State of disaster, Elvis controversy, and an outrageous wall - #537

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• A State of Disaster declared in 18 Victorian local government areas, as multiple bushfires burn across the state
• A puzzling new survey about perception of levels of government
• A local mayor quashes speculation about a run for State Parliament
• A Sydney council to decide on a rate rise of more than 50 per cent
• Controversy at the popular Parkes Elvis Festival
• New powers for NSW councils in the fight against hate speech
• A controversial wall sparks outrage in Tasmania
• and a UK Council Chief resigns over allegations of inappropriate behaviour

Chapters

• 1:39 Victorian Report
• 9:46 NSW Report
• 12:11 Queensland Report
• 15:21 TAS/SA/WA Report
• 17:38 Global Report

Transcript

Victoria is in the grip of its worst bushfire season in years, and local councils are on the frontline.

A state of disaster has been declared for 18 Victorian local government areas, and one alpine resort.

The council areas impacted at Alpine, Ararat, Colac Otway, Corangamite, East Gippsland, Golden Plains, Greater Bendigo, Horsham, Mansfield, Mildura, Moira, Mount Alexander, Murrindindi, Pyrenees, Strathbogie, Towong and Wellington.

The alpine resort is Lake Mountain.

The MAV acknowledged the work of firefighters and emergency services as they battle the many still active fires. It said many council officers are impacted directly, with many also active CFA volunteers in their communities.

It said that through its legislated role to represent the sector in emergency management, it is advocating for the resources and support that councils and communities need now, and through the summer season.

Murrindindi Shire Council Mayor Damien Gallagher said the council is preparing for a long recovery process that will require sustained State and Federal support.

He said the Council is advocating for dedicated recovery funding, community hubs, infrastructure betterment, and assistance with clean-up and business support to help the community rebuild stronger and more resilient.

Campaspe Shire Council Mayor Daniel Mackrell has expressed gratitude to emergency responders working during the bushfires and said the council is actively supporting neighbouring councils through various initiatives while maintaining business as usual.

He urged residents to stay prepared for emergencies using their Emergency Dashboard and available planning resources.

The Rural City of Wangaratta expressed solidarity with bushfire-affected councils across the state.

Mayor Irene Grant said the Council is in touch with affected Councils, and providing resource assistance where possible.

She said, “Council stands ready to support our own community if needed, and we urge everyone to stay informed and prioritise safety during this challenging time.”

Strathbogie Council acknowledged strong interest from its community in helping those affected by the bushfires.

It said while those intentions are greatly appreciated, councils are not in a position to accept donations of clothing, goods or prepared food.

The most effective way to help is through the official State Government donation platform GIVIT which ensures that assistance goes directly to those who need it most by matching donations to specific requests from emergency services and impacted households.

Councils have been visibly front and centre during this crisis, alongside emergency responders.

Mayors, and councillors, like Claire Ewart Kennedy at Strahbogie, Steve Rabie at Mansfield, and David Wortmann at Towong have been out there assisting people, talking to media, and keeping the flow of vital information going, day and night.

All of which makes this next story so inexplicable - a survey that found a quarter of people who think we can do without our local councils.

A new poll conducted for The Age has revealed a surprising contradiction in how Australians view their government structures.

The survey of 1,800 voters found Australians rate their local councils more highly than state or federal governments – with 56 percent saying their council does a good job. That's 10 points higher than state governments and 17 points ahead of federal government.

But when asked which level of government is least needed, 27 percent said local councils should go – slightly more than the 26 percent who'd axe state governments.

The poll also showed strong support for reform. An overwhelming 73 percent of Australians want laws, regulations and taxes harmonised across all states. And 58 percent believe each policy area should be the sole responsibility of one level of government.

Former Glen Eira Mayor Jim Magee has lashed out at the lazy media commentary calling for the abolition of local government, arguing that councils are the most accountable level of government.

He has also called for the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) and councillors to speak up in defending local government, urging them to actively communicate the vital role councils play in maintaining infrastructure, supporting communities, and enabling local decision-making that cannot be replicated by centralised state control.

Glen Eira City Council has welcomed the Australian Government's announcement of a Commonwealth Royal Commission into antisemitism and social cohesion, calling it "an important and decisive step."

The announcement comes in the wake of the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach, which shocked communities nationwide and underscored the urgent need to address the factors driving antisemitism and hate crimes.

Glen Eira is known as the cultural home of Victoria's Jewish community, and Mayor Simone Zmood says the community knows firsthand the impact of antisemitism and the importance of coordinated action to keep communities safe.

She has commended the Government for listening to communities and acting, and said the council will continue working closely with Jewish community organisations, Victoria Police, and other councils to promote social cohesion and combat antisemitism.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh has put an end to speculation about his political future, firmly ruling out a run for the state seat of Nepean.

The announcement comes after Liberal Deputy Leader Sam Groth shocked the political world this week by quitting politics, citing relentless party infighting as his reason for walking away after just one term.

