Beach security, bulldozing defence, and a distressing mistake - #527

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Waverley Council ramps up security for an Bronte Beach Christmas bash
• Perth scraps a controversial workplace culture investigation
• Moreton Bay defends bulldozing of homeless camps in a Supreme Court human rights challenge
• Hobsons Bay residents win permanent rights to stay after 2.5-year fight against eviction
• Latrobe City Council apologises after a cat is mistakenly euthanised
• Byron Shire urges NSW Government to purchase a former hospital site for affordable housing
• SA councils demand action on lithium-ion battery fires
• London councils spent over £500 million on consultancy firms, now structurally dependent on private contractors

Chapters

• 2:06 Victorian Report
• 8:54 NSW Report
• 13:12 Queensland Report
• 16:59 TAS/SA/WA Report
• 22:00 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Report

Latrobe City Council is deeply apologetic after a cat was mistakenly euthanised at a local veterinary clinic.

The animal had been taken to the clinic to be checked for a microchip when the tragic error occurred.

Council CEO Steven Piasente says staff attempted to contact the owner immediately after being notified.

The veterinary clinic has committed to additional staff training to prevent future incidents. Both clinic staff and council officers are receiving support following the distressing mistake.

Yarra City Council has thrown its support behind the Victorian Government's historic apology to First Peoples.

Mayor Stephen Jolly called on the community to stand with First Nations people at this significant moment, emphasising the need for honesty about discrimination and dispossession throughout history.

The council has pledged to continue working in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Dean Hurlston, the controversial figure behind Council Watch Victoria, has reportedly issued an apology to former Stonnington mayor Jami Klisaris.

The Age reported that the apology is part of a settlement in a defamation case brought by Cr Klisaris over allegations including sexual harassment claims.

The settlement terms remain undisclosed, but Mr Hurlston has withdrawn his statements entirely.

Cr Klisaris said she was pleased the matter had been resolved.

Up to 100 residents at Techno Park Drive in Williamstown have won permanent rights to stay in their homes after a gruelling two-and-a-half-year fight against Hobsons Bay City Council.

The Age has reported on how the council launched a campaign in May 2023, secretly called "Operation Pegasus", to have the residents evicted, citing a 37-year-old industrial zoning rule.

The Victorian government intervened in February 2024 with new planning laws granting existing use rights to properties used as homes for 15 continuous years.

Final certificates of compliance were issued on Monday, ending the battle just in time for Christmas.

Frankston City Council is rolling out $1.5 million in federal funding to expand its CCTV network, already one of the largest run by local government in Australia.

New cameras will be installed in Karingal and Carrum Downs, with footage streamed directly to police.

The Council has also launched a second Rapid Response Team to patrol suburban areas, parks and shopping strips, aiming to deter crime and provide greater peace of mind for residents.

Meanwhile, Frankston has launched Australia's first fully accessible beach pilot program, transforming Frankston Beach with 70 metres of beach matting to the water's edge.

The program includes five beach wheelchairs, two beach walkers, shaded cabanas and a hoist for wheelchair transfers.

Nearly $200,000 was raised locally to support the pilot, which is operated by trained staff and Life Saving Victoria members.

The City of Stonnington has released a new report revealing significant growth in its night-time economy since 2018.

Turnover surged 21% to $926 million, while core night-time businesses grew by 19% to 1,235.

Stonnington now ranks 10th nationally for night-time business density, with Malvern East leading spending at over $300 million.

The Chapel Street precinct leads in both jobs and turnover.

Surf Coast Shire Council is seeking an external operator to manage the new Wurdi Baierr Aquatic and Recreation Centre, opening in 2027.

The tender will open in mid-January, with the operator to being work at the end of 2026.

The Council will continue setting all fees and charges annually, while the operator manages day-to-day operations.

Construction of the centre is on track to finish by the end of 2026.

Gannawarra Shire's newest community facility, The Glasshouse, has officially opened in Kerang.

The $3.07 million project features flexible meeting spaces and state-of-the-art digital connectivity, including two private digital pods for telehealth appointments and online meetings.

More than 100 people attended the opening at Sir John Gorton Library, marking the end of a four-year journey.

