Emergency funding, council overruled, and wind farm dismay - #536

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Beach patrol services rescued with emergency funding
• Yarra Council overturned at VCAT on a controversial rooming house proposal
• A wind farm approved over the objections of two councils
• A Bondi attack memorial relocated by Waverley Council
• Cessnock Council due to vote on a 40 per cent rate increase
• A Tasmanian council CEO resigns after just four months
• A UK council confirms the theft of personal information in a cyber attack
• and iconic eleven term New Zealand mayor, Sir Tim Shadbolt, dies at 78

Chapters

• 1:39 Victorian Report
• 5:16 NSW Report
• 9:17 Queensland Report
• 10:28 TAS/SA/WA Report
• 14:38 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Report

Emergency state government funding has rescued beach patrol services at the eleventh hour, according to the Herald Sun.

Life Saving Victoria was facing a major funding crisis that threatened to strip professional lifeguards from some of the state's most dangerous beaches. The organisation had approached 16 coastal councils asking for emergency cash injections of up to $250,000 each.

But the Allan government has now stepped in with what's believed to be millions of dollars in emergency funding, ensuring paid lifeguard services will continue throughout the peak summer period.

While the immediate crisis has been averted, Life Saving Victoria warns more sustainable long-term funding solutions are needed to meet growing demand and protect Victorians at our beaches.

A controversial rooming house project in Melbourne's inner north has been given the green light by VCAT, overturning the objections of Yarra City Council.

The Age reports that the tribunal has approved a 13-room rooming house in a derelict heritage bank building on Victoria Street, Abbotsford – just metres from the North Richmond supervised injecting room.

Five independent councillors blocked the project last year, citing concerns about the area's existing drug issues and the behaviour of potential tenants. But VCAT member Christopher Harty ruled those concerns aren't valid planning considerations.

Despite the approval, the project's future remains uncertain. The developer says the reduced capacity from 17 to 13 rooms may make it financially unviable, and the building needs over a million dollars in safety upgrades.

The developer has two years to commence work before the permit expires.

Ararat Rural City Council is calling on parents to have a chat with their kids about pool behaviour this summer.

Council CEO Dr Tim Harrison says lifeguards at the Ararat outdoor pool have been copping increased abuse and swearing from some children and teenagers in recent weeks.

The Council is reminding families that repeat offenders who continue to behave poorly or ignore staff instructions will be banned from the pool for the rest of the season.

The outdoor pool is free to access this summer, and Council says the vast majority of users are doing the right thing.

The Mayors of Corangamite and Moyne Shire Councils have expressed disappointment over the approval by the Victorian Planning Minister of the Swansons Lane wind farm.

They have raised concerns about inadequate community consultation, a lack of social license, and the project's location outside proposed Renewable Energy Zones and too close to the Garvoc township.

Over 100 community objections were lodged, with concerns about minimal engagement, unclear community benefits, impacts on prime agricultural land, and potential disruption to local roads and farming operations.

Corangamite Mayor Kate Makin said the decision is difficult to understand, given it fails to meet so many of the proposed guidelines in the draft Victorian Transmission Plan.

Lake Bullen Merri in Corangamite is currently affected by a blue-green algae bloom, prompting warnings from the Council for community members to avoid all contact with the water, including swimming and fishing.

Corangamite Shire CEO David Rae said the lake is not owned or managed by Council.

He said, “Council is delegated to manage certain parts of the land around the lake but not the lake itself.”

Residents are advised to keep pets and livestock away until officials declare the water safe.

Murrindindi Shire Council is breaking ground on a significant housing project in Eildon this month. The Eildon Key Worker Housing Project will deliver 33 bedrooms of accommodation specifically for essential workers across two council-owned sites.

The development addresses a critical shortage of housing for health professionals, teachers, and hospitality staff in the region. It's funded in partnership with the Victorian Government's Regional Worker Accommodation Fund.

In an innovative approach, the houses are being constructed off-site and will be transported to Eildon for installation from February.

The project builds on the recently completed Eildon Reserves Redevelopment, and rental income will help replenish Council's investment in that community project.

NSW Report

Waverley Council has relocated a menorah to a new location in Bondi Park, where it will form a temporary memorial to the victims of the December 14 terror attack.

Discussions will commence between the NSW Government, Waverley Council, Jewish groups and families of the victims about plans for a permanent memorial at an appropriate time.

The council said it is critical there is an appropriate consultation process, and this will take time.