According to the Mornington Peninsula Leader, rumours have been swirling that the three-time mayor was being courted by the Liberal Party to fill the void left by Groth's departure. But speaking on Thursday, Marsh made it clear he has no ambitions for Spring Street.

He said is not running for Nepean, and is not a member of the Liberal Party.

The popular Mount Martha resident, who was re-elected in 2024 with more than 70 per cent of the primary vote, said he's proud of his work on council and would continue to focus on local issues and delivering tangible outcomes for the community.

Hundreds of Port Fairy residents rallied yesterday to save a local pool, according to the Standard.

The community-run Belfast Aquatics facility has been closed since November after mould and algae were discovered in the building. Further inspections revealed repairs totaling anywhere from $316,000 to $2 million are needed within the next 12 months.

The facility's 20-year lease expires this Friday, when the Belfast Aquatics committee will hand the building back to Moyne Shire Council.

The pool, which opened in 2007 after a decade-long community effort, has received more than $3 million in council support over the years, including $290,000 in the current financial year.

A Melbourne nightclub has raised concerns after council workers were caught on camera taking bottles and cans from their recycling bins to claim the 10-cent refunds under Victoria's container deposit scheme.

The Age reported that CCTV footage from late last year shows two workers in high-vis vests removing containers from skips behind Inflation nightclub on King Street and loading them into a City of Melbourne truck.

The City of Melbourne has confirmed the workers were only supposed to remove illegally dumped waste, not private bins. The council says it takes allegations of misconduct seriously and will investigate.

The Geelong Australia Day Committee and Lions Club of Corio Bay have cancelled the Free Children's Fun Day on Australia Day.

The decision has prompted the City of Greater Geelong to work with the Royal Geelong Yacht Club to expand the Festival of Sails program at Steampacket Gardens with free family-friendly activities.

Discussions will continue after Australia Day about whether the event will return in 2027.

The NSW government will give councils stronger powers to shut down unlawful places of worship.

The Guardian reported that the new powers will include the ability to cut off utilities and impose fines up to $110,000 for individuals and $220,000 for corporations operating without development consent.

The reforms, announced following the Bondi terror attack, require councils to consult NSW police before approving religious premises and aim to close "factories of hate" promoting division in the community.

North Sydney Council will meet next Monday to vote on a controversial proposal to lift rates by more than 50% over the next three years.

The North Sydney Sun reports that the council is seeking to lodge a new application with the state pricing regulator for ordinary rate increases of around 52%, and minimum rate rises of approximately 63% between 2026 and 2029.

Under the proposal, rates would jump by 23% in the first year, followed by smaller increases in years two and three.

This comes after the Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal rejected the council's previous attempt last year, which sought increases of up to 96% over two years.

The regulator found that earlier application failed to adequately explain the need for such large rises and left residents confused about whether the money was primarily for the North Sydney Olympic Pool redevelopment.

Council officers say the new proposal addresses those concerns and is needed to close a structural funding gap.

A public forum will be held at 6pm Monday at North Sydney Council chambers, ahead of the Extraordinary Council meeting where the decision will be made.

Parkes Shire Council has apologised for the unintentional display of a Confederate flag at the Parkes Elvis Festival.

The image was used as part of this year’s festival theme based on Elvis Presley's 1956 film Love Me Tender set during the American Civil War era.

Mayor Neil Westcott acknowledged the flag's offensive contemporary associations and stated the display was not intended to endorse any harmful ideology, committing to review internal processes to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Hilltops Council closed the Monteagle Waste Facility on Friday following a fire caused by incorrectly disposed batteries.

Residents have been advised of alternative waste disposal options, and to never place batteries in household bins.

Following the resignation of Cr Allison Bryant in December, the NSW Electoral Commission is conducting a countback election to fill the vacancy on Clarence Valley Council.

The results of the countback election will be declared in late January 2026.

As North West Queensland deals with the impacts of yet more severe weather events, Burke Shire Council has called on the Federal Government to reinstate regional Bureau of Meteorology staffing and improve weather monitoring infrastructure in that part of the state.

It says the latest severe weather events have highlighted the critical importance of local meteorological expertise.

The Council acknowledged the tireless work of hydrologists and meteorologists during the crisis and said returning these professionals to the region, along with modern systems like improved radar coverage and functional river gauges, is essential for better disaster preparedness and community safety.

Townsville has stood down its disaster management group and lifted all current warnings, after the crossing of tropical Cycline Koji.

Mayor Nick Dametto said the community was well-prepared, and he was thankful the worst of the weather avoided Townsville.

He said they were in touch with neighbouring councils and were ready to help them as needed.

Services, facilities and venues have returned to normal operation.

Burdekin Shire Council is asking its residents to dispose of storm debris responsibly at Council waste facilities rather than placing it on roadsides, as the region is not eligible for kerbside collection under disaster recovery arrangements.

It says transfer stations are open and available to assist with safe disposal.

