Climate alliance exit, driveway crackdown, and firepit storm

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• A climate alliance loses another council member
• A testy exchange between a council and a local MP
• A move away from carbon offsets by a regional council
• Melbourne Town Hall set for its largest gathering ever
• A council crackdown on parking across driveways
• A former council CEO charged with fraud
• a long running aquatic centre dispute finally resolved
• a storm over firepits prompts a council rethink
• and a unique mayoral charity event set to cast off

The VLGA and LGIU are hosting their next Global Executive Live Panel on Thursday 22 May from 5.30pm to 7pm.

Addressing a pressing issue for local government, this webinar will explore the experiences and lessons from local government across the globe when it comes to Civility in Public life.

Councillors and staff are increasingly tackling issues stemming from rising levels of negative, abusive and sometimes threatening rhetoric. Hear from experts from around the world about what t Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas
In depth analysis of what’s happening in Israel—and why it matters everywhere.

Listen on: Apple Podcasts   Spotify

Chapters

• 1:49 Victorian Roundup
• 6:57 Interview: Cr Anthony Marsh, Mayor, Mornington Peninsula Shire
• 14:02 [Ad] Boundless Insights - with Aviva Klompas
• 14:43 (Cont.) Interview: Cr Anthony Marsh, Mayor, Mornington Peninsula Shire
• 14:44 NSW Roundup
• 19:09 National Roundup
• 22:28 Global Roundup

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

Greater Dandenong Council will leave the South East Councils Climate Change Alliance (SECCCA) over concerns about rising membership costs and limited benefits.

The Star Journal reported that the council’s decision to exit the group was subject to an unsuccessful rescission motion at its April Council meeting, and the separation will take effect on 1st July.

The council has been a member of the group for 12 years, and is the second to depart, following a similar decision by Frankston Council last year.

The council plans to redirect the saved funds of over $400,000 over three years into its own climate initiatives.

SECCCA’s chief executive Helen Steel said the alliance was “naturally disappointed” with the decision, but would continue to work collaboratively the remaining eight member councils.

A testy exchange broke out last week between Campaspe Shire Council and then-Federal Member for Bendigo, Lisa Chesters, over funding for Rochester's proposed aquatic facility.

The dispute follows a Letter to the Editor published in the Campaspe News, where Ms. Chesters suggested the Council hadn't completed necessary preparations for federal funding.

Campaspe Shire Mayor Daniel Mackrell has strongly refuted those claims, saying the Council felt compelled to respond publicly despite not typically conducting its business through the media.

He said the Council has committed $5 million to the $12.5 million project.

According to Cr Mackrell, the Council has been actively engaging with the community since 2023 and has already scaled back the project from an initial $26 million proposal to make it more feasible.

He has placed the ball back in the Federal Government's court, suggesting it has yet to reveal its commitment to the people of Rochester and surrounds.

At the time of recording, Ms Chester was in a fight to hold her seat of Bendigo, falling behind her Nationals opponent Andrew Lethlean by around 1200 votes as counting continued.

Surf Coast Shire Council says it will cease being a certified carbon neutral organisation from June 30, shifting away from purchasing carbon offsets to focus on direct local emission reduction actions and projects.

The Council has already reduced its non-landfill corporate emissions by 41% since 2021 through various initiatives including renewable electricity adoption, solar installation, and LED street lighting, while targeting zero emissions from all operations (excluding Anglesea landfill) by 2030.

Melbourne’s Lord Mayor Nicholas Reece is set to welcome the biggest gathering ever to assemble at the Town Hall this week.

Cr Reece says Melbourne’s status as the fastest growing city in Australia presents big opportunities and challenges.

His Melbourne 2050 Summit will bring together more than 1,000 Melburnians to say what they think the city should be like in 2050.

The Lord Mayor is looking for the big ideas and bold initiatives to secure Melbourne’s place in the top league of world cities.

The summit will take place this Friday at the Melbourne Town Hall.

Horsham Rural City Council has called for the exclusion of the Wimmera Intermodal Freight Terminal from the mining licence area for the proposed Avonbank mineral sands mine near Dooen.

The Council’s position is outlined in its submission to the proposal.

It is requesting various protective measures including a two-kilometre buffer zone for nearby properties.

The Council says its response has been informed by community consultation, and addresses concerns about truck routes, air quality, radiation management, and social support for affected landholders.

The Herald Sun has reported on a Stonnington Council plan to revitalise Chapel Street, which includes enhanced cleaning, graffiti removal, safety improvements, and infrastructure upgrades to attract more shoppers to the struggling retail strip.

