Controversial appointment, corruption perceptions, and rate pegs

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Perceptions of corruption run high in Victorian local government
• New cat confinement laws come into effect in Melbourne
• NSW Council rate pegs revealed for next year
• Shoalhaven’s controversial CEO appointment
• A milestone for a local government employment program
• Townsville Council chooses postal voting for its mayoral by-election
• And England’s councillors to be allowed back into the sector’s pension scheme

Also today, Cr Moira Berry, Chair of Peri Urban Councils Victoria is here with a plea to state and federal governments for support for housing development in some of the state’s rapidly growing but potentially overlooked council areas.

Chapters

• 2:24 Victorian Report
• 7:51 NSW Report
• 13:59 QLD Report
• 16:56 TAS/SA Report
• 19:04 Global Report
• 24:06 Roundup Extra: Cr Moira Berry, Chair, Peri Urban Councils Victoria

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

A new survey by the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission has revealed alarming perceptions among Victoria's elected officials. The majority of state MPs and local councillors believe corruption is a significant problem in Victoria, with more than half saying it exists among elected officials.

Nearly 90% of responding MPs and over half of councillors consider their own organisations vulnerable to corruption.

IBAC Executive Director Dr. Linda Timothy says the findings highlight the need for stronger corruption resistance measures.

The survey identified different corruption risks prioritised by each group - with MPs most concerned about 'inaction' such as failing to report wrongdoing, while councillors flagged favouritism and nepotism as their top concerns.

IBAC says the results will help target prevention efforts to build Victoria's integrity systems.

Melbourne Racing Club is pushing ahead with its plan to sell a $195 million portion of Caulfield Racecourse to Mount Scopus Memorial College, despite an ongoing dispute with Glen Eira City Council, according to a report from The Age.

The racing club has taken the council to VCAT, challenging a $3 million public open space levy imposed on the subdivision permit required for the sale.

In tribunal submissions, the MRC suggested the deal could be at risk if the levy remains, but when contacted by The Age, a spokesperson assured the transaction remains "firmly on track" regardless of the tribunal's decision.

A tribunal decision on the levy dispute is expected soon.

The Mayor of Monash City Council, Paul Kilsaris has urged residents to have their say on state government proposals to increase building heights, up to 16 storeys in Oakleigh, and 12 storeys in Hughesdale.

Cr Klisaris raised concerns about insufficient planning for supporting infrastructure, saying the government has not spelt out its plan to deliver open spaces, schools and health services to support the growth.

He said the council will continue advocating on behalf of the community, but that it was crucial for local residents to make their voices heard as well before the October 19 deadline.

From today, new rules for cat owners come into effect in the City of Melbourne.

Cats must now stay on their owner's property from 6pm to 8am, be desexed, and avoid sensitive areas like waterways and major parks unless properly restrained.

The reform has been introduced as part of Melbourne's Domestic Animal Management Plan, and aims to protect native wildlife from cats' hunting instincts.

Roaming pet cats kill an average of 110 native animals each year and have contributed to potential extinctions of hundreds of species globally.

Central Goldfields Shire Council has adopted a new General Local Law, replacing the 10 year-old regulations with several key changes.

Shopping trolleys are now under stricter control, with retailers required to implement regular collection systems and retrieve abandoned trolleys within 12 hours of being notified.

A blanket ban on dogs in retail areas has been lifted, though responsibilities to control pets and clean up after them remain in place.

The updated law also addresses community concerns about building site cleanliness, nature strip plantings, and dilapidated buildings.

Additionally, drone enthusiasts should note that flying at Maryborough Aerodrome now requires permission under the new regulations.

Council CEO Peter Harriott said the changes reflect community feedback gathered from over 180 responses during consultation.

From the press:

The Latrobe Valley Express has reported on a debate by Latrobe City Council about a $30,000 CBD Community Outreach program, planned to combat concerns about crime rates in Morwell.

The council remains divided between implementing immediate community-based solutions and waiting for input from the Police Minister, who has yet to commit to visiting the region.

It has deferred a decision on the program until November.

And Channel Ten, and the Herald Sun, have reported on a proposal at the City of Melbourne to update CCTV policy to allow monitoring of buskers performing in the wrong places, as well as graffiti, dumped rubbish and after-hours construction.

The updated policy is expected to go before councillors in the coming weeks.

Victorian Briefs:

The Lost Dogs’ Home will continue to look after stray animals in Moonee Valley after the Council voted to award the organisation a new, five-year contract.

The procurement process determined the Lost Dogs’ Home was capable of providing the required service to a high standard and at the best value.

