Cool councils, sinkhole shock, and representative resignations - #535

In this Summer Series edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• A call for government intervention over a bureaucratic bungle
• The discovery of a sinkhole closes a popular sporting field
• Long term councillors step down over the Christmas New Year break
• A council removes illegally planted trees at a local beach
• Another council exiting home care service delivery
• And the US councillor placed under investigation, moments are being sworn-in

Chapters

• 1:38 Victorian Report
• 7:49 NSW Report
• 10:11 Queensland Report
• 10:59 SA/WA Report
• 12:49 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Report

Heatwave: extreme temperatures expected across southern and eastern Australia over the next few days. It is expected to be the worst heatwave since the Black Summer bushfires in 2019/20.

Across Victoria, Councils are making libraries and other facilities available for those that need a cool spot to escape the heat.

Many councils, like Yarriambiack in the state’s west, have published lists online of air conditioned spaces that are open to provide heat relief across the next few days- some, like Hobsons Bay, have extended their usual opening hours into the early evening.

The City of Melbourne has a Cool Places interactive map showing indoor, air-conditioned spaces with rest areas, free water and amenities.

And this summer, the city awarded Community Cool Places Grants to heatwave heroes to create create cool safe spaces at the venues like the Carlton Neighbourhood Learning Centre.

A TIER 1 CODE RED RESPONSE is in force across South Australia until 5pm Thursday. Local councils there are also throwing open facilities as relief spaces.

Unfortunately in Greenock, Light Regional Council has closed its library today due to the excessive heat and the fact that the facility has no air conditioning.

Wellington Shire Council has closed McIntosh Drive to protect heat-stressed Grey-headed Flying Foxes. It takes the action during extreme temperatures above 38°C, as the nationally threatened bats cluster low in trees and are highly vulnerable during heat events.

The closure minimises disturbance and allows wildlife carers safe access to help any bats in distress.

Kingston City Council is calling on the state government to intervene after a bureaucratic bungle derailed its legal challenge to a controversial housing development in Dingley Village.

The Herald Sun reported that the council missed a crucial deadline to file an appeal with VCAT over the approval of 914 homes on the Kingswood Golf Course site. The Tribunal has now thrown out what would have been a Victoria-first case – a local council taking the Planning Minister to VCAT.

Council blamed confusion over legal timelines, citing multiple dates from the Victorian Government. But VCAT found a 16-day delay between council leadership being briefed on the approval and scheduling a meeting to file the appeal – which was set for the very day of the deadline.

Kingston CEO Peter Bean apologised for the error but insisted it's not too late for the government to address community concerns about flooding, traffic, and infrastructure.

Banyule City Council says it is aware of a sinkhole that has opened at AJ Burkitt Reserve in Heidelberg, causing the oval to be closed indefinitely while the North East Link Project construction consortium, Spark, undertakes repairs and remediation.

The area has been secured and cordoned off, and the Council is working with authorities to assess the situation and support affected local sporting clubs in finding alternative venues.

Melbourne City Council is expected to abandon Lord Mayor Nick Reece's promised design competition for renovating Southbank's red stairs, according to the Herald Sun.

The competition was announced by Cr Reece in August 2024 with a $25,000 prize but it never materialised by the promised 2025 deadline.

Local residents and business associations, while unsurprised by the delay, are calling for a comprehensive redesign of the entire Southbank Boulevard area rather than piecemeal improvements to just the stairs.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Cr Anthony Marsh has responded to news of local member and state opposition deputy leader Sam Groth’s decision to step away from politics at the end of the current term.

Cr Marsh said it was deeply disappointing but understandable as a reflection of the environment in which public figures serve.

He said while respectful disagreement is healthy and essential to a functioning democracy, when political disagreement spills over onto families, it is behaviour that sits outside the standards we should expect in public life.

Cr Marsh wished Mr Groth and his family well for a future beyond politics.

A recycling truck fire in Alpine Shire has prompted Council to remind residents not to dispose of batteries, vapes, flammable liquids, or items with embedded batteries in household bins.

The rear of the truck caught on fire after completing its route last week. The cause of the fire is yet to be determined.

The City of Casey will implement a new Community Local Law from March 2nd, following input from over 1,000 residents who helped shape regulations around shipping containers, vehicle maintenance, and temporary accommodation.

The consultation process followed controversy early last year when protests led to the abandonment of the first full council meeting after the end of years of administration.