The State Government provided $1.5 million in funding through its Living Libraries Infrastructure Program.

Mildura Rural City Council is developing a new Tourism Strategy for 2026 to 2031 and wants community input.

The strategy will guide events, tourism and visitor servicing across the region and consolidate council's tourism efforts.

Councillor Rebecca Crossling says the strategy will complement recent campaigns, with visitors injecting $220 million into the local economy over the past year.

Spending on attractions and events increased 18%, while brewery and winery spending rose 17%.

Swan Hill's new Tourism and Cultural Experience Centre has opened at Pioneer Settlement.

The new centre consolidates visitor services, with the old Visitor Information Centre on Curlewis Street now closed.

The city conducted a soft opening this week allows staff to familiarise themselves with the building ahead of the busy holiday season.

An official opening ceremony is planned for early next year.

Victorian Briefs

Swan Hill Rural City Council has launched a Business Facade Improvement Program offering grants of up to five thousand dollars to local businesses.

The council will match eligible shopfront upgrades dollar-for-dollar, including repainting, signage, and lighting improvements.

Mayor Stuart King says the initiative will strengthen the local economy and enhance commercial precincts.

The City of Yarra is running a 12-week online Food Waste Challenge to help residents reduce avoidable food waste.

Over 90 percent of participants have found the program helpful, with fortnightly tips and simple challenges emailed to them. The program has been improved to suit different lifestyles and household situations.

Federation University and the City of Casey have signed a new two-year Memorandum of Understanding focused on education, employment and economic growth.

The partnership will create a pipeline from education to local jobs, addressing skills gaps in Melbourne's south-east. It includes exploring paid industry placements for students within Council and local businesses.

Support for the Roundup comes from Symphony3.

Symphony3’s SmartGlue Integation platform allows Councils to Connect their systems securely, to automate their dataflows, and to monitor performance in real time.

Symphony3 has recently worked with Murrindindi Shire Council to develop a Snap Send Solve connector to Civica CRM. This connector eliminates the time and cost headaches around manual data entry and speeds up service delivery. The Snap Send Solve Connector is available in the Symphony3 marketplace and connects to common ERPs like Civica Altitude and Authority, Infor Pathway, Readytech and many more.

Visit www.symphony3.com to learn how SmartGlue can work for you.

NSW Report

The Sydney Morning Herald has reported on how Waverley Council is ramping up security at Bronte Beach this Christmas after 15,000 revellers left a trail of rubbish last year.

Police checkpoints will enforce alcohol and glass bans, while extra toilets, water stations and cleaning crews will be deployed throughout the day.

The unauthorised party has grown in popularity since the pandemic, sparking complaints about noise, anti-social behaviour and mess.

Residents say the beachfront park was turned into a "mass urinal" by partygoers.

Council says it can't ban people from the beach but is committed to protecting community safety and amenity.

Clarence Valley Council will investigate using automated telephone polling to gauge support for directly electing its mayor.

The Northern Rivers Times reported that Councillors voted 6-3 to explore the low-cost alternative after hearing a referendum would add $53,700 to election costs.

The NSW law currently requires councils to elect mayors internally unless voters approve a change through referendum.

Supporters say robo-polling could cost as little as 50 cents per call and provide statistically meaningful results.

Byron Shire Council is urging the NSW Government to purchase the former Mullumbimby Hospital site for public and affordable housing, according to the Northern Rivers Times.

The council acquired the land for $1 in 2017 but has since spent nearly $5.7 million on remediation.

Mayor Sarah Ndiaye says selling directly to the state would align with government commitments to expand housing options.

Council wants Housing Minister Rose Jackson and Homes NSW representatives at the negotiating table.

A formal meeting request will be sent to Minister Jackson.

Warrumbungle Shire Council is pushing for stronger protections as renewable energy zone activity intensifies across the region.

Council participated in multiple meetings recently and lodged submissions outlining concerns about traffic impacts, road upgrades and construction effects.

A growing number of projects are now in the post-approval phase, requiring the council to review management plans within tight timeframes.

General Manager Lindsay Mason says the scale of activity is unprecedented and cumulative impacts on roads, workforce and housing are significant.