Wyndham City Council's "Love Your Local" campaign, launched in 2024 to promote local businesses and encourage residents to buy locally, has received Mainstreet Australia's national award for best Council Traditional or Digital Marketing Campaign.

The campaign highlights the faces behind local businesses and aims to strengthen the local economy by keeping money circulating within the community.

The award was announced at a ceremony held earlier this month.

Construction has begun on the City of Warrnambool's first pump track, funded through a $150,000 Victorian government grant.

The track will feature hills, berms and jumps for bikes, skateboards and scooters, with riders generating momentum through body movements rather than pedalling or pushing.

The pump track is expected to open for the summer holiday period.

National Roundup:

NSW:

IPART has announced the council rate pegs for the 2026-27 financial year.

The core rate pegs range from 2.5% to 4.2% for the states 128 councils, with an additional population growth factor provided to 83 councils with increasing populations.

That’s to ensure that those councils’ total rates income per capita keeps pace with population growth.

While the rate peg sets the maximum percentage by which councils can increase their general income, it is ultimately up to each council to decide whether to implement rate increases.

Andrew Constance has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Shoalhaven City Council.

The former member for Bega has held several senior ministerial portfolios in NSW, including finance, transport and roads and as Treasurer, but does not have a background in local government.

Mayor Patricia White said he will bring a deep understanding of regional issues, infrastructure and community engagement to the role.

Not everyone is impressed with the appointment however. Federal MP Fiona Phillips has criticised the appointment as “jobs for Liberal mates” and told the Daily Telegraph she would be raising the matter with the local government minister.

Ms Phillips narrowly defeated Mr Constance in the 2022 election for the seat of Gilmore before retaining the seat more comfortably this year.

Mr Constance commences at Shoalhaven next week, taking over from interim CEO Brian Barrett who has served in the position for two months.

Inner West Council has narrowly approved a controversial rezoning proposal, aiming for 30,000 new homes over 15 years.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the 8-7 vote followed hours of debate last night, with chanting, cheers and boos from the public gallery.

There were some changes to the plan to boost capacity for social and affordable dwellings.

News dot com dot au has reported the shock and frustration from some families in Sydney's west as Campbelltown City Council introduces entry fees at the popular Billabong Parklands.

The facility, which opened in mid-2024 and has been free to use during its first year, will begin charging visitors from this week, with a family season pass costing $949.

While daily entry fees of $8.10 for adults and $5.40 for children will apply during the summer months, it's the six-month passes that have caused the most community backlash.

The council has defended the new fee structure, stating it's necessary for the "financial sustainability" of the $40 million facility, which costs approximately $2.8 million annually to operate.

Residents of Bayside Council in Sydney are facing further reduction in postal services, with the Kingsgrove Post Shop set to close its doors next Wednesday, October 8th.

The closure follows last year's shutdown of the Rockdale Post Office, where only post office boxes remained operational. Now, even those services are scheduled to end in November.

Bayside Council has voted to take action, announcing they will contact both the Federal Communications Minister and Australia Post's CEO to voice community concerns.

Mayor Edward McDougall highlighted the impact on elderly residents, and is seeking assurances that postal services will be maintained in both Kingsgrove and Rockdale areas.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill is calling for free PFAS blood tests for local residents following contamination of the area's water supply.

The Blue Mountains Gazette reported that the mayor was seeking the support of councillors for a request to the NSW Health Minister for voluntary blood sampling and publication of the results.

Mayor Greenhill is also seeking an investigation into the mental health impacts on residents in affected areas, and has requested a thorough environmental assessment of contaminated waterways.

The contamination was discovered in August last year in two dams at Medlow Bath that feed into the Katoomba water supply. These dams were quickly taken out of service.

The redevelopment of Yass Valley’s Crago Mills Precinct will not proceed beyond the first stage, with the council deciding to discontinue stage 2 of the project which was to include commercial premises.

The decision was prompted by financial concerns, and is expected to save the council around $15M over the next decade.

The existing administration building will be demolished, and $500,000 allocated for landscaping the open space with environmentally sensitive features.

Additionally, $400,000 has been set aside for structural assessment and design work on the historic mill building to keep it "shovel ready" should grant funding become available in the future.

Stage 1 of the project, which includes a new library, administration building, and public carpark, remains on track for completion in late 2025.

The NSW Government's Fresh Start program has reached a milestone with 500 apprentices, trainees and cadets now working in NSW councils, as part of a $252.2 million investment to employ 1,300 positions over six years.

More than 60 percent of the positions are in regional and rural councils.

The program is creating career pathways in various fields including civil construction, gardening, early childhood education, and civil engineering, with 70 percent of recruits under age 25.

