Commission of Inquiry launched, a new Mayor elected, and challenging fake news

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• The Whittlesea Council Commission of Inquiry is underway
• Golden Plains elects a new Mayor
• A leadership transition revealed for Cardinia Shire
• A Sydney council’s new housing plan alternative
• Kiama Council hits back at false media claims
• A major council property transaction confirmed on the Gold Coast
• A controversial rates proposal for retirement villages draws criticism
• and a council’s innovative approach to cat containment laws

Plus more local government news from across 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

• 1:43 Victorian Roundup
• 7:55 NSW Roundup
• 11:27 National Roundup
• 14:44 Global Roundup

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

A Commission of Inquiry into Whittlesea City Council has been launched.

Minister for Local Government Nick Staikos has announced that Prue Digby will be Chair of the Commission of Inquiry, supported by Jim Gifford as Commissioner.

The inquiry will take four months to complete, as Ms Digby and Mr Gifford look into the council’s current governance practices, and determine if reform is needed to address ongoing issues.

It follows the suspension last month of Mayor Aiden McLindon for a period of six months.

Ms Digby is an experienced senior executive and director with state and local government experience, and last year served as a municipal monitor at Moonee Valley City Council.

Mr Gifford has extensive experience supporting councils through governance issues, including as municipal monitor Glenelg Shire Council in 2024.

Outgoing monitors Jude Munro and Peita Duncan were thanked by the Minister for their service at Whittlesea since November last year.

A report from the Commission of Inquiry is due in September.

Golden Plains Shire Council has elected Cr Owen Sharkey as its new Mayor.

The election was required after Sarah Hayden resigned the mayoralty last week, and following a period of instability which included the resignation of former mayor Brett Cunningham.

A countback to fill his position on the council has been set for Wednesday 11th June.

Cr Sharkey noted the impact of destructive media commentary on Cr Hayden’s mayoralty, much of it from anonymous posters.

He said the issue had also impacted the wellbeing of councillors more generally at Golden Plains and across the wider local government sector.

Cr Sharkey also thanked Cr Helena Kirby for her work as Acting Mayor over the last few weeks.

Peter Benazic has been appointed as interim CEO of Cardinia Shire Council for six months starting June 5, as Carol Jeffs departs the organisation after six and a half years.

Mr Benazic brings 27 years of senior role experience and 39 years in local government to the position.

Mayor Jack Kowarzik has paid tribute to Ms Jeffs’ leadership at the council, as she prepares to take up the CEO role at Uniting Vic Tas.

East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking urgent State drought support for Benambra and Omeo farmers who were excluded from a $15.9 million support package announced last week.

That’s despite the area’s farmers facing severe drought conditions including failed crops, low dam levels, and critical fodder shortages.

Mayor John White said that without immediate government assistance, the High Country farming communities face irreversible business impacts and long-term economic challenges, while also facing new tax burdens from the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund.

Hepburn Shire Council welcomed the support package as crucial for its farmers.

Mayor Don Henderson said it was pleasing that the shire’s famers would directly benefit from a grant program to support on-farm upgrades, such as water infrastructure, stock containment, and grain and fodder storage.

Mildura Rural City Council has announced more than $2M in cost savings as part of preparing its latest draft budget.

The $155M budget includes a $41M capital works program.

Mayor Helen Healy said if there was a theme to the budget, it is cost-saving.

The $2M in cuts have come from a range of areas, including fleet management, passenger fleet vehicle costs and bringing landscape architecture in-house.

Mayor Healy said the savings had been achieved despite an annual impost of $5M from federal and state government cost-shifting.

The controversial VNI West transmission line project has drawn formal opposition from Buloke Shire Council.

The Council says recent community engagement has revealed strong and widespread opposition to the project in its current form, from those directly affected by the proposed alignment as well as those with broader concerns about land use, consultation processes and the cumulative impact on rural communities.

It says there is a lack of confidence that the project will deliver fair and lasting outcomes for the Buloke community.

