“Complete travesty”, “unfair and cruel” - new tax draws swift response

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Victorian councils respond to a contentious new state government tax
• A community push to save a regional saleyards from closure
• Winners and losers from IPART’s rulings on special rate variations
• A ban on live events in Sydney parks draws criticism
• Townsville’s suspended mayor launches a petition to have the council sacked
• and a WA council on notice as the minister threatens intervention

Plus much more of the latest local government news from Australia and beyond.

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

Chapters

• 1:46 Victorian Roundup
• 10:13 NSW Roundup
• 15:48 National Roundup
• 20:35 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

The Victorian parliament has passed the controversial new Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund (ESVF) that will replace the existing fire services levy from July.

Property owners face significant tax increases as a result, to be collected through Council rate notices.

Many of the state’s councils along with farmer and firefighter groups had opposed the new fund, urging the government to review and rethink its proposal.

ABC News reported that councils are “deeply reluctant” to enforce the new arrangements, and fear that some residents will refuse to pay it leading to potential revenue shortfalls.

Ararat Rural City Council said the new legislation will lead to nearly double the tax collection from $2.7 million to $5 million for its community next year.

Mayor Cr Jo Armstrong said the new tax “is a complete travesty for our community” and that it would impact every single resident.

The Council has expressed concern for the potential impact on the mental health and wellbeing of its residents.

Moorabool Shire said the new levy will come as a shock to property owners, with Mayor Paul Tatchell calling it unfair and cruel to farmers in particular.

He said there are fairer ways to do this, and it’s a shame the Victorian Government is using rural property owners to claw back some of their huge debt.

Campaspe Shire Council argues that the new fund unfairly burdens rural communities by imposing additional taxes without guaranteeing local reinvestment of collected funds.

Mayor Daniel Mackrell called on the Campaspe community to sign an online petition calling for the introduction of the fund to be ceased.

South Gippsland Shire Mayor John Schelling said the new fund should rightly be called a tax, and while his council supports emergency services, it does not support a funding model that unfairly targets country Victorians.

Deputy Mayor of Bass Coast Shire Brett Tessari said he was disappointed to learn the legislation had passed the Parliament, and said the council’s role as a state tax collector is inefficient, burdensome and reputationally risky.

His council will receive a report this week addressing concerns about implementation, local reinvestments and support for those unable to afford the levy.

Swan Hill Mayor Stuart King said the transition to the new fund is not fit for regional areas, and risks pushing more families, pensioners and farmers into financial distress when many are already struggling.

He called for the state to reconsider the implementation, and for any future levy to be administered through the State Revenue Office.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj told the Geelong Advertiser that the government had failed to consult with stakeholders, saying the voice of the community had been blatantly ignored.

He was particularly critical of former Geelong Councillor Sarah Mansfield, now an upper house MP, who supported the legislation despite attending a recent meeting with six local councils.

Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali, who is also the Chair of Regional Cities Victoria, said the new fund would lead to a $4.7M increase in collections for his municipality.

He said his council is concerned about the administrative implications, with no clear guidance to the sector on how it will be implemented or whether current systems can support the change.

In Corangamite Shire, the council’s initial analysis shows the levy will extract $8.9M from the local community with little return. Mayor Kate Makin has echoed the concerns of other mayors about the disproportionate burden on farmers, and wants the model reassessed and either for councils to be compensated for administering it or collection responsibilities shifted to the state.

In Swan Hill, ABC News reports on a community push to save the historic livestock saleyards from possible closure.

The facility, which has operated since 1938, faces an uncertain future after a council report revealed significant financial losses.

Swan Hill Rural City Council says the saleyards have lost more than $800,000 over the past four years, with cattle numbers halving in the last decade. The council is now considering five options, including complete closure of the facility.

Local farmers and businesses have voiced strong opposition to the potential shutdown, with over 450 submissions received by council.

The council is now reviewing community feedback before making its final decision.

The issue is indicative of a broader trend across the country - from 300 traditional saleyards nationwide 75 years ago, fewer than 100 remain operational today.

The City of Melbourne is opposing Infrastructure Victoria's proposal to extend tram lines along Macaulay Road into Kensington.

