Hello, and welcome to the Local Government News Roundup for 20th October 2021. I’m Chris Eddy.
On the Roundup today… the Victorian Government announces an injection of funding for councils and businesses for covid-safe outdoor hospitality; Yarra Council’s parklet fee plan revisited; the results are in from Western Australian local government elections; nominations about to open for NSW elections; and a council’s finances to be subject to independent review.
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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The Victorian Government has unveiled a $55 million outdoor economy package to support the costs for businesses setting up for street trading, and for councils to provide the necessary infrastructure and support.
More than 7,000 grants of $2,000 will be available to businesses, community organisations and other qualifying groups to set up outdoor hospitality and entertainment; while Councils will share in $40 million to make physical improvements to outdoor spaces, and establish semi-permanent and permanent outdoor precincts.
Council funding will be allocated based on the level of business activity, and within metropolitan, regional and rural groupings.
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/taking-it-outdoors-supporting-safer-way-open
Yarra City Council last night revisited its controversial plan to charge fees to businesses for the use of car parks as outdoor dining areas.
The Herald Sun reports that last night’s meeting became heated with clashes between councillors, business owners and residents, as an alternative to the plan was debated.
Under the revised plan, a layered fee system will apply, with fees waived until June 2022; and allowing for funding to flow from the state government to support outdoor dining and entertainment activities.
Yarra Council backflips on parking cash grab
In what is being billed as a cross-border first, Wodonga Council has teamed with Albury City and the University of Technology Sydney on a project to drive economic and population growth for the border cities.
UTS will use thousands of data points from Albury, Wodonga and surrounding areas to create an open data policy and platform to provide a high level view of the region’s growth potential.
The project seeks to answer questions about planning for population growth, the value of the visitor economy, and positioning the region as a destination of choice for new residents.
It is believed to be not only Australia's largest open data policy, but the first to operate across state borders.
https://www.wodonga.vic.gov.au/newsroom/archive/policy-another-cross-border-first
Baw Baw Shire Council is seeking state and federal government support for a landmark multi use community precinct to be developed in the heart of Warragul.
The $30 million project is phase 1 of a civic precinct master plan adopted earlier this year to address the growing community infrastructure needs of the shire.
The Council has committed $10 million to the project, and is aiming for $10 million each to come from the state and federal governments.
The Warragul precinct will include a state of the art library, community hub, cultural space and plaza.
https://www.bawbawshire.vic.gov.au/Latest-News/Council-to-pursue-funding-support-for-landmark-community-precinct
This week is Gambling Harm Awareness Week, a time when people are encouraged to talk about the harms associated with gambling and the effect on communities, families, friends, workplaces and individuals.
A new episode of VLGA Connect premieres today, featuring Angela Savage, CEO of Public Libraries Victoria, and Rose O’Leary, the Libraries After Dark officer from the VLGA. Hear about how Libraries After Dark, a local government initiative originating with Moreland City Council, is providing fun and free evening activities as an alternative to gambling.
You can access that episode today on YouTube or podcast, and find out more at librariesafterdark.com.au
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The Roundup continues in a moment with more news from around the country.
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.
Local government elections have been conducted in Western Australia, resulting in a mix of new and returned mayors across the Perth metropolitan area.
WAToday reports that four new mayors have been elected at Fremantle, Subiaco, Mosman Park and Rockingham, while sitting mayors have been returned at Joondalup, Cockburn, East Fremantle, Cottesloe and Claremont.
In notable results, Hannah Fitzhardinge has become only the second ever female mayor at Fremantle, and Cr Frank Mofflin was last night elected Deputy Mayor along with the swearing-in of the new mayor and councillors.
David McMullen has replaced one term mayor Penny Taylor at Subiaco; and Deb Hamblin steps up from deputy mayor at Rockingham to be that council’s first female mayor after serving on council for 16 years.
At Perth council, there was a recount for the last vacancy after just seven votes separated the fourth and fifth placed candidates.