One example of a council making the most of the program is Parkes Shire Council, which has secured funding for 11 new positions through the program.

The council has filled roles for a Small Plant Apprentice, Parks and Gardens Apprentice, Apprentice Plumber, Concrete Apprentice and Work Health and Safety Trainee.

There are still three roles that to be filled under Round 1 for an Apprentice Electrician, a Cadet Planner, and a Civil Engineering Cadet.

NSW Briefs:

The NSW Government and Lismore City Council are planning the repurposing of over 500 flood buyback properties across 50 hectares of land that can no longer be used for housing.

Community input will be sought throughout next year as part of a precinct planning process that aims to create flood-compatible spaces connecting with surrounding areas while supporting community needs and complementing the local economy.

MidCoast Council is conducting a comprehensive assessment of koala health and habitat use in the Bootawa Dam area through a research initiative involving tracking collars and health assessments.

The study aims to guide evidence-based management by monitoring disease levels, breeding rates, habitat utilisation, and impacts of factors like water availability and lantana on the local koala population.

Wollondilly Shire Council has hailed the approval of the Appin Contributions Plan, which will fund $1.36 billion in essential local infrastructure.

The 30 year developer-funded plan will deliver playing fields, parks, roads, stormwater systems, and community facilities to support approximately 56,000 residents in 18,650 homes.

Mayor Matt Gould said the plan will ensure new growth areas have adequate infrastructure without burdening existing ratepayers.

QLD:

Townsville City Council has voted to hold its upcoming mayoral by-election via postal vote, a move set to save ratepayers more than $230,000, according to the Townsville Bulletin.

The decision passed eight votes to two at special council meeting held on Monday to deal with the issue, following Troy Thompson’s surprise resignation last week.

Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the postal vote option was recommended based on cost considerations, ease of attendance, and voter fatigue following recent state and federal elections.

The full election with pre-polling and voting booths would have cost ratepayers nearly $1 million.

Already known to be contesting the election are Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto and Mr Thompson, whose previous actions were criticised during the meeting for costing ratepayers "hundreds of thousands" of dollars according to the Acting Mayor.

The council's recommendation will now go to Local Government Minister Ann Leahy for review, who will also set the election date, expected to be within about eight weeks.

Plans for a synthetic athletics track at Toowoomba's $315 million sports precinct in Charlton have been put on hold, according to the Toowoomba Chronicle.

It follows the state government's announcement of a $1 million investment for a similar facility at the University of Southern Queensland.

Toowoomba Regional Council's environment general manager Nick Hauser told councillors at last week's meeting that there likely isn't demand for two elite running tracks in the region.

The council had previously voted to accelerate the track and field components of the multi-precinct project, moving athletics from stage seven to stage two in the master plan.

The Queensland Government has directed the Queensland Competition Authority (QCA) to review Unitywater and Urban Utilities water prices in a two-stage process running until 2030.

The entities are jointly owned by multiple councils in southeast Queensland.

The government says the ”overdue”review aims to deliver more affordable water bills for over 2.4 million Queenslanders by examining productivity, cost-efficiency, service standards, and pricing.

Stephanie Laycock, the youngest ever councillor at age 27, has been sworn into Somerset Regional Council, following her victory in a by-election. As a third-generation resident, she expressed dedication to advocating for residents and working with fellow councillors to promote strategic planning for Somerset's future.

Brisbane City Council has appointed Juliet Alabaster as the new CEO of City Parklands, managing Roma Street Parkland and Victoria Park/Barrambin.

Ms Alabaster brings experience as Chief Operating Officer at Brisbane Economic Development Agency and as a City Parklands Board member.

TAS:

Hobart City Council has voted to audit all outdoor dining permits across the city following a concerning incident on Criterion Street where a truck collided with cafe furniture.

Pulse Tasmania reported that CCTV cameras caught the moment the truck struck council-owned planter boxes and a fence, pushing tables and chairs into patrons. Fortunately, no injuries were reported.

Alderman Louise Bloomfield, who proposed the motion which passed 9-1, told council the audit aims to address what she called "barrier creep" - where businesses gradually extend furniture beyond approved boundaries.

The audit will involve reminders to businesses about permit conditions and spot checks by council staff.

Officials confirmed the audit will be conducted at no additional cost to ratepayers.

Meanwhile, the council has unanimously approved a $9,000 grant to replace war memorial plaques that were vandalised earlier this year. The plaques, which honour fallen soldiers at Soldiers Memorial Avenue, were stolen and later dumped outside Bellerive Police Station, with most suffering damage.

The Council will also contribute $2,000 worth of fabrication crew time to help reinstall the plaques.