The updated law features clearer definitions and more practical standards while balancing individual freedoms with community amenity, and will be supported by a multilingual education campaign to help residents understand their rights and responsibilities.

The Mayor of Casey, Stefan Koomen, has welcomed a new member of the household this holiday season.

Cr Koomen and his family have adopted Roger the cat from the Lost Dog’s Home in Cranbourne West. He said it was a way of supporting the incredible work of animal shelters, and highlighting the importance of giving abandoned animals a second chance.

Victorian Briefs

The City of Greater Bendigo is urging Lockwood Ward residents to verify their electoral enrolment by January 14 ahead of a by-election to replace Councillor John McIlrath, who resigned in November.

The postal vote election will take place in March 2026, with nominations opening February 9 and ballot packs being mailed between March 6-12.

Yarra City Council has approved the design and location of a commemorative marker recognising the 50th anniversary of Vietnamese migration to Australia.

The 2-metre bronze sculpture by artist Van Phu Le is shaped like a mythical crane symbolising wisdom and resilience. It will be installed in Butler Street Park, Richmond by June 2026.

Applications have been called for the 2026 South Coast Community Leadership Program, delivered in partnership between Bass Coast Shire and South Gippsland Shire councils.

The free six session program supports community members to build leadership skills, connect with like-minded locals, and make a positive impact across the region.

Applications close 13th February.

The Victorian Government has launched an $8.5 million Illegal Dumping Clean-up Rebate Program to help councils and public land managers cover up to 50% of clean-up costs for illegally dumped waste across Victoria.

Additionally, $13 million will fund an Illegal Dumping Taskforce led by the EPA to increase surveillance, enforcement, and clean-up efforts to hold offenders accountable.

NSW Report

Councillor Karl Saleh OAM has stepped down after over 20 years of service to the City of Canterbury Bankstown, including five terms as Councillor and four terms as Deputy Mayor.

While leaving elected office, he says he remains committed to serving the community and hopes his journey inspires young people from non-English speaking backgrounds to pursue leadership through political engagement.

A countback will be conducted to fill the vacated position on the Council.

Muswellbrook Shire Council is reminding residents to have their say on a proposed special rate variation that would establish a Future Fund for the community.

The proposal would see a 29 percent rate increase applied only to mining operations – not to residential, business, or farmland rates. Council says this would generate an initial 6 million dollars for a Future Fund designed to offset declining mining revenue and support economic diversification.

The Council is preparing for the transition with initiatives including STEM education programs for local students, advanced manufacturing support at the MELT Centre, hospitality training partnerships with AGL, and collaboration with major mining companies to repurpose land for new industries.

Public feedback on the special rate variation closes this Wednesday.

Wollongong City Council is reviewing alternative locations for future fireworks displays, after being forced to cancel its New Year's Eve display at Belmore Basin due to rapidly worsening sea swells.

The council is working on backup options for the upcoming Australia Day fireworks on January 26, 2026, though outdoor events remain weather-dependent.

Brewarrina Shire Council has unveiled concept designs for a landmark new Multipurpose Sports Complex, to feature indoor and outdoor courts, a gym, youth and community hubs, gymnastics hall, kiosk, playground and water park.

The facility, jointly funded by the Australian Government and Council, is positioned in the main street of Brewarrina to ensure accessibility and foster community engagement, with the development application now open for public submissions until February 2, 2026.

Dubbo Regional Council has launched a new Reveal Collections website that provides free digital access to heritage and art collections from the Western Plains Cultural Centre, Old Dubbo Gaol, Wellington Caves, and Dundullimal Homestead.

There are 126 items currently available.

The project, funded by NSW Government's Create NSW Creative Capital Grant Fund, aims to make collections more accessible while preserving significant art and heritage for future generations. There are plans to add more objects over time.

Queensland Report

Livingstone Shire Council has removed approximately 20 native tree saplings that were illegally planted on sand dunes at Shelly's Beach in Emu Park.

ABC News reported that the move comes despite criticism from a local councillor and a Darumbal elder who argue the trees help stabilise coastlines and combat erosion.

The saplings are believed to have been planted by community members to replace dozens of mature trees that were mysteriously poisoned over the past year, with no one found responsible for either the poisonings or the unauthorised plantings.

Mayor Adam Belot defended the removal, stating the council has zero tolerance for any unauthorised activity in the sensitive dune area.

