On the Roundup today… Swan Hill’s unvaccinated CEO resigns; new state electoral boundaries to be released this week; Greater Shepparton elects its Mayor and Deputy Mayor; nominations open for NSW council elections; the Sydney council that can’t achieve a quorum for seven consecutive meetings; and controversial water reforms to proceed in New Zealand.
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:
Swan Hill CEO resigns
SE Melb Councils call for 2030 commitment from Federal Government
Rail freight hub gets green light—South East Melbourne
Greater Shepparton elects Mayor and Deputy
Premier's Sustainability Awards
Monash bin collection delays
Paul Jerome Award Recipient 2021 - VPELA
New law safeguards December elections
Nominations open for council elections
Blue-ribbon Sydney council in disarray over no-show councillors
Wingecarribee cancels civic centre contract
News from Hobart Council Meeting - 25 October 2021
Hundreds of homes protected in SA heritage boost
NZ three waters reforms to proceed - LGNZ reaction;
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; with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment and business advisory service; and from Ventia, making infrastructure work sustainably for our communities.
Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.
On the Roundup today… Swan Hill’s unvaccinated CEO resigns; new state electoral boundaries to be released this week; Greater Shepparton elects its Mayor and Deputy Mayor; nominations open for NSW council elections; the Sydney council that can’t achieve a quorum for seven consecutive meetings; and controversial water reforms to proceed in New Zealand.
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:
Swan Hill CEO resigns
SE Melb Councils call for 2030 commitment from Federal Government
Rail freight hub gets green light—South East Melbourne
Greater Shepparton elects Mayor and Deputy
Premier's Sustainability Awards
Monash bin collection delays
Paul Jerome Award Recipient 2021 - VPELA
New law safeguards December elections
Nominations open for council elections
Blue-ribbon Sydney council in disarray over no-show councillors
Wingecarribee cancels civic centre contract
News from Hobart Council Meeting - 25 October 2021
Hundreds of homes protected in SA heritage boost
NZ three waters reforms to proceed - LGNZ reaction;
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; with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment and business advisory service; and from Ventia, making infrastructure work sustainably for our communities.
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 27th October 2021. I’m Chris Eddy.
On the Roundup today… Swan Hill’s unvaccinated CEO resigns; new state electoral boundaries to be released this week; Greater Shepparton elects its Mayor and Deputy Mayor; nominations open for NSW council elections; the Sydney council that can’t achieve a quorum for seven consecutive meetings; and controversial water reforms to proceed in New Zealand.
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 CEO of Swan Hill Rural Council, John McLinden, has resigned his position this week after days of speculation and media attention about his vaccination status.
As reported in the last edition of the Roundup, the Council had resolved to continue to conduct hybrid meetings to allow Mr McLinden to attend virtually while working from home.
Local media reports suggested this was due to Mr McLinden’s ‘strong personal views’ that meant he was not compliant with the public health orders that required all local government employees to be vaccinated against COVID-19.
Yesterday, the Council received and accepted a letter of resignation from its CEO, advising that as a result of the Chief Health Officer’s directions, he would be unable to attend the workplace for an unknown period of time, and was therefore no longer able to continue in the role of CEO.
Mr McLinden’s last day with the Council will be Friday 5th November. The Council is yet to advise about interim or recruitment arrangements.
https://www.swanhill.vic.gov.au/2021/10/statement-resignation-of-ceo/
Victoria’s Electoral Boundaries Commission (EBC) will release the final State electoral boundaries on Thursday, 28 October.
Members of the public had until 5 pm Friday 30 July to submit written suggestions and objections about the proposed boundaries, released by the EBC on Wednesday 30 June.
The EBC received 127 written suggestions and objections and has considered them while deciding on the final boundaries. All submissions are available to view on the website ebc.vic.gov.au
The report detailing the electoral boundaries will be tabled in Parliament and published on the EBC website at 10 am Thursday 28 October.
The new electoral boundaries will apply at the next State election, scheduled for Saturday 26 November 2022.
Southeast Melbourne councillors have called on the federal government to commit to an ambitious 2030 emissions reduction target in the lead up to the COP26 meeting in Glasgow.
The South East Councils Climate Change Alliance, involving nine local governments, has welcomed the federal government’s 2050 emissions reduction target, but believes a 2030 target is a more pressing need, underpinned by a clear plan to drive rapid decarbonisation of Australia’s economy.
