On the Roundup today… a municipal monitor to be appointed to Yarra City Council; the Supreme Court hands down its judgment in a matter concerning a Yarra Councillor; CEO resignation and appointment news; and the winners announced in the National Federation Awards recognising excellence in local government.
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.
Links:
Municipal Monitor Appointed To Yarra City Council
Supreme Court Judgment Summary
Jessie Holmes, Yarriambiack CEO resigns
Horsham Mutual Respect Charter
New Chair for One Gippsland
Working from home will spur city jobs and longer commutes
National Federation Awards presentation
Logan announces new CEO appointment; Logan City Council appoints new CEO - ABC report
Former mayor of Beaudesert Shire, Joy Drescher has passed away
Vale, Joy Drescher – LGAQ
Ratepayers spared election delay tab - Office of Local Government NSW
Blue Mountains City Council develops an Asbestos Management Toolkit for all councils
NYC To Replace "Entirety" Of Coney Island's Wood Boardwalk With Recycled Plastic
Murfreesboro mayor defends controversial ordinance limiting homeless outreach
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… a municipal monitor to be appointed to Yarra City Council; the Supreme Court hands down its judgment in a matter concerning a Yarra Councillor; CEO resignation and appointment news; and the winners announced in the National Federation Awards recognising excellence in local government.
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.
Links:
Municipal Monitor Appointed To Yarra City Council
Supreme Court Judgment Summary
Jessie Holmes, Yarriambiack CEO resigns
Horsham Mutual Respect Charter
New Chair for One Gippsland
Working from home will spur city jobs and longer commutes
National Federation Awards presentation
Logan announces new CEO appointment; Logan City Council appoints new CEO - ABC report
Former mayor of Beaudesert Shire, Joy Drescher has passed away
Vale, Joy Drescher – LGAQ
Ratepayers spared election delay tab - Office of Local Government NSW
Blue Mountains City Council develops an Asbestos Management Toolkit for all councils
NYC To Replace "Entirety" Of Coney Island's Wood Boardwalk With Recycled Plastic
Murfreesboro mayor defends controversial ordinance limiting homeless outreach
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 1st December 2021. I’m Chris Eddy.
On the Roundup today… a municipal monitor to be appointed to Yarra City Council; the Supreme Court hands down its judgment in a matter concerning a Yarra Councillor; CEO resignation and appointment news; and the winners announced in the National Federation Awards recognising excellence in local government.
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;
A municipal monitor will be appointed in the coming weeks to guide good governance at Yarra City Council in Melbourne.
Local Government Minister Shaune Leane announced his intention to appoint a monitor on Monday, after the council required four meetings to achieve an absolute majority in electing a mayor for the coming year.
The announcement also noted broader concerns raised by Council officers about the council’s ability to make decisions in the interests of the local community, and the widespread media attention it has attracted in recent times.
Minister Leane said he was looking forward to the council shifting its focus to the priorities and challenges facing the local community, led by its newly elected Mayor Cr Sophie Wade and with the support of the monitor.
He also pointed to a good track record of municipal monitors guiding councils to deliver good governance. Yarra will be the third Victorian council to have a monitor in place currently, following the recent appointments of Janet Dore at Strathbogie Shire, and Prue Digby at South Gippsland Shire.
Municipal Monitor Appointed To Yarra City Council
The announcement of the municipal monitor for Yarra came on the same day the Supreme Court issued its judgment in the matter of the Chief Municipal Inspector vs Yarra Cr Anab Mohamud.
In August this year, the inspectorate had sought an order from VCAT for Cr Mohamud to be stood down until proceedings in relation to assault charges against her have been determined.
The jurisdiction of VCAT to hear the application under the new Local Government Act was challenged by Cr Mohamud, and in the matter was referred to the Supreme Court for determination.
The Supreme Court has now determined that there was a drafting error in the new legislation, and that VCAT does have jurisdiction. It will now return to VCAT to determine the merits of the application to stand down Cr Mohamud under s229 of the Local Government Act.
Another Victorian Council CEO is leaving the sector, with the announcement this week that Yarriambiack Shire is losing its chief executive to a state agency.
Jessie Holmes is departing the Council after 3 and a half years as CEO to take up a regional position with the Victorian Skills Authority, based in the Wimmera. She will finish with the Council in mid-January, and an Acting CEO is expected to be appointed next week.
Ms Holmes is the latest in a string of Council CEOs to move from local government to state government in recent years. They include Paul Younis, former CEO of Brimbank Council who is now Deputy Secretary of the Department of Transport; Michael Bailey, former CEO of Northern Grampians Shire; Michael Tudball, former CEO of Southern Grampians; Julie Reid, former Kingston CEO who is now Executive Director of Local Government Victoria; and Anthony Judd, former CEO of Buloke Shire.
https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=206437971671502&id=100069159011311&sfnsn=mo
Horsham Rural City Council is the latest council to endorse mutual respect charter, emphasising the importance of mutual respect between staff, councillors and customers.