Meanwhile, the ABC reports that several new councillors under the age of 30 have been elected this year.
They include Cr Amy Astill is the youngest ever councilor at Kalgoorlie-Boulder at 19 years of age.
30 year old Jaysen De San Miguel is the youngest mayor ever for the City of Bunbury, the Shire of Capel has a 26 year old Shire President in Doug Kitchen.
Local government elections: New era in Fremantle, a former Eagle rises and a recount in Perth
Newly elected Fremantle mayor and councillors sworn in
Young councillors shake up local governments in regional Western Australia
In South Australia, a supplementary election has been held to fill a vacancy in the Outer Harbor Ward of Port Adelaide Enfield Council. The vacancy arose due to the passing of former councillor and deputy mayor Peter Jamieson in July.
There were six candidates for the position, and after the distribution of preferences, Adrian Wotton obtained 1226 votes and was provisionally elected under quota.
City of Port Adelaide Enfield - Outer Harbor Ward - 19 October 2021
Meanwhile, the December 4 elections in NSW are fast approaching, and there is less than a week until candidate nominations open. More than 1200 councillors will be elected across 124 local councils. Nominations open next Monday, 25th October, and close on 3rd November.
One week until nominations for councils open - Office of Local Government NSW
Local Government NSW is calling for the state to prioritise women’s economic security and urgently invest in social housing.
LGNSW President Linda Scott said the association was joining its Anti-Poverty Week partners in making the call for investment in the Pink Hi Vis Recovery campaign.
She pointed to a new Equity Economics report that highlights an urgent need to invest in women’s economic security by building more social housing - with women having borne the brunt of COVID 19 with 61 percent of job losses since May 2021.
They are calling for 5,000 social housing units, and long term funding for domestic violence and specialist homelessness services.
https://www.lgnsw.org.au/Public/Public/News/2021-Media/1019_anti_poverty.aspx
The interim administrator at Wingecarribee Shire Council in New South Wales has called for an independent review into the Councils finances
Viv May has referred the Council's draft annual financial statements for external audit, and recommended a desktop comparison be undertaken on several former financial decisions.
He said he would be suggesting the independent auditor look at the Councils’ 2016 application for a special rate variation, and compare it to the council’s long-term forward financial plan.
Interim Administrator to review Council's finances
The City of Newcastle has been recognised at the National Economic Development Awards for Excellence for its innovative work in talent attraction and economic development.
The council’s recently adopted economic development strategy was shortlisted as a finalist in the strategic thinking category; and its talent attraction and relocation program New Move was shortlisted in the marketing category.
Newcastle recognised for innovative approach to economic development
And Willoughby City Council has joined the global Cities Race to Zero program, a campaign of the United Nations Climate Change Conference. In joining the global campaign, the council has accelerated its own greenhouse gas emissions targets, committing to net zero emissions by 2025 and 100 per cent renewable energy by Council operations by next year.
https://www.willoughby.nsw.gov.au/Council/News-and-media/Council-accelerates-emission-targets-by-joining-Cities-Race-to-Zero
The Roundup continues in a moment with the international spotlight falling on the US and the UK.
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.
Now some stories of interest under our international spotlight….
Local elections are underway in Santa Fe, the largest city in New Mexico, and the Associated Press reports that nearly 13,000 absentee and early ballots have been cast with two weeks still remaining before Election Day.
The consolidated elections will determine representatives for local governments and school boards. At the last election in 2019, just 18 percent of registered voters participated - a total of 224,000 across the state. Balloting options have been expanded in a bid to boost voter turnout.
Voting options expand in Albuquerque, Santa Fe elections
In the UK, councillors at Brighton and Hove City Council have agreed on a formal resolution to an ongoing industrial dispute, which has led to fears of health hazards from uncollected bin bags on city streets.
The Council says a new series of management procedures have been agreed which will resolve the dispute on changes to driver rounds and deliver an increase in pay.
The Council has asked the community for patience as the accumulated volume of waste will take some to clear.
Update on Cityclean industrial dispute
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.
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.