Hateful attacks condemned, toxic claims rejected, and a dramatic skyline change

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Hateful attacks condemned
• Claims of a toxic council workforce rejected
• Reaction to new drought support measures
• A disappointing state government funding cut
• An innovative road reconstruction project fails
• A dramatic change coming to Sydney’s skyline
• Another NSW Council CEO resignation
• A former Queensland mayor plans a comeback
• and Perth councils put on notice by the government

Plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

Learn more about SmartGlue at www.symphony3.com

On Tuesday, 22 July the VLGA and LGIU will host the next in its series of Global Executive Live Panels for 2025.

This webinar will explore the topic of Building the Local Economy and will be held online from 5.30pm to 7pm.

Panellists include:

• Dr Angela Jackson, Commissioner (Social Policy), Australian Productivity Commission
• David Marlow, Chief Executive, Third Life Economics 
• Merryn Tinkler, Manager Economy & Culture, Mount

Chapters

• 1:43 Victorian Report
• 8:28 NSW Report
• 11:31 QLD Report
• 13:09 TAS/SA/WA/NT Report
• 15:52 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

Mayor Cr Simone Zmood of Glen Eira has expressed solidarity with the Jewish community, condemning the recent attacks on the East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation and Miznon Restaurant.

In a statement issued over the weekend, Mayor Zmood said the trauma and horror of the attack is unimaginable.

Cr Zmood called on Glen Eira residents to come together in support and against hate, and to reaffirm the city’s values of respect, inclusion and unity.

Moira Shire Council has rejected claims of a toxic workplace culture, calling ASU allegations misleading and harmful to trust.

CEO Matthew Morgan told the Cobram Courier that internal surveys contradict union findings.

He said, "We do not support advocacy tactics which deliberately misrepresent our workplace," and has requested access to the union's survey methodology.

The conflict stems from ASU survey results showing staff dissatisfaction, with allegations of bullying and mental health issues.

The state government’s drought support announcement has received approval from sector bodies.

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed the $75 million package, which includes rate relief for farmers and funding for water infrastructure, mental health programs, and community support.

RCV said the package addresses immediate needs while also investing in long-term resilience for rural communities affected by drought.

Regional Cities Victoria also reacted positively to the news that farmers in 12 designated areas would receive a rebate of around 40 per cent, while still expressing concerns about the ESVF levy and the federal water buyback scheme during drought conditions.

The package includes a $3.5 million South West Sustainable Water Strategy, which will replace the outdated 2011 Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy.

The South West Victoria Alliance welcomed its inclusion in the drought response package as an advocacy win.

Colac Otway Shire Mayor Jason Schram welcomed the details of the package, and the funding for the sustainable water strategy.

He has called on the Federal Government to declare Victoria a "Natural Disaster Area" and provide additional funding and support.

Corangamite Mayor Kate Makin said it was encouraging that the government has acknowledged the needs of their communities, warning that recovery is likely to take years.

And Ararat Rural City Council is pleased with a $15M commitment toward extending the East Grampians Water Pipeline project, which will be matched by $15.6 million from Grampians Wimmera Mallee Water.

The expansion will provide reliable water supply to 750 rural properties, 10 towns, and improve firefighting capabilities in the Ararat Rural City area.

The Age has reported on Council reaction to the state government’s withdrawal of millions in funding for a popular sleep support program for parents and babies.

The cuts, which took effect on July 1st, have forced some councils to cancel group education classes at maternal and child health centres, relied upon as a crucial first point of contact for exhausted parents struggling with their babies' sleep issues.

Councils were given just six weeks' notice about the funding cuts, which are estimated to total nearly $5 million.

Several council mayors, including Paul Klisaris at Monash, and Daria Kellandar at Hobsons Bay, have written to Children's Minister Lizzie Blandthorn calling for funding to be reinstated.

They have warned that waitlists for more intensive one-on-one services will blow out as a result.

The government says parents will be connected with alternative support options, including phone advice and early parenting centres.

Hume City Council has issued a statement addressing a Victoria Police investigation into child sexual abuse allegations at private daycare centres in Melbourne, emphasising that the accused individual has no connection to their facilities.

The Council has reassured parents about their strict child safety protocols, including thorough staff screening, prohibition of mobile phones in children's rooms, and continuous policy reviews to protect children in their care.

Hobsons Bay Mayor Daria Kellander also issued a statement on the issue, calling for urgent reforms to the childcare sector following reports of child abuse in Victorian daycare centres.

She says there is a need for strengthened safety measures and for staffing shortages to be addressed.

In Ballarat, the Courier reports that a trial using nanotechnology to reconstruct a section of Gillies Road has failed just months after implementation.