NorthWest City News reports that the council’s position is that the road is not a suitable alignment and would require significant bridge widening works.

While the council supports other aspects of Infrastructure Victoria's 30-year strategy, including north-south transport corridors and Metro 2 train service, it is emphasising the importance of proper infrastructure planning to accommodate the projected doubling of homes in Melbourne by 2051.

Brimbank Council is developing a new public plaza in Sunshine as part of a project with the Vietnamese Museum Australia.

The plaza is designed to be a welcoming space that honours Traditional Owners and celebrates multicultural communities.

The Council has proposed naming it 'Wominjeka Plaza' (meaning 'welcome' in Woiwurrung language) and is seeking public feedback on the name.

Victorian Briefs:

The City of Greater Geelong has once again been designated a Tree City of the World. It’s the third consecutive year the city has received the recognition, making it one of only 11 Australian cities on a list of 210 across 24 countries.

Cardinia Shire Council, in partnership with Victoria Police, has launched the 9PM Routine initiative to combat theft, particularly from vehicles.

Statistics show that 57% of stolen vehicles were left unlocked or showed no signs of forced entry.

The initiative encourages residents to perform nightly security checks of their properties.

Ararat Rural City Council has endorsed a four year Fair Access Policy and Plan aimed at achieving gender equity in sports facility access and usage across the municipality, addressing barriers faced by women and girls in accessing community sports infrastructure.

The plan includes practical steps for implementation and aligns with Fair Access Principles established by the Office for Women in Sport and Recreation.

GLOBAL EXECUTIVE LIVE PANEL

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 they are observing,  the reasons for a decline in civility and the impact this is having on retaining talent and promoting diversity.

Panellists include:

• Professor Catherine Needham, Professor of Public Policy and Public Management, University of Birmingham, UK
• Jo Miller, CE, Hutt City Council, NZ
• Diane Kalen-Sukra, Founder, Kalen Academy, Canada
• Jacqui Weatherill, CEO, City of Greater Dandenong, Australia
• Hannah Phillips, Civility Commission Manager, Jo Cox Foundation UK.

Tickets are free for VLGA Members and Alumni and $60 for non-members excluding GST.

National Roundup:

NSW:

Sydney's Northern Beaches residents will face a 25 percent increase in council rates over the next two years, following a decision by the state's pricing regulator.

Meanwhile North Sydney residents have been spared from a proposed 45 percent rate increase next year and 29 percent the year after after IPART rejected that council's application.

The Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal announced its verdict late last week on several council applications to exceed the standard rate cap.

Northern Beaches Council will be allowed to implement a partial increase, scaled back from their original request of nearly 40 percent.

North Sydney Council said it was disappointed in the decision, and would now consider alternative strategies to repair its financial position.

It said restoring liquidity was its first priority, due to the North Sydney Olympic Pool project having reduced renewal of infrastructure and depleted internal reserves.

The council said the decision meant infrastructure renewals and backlogs were now unfunded, service levels will be reviewed and reduced, and the ability to respond to new requests from the community will be limited.

Federation Council has welcomed approval from IPART for a permanent 69.94% increase to general rates over two years, with the increase incorporating previously applied temporary increases and future planned increases through 2026/27.

The Council said the increase is necessary for sustainable service delivery and asset management, particularly for aging infrastructure, while acknowledging the financial impact on residents and offering hardship assistance options.

Shoalhaven City Council said approval of its request for a 12% rate increase from July will result in an average weekly increase of $3.46 for residents.

The decision comes after an independent review revealed a $35 million annual shortfall in the general fund, with the Council implementing various cost-saving measures and receiving community feedback on the proposed rate variations.

Approval for a special rate variation for Gunnedah Shire Council has been welcomed by Mayor Colleen Fuller, who said the council was pleased to be told its application had articulated for the increase.

She said the council would continue to streamline operations and find ways to save money. The approval will see a cumulative 37.67% increase applied over two years from this July.

The other council to receive approval from IPART is Upper Hunter Shire, which will impose a 10% increase each year for three years.

