Victorian Roundup:
The Victorian government's central housing policy, aiming to build 80,000 homes a year, has been deemed irrelevant and powerless by the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
The Herald Sun has reported on a VCAT ruling made in relation to a proposed 11-storey mixed-use development in North Essendon, with the tribunal stating that the policy lacks the necessary planning regulations or instruments to give it legal and regulatory weight.
The Property Council of Australia's Victorian executive director, Cath Evans, labeled the situation a "red flag" for the housing industry.
A government spokesman said consultation needed to happen on new planning controls which are expected to be introduced by the end of the year.
The Age has reported on a pre-election plan by the YIMBY group to get council candidates to pledge not to block apartment developments.
The pro-housing group aims to expand its influence in key inner-city areas, with housing set to be a significant issue at the October local government elections.
YIMBY Melbourne leader Jonathan O'Brien said there is a need for pro-housing councillors and his group plans to monitor elected councillors' voting records to ensure they uphold their housing promises.
Geelong's Deputy Mayor, Anthony Aitken, is set to make a second apology to three fellow councillors after accusing them of having a predetermined view on plans for a Bellarine chocolate factory.
The Geelong Advertiser reported that an arbitration process has found Cr Aitken breached the Local Government Act’s standards of conduct with his comments.
Arbiter Yehudi Blacher ruled that Cr Aitken should apologise again, and that the decision be circulated to relevant media outlets in the municipality.
He was also critical of the complainant councillors for not seeking to have the matter resolved internally, thereby subjecting ratepayers to the cost and time involved in an external arbitration.
Wodonga Council is considering ending its $40,000 annual membership with the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) due to concerns raised by Councillor Danny Chamberlain about voting practices at the recent State Council meeting.
The Border Mail reported that Mayor Ron Mildren has also suggested reassessing the council's involvement with MAV, noting a growing philosophical and structural gap between metropolitan and non-metropolitan councils.
The council's only motion at the recent MAV state council meeting, advocating for changes to water hydrant ownership legislation, was supported.
Greater Shepparton City Council Mayor, Cr Shane Sali, is backing a call from Fruit Growers Victoria for immediate implementation of key recommendations from the senate inquiry into supermarket pricing conduct.
The recommendations include increased ACCC power and resources, enhanced price transparency, and a crackdown on poor supermarket behaviour.
Emphasising the need for mandatory enforcement of the Food and Grocery Code of Conduct, Cr Sali said the fruit industry is crucial to Greater Shepparton’s economy and it was important to support local growers for the region's long-term viability.
Colac Otway Shire Council has committed to continue its role in the provision of aged care services, preparing for delivery under the Support at Home program and other reforms introduced by the Commonwealth Government.
CEO Anne Howard said the council will narrow its focus to options that continue service delivery, based on community feedback valuing the existing aged care services.
The final mix of services is yet to be determined, but Ms Howard said the council is committed to investing in management, support, technology, training, and quality assurance.
Victorian Briefs:
A draft Ballarat Airport Strategy and Master Plan (STAMP) has been endorsed by Ballarat City Council and is now ready for community review.
The plan has been informed by nearly 200 submissions from residents and over 50 business leaders, and aims to increase connectivity, boost the economy, and enhance emergency service capacity.
While there are some concerns about noise and environmental impact, the majority of residents and businesses support the airport's development due to the potential economic growth and time and cost savings.
Chelsworth Park in Ivanhoe is set to get two new public pavilions costing $14 million, funded by Ivanhoe Grammar School as part of a 40-year lease agreement with Banyule City Council.
The pavilions will be used by the school and nine other community sports clubs, while the park will remain open to the public.
The agreement includes new clauses for traffic and parking management, usage hours, heritage building protection, and a ban on new fences.
The $13.025 million second stage of the Mildura Sporting Precinct has officially opened, marking the completion of the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken by the Mildura Rural City Council.