SA:

An Adelaide businessman has been fined for smoking outside his tailor shop in the CBD, according to ABC News.

Joseph Uzumcu pleaded guilty to six counts of breaching an Adelaide City Council by-law after being caught on CCTV or observed by Council staff. There was also a complaint from a member of the public.

He had been fined for five similar breaches in the past.

The City of Salisbury Council's Walkleys Road Corridor Residential Development has achieved South Australia's first 6-Star Green Star Communities rating for a fully residential community.

The development sets a benchmark for sustainable neighbourhood design with features like recycled water systems, solar power generation, and affordable housing options.

Civil construction is set to begin in the new year, with planning approval currently being sought.

Global Roundup:

UK:

Reports have emerged from the UK Labour Party Conference this week that councillors in England will be allowed back into the Local Government Pension Scheme.

Councillors were barred from the scheme in 2014 under the Conservative Government of the time.

The UK Local Government Association has welcomed the announcement, saying it’s something they have long been calling for.

An LGA spokesperson said reinstating councillors to the scheme is an essential step in recognising their dedication and service to communities.

Calls have emerged to delay next year's inaugural Norfolk and Suffolk mayoral election until 2027.

The Eastern Daily Press reported that the Green Party in Norwich is pushing for the postponement to align with planned voting reforms.

The current election is scheduled for May 2026 and would use the first-past-the-post system. However, the Labour government has announced plans to implement a supplementary vote system through its English Devolution and Community Empowerment Bill.

The eventual mayor will receive significant powers over transport, skills, and planning, along with £37.4 million in annual funding.

City councillors were set to discuss the proposed delay at a full council meeting this week.

USA:

New York City Mayor Eric Adams has officially abandoned his re-election bid.

MSNBC reported that Mayor Adams made the announcement Sunday in an eight-minute video posted to social media.

Running as an independent, he had been trailing in polls against his opponents.

There has been speculation that Adams might accept an ambassadorship to Saudi Arabia in the Trump administration, though he has previously denied receiving any formal offers.

It brings to an end a tumultuous period in which Mayor Adams faced bribery and campaign finance charges from the Department of Justice, though those charges were later dismissed with prejudice by a federal judge.

In a classic Silicon Valley-versus-City Hall showdown, a new app designed to help San Franciscans avoid parking tickets was shut down by officials just four hours after launching.

The app, called "Find My Parking Cops," allowed users to track the real-time location of parking enforcement officers throughout the city. It was created by local developer Riley Walz, who used public city data to power the service.

San Francisco's Municipal Transportation Agency quickly responded by altering its website to block access to the citation data, effectively rendering the app useless.

A spokesperson cited employee safety concerns for the decision in an email to the San Fransisco Standard.

CANADA:

The rural community of Sunbury-York South, New Brunswick is facing a leadership crisis after Mayor David Hayward announced his resignation during a council meeting Tuesday night, just after his return from a 90-day suspension for code of conduct violations.

CBC News reported that his departure means the council—already operating at less than full strength—can no longer form a quorum.

As a result, the Local Governance Commission has appointed a supervisor, Greg Lutes, to oversee municipal operations until October 27th. After that, another provincial supervisor will be appointed until the next municipal elections in May 2026.

This effectively removes all decision-making power from the remaining councillors.

The municipality has had four councillor resignations since January, and its chief administrative officer was terminated and is facing charges under the local governance act.

NZ:

Ruapehu District Council is calling for an end to aggressive behaviour directed at both contractor staff and election candidates in two separate incidents that have raised concerns about public conduct in the district.

Workers from Green by Nature, a Community and Recreational Facilities contractor, have faced verbal abuse while performing routine maintenance. The incidents appear to be linked to misinformation about the Council's recent budget overspend, and the abuse has been serious enough to warrant police involvement.

Meanwhile, Chief Executive Clive Manley has condemned harassment directed at local election candidates, including personal confrontations and vandalism of campaign billboards. Mr. Manley stressed that such behaviour has no place in a functioning democracy and discourages qualified individuals from standing for office.

Grey District Council says it is cautiously optimistic about the Government's new risk-based approach to earthquake strengthening, which could reduce costs and improve feasibility for building owners in Greymouth CBD.

The changes would mean buildings under three storeys in towns with fewer than 10,000 people may no longer need strengthening or warning notices after securing their facades, potentially benefiting the 127 quake-prone buildings in the district.

Roundup Extra:

Cr Moira Berry, Chair of PUCV, joins Chris to discuss the housing challenges facing Australia's rapidly growing peri-urban regions and outlines PUCV's call for state and federal government investment for liveability and infrastructure projects.

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