It said the increase equates to around $4 per week by year three for the average residential household.

Sydney City Council has upheld a ban on large commercial events in local parks due to concerns about damage and prolonged closures for remediation, leading Inner West Council to offer their venues as alternative locations.

Inner West Mayor Darcy Byrne told City Hub that Sydney can't afford to lose any more of its live music events.”

He suggested that requiring organisers to fund remediation costs would be a better solution than outright banning events, calling the ban a "retrograde step."

Sydney’s decision has also sparked criticism from NSW Premier Chris Minns and debate about balancing public access to parks with outdoor events.

Due to a spate of violent incidents and anti-social behaviour at Wallsend Library, the City of Newcastle has implemented new security measures requiring visitors to scan their library cards for entry after 3pm on weekdays.

The changes include the installation of OPEN+ technology and a continued security presence.

CEO Jeremy Bath said the council was at a point where it was exploring employing paid police to protect staff and library patrons.

The City of Parramatta is leading an initiative to establish WESTcom, a Western Sydney Cabinet of Mayors that will unite local government leaders to advocate for funding and infrastructure in the region.

Lord Mayor Cr Martin Zaiter said the collaboration aims to transform Western Sydney into a global economic powerhouse, with the inaugural roundtable meeting planned for the third quarter of 2025 to align strategies and proposals for the region's development.

Georges River Council has announced the introduction of smart bin technology.

New waste bins with unique serial numbers linked to property addresses are being rolled out as part of the council’s Bin Replacement Program, aimed at improving waste collection efficiency and reducing environmental impact.

The council has moved to head off any privacy concerns, confirming that the new bins do not contain GPS tracking, and cannot monitor location or contents.

The bins are made from up to 80% recycled material, and are supported by new collection trucks with real-time tracking capabilities to ensure better service delivery.

Liverpool City Council has significantly improved its Development Application (DA) processing efficiency, reducing average processing time from 285 to 117 days and clearing 77% of its DA backlog over three years.

Mayor Ned Mannoun announced the improvements on social media, and said they come as a result of increased staffing, streamlined processes, and better guidance for applicants.

National Briefs:

Townsville pet owners are being warned about an international scam by a group called Petchip that sends fraudulent emails demanding payment for "microchip registration expiration", with the scammers threatening to list pets as "unregistered" if fees aren't paid.

Townsville City Council has reminded residents that pet microchips never expire and don't need re-registration, and that legitimate Council pet registrations are sent by mail annually.

The City of Hobart’s new free e-bike library is already set to double in size, just a week after opening.

The city will add six more electric bikes to the fleet as early demand saw many models booked out until late next year.

Tasmanians can borrow an electric bicycle for two weeks, free of charge, from the state’s first of its kind e-bike library.

Congratulations to the Shire of Ashburton, this year’s winner of the Pilbara Kimberley Regional Management Challenge.

The LG Professionals WA program is designed to promote skill-building and professional development, reflecting the real-world issues faced by rural and remote local governments.

QLD:

Suspended Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson has launched an online petition to dissolve the current city council, citing inadequate maintenance, poor fiscal management, and breaches of key governance principles.

The petition, which aims to collect 10,000 signatures by June 20, comes while Mr Thompson remains suspended on full salary pending a Crime and Corruption Commission investigation into allegations about his military history and qualifications.

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney has defended the council's ability to govern, and says the council remains strong and continues to work for the community.

Two men have been jailed for 18 months and 9 months respectively following separate assaults on Fraser Coast Regional Council community rangers while performing their duties earlier this year.

Council CEO Ken Diehm has welcomed the sentences as a strong message against workplace violence, and said the Council had implemented enhanced security measures and additional staff training in response to the incidents.

Following RSPCA Queensland's closure of its Noosa animal shelter last week, lost pets will now be taken to the Sippy Creek Animal Pound through a new partnership between Noosa and Sunshine Coast Councils.

The facility, which reunited 380 lost animals with their owners in 2024 and helped 632 animals find new homes, will provide care for the small number of lost pets from Noosa.

