On the Roundup today… Banyule’s mayor steps down following an appearance at IBAC; the CEO of Yarra resigns to take up a new role; the council CEO choosing not to get vaccinated; an inquiry announced into Queensland’s local government integrity agency; a deputy mayor steps down and a mayoral election recount denied.
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:
Banyule mayor takes leave of absence
Yarra CEO Accepts Exciting New Role With Homes Melbourne
Candidate accused of using newspaper to boost re-election campaign
Victorian Premier tells 'non-compliant' Swan Hill Council CEO to get the jab
The Regional Renewable Organics Network at Black Rock
Dubbo: Rescission motion unsuccessful
Qld parliament to probe council watchdog; Statement by Greg Hallam, CEO of the LGAQ – LGAQ
City of Swan announces new Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor makes formal complaint against councillor
Moreton Bay Council - Deputy Mayor steps down, election conducted
NTCAT rejects bid for new recount of mayoral vote
Paroo Shire explains 10% rate cap
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti: City Employees Who Refuse Covid Vaccination “Should Be Prepared To Lose Their Job”
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.
On the Roundup today… Banyule’s mayor steps down following an appearance at IBAC; the CEO of Yarra resigns to take up a new role; the council CEO choosing not to get vaccinated; an inquiry announced into Queensland’s local government integrity agency; a deputy mayor steps down and a mayoral election recount denied.
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:
Banyule mayor takes leave of absence
Yarra CEO Accepts Exciting New Role With Homes Melbourne
Candidate accused of using newspaper to boost re-election campaign
Victorian Premier tells 'non-compliant' Swan Hill Council CEO to get the jab
The Regional Renewable Organics Network at Black Rock
Dubbo: Rescission motion unsuccessful
Qld parliament to probe council watchdog; Statement by Greg Hallam, CEO of the LGAQ – LGAQ
City of Swan announces new Mayor and Deputy Mayor
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor makes formal complaint against councillor
Moreton Bay Council - Deputy Mayor steps down, election conducted
NTCAT rejects bid for new recount of mayoral vote
Paroo Shire explains 10% rate cap
L.A. Mayor Eric Garcetti: City Employees Who Refuse Covid Vaccination “Should Be Prepared To Lose Their Job”
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 for 24th October 2021. I’m Chris Eddy.
On the Roundup today… Banyule’s mayor steps down following an appearance at IBAC; the CEO of Yarra resigns to take up a new role; the council CEO choosing not to get vaccinated; an inquiry announced into Queensland’s local government integrity agency; a deputy mayor steps down and a mayoral election recount denied.
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.
The Mayor of Banyule City Council has stepped down from the role this week, and taken a leave of absence as a councillor, following his appearance at the IBAC Operation Watts hearings.
Cr Rick Garotti, a Labor Party member, was questioned as part of the investigation into the misuse of taxpayer funds and staff for factional activities.
Banyule CEO Allison Beckwith said a number of concerning reports have emerged from the hearings, in what is a ‘challenging time’ for Cr Garotti, and she respects his decision to stand down.
Deputy Mayor Cr Tom Melican has assumed the role of Mayor, effective immediately.
https://www.banyule.vic.gov.au/News-items/Cr-Garotti-on-leave-of-absence
The Chief Executive Officer of Yarra City Council, Vijaya Vaidyanath, has announced her resignation from the Council to take up a new role as the inaugural CEO of Homes Melbourne.
Ms Vaidyanath has held the role at Yarra since mid-2012. In her new role, she will establish the City of Melbourne’s new city-wide housing accessibility and affordability initiative, working to address the current shortfall of safe and affordable homes for key workers; as well as facilitating short term accommodation and services for people experiencing homelessness and rough sleeping.
She takes up the new role early in 2022, and Yarra Council is expected to announce interim arrangements by the end of the year.
Yarra CEO Accepts Exciting New Role With Homes Melbourne
A former mayor and candidate for re-election to South Gippsland Shire Council has been accused of using his newspaper to promote his campaign.
The ABC reports that two candidates have made formal complaints after the publication of alleged misleading election information about them.