The project, funded in part by the Victorian Government, includes upgrades to lighting, cricket practice nets, a second multi-use oval, additional change rooms, a new social room, squash courts, netball courts, seating improvements, and a sports administration hub.
National Roundup:
NSW:
Kiama Council has received a variation to its Performance Improvement Order (PIO) from the NSW Minister for Local Government.
The varied PIO requires the council to take actions over the next three years to improve its operating performance, including implementing a new Strategic Finance and Governance Improvement Plan, reviewing the timing of service reviews and revenue opportunities, and investigating property holdings and investment opportunities.
The PIO is listed for discussion at an Extraordinary Council Meeting, and bi-monthly progress reports are required to be provided to councillors and the NSW Government.
Meanwhile, the Illawarra Mercury has reported that a third Kiama Councillor in 12 months is the subject of a code of conduct complaint.
Business papers reveal the council has incurred $4.7M in legal fees up to March this year, including an amount of $5,200 for an external investigation of a complaint against an unnamed councillor.
According to the Mercury report, the complaint was lodged by another councillor and is now at the detailed investigation stage.
Narromine Shire Mayor Craig Davies has hit out at the NSW government for a lack of support for cultural events in rural locations.
His comments came after news of the cancellation of the popular Narromine Dolly Parton Festival, which was to have been held for the third time in October.
The event has been cancelled because a number of a funding applications by the volunteer organising team were unsuccessful.
A frustrated Mayor Davies told the Central Western Daily (26th May 2024) that cultural events in rural locations are ignored by governments who lack empathy and understanding.
The shire had committed $20,000 to the festival far short of the $150,000 needed to run the event.
Murray River Council will auction over 55 land lots to recover $583,740.53 in unpaid rates, some outstanding for more than five years.
While the majority of the lots are vacant, there are some houses potentially up for sale.
The Deniliquin Pastoral Times reported that some of the listed property owners are deceased, with no current owner or inheritor to pay the rates.
The auctions will take place at Moama Bowling Club on July 13.
The NSW Government is providing support to encourage more women to run for local council, with $160,000 in funding for two women’s organisations to host candidate information workshops.
The Australian Local Government Women’s Association and Women for Election will deliver workshops on leadership skills and campaign strategies.
The initiative is part of a wider campaign to encourage greater diversity in candidate representation at the upcoming elections.
QLD:
The future of Toowoomba Regional Council CEO Brian Pidgeon's tenure is reported to be under pressure from the new council, amid concerns about the organisation's work culture and leadership.
The Toowoomba Chronicle reported that some stakeholders are questioning a lack of long-term planning, particularly around the imminent Cressbrook Dam safety upgrade.
If significant government funding is not received, it could see the council's debt rise to $300 million.
Mr Pidgeon, whose contract is due for renewal next year, said he and his leadership team are committed to improving the organisation's culture and performance.
The Queensland environmental regulator's decision to reject a carbon capture and storage (CCS) proposal for the Great Artesian Basin is a victory for local communities, according to the Local Government Association of Queensland.
LGAQ has welcomed the decision, and says farmers, conservationists, and councils are united in their call for a moratorium on further proposals.
The decision follows calls from Queensland mayors for the State Government to reject the carbon capture and storage proposal and a moratorium.
WA:
The City of Joondalup is preparing to release an expression of interest for an e-scooter rideshare service for a 12-month trial period in its coastal suburbs.
PerthNow reported that the council will vote on whether to advertise for an appropriate service to operate in areas west of Marmion Avenue.
The e-scooters will be operational in the suburbs of Mullaloo, Kallaroo, Hillarys, and Sorrento, with geofencing technology limiting their use beyond set boundaries and automatically limiting speed in certain areas.
National Briefs:
Queensland’s Livingstone Shire Council has decided to discontinue briefing sessions and councillor portfolios in favour of a new standing committee structure.
