Agency underfunded, dangerous dogs, and a shock resignation

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Claims of underfunding from another Victorian integrity agency
• A council’s call for stronger powers to act on dangerous dogs
• A councillor demanding a public apology from her council
• Liverpool’s public inquiry gets underway
• A NSW mayor calls out keyboard warriors
• A shock resignation from a Qld Council CEO
• Controversial new Council by-laws under attack in South Australia
• and a local government member association CEO is moving on

Plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

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Chapters

• 1:48 Victorian Report
• 8:30 NSW Report
• 11:38 QLD Report
• 13:55 TAS/SA/WA/NT Report
• 18:04 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

The Australian has revealed claims of underfunding at another of Victoria’s integrity agencies.

The Victorian Ombudsman, tasked with overseeing more than 1,000 public authorities, says it's been forced to cancel and scale back important projects due to budget constraints.

Documents obtained by The Australian reveal the state government rejected a $1.4 million funding request last November that would have bolstered the agency's legal resources and cybersecurity systems.

The Ombudsman's spokesperson said their "funding is not adequate to do the job entrusted to us by parliament and the community, and in real terms is going backwards."

The government claims it has "almost doubled funding" for the Victorian Ombudsman since 2014.

It follows a Herald Sun story earlier this week reporting budget constraints at the Local Government Inspectorate which have led to a number of positions remaining unfilled.

Hume City Council has voted unanimously this week to seek stronger powers to protect residents from dangerous dogs following two vicious attacks in Sunbury last year.

The council is calling on the state government to change animal control laws to allow council officers to enter properties where there is a reasonable belief that a dog involved in a serious attack is being kept.

Last August, three dogs escaped from a Sunbury property, attacking a 35-year-old mother walking her baby and a 71-year-old woman on consecutive days. Both victims suffered serious injuries in the attacks.

A council review found that while officers followed proper procedures, their response was limited by current legislation requiring police presence in urgent situations.

The council has rejected what it called sensational and misleading claims in the media that it was seeking to intrude in resident’s private lives, or act without cause.

It said the claims are incorrect and misrepresent the facts.

Greater Dandenong councillor Rhonda Garad is demanding a public apology from the council after it issued a statement about her social media posts, according to the Dandenong Star Journal.

The controversy centres on several retweets made by Cr Garad, including one supporting chants against the Israel Defence Forces at a Melbourne protest. The council said it did not endorse her retweets, some of which support anti-semitic language.

Cr Garad, who recently resigned from the Greens and will continue on the council as an independent, said her posts were critical of Israel's military actions and not antisemitic in nature.

Illegal dumping is costing the City of Greater Dandenong more than $1.1 million annually, with nearly 800 incidents reported each month.

The Star Journal reports that the council's new customer request dashboard has revealed around 1,000 tonnes of illegally dumped waste is being collected yearly.

In June alone, almost 700 new dumping reports were filed, adding to an existing backlog. Council officials say the money spent on cleanup could be better used for community services and programs.

Areas with high rental turnover, such as Stud Road, have become notorious in the city as dumping hotspots.

Warrnambool City Council has unanimously adopted new guidelines aimed at resolving internal conflicts between councillors.

The Courier reported that the new procedure, passed at Monday's council meeting, establishes a clear escalation process for addressing disputes among elected officials.

Mayor Ben Blain described the guidelines as "critical," acknowledging that disagreements are a natural part of democratic processes.

Chief Executive Officer Andrew Mason explained that the new procedure is a requirement under the Local Government Act and has been developed with input from all councillors.

While the council hopes these measures won't be needed, the policy specifies that the council will cover costs for external facilitation if required, but won't pay for legal advice or representation for individual councillors.

Greater Geelong Council is seeking operators for a new "Salamanca-style" market in Little Malop Street Central.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj said it will be a big win for local designers, makers, musicians and creative entrepreneurs, allowing people to purchase directly from local suppliers.

A Request for Proposal will close on July 25, with the market planned to launch in spring.

Mount Alexander Shire Council has established a Food Relief Network to coordinate food relief efforts across the shire.

The network aims to improve access to food and essential items by bringing together various organisations including Castlemaine Community House, Salvation Army, and others to ensure everyone has access to quality food and necessities.