Cessnock City Council will meet next Tuesday to vote on a proposed Special Rate Variation of 39.9% for the 2026-27 financial year.

The proposal follows months of independent economic analysis by Professor Joseph Drew and extensive community consultation, including public meetings, listening posts, and surveys.

Residents raised serious concerns about affordability and cost of living pressures during the consultation. In response, Council is now proposing to adjust base rates across all categories to reduce the impact on the most vulnerable ratepayers.

Council has also expanded its Financial Hardship Policy and will conduct a 12-month review of how rates are distributed, particularly examining the impact on lower-value residential properties and small businesses.

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council has provided an update on progress toward demerger to re-establish separate Cootamundra and Gundagai Shire Councils.

A Transition Manager has been appointed to oversee the complex process of creating two independent, sustainable councils by the target date of 1 July 2027.

Key work includes developing separate governance structures, financial plans, and operational frameworks, much of which needs to be completed by December this year.

The Country Mayors Association of NSW has welcomed the Coalition's Shadow Ministry reshuffle, particularly the appointment of a Shadow Minister for Regional Crime Prevention and the retention of the Regional Health portfolio.

But Chairman, Mayor Rick Firman of Temora Shire, said it is disappointing that Local Government is no longer a stand-alone portfolio.

Muswellbrook Shire Council has requested the return of land and facilities given to the Richard Gill School following concerns about the school's solvency and its proposed merger with a private religious education network.

The Council originally provided the assets to support a secular school focused on music and STEM education, and without assurances that the school will remain secular and evidence of its financial viability, Council is seeking to reclaim the property.

NSW Briefs:

The Museum of Contemporary Art Australia (MCA) and Burwood Council have announced a multi-year partnership to connect communities across Sydney through contemporary art and cultural experiences.

The partnership will kick off in 2026 with MCA involvement in the Burwood Art Prize and a special live event in May, featuring performances at both the MCA and Burwood's new Ford Lane music venue.

Orange City Council is proceeding with the East Orange Harvesting Wetlands project, a $10 million stormwater harvesting initiative funded equally by the NSW Government and Council.

The project, to be completed in 2027, will add 600 ML of secure water yield annually to help protect the town from future droughts.

Wollongong City Council will trial a 12-month mobile camera enforcement system starting in February to electronically monitor timed parking zones in high-traffic areas.

The CBD and streets near the University will be included in the trial, replacing the manual practice of chalking tyres.

Queensland Report

Goondiwindi Regional Council is undertaking a major levee restoration project along the Macintyre River to repair erosion damage from recent floods and maintain the levee's integrity after nearly 70 years of protecting the town.

The project, fully funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, is expected to be the largest ever undertaken by the Council.

Goondiwindi Regional Council has welcomed the appointment of Damien Walker, Queensland's Director-General of Premier and Cabinet, as Interim Queensland Cross-Border Commissioner.

Mr Walker, who will visit the region later this month, is expected to build on the foundational work of the late Commissioner Ian Leavers by translating cross-border challenges into actionable solutions while a permanent commissioner is recruited.

Fraser Coast Regional Council is celebrating a record breaking 2025 for the Gatakers Artspace in Maryborough, which achieved 15,000 visitors across 28 exhibitions, workshops, and community events.

Deputy Mayor Cr Sara Diana Faraj said the milestone reflected the strength and growing appeal of the Fraser Coast’s arts and cultural scene.

Tasmania

Glamorgan-Spring Bay Council CEO Greg Tory has reportedly resigned after less than four months due to his partner's serious medical condition requiring significant treatment.

Tasmanian Country dot com reports that Dick Shaw is now acting CEO, while the council prepares to recruit a permanent replacement—marking the 11th person to hold the role since 2019.

A Northern Tasmanian council is facing fresh scrutiny over a defamation case that a judge ruled involved illegal use of public funds, according to a report from The Examiner.

At the Northern Midlands Council's annual general meeting in December, residents passed a motion calling for the recovery of over $110,000 in ratepayer money spent on the controversial case.

The defamation action was brought by Mayor Mary Knowles and General Manager Desmond Jennings against current Councillor Andrew McCullagh over posts on a Facebook page he moderated.

Last November, Justice Shane Marshall found the use of council funds was "illegal and arguably corrupt conduct," and ordered the mayor and general manager to repay their legal costs.

But the council itself still spent over $110,000 in associated costs.

The matter will now go before the council's January meeting for further consideration.