There’s a new councillor at Shoalhaven City Council after the resignation of Jason Cox last month.

Brett Steele has been elected through a countback process conducted by the NSW Electoral Commission.

The new councillor was sworn-in by CEO Andrew Constance prior to last night’s Ordinary council meeting.

Griffith City Council was set to debate a new dress code last night requiring councillors to wear business casual attire to meetings.

Region Riverina reported the proposed rule has put maverick councillor Mark Dal Bon's preference for flannelette shirts in the spotlight.

Several residents have submitted objections, arguing the code could be discriminatory.

Another meeting rule proving controversial is the limiting of remote attendance via audio-visual link, but that has been mandated by the state government and cannot be changed.

NSW Briefs:

Rangers from Snowy Monaro Regional Council are cracking down on unattended property along the Lake Jindabyne foreshore this summer.

Items left for more than seven days will be stickered, with owners given between three and fifteen days to collect them before disposal.

The council is targeting boats, trailers, kayaks, bikes and other recreational equipment following resident complaints.

A new neighbourhood battery is now operational in Fadden in the ACT, supporting the community during peak electricity demand.

The battery can directly support up to two hundred households.

It's part of the Big Canberra Battery project delivered in partnership with Evoenergy.

The Hills Shire Council has launched the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower initiative at this year's Mayor's Children's Christmas Party.

The program allows people with non-visible disabilities to signal they may need extra support by wearing a sunflower-branded lanyard, wristband or pin.

Around one in six Australians live with a disability, which may be physical, neurological, cognitive or chronic.

Queensland Report

The City of Moreton Bay is defending a Supreme Court challenge over its April 2024 clearing of a homeless camp in Kallangur.

The case commenced on Monday, with lawyers arguing the bulldozing of tents and belongings violated human rights including the right to home, privacy, property, and protection from cruel treatment.

The council defends its actions by stating that camping on public land without authorisation is illegal, that residents were given opportunities to remove belongings, and that it offered housing to some residents.

It has warned the case could impact how all 77 Queensland councils enforce local laws.

Justice Paul Smith has reserved judgment after hearing arguments from both sides. Read more at news dot com dot au.

Toowoomba Regional Council has narrowly approved a controversial parking strategy.

The Toowoomba Chronicle reported that the proposal was opposed by Mayor Geoff McDonald, who warned it could restrict access to the city centre.

The plan includes paid parking zones and time limits aimed at improving turnover in busy areas.

Councillors voted 6-5 in favour after heated debate about balancing business needs with accessibility.

The strategy will now move to implementation phase with community consultation.

Tablelands Regional Council has apologised to a local resident after falsely claiming he acted dishonestly over debate about the condition of the Patrick English Pavilion.

The council deleted a June media release titled "Pavilion Misinformation" following defamation concerns served in September.

But Matt Lachlan told the Cairns Post that he has rejected the apology, saying it's a mitigation attempt, and will proceed with legal action against CEO Nikola Stepanov and Mayor Rod Marti.

The council says the apology was made in good faith with no intent to criticise individuals.

Meanwhile, the council has moved to award a contract for deconstruction works on the controversial pavilion.

Townsville City Council has launched a "back-to-basics" recruitment campaign to fill critical frontline positions.

The drive focuses on attracting workers for essential services including waste collection, parks maintenance and labourers.

Mayor Nick Dametto said it was about getting boots on the ground in areas where the little things can make a big difference in both the amenity of the city and with civic pride.

Gympie Library is set to reopen on Monday following essential reroofing and air conditioning replacement works.

The Pop-Up Library at the Pavilion Conference Centre will close on December 10th to allow staff time to move resources back to the main facility.

Mayor Glen Hartwig has thanked the community for their patience and praised library staff for maintaining five-star service throughout the closure.

The Goondiwindi Regional Civic Centre is celebrating its 10th anniversary as a cultural and community hub.

Since opening in 2015, the centre has hosted hundreds of events from concerts to conferences.

It's become a cornerstone of regional identity, attracting visitors and supporting local arts.

Anniversary celebrations will include special performances and community events throughout the month.