The $2M plan comes in response to the area's decline and increased crime rates.

Deputy Mayor Tom Humphries told the Herald Sun that he is confident that Chapel Street can return to its former glory through focused improvements in amenity and safety.

News Briefs:

The City of Casey, Cardinia Shire, and Baw Baw Shire Councils have expanded their shared immunisation services through a partnership with Kernow Environmental Health & Immunisation, aiming to deliver free immunisation services across the three municipalities.

The program is expected to administer more than 23,000 vaccines in 2025, offering various services including public immunisation sessions for young children, secondary school programs, flu vaccinations, and catch-up programs.

Greater Geelong Council has approved a long-term lease of up to 50 years for social housing development in Purnell Road, Corio, to be managed by a Registered Housing Association.

The decision aligns with the Council's 2022 commitment to explore social housing sites, and Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM says it will be integral in meeting the housing needs of vulnerable residents in the city.

Interview:

Cr Anthony Marsh, Mayor Mornington Peninsula Shire charity event

National Roundup:

Australia’s peak council body ALGA has congratulated PM Anthony Albanese on the re-election of his government.

It has noted that the previous government increased Roads to Recovery funding and established new Disaster Ready funding, as well as bringing Councils back to the table under the reinstated Australian Council of Local Government.

ALGA said it looks forward to working with the re-elected government on the recommendations of a Parliamentary Inquiry into local government sustainability.

NSW:

The Country Mayors Association of NSW has welcomed the re-election of Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Government, and says they are optimistic for a new chapter of increased investment in rural, regional, and remote communities.

The association will continue lobbying for restored Financial Assistance Grants and greater federal funding for local governments to address rising costs and service gaps in rural areas.

The NSW Government has announced the fast-tracking of over 105,000 new homes across regional NSW, with a new $4.4M round of the Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund.

The money is part of the Government's broader housing strategy, and will help 24 councils unlock housing supply through strategic planning initiatives.

Inner West Council is implementing new measures to tow vehicles blocking driveways and increase fines from $320 to $660, following a staggering 4,393 complaints about driveway obstruction in just one year.

The Daily Telegraph reported that some residents have welcomed the tougher stance, with Councillor Chloe Smith citing examples of people missing health appointments and school trips due to blocked driveways.

Inner West is believed to be the first inner city council to take such action.

Blue Mountains City Council has voted unanimously to advocate for a complete ban on glue traps in NSW.

The devices cause inhumane deaths of both pets and native animals.

Despite having been banned in NSW, they remain legal to sell, prompting the Council to push for legislative changes that would align NSW with other states like Victoria, Tasmania and the ACT where both sale and use are prohibited.

Yass Valley Mayor Jasmin Jones says she managed to secure a meeting with the NSW Energy Minister Penny Sharpe on a recent visit to Sydney.

Ms Sharpe was due to visit Yass Valley late last week to meet with the region’s mayors to discuss the impact of the HumeLink overhead power lines and infrastructure project.

Mayor Jones said the group would be advocating for meaningful compensation through legacy projects and untied funding in recognition of hosting the state significant infrastructure.

News Briefs:

Kerrie Murphy, Director of Infrastructure at Coonamble Shire Council, has received a 'Highly Commended' Award at IPWEA's 2025 Engineering Excellence Awards.

Ms Murphy told the Coonamble Times it was something special to be honoured in this way by her peers.

Kiama Council is seeking public assistance after vandals caused vehicle damage to grassed areas near Blowhole Point lighthouse on the weekend.

The council said the area was still recovering from recent wet weather, and will now require costly ratepayer funded repairs.

Coffs Harbour City Council has endorsed a new 15 year Resource Recovery and Waste Strategy, aiming to minimise waste and move towards a circular economy.

The strategy focuses on education and improved waste management practices, as currently around half of the contents in red-lid bins are misplaced items that should be in either recycling or organic waste bins.

QLD:

A former CEO of Cape York Land Council has been arrested and charged with dishonesty offences, according to the Cairns Post.

Dion Reece Creek, who was the council’s CEO from 2022 to 2024, was arrested at Cairns Airport last Thursday and faced Cairns Magistrates Court that afternoon, charged with 38 offences including 22 counts of fraud.

Mr Creek was granted bail and is scheduled to appear in court on July 8, 2025.

A Sunshine Coast Council proposal to ban off-leash dogs from Stumers Creek in Coolum Beach is sparking community backlash.

Newswire has reported that local residents are forming a committee and gathering over 6,000 petition signatures to oppose a council plan to protect the natural environment by restricting the one-kilometre stretch of beach to leashed dogs only.