Victorian Briefs:

Yarra City Council is establishing a memorial called "Flower Pavillion" in Collingwood Town Hall Park for the LGBTIQA+ community members lost to suicide.

The sculptural shelter, designed by local artist Andrew Atchison, features a canopy of vibrant acrylic flowers symbolising remembrance and providing a contemplative space for friends and family to honour loved ones.

A Glen Waverley resident was fined $9,000 for poisoning an 18-metre lemon-scented gum tree protected under the Vegetation Protection Overlay.

Monash Mayor Paul Kilsaris said the council’s action demonstrates its commitment to protecting the city's tree canopy, which provides environmental benefits and maintains the area's garden character.

Moorabool Shire Council is waiving roadside grazing permit fees to support local farmers during drought-like conditions.

Permit holders must comply with safety requirements including installing fencing, displaying warning signs, and providing public liability insurance while grazing livestock on approved roadside areas.

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National Roundup:

NSW:

A public inquiry into Liverpoool Council is underway, and has heard that a troubled relationship between Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun and Councillor Peter Ristevski is hampering council operations.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the inquiry was told of a physical confrontation where Councillor Ristevski allegedly goaded the mayor and stood on his foot during a February meeting.

The inquiry, which began Monday, is examining broader issues including councillor conduct, financial management, property purchases, and the handling of more than $150 million in state government grants.

The inquiry will run for several weeks with Mayor Mannoun, Councillor Ristevski, and former CEO John Ajaka all expected to testify.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill has refuted social media criticism about a Woolworths supermarket proposal for Springwood.

He told the Blue Mountains Gazette that elected councillors have no role in the development application process, hitting back at keyboard warriors who are blaming the council for blocking the proposal.

The mayor explained that council staff provided input to the state government planning panel about managing traffic congestion.

He said ‘amateur Donald Trumps’ lurk in our midst in a post-truth era, with “scant regard to reading the written word and conveying facts.”

Albury Council has voted to apply for a Gold Cup holiday, but with a twist. The council will seek a full-day public holiday for the 2026 and 2027 Gold Cup races, with a half-day holiday as a backup option.

The Border Mail reported that former mayor Kylie King's motion secured a 5-3 majority, overriding current mayor Kevin Mack's preference for a full-day only application.

The decision comes after community feedback showed nearly 70 percent of residents favour a full-day break.

Councillor King expressed concern that an "all or nothing" approach might leave residents without any holiday if the full-day request is rejected.

Councillor Mack warned that presenting two options to the NSW government could result in both being rejected.

Wingecarribee Shire Council has reaffirmed its opposition to a proposed Moss Vale Plastics Recycling Facility, as the proponent files an appeal of a refusal from the Independent Planning Commission.

Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick said the council trusts the integrity of the appeal process, and noted community disappointment and frustration in seeing the matter return.

He said the council would make submissions to the conciliation process if given the opportunity.

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek is leading a community sleep-out event next month to raise awareness and $30,000 for local homelessness charities.

With homelessness rising 10% in the area between 2021-2023, the initiative supports Mission Australia, Maronites on Mission, and Brothers in Need while giving participants insight into the challenges faced by the 128,000 Australians experiencing homelessness nightly.

QLD:

In breaking news, Livingstone Shire Council CEO Terry Dodds has announced his resignation after nine months in the role.

The Townsville Bulletin reports this morning that Mr Dodds announced the news at a Council meeting last night, saying it’s time to move on.

Councillors are said to be shocked by the announcement.

Mayor Adam Belot said the resignation had been received with “a heavy heart.”

Mr Dodds was the Council’s ninth CEO in 11 years including interims, and recently introduced a new organisation structure to the Council after an extensive six month review process.

He joined Livingstone from Murray River Council in NSW.

A Gold Coast antisemitism summit, scheduled for September and to be chaired by Mayor Tom Tate, is offering free travel, accommodation, and meals to selected local government representatives from across Australia.

The Mandarin has reported on plans for the event, co-sponsored by several Jewish organisations, which appears to be modelled on similar summits in the US where enticements were offered for attendance.

