Local Government News Roundup

2nd May 2021 (#17)

May 02, 2021 Season 1 Episode 17
Local Government News Roundup
🔒 2nd May 2021 (#17)
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In this episode:
A review announced into the culture of local government in Victoria;
Funding for Victorian Councils to employ staff to work with business on COVID Safe practices;
A trial of e-scooters on the way;
A CEO resign, another loses an unfair dismissal case, and yet another is appointed in a big week of senior executive news;
And the NSW Council saying no to Netflix.

Links:
1. Cultural review of Victorian local government
2. Funding for business concierge staff
3. E-scooter trial this year
4. Baw Baw LED streetlight rollout
5. Mike Hill Fellowship launched
6. Hume wants more info on quarantine proposal
7. Greater Hamilton Digital and Smart Agriculture Festival
8. Surf Coast green lights $39M aquatic and health centre
9. VLGA employment opportunity
10. Adelaide CEO Mark Goldstone resigns
11. Suppression order lifted on Logan unfair dismissal case
12. Northern Beaches wants shark nets removed
13. Byron Bay Shire says no to Netflix - see Mayoral Minute 8.2
14. Fremantle Oval plan gets go-ahead from Council
15. Kiama Council appoints Jane Stroud as CEO
16. Logan councillor reprimanded, Deputy Mayor reelected
17. Resilient Australia Awards open for 2021
18. Extension to Ministers' Awards for Women in LG NSW
19. UK Council loses court bid to stay online
20. 'No Mow May' in Rochester
21. Silent Town Crier Championships in Britain

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association. VLGA Membership is available for all Councils, plus there are Associate Business membership and Associate Individual memberships available. Check out www.vlga.org.au for more details.

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; and supported by Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment and business advisory service.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Hello and welcome to the Local Government News Roundup. I’m Chris Eddy, and this is the bulletin for 2nd May 2021.

Coming up:
A review announced into the culture of local government in Victoria;
Funding for Victorian Councils to employ staff to work with business on COVID Safe practices;
A trial of e-scooters on the way;
A CEO resign, another loses an unfair dismissal case, and yet another is appointed in a big week of senior executive news;
And the NSW Council saying no to Netflix.

All that and lots more in a bumper edition of the Local Government News Roundup.

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, your go-to organisation for governance news, knowledge and training.

Here are some of the stories making news in Victorian local government this week:The Victorian State Government will commission a review of cultural issues in local government, with the aim of strengthening respect, integrity and trust. 

The Minister for Local Government Shaun Leane announced the review at this weekend’s Australian Local Government Women's Association Victoria Branch conference. It will include development of a discussion paper to look at the history of the culture in the sector, and ways to promote a more positive and inclusive work environment. 
The discussion paper will be the subject of a series of workshops later in the year, with a final report to be published in the last quarter of 2021.

Meanwhile, the Minister has announced over $7 million in funding for Victorian councils to establish a Local Government Business Concierge and Hospitality Support program. The money is to employ 236 workers to proactively promote COVIDSafe practices through direct engagement with businesses. 

Each metropolitan and regional council will be funded for four support officers, while rural councils will receive funding for two new staff members.

Three Victorian Councils will be chosen to participate in a trial of e-scooters later this year. The announcement came as mandatory minimum passing distances for motorists passing cyclists came into effect in Victoria. 

It’s understood that two metropolitan councils and one regional council will be chosen through a targeted expression of interest process, to be managed by the Department of Transport. The aim of the trial is to understand how e-scooters can be safely incorporated into the transport network.

Baw Baw Shire is nearing completion of the changeover to new LED streetlights in towns throughout the shire - a project that the council says will save approximately 365 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. 

It’s the second stage of lighting upgrades, supported by more than half a million dollars from the federal local roads and community infrastructure program. The council estimates a saving of almost $2 million in energy and capital costs over the 20 year lifetime of the asset.

Moreland City Council and the Australian Energy Foundation have launched a new initiative to build local champions for action on climate change. The Mike Hill Fellowship has been created in tribute to prominent Moreland environmental figure, the late Mike Hill. 

Mike’s long list of achievements include a former Mayor of Brunswick, the inaugural mayor of Moreland, and  he was an instrumental force in the creation of the Victorian Local Governance Association and the Moreland Energy Foundation. With the launch of the Fellowship, the first recipient was announced. It is Daisy Day, who will work on two energy innovation pilot projects this year as part of the Moreland Energy Innovation Lab.

In brief news notes,  Hume City Council is seeking more information from the Victorian Government about the proposal to establish a COVID quarantine facility in Mickleham. The Council wants an urgent meeting to discuss the ongoing management of the proposed facility, and to recognise community concerns about its size and function, and potential impact on the amenity of the area.

The second Greater Hamilton Digital Innovation and Smart Agriculture Festival will take place on the 25th and 26th May, and tickets are on sale now. The theme, ‘creating smart regions’ looks beyond Council boundaries to implement innovative practices, partnerships and technology to uplift regions. 

