Local Government News Roundup

17th October 2021 (#65)

October 17, 2021 Season 1 Episode 65
Local Government News Roundup
🔒 17th October 2021 (#65)
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On the Roundup today… 9000 ballot packs go missing in the South Gippsland Shire Council election; a CEO talks about being trolled over a mandatory vaccination stance for staff; the deamalgamation question set to be put to residents of Inner West council; and opposition builds to a new waste from energy facility in New South Wales.

Just some of what’s ahead on the Roundup, which is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, an independent governance organisation supporting councils and councillors to achieve the highest standards of governance;

And by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers - providing advice to help Councils achieve the best for their communities.

Links:
South Gippsland Shire Council election
Victoria's success relies on thriving regional cities
Fire Season Inquiry Phase Two Report Delivered
MAV responds to fire season inquiry report
Roundup Extra - Ali Wastie, Bass Coast Shire CEO
New library to take prime position in redeveloped Westfield Knox
Inner West de-amalgamation question
Mayor Overall to retire at upcoming election
Sunshine Coast Biosphere within reach
LGNSW welcomes outdoor dining funding
Whitsunday Regional Council to review Airbnb policy after homeowners threaten legal challenge
Council Objects to Proposed Matraville Incinerator
1000 Play Streets
Flooding could shut down a quarter of all critical infrastructure in the U.S.
Smart Cities Groups Band Together to Form National Coalition
Har

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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 for 17th October 2021. I’m Chris Eddy.

On the Roundup today… 9000 ballot packs go missing in the South Gippsland Shire Council election; a CEO talks about being trolled over a mandatory vaccination stance for staff; the deamalgamation question set to be put to residents of Inner West council; and opposition builds to a new waste from energy facility in New South Wales.

Just some of what’s ahead on the Roundup, which is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, an independent governance organisation supporting councils and councillors to achieve the highest standards of governance;

And by Hunt & Hunt Lawyers - providing advice to help Councils achieve the best for their communities.


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A stone in the road back to democracy in South Gippsland Shire Council, with the announcement that voting for the upcoming election has been extended by one week, due to more than 9,000 ballot packs not being delivered to voters across all three wards.


The Electoral Commissioner Warwick Gately said the VEC was working with Australia Post to investigate why the ballot packs had not been delivered.


The ballot packs are being reprinted this weekend, and Mr Gately has determined that all voters will have the extra week to return their pack regardless of whether it was delayed or not.


The new closing date for voting is Friday 29th October at 6pm.

South Gippsland Shire Council election




The Regional Cities Victoria group has launched its Advocacy Priorities for 2022 to 2025 with an online event attended by key decision makers from all levels of government, business and community.


Chair of RCV and Mayor of Greater Shepparton, Cr Kim O’Keeffe and fellow mayors unveiled the important advocacy document which highlights four critical pillars for investment to underpin regional growth and recovery.


Among the group’s asks are $800 million over four years to be invested in infrastructure, urgent action on the housing shortage, and $50 million for regional digital infrastructure investments.



You can watch the online event and access the RCV Advocacy Priorities document from the link provided in the show notes for this episode.

Victoria's success relies on thriving regional cities



The Victorian Government has tabled the second phase report from the Inspector General for Emergency Management’s independent inquiry into the 2019-20 Victorian fire season.


The report makes 15 recommendations aimed at ensuring the emergency management sector, local governments and communities are better placed to manage relief and recovery from bushfires and other emergencies.


Minister for Emergency Services Jaclyn Symes confirmed the government’s support for the recommendations, including creating a dedicated recovery entity to work with councils and other agencies on a statewide all-emergencies response.

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/fire-season-inquiry-phase-two-report-delivered


The MAV acknowledged the release of the report on Friday, and confirmed its support for the recommendation, including those referencing the MAV and councils. 


MAV President Cr David Clark said the recommendations provide a significant opportunity to dramatically enhance arrangements for communities impacted by emergencies.


He said the creation of a new recovery entity would require further discussion to ensure community needs are at the forefront of any proposed models, noting that Councils already have a legislated responsibility to coordinate relief and recovery locally.

https://www.mav.asn.au/news/engagement-with-councils-on-emergency-management-is-vital



The CEO of Bass Coast Shire Council has spoken of the personal attacks and online trolling that she has experienced since announcing mandatory vaccination requirements for the Council’s entire workforce last week.