Registrations are now open for FastTrack 2026 – the VLGA’s national one-day annual conference focused on Incivility and its threat to local democracy.

The event will bring together stakeholders from across the local government sector to address the rise of incivility in public discourse and its impact on democratic processes.

It will explore how hostile behaviour, misinformation, and the erosion of respectful dialogue threatens the effectiveness, safety, and integrity of local governance.

Book before December 31 and secure early bird prices.

To register or find out more visit the events page of the VLGA website at vlga.org.au

Tasmania

Kingborough Council has engaged independent planning consultants to review Landscape Conservation Zone mapping and Specific Area Plans in response to community concerns about rezoning under state planning reforms.

The consultants will assess whether some areas should be zoned differently, such as Rural Living Zone, and will participate in ongoing Tasmanian Planning Commission hearings.

The Council has written to affected landowners to outline the steps being taken, and unrelated hearings will continue while the reviews progress.

Central Coast Council has swept the Tasmanian Awards for Planning Excellence, taking home three of six categories.

The council won for improving planning processes through initiatives like dedicated planner bookings and community forums.

Its housing strategy claimed both the Strategic Planning Project award and the People's Choice Award.

Mayor Cheryl Fuller credited the success to strong organisational values and teamwork.

Former Dorset Mayor Peter Partridge OAM has passed away after an extraordinary 42 years of service to local government**.**

Mr Partridge served continuously from 1972 to 2014, making him the region's longest-serving councillor.

He held various leadership roles including Mayor from 1993 to 1999 and again from 2002 to 2009.

The decorated public servant received an Order of Australia medal in 2003 and was known for his quiet dedication, often seen collecting roadside rubbish on his way to council meetings.

The Council has extended condolences to his wife Lesley and family.

South Australia

Lithium-ion batteries are sparking up to 12,000 fires a year across Australia's waste network, putting workers and communities at serious risk.

The Local Government Association of SA is demanding the next state government establish a mandatory product stewardship scheme to keep batteries out of household bins.

Recent fires at waste depots in Port Augusta and Goolwa highlight the urgent danger, with regional areas particularly vulnerable to bushfire risks.

The LGA says councils can't tackle this crisis alone and needs state legislation to back their efforts before someone gets seriously hurt.

Murray Bridge Council is seeking community feedback on plans to host a community battery at Homburg Reserve, one of 18 being rolled out across the state as part of the government’s emPowering SA program.

The battery will deliver cheaper electricity rates to nominated households, with SA Housing Trust tenants first in line to benefit.

Council would lease the land for 15 years at peppercorn rates with waived land charges.

The Local Government Association of South Australia has opened nominations for the 2025-2026 Joy Baluch Award.

The award recognises outstanding senior female leaders in South Australian councils who demonstrate innovation and support women in local government.

It honours the late Joy Baluch AM, former Mayor of Port Augusta for 29 years.

Nominations close on 13 February 2026, with the winner announced on International Women's Day, 8 March 2026.

Western Australia

The City of Perth will not go forward with a controversial workplace culture investigation, originally proposed by new Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds.

The $125,000 investigation has been controversial for the new mayor, even triggering the resignation of the council’s acting ceo.

The West Australian reported the outcome of a council vote on the matter, and the lord mayor’s claim that “truth will come out.”

Meanwhile, the council has launched its OneCity Together for Summer initiative to enhance safety and vibrancy in the CBD during the busy summer period.

The program includes increased SafeCity Night Patrols, additional mobile CCTV towers, and a trial of real-time decibel monitoring in Wellington Square to manage noise levels.

Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said the goal is to foster safety and connection as Perth's public spaces experience peak activity.

The Town of East Fremantle council has voted unanimously to pay itself superannuation, according to a report from PerthNow.

Changes to the Local Government Act last year allowed smaller councils to opt into super payments.

The payments will be backdated to October's local government elections at a cost of about 35-thousand dollars.

The move brings East Fremantle in line with larger local governments already making super contributions.

The City of Busselton has renewed its partnership with Rio Tinto for another three years worth 300-thousand dollars.

The deal extends support for youth services that have been running since 2014.

Funding will help conduct a youth needs assessment and develop programs for neurodiverse and at-risk young people.