Multiple acts of vandalism have occurred across Cooktown last weekend, including burnouts on Queen's Oval cricket pitch and damage to several other community locations.

Cook Shire Council says it is reviewing CCTV footage and working with Queensland Police to identify those responsible, while urging the community to report any information about the incidents.

South Australia

Blake Lawrenson has resigned from his position as a City of Tea Tree Gully councillor, which he held since 2022.

A supplementary election will not be held as the vacancy occurs within 12 months of the November 2026 local government elections.

The Advertiser reported that the resignation came in a cloud of controversy following multiple stoushes during Council meetings including a shouting match with the mayor.

Mr Lawrenson became one of the state’s youngest councillors when first elected at the age of 21.

A long-serving councillor in the Riverland has stepped down from his role on the Berri Barmera Council.

Andrew Kassebaum resigned last week after 15 years on the council - a decision he said was difficult but necessary due to a change in his personal circumstances — he no longer lives in the area.

The council will continue with six elected members plus the mayor for the remainder of the term which runs out in November.

The City of Mitcham in South Australia has launched a Verge Greening Guide and rebate program offering residents 50% off installation costs (capped at $500) to help landscape their verges with plants, mulch, and soil improvements.

The initiative aims to increase the currently 45% landscaped verges across the city to reduce urban heat and create cooler, greener streets as part of the council's climate action response.

Western Australia

The Shire of Narrogin Council has decided to transition homecare services to Silver Chain Group Limited by 30 June, following an Expression of Interest process that began last September.

Shire President Leigh Ballard said the decision aims to ensure long-term sustainability and high-quality care delivery, with all services continuing without interruption during the transition period.

Global Report

UK:

A new UK Government-funded national recruitment campaign, 'Make a Difference, Work for Your Local Council', has been launched to address widespread staffing challenges in local government.

94% of the nation’s councils report difficulties recruiting and retaining staff.

The campaign, running for two months, promotes the sector's diverse career opportunities, flexible working conditions, and community impact, building on a successful 2023 pilot in the North East.

Meanwhile, the Local Government Chronicle has reported analysis of council responses to a government offer to cancel elections scheduled for this May in areas undergoing local government reorganisation.

While many have taken up the offer, nearly two fifths have turned it down.

CANADA:

A report prepared for the City of Toronto puts the cost of hosting Taylor Swift's six Eras Tour concerts in November 2024 at $3.6M.

CTV News reported that the major costs included $2.6 million for policing and $1.7 million for increased transportation services.

However, the concerts generated $152 million in direct spending and $39.7 million in government revenue, delivering significant economic value for the city, as well as valuable experience for hosting future major events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

US:

There’s controversy unfolding in Lewiston, Maine, where the city council has launched an investigation into one of its newest members just hours after he was sworn in.

Iman Osman, one of four newly elected councilord, is facing questions about whether he actually lives in the district he now represents.

NewsCenter Maine reported that the Lewiston City Council voted unanimously—minus Osman himself—to hire an independent investigator to look into his residency.

Adding to the controversy, Osman was indicted in December on charges of stealing and possessing a stolen weapon. He plans to plead not guilty.

Despite calls for his resignation from the Mayor and at least one other councilor, Osman's lawyer says he intends to keep serving the people who elected him.

COLOMBIA:

The City of Cartagena, Colombia has replaced its traditional horse-drawn carriages with 62 custom-built electric carriages to address animal welfare concerns.

It’s believed to be the first major tourist destination to do so, according to the Associated Press.

The transition has faced opposition from horse buggy owners who argue they are being displaced without adequate compensation, despite the city offering jobs to drivers and citing years of animal rights activism that highlighted horses collapsing from heat and stress.

NZ:

A New Zealand council is urgently appealing for help after a distressing theft at Cornwall Park over the weekend.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, January 3rd, thieves cut a large hole in the aviary's wire enclosure and stole seven red-eared slider turtles. The turtles, around 20 years old, were part of a group of 14 that have been a beloved attraction for park visitors.

Hasting District Council officials say their priority is the safe return of these animals, which require specialist care. The turtles need to be kept cool with access to water and should be fed a specific diet of pellets and vegetables.

Authorities are warning anyone who has the turtles not to release them into the wild, as they are unlikely to survive if released, and they pose a serious threat to local ecosystems.