The new committees on Infrastructure, Recreation and Culture, and Development and Environment will meet monthly, and make recommendations for ultimate decision at an Ordinary Council Meeting.
MidCoast Council has announced it will commence talks with two preferred providers, as it transitions away from providing ageing and disability services.
Negotiations are underway with Kirinari Community Services and Ability Options for future service provision after a request for proposals process.
Bundaberg Regional Council and the Urban Development Institute of Australia Bundaberg branch have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to strengthen their partnership and attract investment.
The MOU represents a significant milestone in addressing key issues and advocating for projects that support the growing region.
A joint working committee will be established to raise issues relevant to the industry and its relationship with the region.
Global Roundup:
UK:
A UK mayor has lost a high court case against the UK government over the use of a barge to house migrants.
A High Court judge ruled that the Bibby Stockholm is not under the planning control of Dorset Council as it is not on land, according to a report from BBC News.
The case was brought by Portland mayor Carralyn Parkes, who argued that the council could have prevented the barge from being moored at Portland Port.
However, the judge concluded that the sea bed and harbour could not be considered as "land", over which the council might have enforcement powers.
Mayor Parkes lost another High Court case last year when the same judge blocked her challenge of the Home Office’s decision to house migrants on the barge.
Cambridge City Council has reportedly become the first in the UK to call for a ceasefire in Gaza and an end to arms sales to Israel.
The council, run by a Labour majority, unanimously passed a motion urging the British government to pressure for a truce and to suspend arms sales to Israel.
The council also plans to investigate the implications of ceasing banking with Barclays due to its investments in companies arming Israel.
The website Press TV has reported on the development, and says no other UK city council has passed a similar motion to date.
USA:
Chicago's Mayor Brandon Johnson is facing opposition to his plan to cancel the city's contract with ShotSpotter, a gunshot sound detection system.
The CEO of the company that makes the system has warned that the cancellation could result in loss of life, according to the website Law Enforcement Today dot com.
Critics, including BLM Chicago and #StopShotSpotter, contend that the system is a form of "racist technology" predominantly deployed in Black and Latino neighbourhoods.
A City Council vote on the issue is expected this week, with alderman David Moore claiming he’s gathered enough support from council members to force the mayor to wait for council approval for removal of the system.
Commissioners at a North Carolina county are being sued by a residents group which wants to see the removal of a confederate monument that they say explicitly supports slavery.
USA Today reports that the Concerned Citizens of Tyrrell County group argue that the phrase “In appreciation of our faithful slaves” which is inscribed on the monument violates the Fourteenth Amendment; and that the monument creates a racially hostile environment.
The county contends that a state law prevents removal of the statue.
Global Briefs:
The UK’s Local Government Association (LGA) has cancelled its annual conference due to a clash with the general election.
The conference was scheduled for 2-4 July in Harrogate, but a general election has now been called for 4 July.
The annual general assembly meeting will still occur remotely on 2 July.
Madrid City Council has authorised a €75.2 million contract for 100% renewable energy supply for municipal buildings, set to begin on September 1, 2024.
The contract, which extends the current one, requires the successful bidder to prove that all the supplied electricity is from renewable sources.
A by-election has been scheduled for next month to elect a new mayor and five councillors at Canada’s City of Chestermere.
The elected body was dismissed by the government last December, along with three chief administrative officers, after the city unsuccessfully tried to stop the dismissal in court.
The by-election has been set for the 24th June.
CANADA:
In the face of criticism from the Ontario Ombudsman, Niagara Falls City Council continues to uphold a $500 fee for filing complaints about council members' conduct, according to a report from The Pointer dot com.
A motion from a council member to consider advice from the Ombudsman and review the fee failed to attract a seconder and therefore failed.
The council also rejected a motion to research the practices of other municipalities.
The Ombudsman has criticised the council for its high fee, its requirement for complainants to be residents, and its practice of splitting single complaints into multiple issues, each requiring a separate fee.