Ali Wastie told the Roundup that while she has received support from the organisation and the local community, she wasn’t expecting the negative response from further afield …



You can listen to my full interview with Ali Wastie on the episode of Roundup Extra released on Friday and available through your podcast app or on the Roundup website.

https://lgnewsroundup.com/?p=367



Knox City Council has unveiled plans for a new library to be built as part of the redevelopment of the Westfield Knox shopping precinct.


The library will be more than twice the size of the current library, occupying roughly half of level 3 of the former Myer department store.


The Council’s Youth Information Centre will be relocated into the library once it is complete. Timelines for the development are yet to be announced.

New library to take prime position in redeveloped Westfield Knox | Knox





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The Roundup continues in a moment with more news from around the country.



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


There’s a big week of VLGA partnership events coming your way this week.


On Thursday morning, 21st October, the VLGA is partnering with Local Government Victoria and FinPro to bring you a live online panel event, discussing the use of debt as a financial resource for Councils.

 

Panellists will include Victoria’s Auditor-General Andrew Greaves, Executive Director of Local Government Victoria, Julie Reid, local government financial sustainability consultant John Comrie, and CEO of Central Goldfields Shire Council, Lucy Roffey.


And on Thursday evening, it’s the next VLGA/LGIU Global Panel on the topic of innovative solutions to the housing crisis. 


From the Uk we have Kate Kenally, CEO of Cornwall Council, and Brian Geaney, Assistant CEO of Cork City Council - they’ll be joined on the panel by Peter Colacino, Chief of Policy and Research from Infrastructure Australia.


Register now for either or both of these to join us for what promises to be insightful and motivating discussions.... visit vlga.org.au/events to register and for more information.




Inner West Council has taken the next step towards a poll of residents on the matter of de-amalgamation.


The Yes and No case flyer and poll question have now been endorsed by the Council following sign off from the NSW Electoral Commission.


The poll, to be run in conjunction with Council elections on 4th December, will ask residents if they support the restoration of the former local government areas of Ashfield, Leichhardt and Marrickville.


Mayor Rochelle Porteous says the poll provides citizens the chance to have a say on the amalgamation which happened forcibly in 2016. 


She said what happens after the vote on 4th December will be a matter for the new Council and the Minister for Local Government.

https://www.innerwest.nsw.gov.au/about/news/media-releases/2021-media-releases/inner-west-to-vote-whether-or-not-to-de-amalgamate



The mayor of Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council in NSW Cr Tim Overall has announced his retirement and he will not contest the council election on 4th December. 

Cr Overall was elected mayor of the former Queanbeyan Council in 2008, and was the first elected mayor of the merged Council.

Mayor Overall to retire at upcoming election


The Sunshine Coast Council’s nomination for the region to become a UNESCO Biosphere has reached the final stage.

Having been considered by the Queensland and Australian governments, the nomination will now be considered by UNESCO in Paris.


The Council’s intention is that a Sunshine Coast Biosphere will become an exemplar of people and nature in harmony, embedding the values of the community in long term planning as the region continues to grow.

A community reference group has helped to guide the development of the nomination over the past two years. UNESCO’s assessment of the nomination is anticipated in June next year. Sunshine Coast Biosphere within reach


NSW Councils have welcomed a commitment from the state government of $66 million for an outdoor dining and entertainment revival across the state.

LGNSW says local government has been driving for this outcome for several years to support a job-creating locally led economic recovery in their communities.

Grants of up to $5,000 will be available to eligible businesses for expanding and improving alfresco areas, and councils will have access to up to ½ a million dollars to improve high streets and surrounding areas.

Further funding has been made available to the City of Sydney and 12 LGAs in south west and western Sydney to open streets for community events and festivals.

https://www.lgnsw.org.au/Public/News/2021-Media/1015_outdoor_dining.aspx


The owners of a holiday home in North Queensland are reportedly considering legal action against the Whitsunday Regional Council after councillors voted against officer advice to deny approval for an Airbnb listing.

The ABC reports that the decision was contrary to the region’s planning scheme, and that the Council is now reviewing its policies with a planning scheme amendment likely to be required.