The summit organisers aim to bring together over 200 local government representatives to develop strategies for combating antisemitism and other forms of hate in communities.

National Briefs:

Shellharbour City Council is seeking community assistance to combat illegal dumping after waste was found in local parks and waterways.

Mayor Chris Homer said the illegal dumping is causing environmental harm, and has encouraged residents to report incidents through the Council's Customer Service Team or online reporting system.

Glenorchy City Council has approved a $28 million sports centre at Claremont Link Road featuring four indoor courts for multiple sports including netball, basketball, futsal, volleyball and wheelchair sports.

Pulse Tasmania reported that the facility will include a show court with seating for up to 600 spectators.

South Australian councils will now receive additional funding for each flu vaccine administered to children aged six months to five years under a new SA Health funding program.

The funding comes as South Australia experiences a 70% increase in flu cases compared to last year.

LGA SA welcomed the new funding stream as some councils have reported the net cost for running public immunisation clinics is as much as $40,000 a year.

TAS:

In Glenorchy, police and local council officials have reported a significant drop in crime rates over the past year.

Tasmania Police data shows total offences in the Glenorchy division have fallen by 16 percent, with Youth offences falling by 21 percent.

Inspector Jason Klug credits the introduction of Taskforce Respect in mid-May for much of the improvement, noting calls for police assistance in the CBD have dropped by approximately 40 percent since the taskforce began operations.

Glenorchy City Council Mayor Sue Hickey has praised the police efforts and highlighted council initiatives, including youth engagement programs and school holiday activities designed to provide positive outlets for young people in the community.

Break O’Day Council Mayor Mick Tucker has been re-elected as President of the Local Government Association of Tasmania (LGAT).

His second term will commence after the LGAT Annual General Meeting on July 25.

Mayor Tucker has reiterated his commitment to working collaboratively with all 29 Tasmanian councils during a challenging period of proposed reforms and rising costs.

Clarence City Council has reversed a ban on dogs on the Tangara Trail at Racecourse Flats following community backlash.

Pulse Tasmania reported that Councillors have voted to replace 'no dogs' signs with 'dogs on leash, on track only' signs.

The 3.36-metre-wide walking track has been a popular spot for dog walkers for many years.

SA:

Adelaide Hills Council is considering new by-laws requiring residents to seek approval before keeping bees, roosters, pigeons, and livestock in residential properties within 24 townships, according to a report from The Messenger.

The proposal has faced criticism from bee enthusiasts who argue beekeeping benefits the environment and community.

The council says the changes are in response to community complaints about bees entering neighbouring properties and rooster noise.

Mount Gambier Council was set to vote last night on a controversial new cat management by-law that would limit households to just two cats, according a Newswire report.

The proposed regulations would only apply to cats born after the by-law's adoption and would also introduce a "nuisance offence" for owners whose cats disturb neighbours' peace and comfort.

The council is responding to complaints from residents about wandering cats using gardens as toilets, with some locals calling the measure "way overdue." But the proposal has sparked opposition from multi-cat households and the Animal Pet Welfare Foundation, who warn it could lead to increased pet abandonment and negative mental health impacts for owners.

WA:

The City of Nedlands has now postponed agenda forum and ordinary council meetings until further notice, as it awaits advice from the government on an expected intervention.

The council lost its quorum with the resignations of four councillors on one day last week, and the local government minister has foreshadowed the appointment of three commissioners at which time all council positions will be vacated.

LG Professionals WA CEO Candy Choo has resigned after eight years in the role.

She will take on the CEO position at Leadership WA in September.

On behalf of the board, President Anthony Vuleta paid tribute to achievements during her time with the organisation, and wished her well in the new role.

He said a recruitment process to appoint a new CEO will commence soon.

The City of Swan has ended its 39-year membership with the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council.

The Council says it intends to pursue more sustainable waste management through a waste-to-energy plant in East Rockingham.

The strategic move allows the city to reclaim its equity investment for community infrastructure projects while continuing to work with EMRC as a commercial customer where interests align.

NT:

The Local Government Association of the Northern Territory has launched a campaign encouraging diverse candidates to nominate for upcoming local government elections.