Mornington Peninsula councillor Kerri MCafferty said Australia’s response to global emissions reduction efforts needs to be clear and decisive, reflecting the scale and scope of the challenge, and sending a clear signal to local businesses and community to embrace the economic opportunities and wellbeing outcomes presented by decarbonisation.
Meanwhile, Greater South East Melbourne has welcomed the signing of an agreement between Salta Properties and the Victorian Government to develop the proposed Dandenong South Intermodal Terminal, also known as a rail freight hub.
The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments’ investment of $28 million will make freight cheaper for businesses and take trucks off suburban roads through the construction of a new track connecting the main rail line with Dandenong South-based Salta Properties freight hub.
The upgrade will help bust congestion in Melbourne’s growing south east region by directly connecting the hub to the Port of Melbourne’s $125 million on-dock rail project, allowing shuttles to run from Dandenong South directly into the port.
The work is being delivered by the Level Crossing Removal Project as part of the $1 billion Cranbourne Line Upgrade.
Rail freight hub gets green light—South East Melbourne
In news from Greater Shepparton, Cr Kim O’Keeffe has been re-elected as Mayor, and first term councillor Anthony Brophy is the new Deputy Mayor.
Cr O’Keeffe was a prominent figure during the recent COVID-19 outbreak in the region, and said she is looking forward to leading the community through the recovery phase that lies ahead.
This will be Cr O’Keeffe’s fourth term as Greater Shepparton mayor.
Meanwhile, the Australian Local Government Women’s Association Victorian Branch has announced that its 2022 annual conference will be hosted by Greater Shepparton City Council in April next year
The finalists have been announced for this year’s Premier’s Sustainability Awards, run by Sustainability Victoria, with three councils celebrating nominations in different categories. The awards reflect the current focus of sustainability activity in Victoria, across 6 categories.
Latrobe City Council is a finalist in the industry leader section of the Clean, Affordable and Secure Energy category for its biogas generator initiative at the Hyland Highway Landfill.
Macedon Ranges Shire Council is a community champion finalist in the Healthy Environment category for the ‘healthy landscapes for healthy livestock’ project which is building the capacity of local livestock farmers to implement regenerative agriculture techniques.
And Cardinia Shire Council has been recognised as an industry leader finalist in the Sustainable Places category for the Deep Creek Reserve project, which has seen the conversion of 48 hectares of former farmland into a community park and regional environmental precinct.
The award winners will be announced in a live online event on Tuesday 23rd November.
Premier's Sustainability Awards
In brief news notes:
Monash City Council has advised its residents of potential delays with bin collections, as its contractor is experiencing a shortage of drivers. The council says the impact may be ongoing due the shortage of staff and the coming festive season.
https://www.monash.vic.gov.au/About-Us/News/Bin-collection-delays
Moreland City Council’s Group Manager of City Development, Phillip Priest, has been awarded the prestigious Paul Jerome Award, recognising outstanding contributions to public service. The award has been presented since 2005 by the Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association, in memory of colleague and VPELA board member Paul Jerome.
Paul Jerome Award Recipient 2021 - Victorian Planning and Environmental Law Association
The Local Government Inspectorate will release its report into a review of councillor interest returns later today. The Roundup understands the report will identify common issues with non-compliance, as well as opportunities for improving education and awareness, and potential amendments to legislation. We’ll have more on the report findings in our Sunday edition of the Roundup.
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.
The NSW Parliament has passed legislation to prevent emerging COVID19 challenges from interrupting the local government elections, scheduled for 4th December.
The legislation gives the Minister for Local Government emergency powers to address COVID9 risks as they arise, and only applies to the 2021 elections.
The Minister, Shelly Hancock, said measures already introduced meant the number of electors attending polling booths on the day had been reduced to assist with social distancing, and election officials have been empowered to enforce COVID-safe measures at election venues.
New law safeguards December elections - Office of Local Government NSW
Nominations are now open for the elections, and the Minister is hoping for a diverse range of candidates, encouraging more women, indigenous, multicultural and youth representatives to put their hands up.
Candidate nominations are open until 12 noon next Wednesday 3rd November.
Nominations open for council elections
A council in Sydney has now had seven consecutive meetings fail to go ahead due to a failure to achieve quorum.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that Ku-ring-gai Council is on the radar of the local government regulator. Five councillors have failed to turn up for meetings since the mayoral election on 21 September, when Jennifer Anderson was replaced by Cedric Spencer.