The charter is based on the principles of mutual respect, cooperation and a safe and respectful workplace.
It outlines the rights and responsibilities of community members, councillors and staff in all Council-related interactions.
Mayor Robyn Gulline said the charter was a very important piece of policy, and the expectation for human decency and kindness does not stop just because you work for or get elected to Council.
Horsham is thought to be the second Victorian council to specifically call out the need for mutual respect in a dedicated charter, after a similar document was endorsed in May this year by Stonnington City Council.
https://www.hrcc.vic.gov.au/Our-Council/News-and-Media/Latest-News/Mutual-Respect-Charter-endorsed
The One Gippsland alliance of local government, industry and education leaders has elected a new Chair and Deputy Chair to lead the alliance ahead of elections at the federal and state level next year.
Mayor of Latrobe City Council, Kellie O’Callaghan takes over as Chair from Cr Brett Tessari, the immediate past mayor of Bass Coast who chaired the group for two years.
Cr Ian Bye, Mayor of Wellington Shire is the new deputy Chair.
The newly elected mayors of Bass Coast, Baw Baw, East Gippsland and South Gippsland have also joined the board.
Cr O’Callaghan said she would be working with her One Gippsland colleagues to pursue strategic investment from state and federal governments to ensure the region can continue to be a strong contributor to the national economy.
https://mailchi.mp/ef5712ce2f24/stakeholder-alert-federal-budget-2020-13421979
New long-term modelling by Infrastructure Victoria predicts that Victorians who can work from home will live further away from their workplaces, leading to the state’s population being more spread out around Melbourne and the bigger regional cities such as Ballarat, Bendigo and Geelong.
The modelling is based on a third of workers working from home for 2 to 3 days per week by 2036. It predicts faster population growth in outer suburbs, new growth areas and the peri-urban rural areas around Melbourne.
Infrastructure Victoria’s modelling also suggests that increased working from home will also boost inner Melbourne job numbers in the longer term, reinforcing the central city’s dominance as a strong employment centre.
A newly released report makes several recommendations to the Victorian Government in relation to green and social infrastructure, supporting energy efficient homes, and the improvement of rail infrastructure in new growth areas - especially in the north and west of Melbourne.
Working from home will spur city jobs and longer commutes
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, the only independent governance organisation supporting councils and councillors in achieving the highest standards of governance on behalf of their communities.
The VLGA provides opportunities for councillor networking, professional development and information exchange and actively engages with key policymakers and broader stakeholders to inform, influence and lead the conversations that determine the priorities for the sector.
All councillors and staff at a VLGA Member Council can access the VLGA’s programs and services. Membership is also open to non-council members and individuals interested in local governance. If you’d like to know more about VLGA membership, call (03) 9349 7999 or email vlga@vlga.org.au
Now to some stories making news in local government around Australia this week.
The National Federation Awards have been announced for this year in a live broadcast on the Local Government Professionals Australia YouTube channel yesterday.
Winners were selected in five award categories from entries that have come through their respective state association awards process.
Community Service Delivery award -
High commendation - City of Bayswater (WA) - Age Friendly Ambassadors -
Winner - Western Downs Regional Council (Qld) Shaping Stronger, More Resilient and Productive Communities
Innovative Management Initiative -
High commendation - Devonport City Council (Tas) - digital transformation, A Council Transformed
Winner - Ipswich City Council (Qld) - Ipswich Libraries Karalee Pod
Environmental Leadership and Sustainability Award
High commendation - Bulloo Shire Council (Qld) - Thargomindah Water Cooling Project
Winner - Bayside City Council (Vic) - Bayside's journey to carbon neutrality
Partnerships and Collaboration Award
High commendation - City of Unley, Burnside, Prospect and Town of Walkerville (SA) - cohousing for ageing well project
Winner - Northern Midlands, Break O’Day, Flinders, George Town, Launceston, Meander Valley, West Tamar (Tas) - shared legal services
Emerging Leader Award
Kailah Williams, West Arnhem Regional Council (NT)
Planning Award for Emerging Leader - Nicole O’Neill, City of Kalamanda (WA)
Local Government Professionals Australia has welcomed the release of Sex Discrimination Commissioner Kate Jenkin’s report into problems with parliamentary culture.
CEO Catherine Carter said yesterday that the recommendations on workplace harassment in the report include steps for achieving workplace gender balance that are already being championed across local government.
Ms Carter said the peak body had set a gender balance target of 40 per cent men, 40 per cent women, and 20 per cent unspecified for local government senior leadership teams to be reached by 2025.