The council said some small sections of the road are showing deterioration despite initial successful test results, and it is investigating the cause and patching defects with asphalt.

The trial cost $970,000 including the purchase of the nanotechnology materials, compared to an estimated $2M if traditional methods were used.

The technology has been used successfully for more than 30 years in cold and wet climates in Europe.

Council director Bridget Wetherall said while the trial result is disappointing, the council remains committed to exploring innovation in road construction for safety, quality and long-term value.

Victorian Briefs:

Bass Coast Shire Council's leisure facilities have officially transitioned to new management under Aligned Leisure as of July 1st.

95% of staff continue in their roles, and new state-of-the-art equipment has been installed at both the Bass Coast Aquatic & Leisure Centre and Phillip Island Leisure Centre gyms.

A bin audit by the City of Boroondara has revealed that while 71% of waste materials were diverted from landfill, about 4% of household bins contained incorrect items that could negatively impact recycling efforts.

Contamination from e-waste like batteries and vapes are of particular concern and pose safety risks.

Maribyrnong Councillor Mohamed Semra has been named the 2025 Young Victorian of the Year, recognised for his work empowering young people through Endeavour Youth Australia.

Cr Semra said he was honoured and humbled by the recognition.

National Roundup:

NSW:

Sydney's iconic skyline is about to undergo a dramatic transformation with not one, but two skyscrapers over 300 meters tall set to reshape the city's profile.

Sydney City Council has endorsed changes to planning rules that will allow a 70-storey commercial tower reaching 310 meters at the Pitt Street precinct.

Lord Mayor Clover Moore says the development will be a catalyst for job creation and economic growth.

Meanwhile, a second tower nearby at O'Connell Street, developed by Lendlease, is expected to soar to 319 meters across 71 floors. This project will deliver 150,000 square meters of commercial space and include public access ways and a shared logistics hub.

The Lord Mayor has described the projects as crucial for Sydney to maintain its status as a global city and economic powerhouse.

Acting CEO James Ruprai has announced his resignation from Shoalhaven City Council after serving eight months in the role and nearly three years as Director City Development.

He plans to pursue new professional opportunities and spend more time with family.

Mr. Ruprai will remain in his position until July 31, when the recruitment process for the new CEO is expected to be completed.

Berrigan Shire Mayor Julia Cornwell says the council won’t take second best in its search for a new chief executive, after the resignation of Karina Ewer last week.

The Border Mail has reported the comments of Cr Cornwell, who said the resignation caught the council by surprise following the recent departure of deputy chief executive Matt Hansen.

Ms Ewer is taking on the CEO position at Charters Towers Regional Council in northern Queensland, while Mr Hansen went to a position at Griffith City Council.

The council is expected to announce an interim CEO after an extraordinary general meeting scheduled for today.

Bega Valley Shire Council is partnering with South East Arts to transform eight new waste collection trucks with locally-designed artwork that celebrates the region's natural beauty while promoting sustainability.

The initiative offers local artists the opportunity to have their work widely seen throughout the community.

Expressions of interest are open until July 23 with the final commissioned artist to receive $8,000.

Willoughby City Council is taking action against invasive Spanish moss, a rapidly growing weed threatening native trees and bushland across the region.

The Council has implemented removal strategies in public areas, launched community education campaigns, and is urging residents to help by identifying and removing the plant from their properties.

QLD:

Former Isaac Mayor Anne Baker has thrown her hat into the ring for the upcoming Mackay Regional Council by-election, according to a report from the Courier Mail.

The by-election has been called to replace George Christensen, who resigned his position on the council in May.

Ms Baker, who stood for the seat of Burdekin at the last state election, says she's spent the early part of 2025 reflecting on her future.

While acknowledging recent commentary about council dynamics, Ms Baker said she's not interested in political noise, and has committed to serving until the end of the term if elected.

Rockhampton Regional Council has launched a $2.4 million solar project at Rockhampton Airport that will install a 976kW solar system to reduce grid energy usage and save up to 1,600 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions annually.

The initiative, partially funded by a $920,000 grant from the Australian Government's Reef Trust, supports the Reef Guardian Councils program and aligns with the Reef 2050 Long Term Sustainability Plan's objective of limiting climate change impacts on the Great Barrier Reef.

Livingstone Shire Council’s new CEO Terry Dodds has announced the implementation of a transformational new organisational structure.

He said the new structure is based on a proven leadership methodology focused on purpose, alignment, clarity, trust, measurement, management, improvement, and celebration.

It follows a six-month collaborative effort with staff and councillors, and is designed to help address the council’s growth challenges.

TAS:

A senseless act of vandalism has left ratepayers in Tasmania's North-West footing the bill after a public toilet block was set on fire, according to the Advocate.