The failure to achieve quorum has affected multiple attempts to hold an extraordinary meeting to deal with the appointment of the Council’s General Manager, as well as the latest Ordinary Meeting of the Council.
The Office of Local Government told the newspaper that it was closely monitoring the situation at Ku-ring-gai Council.
Blue-ribbon Sydney council in disarray over no-show councillors
At Wingecarribee Shire Council, a contract for the refurbishment of the Moss Vale Civic Centre has been terminated over delays, performance breaches, and failure to manage sub-contractors and tradespersons.
The Council’s general manager, Lisa Miscamble, said the Council had no choice but to terminate the contract as the extended delays and performance issues were ultimately unacceptable.
Work on the 50 year old civic centre started early in 2020, and was originally meant to be completed by January this year. An extension to June this year had been agreed.
Ms Miscamble said the remainder of the work would be managed by the Council utilising existing vendor arrangements and local tradespeople.
https://media.wsc.nsw.gov.au/council-ends-contract-with-civic-centre-builder/
Hobart City Council has this week endorsed a discussion paper which outlines the next stages of preparing a Central Hobart Precincts Plan, a framework for future development and service provision in the city.
The discussion paper considers population and economic trends, and offers city-shaping ideas and directions to guide the next 20 years of the city’s growth. Public consultation is invited on the discussion paper.
And the city is reviewing its strategies and policies relating to climate change to see if they can be strengthened to help meet state government emissions targets.
The review is in response to the Tasmanian Premier’s plan to introduce a target of zero net emissions by 2030.
News from Council Meeting - 25 October 2021
South Australia’s Minister for PLanning and Local Government, Vickie Chapman, hass approved 254 new listings for heritage protection across four local government areas.
The councils of Gawler, Holdfast Bay, Walkerville and Mount Barker had sought approval to have local heritage place protections added to buildings in their area. These were assessed by the State Planning Commission before a recommendation was made to the Minister.
460 new listings have been approved by the current government, with more than 7,000 buildings now covered by a local heritage place overlay in South Australia.
Hundreds of homes protected in heritage boost
The Roundup continues in a moment with the international spotlight falling on New Zealand, Spain and England.
But first, a word about our valued sponsors, Hunt & Hunt Lawyers.
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Now some stories of interest under our international spotlight….
And in New Zealand, the government has announced that it will refine its three waters proposal in response to concerns expressed by the local government sector.
Local Government New Zealand has welcomed the announcement, but is disappointed that the government has mandated the reforms which will see four independent entities established despite concerns from councils.
In a statement released today, LGNZ President Stuart Crosby said there was agreement that systematic issues in the current three waters system needed to be addressed, and that the sector supports finding better ways to deliver drinking, waste and stormwater in New Zealand.
The government has agreed to set up a working group to find solutions to sticking points around governance, representation and accountability. Other critical issues for councils, such as rural water schemes and integration with the planning system, will also be worked on with the sector.
The decision to move forward with the proposed reforms has attracted criticism from some councils, including Christchurch mayor Lianne Dalziel, who says it is extremely disappointing; and from opposition parties who say they will campaign to reverse the reforms.
https://newsline.ccc.govt.nz/news/story/governments-water-reform-mandate-disappointing
In Spain, the city of Seville plans to start naming and categorising heat waves.
As heatwaves become more frequent and intense because of climate change, the city wants to raise awareness of the potential for illness and death from heatwaves, by treating them like others do with tropical storms and hurricanes.
Zmescience.com reports that the world first idea is being championed by Seville’s mayor, Juan Espadas. He says local government should address the threat heat poses to our populations, particularly the most vulnerable, by raising awareness of heat-health related hazards through evidence based data and science.
Just like hurricanes: city of Seville to start naming and ranking heatwaves
In England, a planned overhaul of local government in the region of Cumbria is subject to legal action brought by the Cumbria County Council.
The BBC reports that the council has lodged an application for judicial review of the plan to replace the current system with two new unitary councils.
The plan is politically contentious, with Labour seeing it as a plot to consolidate Conservative power in the country’s northwest. When announced in July by the local government secretary, it was said to be about providing better value for money and improved services.
The unitary authority system would see two single bodies providing all local government services, in place of the current two-tier system with services divided between county councils and district councils.
Cumbria County Council launches legal action over shake-up
And that’s it for this edition of the roundup. Visit www.lgnewsroundup.com for more on each episode, including links to the stories referenced. And you can follow the Roundup for breaking news on Twitter and LinkedIn.
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.