And Surf Coast Shire Council has greenlit a $39M project to establish a Surf Coast Aquatic and Health Centre in Torquay. The federal government has committed $20M to the project, with $13.5M coming from the state. The Council has committed almost $5M - planning and building is estimated to take three years.

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association .

The VLGA is the peak governance organisation for the local government sector, bringing you local, national and global thought leaders in conversation and panel sessions, online via VLGA Connect, and in-person at regular member events.

Through a funding agreement with Victorian Responsible Gambling Foundation, the VLGA has a position available to lead a specific project working with the local government sector. Applications are closing soon. Visit www.vlga.org.au to find out more.

Now to some stories making news in local government around Australia.

The CEO of Adelaide City Council, Mark Goldstone, has announced his resignation after being on personal leave due to health issues since the start of the year. Mr Goldstone has been with the council for five and half years, after previous roles at Clare and Gilbert Valleys, and City of Prospect councils. His last day was Friday 30th April. Clare Mockler will remain as Acting CEo while a recruitment process is conducted.

Former Logan Council CEO, Sharon Kelsey, has lost an unfair dismissal case, with the Queensland Industrial Relations Commission finding no evidence of a plot against her by councillors. The outcome of the case was subject to a suppression order, which was lifted last week. This follows the dismissal of charges against eight former Logan councillors, who were dismissed from their roles in 2019. The outcome has renewed calls from LGAQ for an independent inquiry into the long-running matter.

Northern Beaches Council in Sydney wants the NSW government to remove shark nets on beaches in its area, and replace them with alternatives that protect swimmers and reduce the unwanted catching of non-target species, such as turtles, rays and dolphins. The Council is responding to a call for input on preferred shark mitigation measures. 

The Acting Mayor, Candy Bingham, said research shows 90 percent of marine species caught in shark nets were other species, and suggested there are other more effective ways to mitigate shark risk.

Byron Bay Shire Council has formally objected to a filming of a ‘reaility’ program in its community. The proposed program, Byron Baes, is planned for the Netflix streaming service, and the council shares community concerns about potential reputational and social damage from the program. 

It was noted that the Council does not have the power to refuse to grant filming approvals on land, infrastructure or road reserves under its control. They have formally requested the production seek another more supportive location and community, and are asking the state government to review NSW filming protocols to allow for better community engagement on such proposals. 

The previously announced $37 million redevelopment plan for Fremantle Oval has now received formal endorsement from Fremantle City Council. The master plan is a collaboration between the City, South Fremantle and Fremantle Football Clubs, and the WA Football Commission. The council is now working on securing external funding before work can start on the first of four independent stages.

In brief news notes, Kiama Council has appointed Jane Stroud as CEO, commencing 7th June. Jane brings 20 years of leadership experience from working in local government in south east and regional Queensland. The Council’s Director Engineering and Works Mike Dowd will continue as Acting CEO until Jane’s commencement next month. 

At Logan City Council in Queensland, the council has voted to reprimand Councillor Lisa Bradley for engaging in inappropriate conduct on social media, contrary to the Local Government Act 2009. At the same meeting, the council reelected Cr Jon Raven as Deputy Mayor for a second consecutive one year term.

In it’s 22nd year, the Resilient Australia Awards are now open for 2021. The awards celebrate initiatives that build whole of community resilience to disasters and emergencies, as well as images capturing resilience in action. There are awards in each state and territory from six categories, including local government. Applications close 3rd June.

And the nomination period for the NSW Ministers’ Awards for Women in Local Government have been extended by 10 days. Nominations that recognise the contributions of female councillors and council staff can now be made until 10th May.

Now to some items of interest from beyond Australia:

Hertfordshire County Council in England has lost a High Court bid to continue meeting online after this coming week. Under emergency legislation from last year, councils have been able to meet virtually - but that provision ends the day of local elections, which are being held on Thursday this week. The court ruled that primary legislation would be needed to extend the provisions. The responsible Minister has reportedly told councils that the government was unable to fit in legislation to allow virtual meetings to continue at this time.

To Rochester now - not the one in Victoria, but the one in Minnesota USA, where homeowners are being asked to not mow their lawns for the full month of May. The ‘No Mow May’ campaign is about encouraging the health and habitat of pollinators, which are an integral part of the ecosystem. The City’s Parks and Recreation department relaxing the usual rule requiring vegetation to be kept under 12 inches, but just for this month.

The British Town Crier Championships will go ahead this month, with a difference. For the first time ever, there will be no loud ringing, boisterous cries - rather, competitors will be judged on the quality of their written cries. Because there cannot be an audience, thanks to the pandemic, entrants this year will be judged how their written submissions stick to a 140 word limit and the theme of nature and the environment. The event supports a mental health charity, and is being held in UK Mental Health Week, from 10th to 16th May.

And that’s it for another roundup.  You’ll find links to all of the stories referenced in today’s program in the show notes.

You can access episodes and related information on the web at www.lgnewsroundup.com, or you can subscribe to the show with your preferred podcast provider.

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association. VLGA Membership is available for all Councils, plus there are Associate Business membership and Associate Individual memberships available. Check out www.vlga.org.au for more details.

That’s the program for today. Until next time, thanks for listening.

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