Central Coast Council's acting mayor John Beswick says repairs to the male toilets at Ulverstone's Legion Park will divert funds from other community projects.

It's believed rubbish in the facility was deliberately ignited.

The council is also dealing with repeated graffiti attacks on the Leven River Bridge, where vandals have taunted workers with messages like 'pressure clean this off.'

The damaged toilet facilities, located along the popular Coastal Pathway, will likely remain closed for several weeks while repairs are completed.

SA:

The City of Onkaparinga has secured $253,500 in grants to fund two coastal monitoring and adaptation projects that will help prepare its 31km coastline for climate change impacts.

The projects, which include installation of CoastSnap posts for citizen science monitoring and data collection at high-risk areas like South Port Beach, are part of the council's 7-year Coastal Adaptation Plan and the broader SA Climate Ready Coasts program.

The District Council of Cleve is conducting a review of elector representation and has proposed maintaining a no-ward structure with an elected mayor and six area councillors.

Written submissions on the draft Representation Report can be made until 5pm Friday 25 July 2025.

WA/NT:

In Perth, Planning Minister John Carey has criticised local councils for delaying residential development approvals, saying some need "a kick up the bum."

The West Australian reported that the state government is considering forcing local governments to fast-track approvals for small projects like carports and granny flats after numerous complaints from builders about lengthy delays.

The WA Local Government Association has defended councils, with President Karen Chappel claiming 94 percent of building permits are issued within statutory timeframes and accusing the State Government of "eroding" local government's role in planning.

Chris Kelly, the CEO of Barkly Regional Council, has resigned after a 12-month tenure during which he helped the council recover from a $12m deficit to achieve a budget surplus.

He is returning to Townsville in Queensland for family reasons, with his last day to be July 11.

Susan Steele will serve as interim CEO while a recruitment process is undertaken to find a permanent replacement.

Global Roundup:

UK:

UK Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner has announced plans to merge over £1.5bn worth of capital funding pots, while reducing reporting requirements from 150 to less than 50.

She announced the move to free councils from bureaucracy at last week’s LGA conference, and also committed to funding councils based on need in a "fair and transparent way."

South Cambridgeshire District Council has released details of an independent analysis of its controversial four-day week work trial, which showed significant improvements in service delivery and staffing metrics.

21 of 24 monitored services either improved or stayed the same.

While the trial has received mixed resident feedback, the Council says it demonstrated clear organisational benefits including a 120% increase in job applications, 40% reduction in staff turnover, and nearly £400,000 in yearly savings from reduced agency worker reliance.

Continuation of the four-day week arrangement is yet to be considered by the council.

ESTONIA:

In Estonia, the city council of Tallin is facing potential dissolution as political tensions reach a boiling point, according to news site ERR.

The Reform Party has called an extraordinary council meeting for tomorrow, July 8, to hold a vote of no confidence in Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski.

Despite their mayoral candidate withdrawing his bid, Reform still plans to express no confidence in the current administration and move to the opposition until the October elections.

If the motion passes, and a new mayor isn't elected within two months of the no-confidence vote, the entire city council will be deemed dysfunctional and disbanded just weeks before the scheduled October 19 elections.

CANADA:

In Canada, CBC reports on a widening political divide at Kamloops City Council, after Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson's push for a forensic audit of all city departments was decisively defeated in an 8-1 vote.

The contentious council meeting saw heated exchanges between the mayor and other councillors, particularly with Councillor Mike O'Reilly, whom the mayor accused of conflict of interest violations, and Councillor Katie Neustaeter, with whom the mayor has an ongoing legal battle.

It’s just the latest chapter in a political drama that has cost Kamloops taxpayers reportedly over 1.5 million dollars in legal fees since this council was elected in 2022.

NZ:

The Otago Central Lakes region has advanced to the next stage of negotiations for a 10-year regional deal partnership with the government.

The Otago Daily Times reported that the partnership, involving the Otago Regional Council, Central Otago District Council, and Queenstown Lakes District Council, aims to address the region's growing infrastructure challenges amid rising population and tourism numbers.

Infrastructure Minister Chris Bishop announced that congestion charges or tolls could be implemented in Queenstown as part of the deal, with the region also expected to explore mass rapid transit options, potentially including gondolas or cable cars to bypass road networks.

The government's City and Regional Deals initiative focuses on 10-year strategic partnerships to promote economic growth, housing development, and infrastructure improvements across New Zealand.

Auckland Council has launched a new marketing campaign to address the growing problem of roaming dogs, featuring emotive TV commercials from three perspectives to encourage dog owners to keep their pets contained.

The council receives approximately 15,000 reports of roaming dogs annually and has invested over $5 million in additional funding for Animal Management while advocating for legislative changes to strengthen enforcement powers against irresponsible dog owners.