The decision to reject the application was due to objections from neighbours over parking, noise and privacy concerns.

Whitsunday Regional Council to review Airbnb policy after homeowners threaten legal challenge


Bayside Council in NSW will launch a strong campaign of opposition to the plans for a waste to energy facility at Matraville, across the border in Randwick municipality.

The Council has voted to write to all members of parliament and conduct an advertising campaign in opposition to the proposed incinerator, which some of its councillors say will blow poisonous plumes across the whole of Bayside and down to Sutherland.

The facility is intended to power the Opal Power Mill in Matraville, which is currently powered by natural gas.

The proposal is classified as state significant and will be determined by the state government.

Council Objects to Proposed Matraville Incinerator


A new movement to reconnect socially-isolated communities has been launched by Play Australia.

The 1000 Play Streets initiative is looking to encourage more play for all on quiet residential streets, and local governments are being encouraged to join the movement.

A free toolkit has been developed after a two year national pilot involving six local governments across four states, and La Trobe University. Keiran Brophy from Play Australia told me who was involved in the pilot….

1000 Play Streets is looking to work with councils to reduce the red tape that often gets in the way….

For more on the 1000 Play Streets initiative, look out for a new episode of VLGA Connect coming tomorrow, Monday 18th October on YouTube or your preferred podcast listening app.

1000 Play Streets




The Roundup continues in a moment with the international spotlight falling on the US and the UK.



But first, a word about our valued sponsors, Hunt & Hunt Lawyers.


Hunt and Hunt do more than help councils with their legal issues. They build genuine partnerships to help you achieve the best for your community.


The team at Hunt & Hunt have experience as councillors, officers and executives within councils across Victoria. They know that when things get tough, you roll up your sleeves and you do what needs to be done in the interests of your community. That’s the same energy they bring to their partnership with council clients.

 

With more than 80 years’ experience in the local government sector, there are few municipal law issues they haven’t seen and successfully resolved.  

 

To find out more about the Hunt and Hunt team, visit hunthunt.com.au.



Now some stories of interest under our international spotlight….


From the US, a new report has found that 25% of all critical infrastructure in the country is at risk of being rendered inoperable due to flooding.


AXIOS reports police stations, airports and hospitals in all corners of the country are among those at heightened risk due to climate change. The study finds the US is unprepared for today’s climate, let alone the extreme weather events that are likely in the coming decades.

Findings include 2 million miles of roads at risk of becoming impassable; and 2,000 pieces of critical infrastructure at risk from sea level rise, heavy rainfall and in some cases a combination of the two.


The nonprofit group First Street Foundation has developed the report and is making the data available for free to the public on its website.

Flooding could shut down a quarter of all critical infrastructure in the U.S.



The smart city movement in the United States has taken a step forward with regional smart city organisations in six states coming together to form a National Smart Coalitions Partnership.


The Government Technology website reports that the organisations from Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Illinois, Arizona and Florida will work together to scale projects and tackle larger, more complex issues such as privacy, connectivity and data sharing.


In effect, the partnership unites more than 100 local governments, which are aiming to bridge gaps between local, state and regional efforts, especially in relation to transport and cybersecurity.

Smart Cities Groups Band Together to Form National Coalition


In London, Haringey Council has become the first to provide specially designed modular homes to tackle homelessness. 


32 new modular homes on the site of a former storage yard, were officially handed over this week.

It’s the first project to benefit from a £15M initiative by Hill Group to donate 200 modular homes on small plots of unused land over the next five years.


A council team will provide specialist support to the residents to adjust to their new homes, as well as tackle the issues that led to them becoming homeless.

Haringey becomes first in London to provide modular homes to tackle homelessness



And that’s it for this edition of the roundup.  Visit www.lgnewsroundup.com for more on each episode, including show notes, links to the stories referenced and extra features. Don’t forget to subscribe on your preferred podcast listening app, and please consider leaving a rating or review while you’re there.


The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the home of VLGA Connect - an ever growing library of interviews, updates and panel discussions on YouTube and podcast


And by Hunt and Hunt Lawyers - providing advice to help Councils achieve the best for their communities.


Join me next time for more local government news. Until then, thanks for listening and bye for now.