The campaign aims to bust myths about who can become a councillor and particularly targets younger residents and women, as the NT falls behind other states in female representation.

Nominations opened on July 11 and will close on July 31.

Global Roundup:

UK:

BBC News reports that Tower Hamlets Council is facing possible further government intervention as Local Government Minister Jim McMahon warns he may send in commissioners with decision-making powers if improvements aren't made.

The east London council has been under government oversight since January, with a team of envoys monitoring progress. Their first report, published last week, highlighted ongoing concerns about councillor behaviour described as going "beyond usual political theatre."

The inspection was triggered by findings that decision-making was dominated by an "inner circle" around Mayor Lutfur Rahman, who returned to office in 2022 after previously being banned from public office for electoral fraud.

While the report praised passionate council staff and noted no significant financial concerns, the minister remains worried about what he calls a lack of "wholesale political and staff buy-in" to improvement efforts.

The council acknowledges there is "more to do" as it works to address these governance concerns.

Reform UK's controversial "Doge" unit, modelled after Elon Musk's US efficiency drive, is facing significant resistance from local councils as it attempts to access sensitive data.

The Financial Times has reported that several Reform-controlled councils in England have blocked unelected volunteers from accessing personal and commercially sensitive information. Kent County Council has even hired external legal counsel to challenge these data requests.

A senior Reform figure has confirmed that no data-sharing agreements have been signed with any of the ten councils where the party gained control in May's local elections, citing concerns over GDPR compliance and handling of confidential information.

JAPAN:

In Japan, the Mayor of Ito, Shizuoka Prefecture, has announced her resignation over falsified academic credentials, according to a report from the Japan Times.

But Maki Takubo says she intends to seek reelection after submitting academic documents to prosecutors for review.

The city assembly unanimously called for her resignation and established a special committee to investigate the scandal involving her claims about graduating from Toyo University, which has confirmed that she was actually expelled.

CANADA:

A rural community near Fredericton is facing a governance crisis as its municipal council has been effectively shut down until September.

CBC News reported that the Sunbury-York South rural community council in New Brunswick is at a standstill following a series of resignations and sanctions that have left it unable to function.

The trouble began when Mayor David Hayward was suspended for 90 days after council found he violated a code of conduct by signing a lease agreement without proper approval.

Since then, two councillors have resigned, leaving the council without the minimum number of members needed to legally operate.

At their July 10th meeting, which lasted just one minute, officials announced all council business will be paused until September 16th when the mayor returns from suspension.

This marks the second wave of resignations for the newly formed municipality this year, with two other councillors having stepped down earlier, citing concerns about transparency and the rushed amalgamation process.

NZ:

Wellington City Council is in turmoil following revelations about councillor Ray Chung's inappropriate email concerning Mayor Tory Whanau.

The New Zealand Herald revealed last week that Chung, who is currently running for mayor, sent an explicit email in 2023 to fellow councillors sharing unsubstantiated rumours about Whanau that included lewd physical descriptions and claims about her personal behaviour. Whanau has categorically denied the claims.

The fallout has been swift. The council's Crown observer Lindsay McKenzie has raised concerns with the Local Government Minister's office, while Council CEO Matt Prosser is investigating potential code of conduct breaches. Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has condemned the email as "unacceptable" and "vile."

Perhaps most damaging to Chung's mayoral campaign, wealthy supporter Sir Mark Dunajtschik has publicly withdrawn his backing.

Chung has since apologised to Whanau but maintains it is a "blatant political attack" against him. He expressed regret for writing the email and sharing it with people "he thought he could trust."

Auckland Council is calling for an overhaul of national dog control laws, seeking stronger powers to tackle the growing issue of roaming and uncontrolled dogs in the region.

At a council meeting this week, officials revealed alarming statistics: nearly 17,000 reports of roaming dogs and almost 3,000 dog attacks on people and animals in the past year alone.

Robert Irvine, General Manager of Licensing and Compliance, says the council is seeking legislative changes that would include mandatory fencing requirements, stronger powers to detain dangerous dogs, and allowing councils to set their own desexing policies.

The council has already invested nearly $6 million in additional funding for Animal Management and created 54 new positions to address the issue.