Huon Valley Council is urging residents to avoid skin contact with Foxglove, a toxic, declared weed in Tasmania, which is currently blooming around the valley.

Council's Natural Resource Management Team is working with Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service to map foxglove locations and identify priority areas for management. The focus is on preventing the spread of the invasive species into sensitive areas like the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area.

Residents are encouraged to report sightings of foxglove using the iNaturalist app, and advice is available for undertaking control efforts on private propety.

South Australia

A long-serving South Australian councillor has died after dedicating more than 15 years to the Gawler community.

Paul Koch, who was first elected to Gawler Council in 2010, passed away on Saturday, according to a report from Adelaide Now.

Mayor Nathan Shanks says Councillor Koch served with dedication and integrity, and remained active in council work despite his illness.

He was known for his passionate environmental focus and his volunteer work training guide dogs.

Western Australia

The City of Fremantle is getting ready to host the Oracle Perth Sail Grand Prix on later this month, billed as “the world’s most exciting racing on water.”

15,000 ticketholders are expected to see high-speed foiling catamaran races at Bathers Beach over two days, the first of three years WA will host the championship event.

Fremantle Mayor Ben Lawver said preparations for the event had been underway for months, and the city was set to be “front and centre on the global stage.”

Global Report

UK:

Just months after taking control of several English councils, Reform UK is facing accusations of betraying voters as authorities under its leadership unveil plans for significant tax rises and service cuts.

The Financial Times reported that four Reform-led councils have announced above-inflation council tax increases, with some raising rates by the maximum 5 percent.

This is despite campaign promises to "cut your taxes" ahead of last May's local elections, when the party won control of nine councils for the first time.

The measures go beyond tax rises. Staffordshire county council plans to save over £21 million next year through cuts including reductions to winter gritting and school crossing patrols. Derbyshire is considering closing a household waste centre in Glossop, while West Northamptonshire faces a backlash over new parking charges in rural town centres.

Communities Secretary Steve Reed has warned that councils could face legal action if they boycott companies linked to Israel, as such actions may violate Government guidance and the Procurement Act 2023.

Reed has told those councils to focus on delivering local services rather than involving themselves in foreign conflicts.

Kensington and Chelsea Council has warned that the personal details of hundreds of thousands of residents may have been stolen in a cyber attack, with criminals potentially able to use the information for scams.

BBC News reports the council is working with the National Cyber Security Centre to investigate the breach, with priority being given vulnerable individuals.

Hundreds of councillors across Britain are calling on Prime Minister Keir Starmer to scrap what they're calling an outdated gambling law that's tying their hands when it comes to controlling betting shops on local high streets.

Labour MP Dawn Butler has written to the Prime Minister, backed by 280 politicians and campaigners, urging immediate action to remove the "Aim to Permit" principle from the Gambling Act 2005.

The rule currently places a legal duty on councils to approve new gambling premises unless there are clear grounds to refuse them. Critics say this severely limits councils' ability to protect communities from gambling harm.

USA:

A Washington state county has drawn high praise for its first ever generative AI policy, introduced last November.

The policy, developed by Whatcom County's executive branch, establishes two fundamental principles: requiring human verification of all AI-generated content and protecting sensitive information from being entered into AI systems.

Legal expert Steven Tapia from Seattle University praised these guidelines as cornerstones of responsible AI usage across all sectors. The county's approach comes amid growing nationwide concern about AI governance, with a 2025 survey finding that 77% of state and local leaders worry about the lack of clear AI regulations.

More on this story at Cascadia dot com.

Richmond Mayor Eduardo Martinez faces a possible censure from the City Council for reposting conspiracy theories about the deadly attack on a Hanukkah celebration at Bondi in Australia.

KQED reported the posts included claims the attack may have been a false flag operation.

While some Jewish organisations are calling for his resignation, others—including the local synagogue's rabbi—prefer dialogue and education, with a proposed censure resolution requiring Martinez to meet with Jewish leaders, complete antisemitism training, and make a charitable donation.

NZ:

Sir Tim Shadbolt, one of New Zealand's most iconic and longest-serving mayors, has died at the age of 78.

Sir Tim served an unprecedented eight terms as Mayor of Invercargill between 1993 and 2022, as well as two terms as Waitematā Mayor in the 1980s.

Current Invercargill Mayor Tom Campbell told RNZ that Sir Tim was "an extraordinary, charismatic man" who raised both the spirits and the profile of Invercargill.

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon paid tribute, saying "few New Zealanders have given such devoted public service as Sir Tim."