Rio Tinto will continue part-funding the city's annual Youth Development Trainee position.

Global Report

UK:

London councils paid more than half a billion pounds to consultancy and outsourcing firms last year, according to a new report.

The Autonomy Institute study found councils are now structurally dependent on private companies for core functions following years of budget cuts.

The Guardian reported that Lambeth council paid over 80 million pounds in 2024, while Barnet spent more than 40 million.

Between 2013 and 2023, average annual consultancy spending per London council rose 76 percent from 11.5 million to 20.2 million pounds.

Fake adverts using City of York Council branding have appeared on social media promoting non-existent initiatives including "volunteer pothole repairers" and "volunteer flag removers".

Council leader Claire Douglas has warned the sophisticated false information is seeking to undermine UK democracy and community cohesion.

The bogus ads feature real council contact details and have been shared widely, with right-wing commentators treating them as genuine.

The BBC reported the fake content has emerged ahead of a by-election in the Heworth ward in January.

Also of interest from BBC News:

Worthing Borough Council is facing a two million pound overspend, with nearly a third of its annual budget now going on homelessness.

The West Sussex authority has seen a sharp rise in cases over the past three years, with 335 households at risk in just six months.

Liberal Democrat councillors in the Highlands are calling for quieter fireworks at council-run displays in a motion to be considered by the council soon.

The group of six councillors say low-level noise fireworks would reduce distress to vulnerable people, pets, farm animals and wildlife.

They're also asking for organisers of other public events to advertise them in advance.

Tower Hamlets Council has been warned it risks being trapped in a cycle of government intervention due to significant weaknesses in how it's run.

External auditors have identified ten major issues, including high turnover of senior staff and problems managing social housing.

and in breaking news, the Reform UK councillor at the centre of a social media probe has resigned his leadership position. Ian Cooper was in control of Staffordshire County Council until his social media usage came under scrutiny. Yahoo News reports that he will remain as an independent councillor in Tamworth.

USA:

From Florida, Lake Hamilton Town Council has rejected its Mayor's attempt to appoint her husband to a vacant council seat.

The Lakeland Ledger reported on the controversy that erupted when applicants discovered the mayor’s husband was among the candidates for a seat left empty after a resignation.

Despite the mayor's authority to make the appointment under Florida law, public outcry forced the council to vote on letting residents decide in April's election instead.

The City of Miami Beach FL has achieved a perfect score of 100 in the Human Rights Campaign's 2025 Municipal Equality Index, ranking among the top US cities for LGBTQ+ protections.

The achievement comes as 36 states saw their average scores drop this year. A record 130 cities nationwide earned the top score, though the national average dipped for the first time in seven years.

The index evaluates 506 cities across 49 criteria covering laws, policies, and services for LGBTQ+ residents.

CANADA:

In Ontario, two Timmins City councillors have been found guilty of violating the city's code of conduct after they complained about the mayor.

CTV News reported that the dispute stems from a heated council meeting that Mayor Michelle Boileau abruptly adjourned.

Councillors John Curley and Bill Gvozdanovic made disparaging comments about the mayor to the media.

The integrity commissioner ruled the mayor acted appropriately but the councillors crossed the line. Both councillors now face reprimands.

CTV News reports on a A Vancouver councillor’s call for the city to end its reliance on X.com for sharing council meeting updates.

The call comes amid growing concerns about the platform's reliability and accessibility for residents. The councillor argues that the city should use more stable and inclusive communication channels.

Vancouver currently posts live updates and key decisions from council meetings on the social media platform.

NZ:

A former Wairoa District Council manager has been ordered to pay $33,000 in court costs after losing his unjustified dismissal case, according to a report from New Zealand Herald.

Simon Mutonhori was sacked in 2022 after telling government officials he considered regulations as "guidelines which should be disregarded if he thought appropriate".

He also refused to provide tax information to a junior colleague, claiming it was "demeaning" to his position.

Mutonhori later unsuccessfully ran for Wairoa mayor, and was reportedly dismissed from a position at Mt Isa Council in Queensland.

The Employment Court described his legal action as "over-long and complicated" and reliant on "irrelevant pleadings".