Victorian Briefs:

Greater Geelong Council is offering free registration for local cats involved in the Fix a Feline Friend for Free initiative, in which 120 free desexing and microchipping procedures are being provided through Geelong Animal Welfare Society and Animal Welfare Victoria.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the free registration is a further incentive for the city’s cat owners to apply for a desexing and microchipping voucher.

The Victorian Legislative Assembly Environment and Planning Committee visited Ararat to investigate regional housing shortages.

Members met with Ararat Council reps and toured developments while examining supply challenges and potential solutions.

The City of Greater Bendigo is seeking community feedback on the potential sale of eight surplus properties, including carparks, tennis clubs, and community facilities.

The properties, which are part of the City's portfolio of approximately 1,500 assets valued over $577 million, have been identified as no longer aligned with future plans or strategies.

Any proceeds from potential sales to be used for future building improvements or strategic land purchases.

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National Roundup:

NSW:

Inner West Council has released a comprehensive plan called 'A Fairer Future for the Inner West' that aims to enable 35,000 new homes over the next 15 years through increased residential densities around transport hubs and main streets.

The plan includes provisions for not-for-profit housing, and focuses on making housing more accessible for essential workers, young people, and renters while proposing 6-11 storey buildings in key precincts.

It’s the council’s alternative to the government’s blanket rezoning that came into effect last year, and was due to come before councillors this week for endorsement for public exhibition.

Kiama Council has publicly refuted a number of claims made by local media outlet the Bugle about its developer contributions and infrastructure planning processes.

The Council said a Bugle article made several incorrect assertions, including false claims about missed deadlines and financial losses.

It insists it has maintained proper oversight of its policy reviews and contribution plans, with regular reporting to various committees and public updates throughout the process.

Councillor Jason Southern has resigned from Balonne Shire Council due to increasing work commitments and staffing constraints in his business.

Mayor Samantha O'Toole said she understood his decision and thanked him for his efforts.

The Council has initiated the process for a by-election to fill the vacant position, with dates yet to be announced.

Murrumbidgee Council has announced a public auction in September for properties with unpaid rates and charges.

Approximately $270,000 remains unpaid, with $80,000 recovered since the announcement of the auction process.

Buyers at the auction, to be held in Jerilderie, will need to conduct their own due diligence as properties will be sold sight unseen.

Mayor Ruth McRae said it was a difficult decision to proceed to auction, however unpaid rates and charges are a heavy burden on both the council and all ratepayers.

The City of Coffs Harbour is urging developers, builders, and earthmovers to properly manage sediment and erosion control on construction sites following increased instances of contamination of local waterways during recent wet weather.

Failure to comply with regulations can result in significant penalties, with fines for water pollution starting at $30,000 for companies and $15,000 for individuals.

Briefs:

Central Coast Council is transitioning its Buttonderry and Woy Woy Waste Management Facilities to cashless-only payments from July 1st.

It says only 5% of its customers use cash, and the change is necessary to improve efficiency and reduce operational costs.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council has secured $312,250 in NSW Government grant funding to combat high-risk weed species.

The council said the funding recognition demonstrates the Council's biosecurity team's successful track record in protecting the region from biosecurity threats.

Four young Bega Valley residents have secured children's services traineeships with Bega Valley Shire Council, gaining qualifications in Early Childhood Education while working at various Council-operated childcare facilities.

It is hoped the initiative will help address skilled labor shortages in the region while providing valuable career opportunities for local youth.

QLD:

Gold Coast City Council has purchased the 17 storey Gold Coast Corporate Centre at Bundall for $117 million, marking the largest commercial property transaction on the Gold Coast since 2020.

The Council told the Gold Coast Bulletin that the purchase is a strategic investment to secure the council's long-term accommodation needs while delivering ongoing financial returns for the community.

A Cairns Regional Council proposal to change how rates are charged for retirement villages could lead to dramatic increases of up to 800 percent for some estates, according to a report from Channel 9’s A Current Affair, which says there are now fears other councils may follow suit.

The council argues the change will ensure more equitable contributions from property owners for local services, though retirement village advocates have condemned it as a "cruel cash grab."