Noosa Today reported that the council’s Local Laws officers would only take animals to the pound if they are unable to contact the owners directly

SA:

Tatiara District Council CEO Anne Champness has decided not to seek a further term beyond her current contract, which expires in November.

Mayor Liz Goossens paid tribute to Ms Champness’s guidance and leadership, and said the council will commence recruitment for a new CEO in the coming weeks.

Ms Champness has been the council’s CEO since 2017, and said she is looking forward to spend extended time with her family overseas.

Port Pirie Regional Council is implementing new measures to address the city's pigeon overpopulation problem, including exploring the use of a sterilisation treatment that interferes with pigeon reproduction.

The initiative requires collaboration between local businesses, councils, and government to combat infrastructure damage and public health concerns.

Residents are being encouraged to assist through proper waste management and avoiding feeding the birds.

Port Lincoln City Council is seeking community feedback on a proposal to revoke community land classification for five council-owned sites, with potential plans including aged care facilities, residential development, and a childcare centre.

Proceeds from potential land sales to be reinvested into community infrastructure through the Council's Land and Building Reserve.

WA:

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley has warned that the City of Nedlands council could be placed into administration due to "repeated poor behaviour" including compliance issues, transparency problems, and failure to maintain meeting quorums.

Ms Beazley told ABC Radio that the council's dysfunction was evident in it’s inability to meet deadlines for compliance audit returns and failure to upload required audio/video content.

Adding to the controversy, the council is reportedly opposing the development of a nature parkland for dying children at a hospice in Swanbourne, a stance that the Minister finds "extraordinary" and out of step with community sentiment.

Global Roundup:

UK:

Somerset Council has made 292 staff redundant in the past financial year, including over 80 compulsory redundancies, as part of a major restructuring exercise to prevent financial collapse and reduce duplication following the merger of five councils.

BBC News reported the cuts represent an 11% reduction in the council's workforce, expected to save £34m, though concerns have been raised about staff morale and the impact on service delivery.

There are calls for senior-level resignations at Warrington Council following a highly critical best value report that recommended appointing commissioners to oversee parts of the authority due to concerns about its commercial program and debts.

The council has pledged to respond positively to all recommendations, with the government planning to send in ministerial envoys rather than commissioners.

BBC News reported on Council leader Hans Mundry’s announced plans to develop an improvement plan and appoint a transformation director.

A former council leader in Anglesey has avoided suspension after facing disciplinary action for saying "all Tories should be shot" during a council meeting in 2023.

Ieuan Williams apologised for the "crass remark" made while discussing poverty.

BBC News reported that he had self-reported the incident and cooperated with the investigation, which found he had breached the council's code of conduct.

USA:

In Oregon, Portland's City Council is grappling with a contentious $7.8 billion budget proposal that relies on temporary fixes and service cuts to address shortfalls across multiple departments.

Willamette Week dot com reported on the main points of contention, which include a councillor’s proposal to reallocate $1.9 million from police staffing to parks maintenance, and a broader debate over maintaining essential services while several bureaus face significant cuts and layoffs.

In South Carolina, the mayor of Florence, Lethonia Barnes, and city officials have held a news conference addressing recent gun violence in the area.

WBTW News reported that multiple shootings with one fatality and a critically injured victim have led to an emotional plea from the mayor to gang leaders and those involved in violence to stop the bloodshed.

The city’s police chief Allen Heidler has raised concerns about repeat offenders being released on bond and the council is promising stronger enforcement measures.

CANADA:

In Canada, Alberta province has a new Minister of Municipal Affairs.

Dan Williams became the 19th person to hold the post in 25 years when he was sworn in to the office on Friday.

He was previously the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction, and as been a member of the Legislative Assembly for six years.

The appointment of Mr Williams, and the impact of a broader cabinet reshuffle is explored in a new episode of Municipal Affairs with Chris Brown.

NZ:

Wellington City Council has highlighted an increase in reported anti-social behaviour towards its staff.

The Council participated in Pink Shirt Day last Friday, a global initiative promoting safe and respectful environments.

It has reminded the public that council staff are also Wellingtonians who deserve to be treated with kindness, as personal confrontation has become the highest reported risk to staff above other health and safety hazards.