Don Hill and his wife Barbara publish the South Gippsland Voices newspaper. Mr Hill has stepped down as editor of the paper, a role that is now filled by his wife.
The complaint is believed to be one of a number lodged so far with the local government inspectorate. Chief Municipal Inspector Michael Stefanovic told the ABC that formal complaints were often used in political campaigns as a smear tactic.
As reported last week on the Roundup, the voting period for the South Gippsland council election has been extended by a week, to 29th October, after around 9,000 ballot packs failed to be delivered to voters in time.
Don Hill accused of using South Gippsland Voices to boost council re-election campaign
The chief executive of a rural Victorian Council will continue to work from home and attend Council meetings virtually due to his non-compliant vaccine status.
Swan Hill Rural Council has formally passed a resolution confirming its role in promoting increased vaccination rates, while recognising an individual’s choice with regard to vaccination.
The Mayor, Cr Bill Moar, said in a statement released on Friday, that the Council would conduct hybrid Council meetings and assemblies to allow virtual participation where staff or Councillors are prevented from attending in person, because of their vaccination status, or for any reason.
Media reports suggest the Council has given its CEO, John McLinden, approval to work remotely due his ‘strong personal views’ on vaccinations, which means he is not compliant with COVID-19 vaccination requirements.
The ABC reports that on Friday, Premier Daniel Andrews said Mr McLinden should get vaccinated, saying, ‘you’ll be working at home for a while because we haven’t set up a vaccinated economy just to dismantle it five minutes after we get the thing going.’
Get the COVID jab, Victorian Premier Dan Andrews tells 'non-compliant' Swan Hill Council CEO
A new regional renewable organics network is planned in Victoria’s west, with six councils set to collaborate with Barwon Water on the project.
The facility, to be located at Black Rock Water Reclamation Plant in Connewarre, will take local commercial, industrial and household food and garden waste and convert it to soil improvement products and clean, green energy.
The organic waste will be sourced from households in Greater Geelong, Wyndham, Golden Plains, Colac Otway, Surf Coast, and the borough of Queenscliffe.
The project is expected to process 40,000 tonnes of organic waste annually, reducing emissions by up 15,000 total carbon emissions per year; and it is predicted to create 75 construction jobs and 36 ongoing jobs.
Community feedback on the proposal is invited by 26th November via the Barwon Water website.
The Regional Renewable Organics Network at Black Rock
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.
Coming up this week, a rare opportunity to join in a conversation with Victoria’s policy and integrity agencies.
The VLGA is bringing together the Chief Municipal Inspector, Michael Stefanovic; IBAC Deputy Commissioner, David Wolf, and Local Government Victoria’s Executive Director Julie Reid, for a conversation about the roles and responsibilities of these agencies; and current challenges and topical issues.
Join us for this live panel discussion and audience q&a on Friday 29th October from 11.30am.
More details and registration options at www.vlga.org.au/events.
A referendum on the ward system at Dubbo Regional Council will proceed, after a rescission motion was unsuccessful in overturning a standing resolution.
In September, the Council voted to put a question to the voters at the December council elections, seeking views on abolishing the current five wards/10 councillor system in favour of an unsubdivided structure with 11 elected representatives..
That resolution was subject to a rescission motion brought by three councillors, which was debated and lost at an extraordinary meeting of the Council last Thursday.
Mayor, Cr Stephen Lawrence, is reminding voters that the ward system is still in place for the upcoming election.
RESCISSION MOTION UNSUCCESSFUL
Queensland’s local government integrity body, the Office of the Independent Assessor, will be subject to a parliamentary committee investigation following a number of complaints about its activities.
Deputy Premier and Local Government Minister Stephen Miles is reportedly finalising terms of reference for a parliamentary inquiry.
A number of MPs, mayors and councillors, and the Local Government Association of Queensland have raised concerns about the OIA activities.
Most recently in the spotlight is an investigation of Barcaldine mayor Cr Sean Dillon over public comments about the local health service’s ability to implement a vaccine rollout.
The LGAQ said the OIA is ‘way wide of the mark’ in pursuing the investigation, and should withdraw the action.