The Council says that while rates are charged to the property owners, it’s aware that some have advised they will pass on the rates as an additional charge to their tenants.

Logan City Council is reviewing a region-wide smart water meter initiative after a 2019 trial revealed the digital meters cost nine times more than standard meters.

The Courier Mail reported that the initiative saw just 10.5% customer engagement with the online portal.

The council is considering participating in a fresh Seqwater-funded study examining digital metering across southeast Queensland, with industry suppliers arguing that newer devices offer improved features and capabilities.

SA:

The Town of Walkerville council is implementing new 40km/h speed limits across most residential streets in Medindie, Walkerville, Gilberton and part of Vale Park, with major roads retaining their current speed limits.

InDaily reported that the changes follow community consultation and aim to improve safety and reduce noise.

They will take effect from July 1 with a three-month grace period for speeding fines.

LGA South Australia has submitted a formal response to the Electoral Commission’s 2022 Council Election Report.

The submission supports the shifting of council elections to avoid state election years, and addresses other key themes such as voter participation and candidate attraction, while also proposing additional practical reforms to enhance the electoral process.

WA:

The Shire of Pingelly in Western Australia is implementing new cat containment laws to protect endangered numbats and other native wildlife, with only 2,000 numbats remaining in the wild.

WA Today reported that while 23 WA local governments have previously attempted similar laws since 2014, only two have succeeded.

Pingelly's approach is significant as it mirrors Narrogin's successful 2016 approach, introducing the new regulations through a Save the Numbats Local Law which comes effect this week.

The law seeks not only to contain cats, but restricts ownership to two cats per household.

Global Roundup:

UK:

The UK government has ended its three-year intervention into Peterborough City Council's finances and governance, with Local Government Minister Jim McMahon acknowledging progress while noting ongoing risks.

BBC News reported that despite improvements made since 2021, the council still faces significant financial challenges, including a predicted £23m budget gap for 2025-26 which may require service cuts including library closures.

Alan Graves, Reform UK's incoming leader of Derbyshire County Council, has been found to have breached Derby City Council's code of conduct after sharing confidential information on social media.

The breach stemmed from his dissatisfaction with how a complaint about another councillor was handled.

BBC News reported that despite the finding, Graves will face no sanctions and is set to be formally signed off as Reform UK's leader of Derbyshire County Council next week.

Meanwhile, Reform UK councillors at West Northamptonshire Council have refused to participate in diversity and climate training sessions following their recent local election victory where they won 42 out of 76 seats.

Their stand aligns with party leader Nigel Farage's position on boycotting the training that promotes that "all people should be treated equally".

BBC News reported that the council's new administration plans to implement changes including reduced remote working and flying only specific flags on council buildings.

USA:

Los Angeles City Council has approved a significant minimum wage increase for tourism industry workers, requiring hotels with over 60 rooms and LAX businesses to pay $30 per hour by 2028.

The LA Times reported the decision was made despite warnings from business leaders about potential negative impacts on the industry.

The measure passed with a 12-3 vote and includes an additional $8.35 per hour for healthcare benefits. It represents a 48% wage increase for hotel employees and a 56% increase for airport workers over three years.

NZ:

Napier City Council is undergoing a restructure potentially affecting over 100 jobs and the reshaping of its four directorates.

The NZ Herald reported that the restructure is being driven by factors including government directives to prioritise core services and the need to identify $3 million in labour efficiencies.

Concerns are emerging about the transparency of the process and potential impacts on community services, particularly regarding the commercialisation of some key facilities.

Radio New Zealand reports that Christchurch City Council is considering new regulations to address the issue of abandoned shopping trolleys.

Council staff have responded to over 6,300 reports in the past year.

The council is exploring options including adding clauses to existing bylaws or working with Retail NZ on preventive measures.

Approximately 400 staff from Christchurch City Council's Te Hononga civic building, including the mayor's office, are being relocated due to concerns about the building's seismic performance.

The Star News reported this week that the relocation is a precautionary measure while engineers conduct a detailed assessment of the building's north side annex, which is expected to take three weeks to complete.