Earlier this year, LG Professionals Australia was awarded $615,000 from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet's Office for Women to increase female leadership in local government over the next three years.
Logan City Council in Queensland has announced the appointment of its new Chief Executive Officer after a six month search across Australia and abroad.
Darren Scott is moving from a Deputy Director-General role with the Queensland Government, and previously held the position of Economic Development and Major Projects Director at Gold Coast City Council for 11 years.
Silvio Trinca has been acting CEO at Logan since early 2018 and will stay in the role until Mr Scott arrives at the end of January.
The appointment follows a tumultuous few years at Logan, in which the entire council was removed during a corruption probe surrounding the dismissal of former chief executive Sharon Kelsey.
Earlier this year all charges of fraud against eight former councillors were dropped, and Ms Kelsey lost her unfair dismissal case in the Queensland Industrial Relations Court.
The ABC reports that former mayor Luke Smith is still facing misconduct in public office charges, and is committed to trial.
https://www.logan.qld.gov.au/news/article/725/logan-city-council-announces-new-ceo
Logan City Council appoints new CEO, two years after entire council was sacked
The former mayor of Beaudesert Shire, Joy Drescher, has passed away at the age of 77 after a battle with breast cancer.
Ms Drescher was a local icon who, according to the Beaudesert Times, contested 11 local government elections, winning three as a councillor and two as mayor. She was the first female mayor of the shire.
The Local Government Association of Queensland has paid tribute to Ms Drescher, describing her as a tireless advocate who secured much-needed services and infrastructure for her local community, and was a much loved member of the local government family.
Former mayor of Beaudesert Shire, Joy Drescher has passed away
The NSW Government has agreed to provide almost $30M in additional funding for the NSW Electoral Commission to cover costs of election day delays caused by COVID-19.
Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock said the additional funds would ensure local councils and ratepayers don’t have to foot the bill for additional staffing, rent, equipment and advertising costs arising from the additional three month deferral of elections from September.
The government is also providing a cash boost of $150,000 to meet the extra costs faced by Fairfield and Penrith councils which have engaged a private electoral service provider to conduct their elections.
The total funding package from the state for the elections being held this weekend is more than $86 million.
Ratepayers spared election delay tab - Office of Local Government NSW
A new toolkit to support councils with asbestos management has been developed and made available to all councils in New South Wales.
Blue Mountains City Council has developed the toolkit to provide strategies and processes to identify, eliminate, manage or minimise asbestos related hazards and risks.
The Guide to Asbestos Management for NSW Councils was highlighted during last week’s Asbestos Awareness Week, and is supported by a suite of procedures, tools and templates that can be adapted to particular needs of councils wherever they are in the state.
It is available for download from the Blue Mountains City Council website.
Blue Mountains City Council develops an Asbestos Management Toolkit for all councils
Now some stories of interest under our international spotlight….
In New York, the iconic Coney Island hardwood boardwalk will be replaced with recycled plastic decking as part of a sustainability program that is not going over well with some locals.
The website Gothamist.com reports that the reconstruction of the famed boardwalk will cost $114M USD.
The project is part of a pledge by the city’s administration to reduce the use of tropical hardwoods, with New York City one of the world’s leading consumers of endangered hardwood.
But some locals believe it is tantamount to the desecration of a historic site.
All might not be lost however, as the incoming mayor-elect Eric Adams is on record as being opposed to the overhaul. There is no word yet on whether he intends to cancel or revise the project after he takes office on New Years Day.
NYC To Replace "Entirety" Of Coney Island's Wood Boardwalk With Recycled Plastic
In Tennessee, the Mayor of Murfreesboro is under fire over a controversial new rule that would require permits to serve food to homeless people in public spaces.
Local station WZTV has reported that the new rule is in response to complaints about people experiencing homelessness in the downtown area.
The mayor, Shane McFarland has appeared to associate incidents of threats and harassment against business owners and residents with the timing of when local advocates deliver food to homeless people.
The new ordinance will require community organisations to take food safety classes and pay a small fee to qualify for a permit.
A community meeting is planned as part of working out the details of the ordinance.
Murfreesboro mayor defends controversial ordinance limiting homeless outreach
Aberdeen City Council is celebrating the naming of its Aberdeen Art Gallery as Scotland’s building of the year.
According a BBC report, the building which was first opened in 1885, was refurbished over four years at a cost of £34M, and officially reopened earlier this year by Prince Charles.
The new look gallery, designed by Hoskins Architects, was named winner of the 2021 Andrew Doolan Best Building in Scotland Award for transforming a ’fine existing building’ and making it more welcoming, more sustainable and more accessible.’
Aberdeen Art Gallery named Scotland's building of the year
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.