Statement by Greg Hallam, CEO of the LGAQ – LGAQ
Qld parliament to probe council watchdog
The City of Swan in Western Australia has a new Mayor and Deputy Mayor, following a special meeting this week to confirm the results of the election.
The meeting was adjourned for 24 hours to deal with a concern about a variance in the number of votes presented for the Mayoral election compared to the number of councillors.
After receiving advice that the process was valid, Cr David Lucas was confirmed as Mayor, and Cr Mel Congerton was elected Deputy Mayor from three nominations for the role.
City of Swan announces new Mayor and Deputy Mayor
At Kalgoorlie-Boulder Council, the Mayor is reported to have lodged a formal complaint against a councillor just four days after being re-elected.
The ABC reports that Mayor John Bowler has made a complaint to the Local Government Standards Panel that Cr Suzie Williams allegedly disclosed confidential information about the employment contract of former Council CEO John Walker.
The complaint alleges information contained in a confidential report was disclosed in a social media post, five days before the council election earlier this month.
Kalgoorlie-Boulder Mayor makes formal complaint against councillor
At Moreton Bay Regional Council in Queensland, Deputy Mayor Cr Denise Sims has resigned her position for personal health reasons.
At a meeting of the Council on Wednesday morning, the Mayor Cr Peter Flannery paid tribute to Cr Sims, prior to the conduct of an election to fill the deputy mayoral vacancy.
There were three nominations, and Cr Jodie Shipway was elected to the role via secret ballot.
https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/files/assets/public/council/meetings/2021/gm20211020-minutes.pdf
In Alice Springs, a request by the runner up in the recent mayoral election for a recount has been denied by the NT Civil and Administrative Tribunal.
Cr Jimmy Cocking lost the mayoral election to Matt Paterson by 17 votes, a margin that was narrowed down to two after a partial recount of preference votes.
Cr Cocking told the ABC that while he accepted the decision, he would continue to pursue a freedom of information request for access to 5,500 primary ballots.
NTCAT rejects bid for new recount of mayoral vote
The mayor of Paroo Shire Council in Queensland has explained the reasoning behind the council’s decision to place a 10% cap on the previous year’s general rates.
The latest round of land valuations for the shire has resulted in an overall increase of 78%, with some rural assessments increasing by as much as 335% since the last valuation in 2018.
Mayor Suzette Beresford said that would have meant some ratepayers would see their rates go up by 100% or more, which would not be fair or equitable.
With insufficient time to set up new rates categories and model data, the council has decided to place a 10% cap on general rates for the current financial year. In the meantime, work has commenced on developing alternative rating methodologies with the view to having a system in place to cope more readily with future valuation fluctuations.
https://www.paroo.qld.gov.au/news/article/186/paroo-shire-news-release-rural-rates
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.
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Now some stories of interest under our international spotlight….
In Los Angeles, the Mayor Eric Garcetto has announced that any city employee who refused to get vaccinated against COVID-19 should be prepared to lose their job.
According to a report from (ironically) deadline.com, the city had originally required employees to be vaccinated by this week, but has now extended the deadline out to 18th December.
Until that time, unvaccinated employees would be required to undergo two COVID-19 tests per week, conducted on their own time with a testing provider approved by the city. The $65 cost of each test to be deducted from their paychecks.
It is understood that as of this week, only 73% of city employees reported being partially or fully vaccinated.
Still in LA, and the city council there has this week voted on a motion to crack down on street racing in the city.
CBS Los Angeles reports that the motion received unanimous support, and the council will now seek to make it illegal to encourage, promote, assist, facilitate, aid or abet street racing - or any exhibition of reckless driving.
The motion, put forward by councilman John Lee, was modelled on a similar resolution adopted by the city of San Jose earlier this year.
L.A. City Council Votes Unanimously To Crack Down On Street Racing Promotion
And in New York, a statue of Thomas Jefferson will be removed from the New York City Council chambers where it has stood for more than a century.
The New York Times reports that a unanimous vote by the council this week will lead to the statue’s removal, in a victory for Black and Latino council members who have been calling for the action for the better part of two decades.
While it has now been agreed that the statue will be removed, the decision on where to put it is yet to be made.
Jefferson Statue Will Be Removed From N.Y.C. Council Chambers
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.