financial pressure due to natural disasters, job and skills shortages, and inflation, and they can’t afford to wait any longer to see the promised increases in federal funding.
The association is calling for the restoration of Financial Assistance Grants to at least one per cent of Commonwealth taxation revenue and an additional one-off payment of $3 billion to address the practice of bringing forward FA Grants payments.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has threatened to seize planning powers from councils if they fail to make "genuine progress" towards housing, particularly around public transport zones.
Mr Minns told Sky News that until a few weeks ago, only one of 130 councils had come to the government with plans for density in its communities.
This threat comes amid concerns that the state will not meet its target of 75,000 new homes in 2024, part of a broader plan to build 1.2 million new homes across Australia over the next five years.
Kiama Municipal Council has been summoned to the Supreme Court by Councillor Karen Renkema-Lang over a Council decision last November to censure her.
The censure followed comments made by Cr Renkema-Lang in a radio interview after a Council decision to sell the Blue Haven Bonaira aged care facility.
In a statement, Council CEO Jane Stroud said the use of public funds to defend the legal action is regrettable, especially given its current financial circumstances and its already excessive legal fees.
Ms Stroud said she holds “specific concerns… about the worsening functionality of the Council, when in such uncertain times and uncharted territory what is really required is cohesive and collective effort to correct the course of the organisation.”
The council has already spent more than $20K on the complaint. It said the councillor could have chosen alternative resolution methods that would not have required the use of additional rate-payer funds.
City of Sydney councillors will now be required to disclose meetings with lobbyists and property developers, following new integrity measures adopted by the council.
The move, initiated by Liberal councillor Lyndon Gannon, aims to bring local government transparency in line with state and federal requirements.
After receiving unanimous support, the council's chief executive will now begin working on an implementation plan. You can read more on that story from the Sydney Morning Herald.
The Northern Beaches Council is considering charging for dog waste bags, currently provided for free, to offset the annual $100,000 budget for these bags.
Independent councillor Vincent De Luca has proposed installing vending machines for the bags at popular dog parks, following complaints that there are never enough bags available and for them to be provided in more locations.
Some local dog owners have told the Daily Telegraph that they believe the bags should be provided by the council for free, and that having to pay for them would likely lead to more people not picking up after their pets.
The Council is due to vote on the proposal next week.
Another councillor has been removed from office for missing Council meetings without leave.
East Ward Liberal councillor Nick Jones is no longer on Lake Macquarie council after missing three consecutive meetings due to work commitments.
Despite his attendance at councillor briefings and committee meetings, the legislation mandates removal after three absences.
Mr Jones, a former deputy mayor, says he’s disappointed in himself and the inflexible legislation.
There will be no by-election to replace him, with the council continuing to operate with the remaining members.
He says he may run again in the upcoming September elections.
The disqualification follows a similar situation in Tasmania, where King Island Councillor Sarina Laidler was recently dismissed for missing three consecutive meetings.
She was reinstated after being the only nominee for a by-election to fill her seat.
The Burnie Advocate (19/2/24) reports that Cr Laidler will propose a motion at the next council meeting calling for changes to the Local Government Act to allow attendance at Council meetings via video conferencing.
Two Tasmanian councils are reportedly revising their meeting policies to manage public participation and question time more effectively.
An updated policy for Latrobe and Kentish councils clarifies expected behaviours, consequences of inappropriate behaviour, and the council's obligation to provide a safe workplace.
It provides for the chairperson can take steps to maintain order, including cutting off the speaker, adjourning the meeting, or asking disruptive individuals to leave.
The Advocate (20/1/24) reports that the changes are believed to be in response to disruptions at meetings from individuals including a former councillor, who has described it as a fear campaign to shut down questions.
For the first time, candidates for Queensland's local government elections will have to adhere to personal campaign spending and donation caps.
ABC News reports that the caps were a recommendation from the Crime and Corruption Commission's Operation Belcarra, which investigated complaints about the conduct of candidates during the 2016 elections.
They are calculated based on the number of voters in each local government area.
While the caps have been welcomed by some as a means of levelling the playing field, others argue they could potentially advantage incumbent candidates who are already well-known.
National Briefs
Shoalhaven City Council has installed a virtual fence for a 12-month trial aimed at reducing animal-vehicle collisions.
The fence emits light and sound to deter wildlife from the road when a vehicle approaches.
The trial follows a successful similar trial in Eurobodalla that significantly reduced wildlife strikes.
A joint investment by King Island Council, the federal and Tasmanian Governments and Telstra has delivered a world-first high-speed capacity communications link to the island.
Island residents will benefit from a nearly ten-fold capacity boost after the launch of Australia’s longest over-water microwave telecommunications link.
Three men and one woman will contest a supplementary election for a vacancy on SA’s Wattle Range Council.
The postal election on 12th March was triggered by the resignation late last year of Moira Neagle.
The Border Watch has published profiles and policy positions from the four candidates this week.
A candidate on Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s team for the Brisbane council elections has been disendorsed, with less than four weeks to election day.
The Courier Mail reported that Brock Alexander was disendorsed by the LNP for past comments that were not previously disclosed and that do not align with the party’s values.
International Spotlight
Birmingham City Council plans to increase council tax by 21% over the next two years as part of a £300m budget savings effort.
BBC News reports that measures being taken by the bankrupt council include dimming street lights, reducing waste collections to a fortnightly schedule, and increasing burial costs.
Up to 600 job losses are also anticipated.
The council, often described as the largest local authority in the UK, sent shock waves through the sector when it declared effective bankruptcy last year, followed by the installation of Government-appointed independent commissioners.
Grantham Town Council in Lincolnshire will be reinstated after being abolished in 1974, with elections for 22 councillors set for May.
BBC News reported that the town is notable as the birthplace of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, whose father, Alfred Roberts, served as a councillor and mayor.
The responsibilities of the former town council have been handled by South Kesteven District Council since 1974.
The new council's responsibilities will be decided post-election, but are expected to include the town's public parks and open spaces.
A council worker in England, who stole nearly 80,000 email addresses, has been cautioned by police.
The now former worker at Stratford District Council allegedly took the email addresses to promote an unrelated business.
The Stratford-upon-Avon Herald reported that the matter came to light after residents complained about unsolicited emails after they had subscribed to a garden waste collection service.
The Waipā District Council is searching for a new chief executive to replace Garry Dyet, who announced his retirement after 45 years with the organization.
The council is seeking a strategic thinker and strong relationship-builder to lead the organization through its next transition phase and hopes to make an appointment by the end of April.
Meanwhile at Christchurch, the City Council is in the process of recruiting a new chief executive following the abrupt resignation of Dawn Baxendale in November for to personal reasons, amidst low staff morale, poor resident satisfaction, and high staff turnover.
The Press reported this week that Mayor Phil Mauger has a preference for a "local-ish" candidate, implying someone familiar with New Zealand politics.
Interim chief executive Mary Richardson has ruled out taking the job permanently.
From The Guardian this week, a story of a town in turmoil in Italy, after its far-right mayor, Anna Maria Cisint, banned Muslim prayers, sparking tensions and protests.
Population growth in Monfalcone, largely due to an influx of skilled foreign workers from Bangladesh, has been met with resistance by Mayor Cisint, who has reportedly been nurturing an anti-Islam agenda since 2016.
The ban on prayers has had a significant impact on the Muslim community, who have been living peacefully in the town for over 20 years.
The community is now appealing against the prayer ban through the regional administrative court.