The move reflects a broader trend of Australian councils moving away from off-leash beaches due to environmental and public comfort concerns.

The council will make a final decision on the proposal in the coming months.

TAS:

A long-running dispute over George Town Council's new aquatic centre has finally reached a resolution, with the council set to begin construction following a failed residents' appeal.

The multi-million dollar project hit a roadblock when locals challenged the building permit through TASCAT, primarily concerned about the demolition of the existing outdoor pool.

Mayor Greg Kieser has confirmed to The Examiner that the council will now fast-track construction contracts to commence work before winter.

The Federal Government has allocated $15M to the facility, which will feature indoor pools, a 24-hour gym, and allied health services.

However, plans for a new outdoor pool remain unfunded.

The City of Launceston has been named the national winner of the 2025 Keep Australia Beautiful Tidy Towns Awards, recognising the city's environmental sustainability initiatives and community collaborations.

The award was announced in Beechworth on the weekend.

As the winner, Launceston will host the 2026 Keep Australia Beautiful Awards, welcoming hundreds of delegates from across Australia to Northern Tasmania.

SA:

The Adelaide Advertiser has revealed the cost of dealing with illegally dumped waste in the City of Onkaparinga in Adelaide's south.

The council has incurred nearly $900,000 in clean up costs over three years, with only $41,000 recovered through fines this financial year

The council is considering implementing an education campaign and investigating a pre-booking voucher system for cheaper dumping fees.

WA:

The City of Bunbury in Western Australia is under fire over a policy that bans open-air firepits and campfires on properties under 2024 square meters year-round, and on larger properties from November to May.

PerthNow reported that local residents have challenged the policy, with one resident describingit as "woke" at a recent council meeting.

Mayor Jaysen Miguel said the policy is based on recommendations from the Department of Fire and Emergency Services following major bushfires and dry conditions.

But he has acknowledged community concerns and said the policy will be reconsidered ahead of upcoming Council meetings.

Global Roundup:

CANADA:

Yellowknife City Council has elevated its deputy mayor Ben Hendriksen to the mayoralty, after its former mayor was elected to Parliament in the recent elections.

Cr Hendriksen was one of three councillors to put themselves forward for the position, according to CBC News.

He has announced he will take a leave of absence from his day job for the 18 months that remains on the term, and says he will not be running for mayor in October 2026.

In Vancouver, the city has invited community members to share messages of sympathy and support for a condolence book, after 11 people were killed recently when an SUV was driven into a crowded Filipino street festival event.

The city said it has been working closely with the Filipino community to provide support and work alongside them in the journey towards healing.

The City of Toronto’s public health unit has reported potential exposure to a case of measles in a person who visited the city recently.

The infected person visited the Ripley’s Aquarium attraction in late April, and residents who were in that location have been told to watch for symptoms of the highly contagious virus until 12th May.

NZ:

Radio New Zealand has reported that the country’s councillors are set to receive new guidance on dealing with abuse and harassment.

Local Government New Zealand is launching a safety guidebook amid growing concerns about threats to elected officials both online and in person.

LGNZ Chief Executive Susan Freeman-Greene says the abuse ranges from threats of physical harm to intimidation in public places, with some councillors being harassed while picking up their children from school or shopping at supermarkets.

With local elections approaching this year, there are concerns that increased harassment could deter potential candidates from running for office.

Palmerston North City Council is set to vote on extending a ban on sugar-sweetened beverages to more council-owned venues this week, according to Radio New Zealand.

However, Mayor Grant Smith has called the move "a bit of an overreach" and public submissions are largely opposed, leading to speculation that the proposal may not get majority council support

The changes to the policy would formalise existing practices at Council venues while still allowing people to bring their own drinks.

Alcoholic beverages are notably excluded from the restrictions.

Auckland Council is highlighting growing concerns about lithium-ion battery disposal and fire risks both nationally and internationally, after a recent spate of fires including one at a major recycling plant in North Shore.

The Council says it supported a court ruling against Sims Metal Industries Limited following a lithium-ion battery-caused fire at their scrap metal yard in 2023, resulting in a $30,000 fine and mandatory site improvements.

In that case, the judge noted the current lack of reliable detection technology for lithium-ion batteries in scrap material.

UK:

David Beckham's star-studded 50th birthday party at a London restaurant was shut down at 3:35am by the local council, after neighbours complained about the noise.

The event was reportedly attended by celebrities like Tom Cruise and Eva Longoria, according to the Standard.

Officers from Kensington and Chelsea Council are understood to have turned up at the event and asked for the disruption to be minimised, advice that was apparently taken as an onlooker reported the music immediately stopped afterward.