Jaella Parker, former Chief Transformation Officer at Deloitte Asia Pacific Risk, has been appointed as City of Moreton Bay's new Chief Legal Counsel, commencing this week. She brings extensive experience in legal strategy, risk management, and business transformation to help guide the council as it prepares for significant growth ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympics and Paralympics.

The City of Moreton Bay is rolling out a $2.6 million "Cool City Streets" program that will see 3500 native trees planted along more than 100 kilometres of road across the region.

The initiative, jointly funded by Council and the Queensland Government, aims to provide much-needed shade along popular walking routes and near community facilities.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the trees will be strategically planted in 12 key areas to combat urban heat and encourage active transport.

The program will particularly benefit vulnerable residents, including older people, those without cars, and anyone looking to increase their exercise levels by making it more comfortable to walk or cycle in the warmer months.

Council crews will begin planting soon, with the program set to be completed by June 30, 2027.

Bundaberg Regional Council has permanently removed the community piano from the CBD pavilion after years of repeated vandalism and damage, with the most recent incident leaving it beyond repair.

While the piano had been a beloved feature since 2018, the ongoing costs of repairs and replacements have become unsustainable for ratepayers, prompting Council to discontinue the initiative.

A controversial wall along Strahan's waterfront on Tasmania's west coast has sparked outrage among locals who say it blocks scenic views of Macquarie Harbour for no clear reason, according to ABC News.

The wall, standing 3 metres tall and stretching at least 30 metres, is part of a multi-million dollar waterfront redevelopment that's been in the works for over a decade.

More than 300 people have signed a petition demanding answers.

At a public meeting on Thursday night, the council appeared receptive to concerns, with West Coast Council Mayor Shane Pitt promising a report at the next council meeting on January 27th.

West Coast Council has addressed recent concerns about disruptions to its regular mowing program across several towns.

The Council says interruptions in recent months were caused by prolonged wet weather, staff and contractor availability issues, and the need to prioritise high-use sites during periods of rapid turf growth.

Officials say mowing under unsuitable conditions risks long-term damage to soil and turf health, making postponement necessary at times.

The Council is now developing a structured mowing and weed-management strategy with clearly defined rotations to provide consistency and accountability.

The Council has acknowledged and thanked local volunteers, particularly those who maintained the Strahan Recreation Ground, for their efforts during this difficult period.

The District Council of Mount Remarkable has welcomed Marc Gardner as its new Chief Executive Officer, bringing over 25 years of local government experience from regional Queensland and the Northern Territory.

Mayor Stephen McCarthy welcomed Mr Gardner to the council last week.

Coorong District Council has appointed Myles Somers as interim CEO ahead of Bridget Mather's departure after six years.

The Council has also unanimously selected Cr Lisa Rowntree as acting Deputy Mayor to assist acting Mayor Cr. Jonathan Pietzsch while Mayor Paul Simmons recovers from a health issue.

Loxton Waikerie District Council is expanding its Pocket Galleries program to Waikerie, installing six shoebox-sized art displays at various locations to showcase local creativity and community stories.

The Council is seeking community feedback on preferred locations and gallery styles through its online engagement platform until February 6, 2026, with the first Waikerie exhibition launching at a River Fringe event in March.

UK:

BBC News reports that James Binks has resigned as Rochdale Council's chief executive following allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards young female colleagues during his previous role at Manchester City Council in 2024.

He was suspended in December after an internal investigation, and Rochdale Council has confirmed he left without a financial settlement.

Recruitment for a replacement now underway.

Birmingham City Council has delayed the April 2026 deadline for fixing its troubled Brindley IT system (formerly Oracle), which was meant to streamline HR and finance processes but has cost over £170m instead of the original £19m budget.

There have been 8,000 reported issues with the system after its launch, according to BBC News.

The opposition calls the delay "unthinkable" and criticises the “catastrophic mismanagement” of the rollout, while commissioners say they are prioritising getting the system right over meeting fixed dates.

USA:

Helena Moreno will be sworn in as New Orleans' next mayor on January 12, 2026, alongside new City Council members, taking over after eight turbulent years under Mayor LaToya Cantrell, according to NOLA dot com.

The new council faces some pressing challenges including a significant budget deficit and citizen frustration over dysfunction.

Moreno and both returning and first-time council members have expressed optimism about addressing the city's issues and moving forward with their plans for the next four years.

A former Town Manager at Gray Town, in the state Maine, Michael Foley, has been accused by the town council of financial reporting errors including an undisclosed $1.25 million fire truck purchase and over $140,000 in ambulance fees.

Spectrum News reported that Mr Foley is also accused of wiping his town-issued laptop before leaving office in November 2025.

He has denied all allegations, stating he always worked transparently and that he properly disclosed information and backed up his laptop data to town servers before resetting the device.

Council Chair Michael Johnson said the Town was working with law enforcement, and actively investigating several matters.

CANADA:

The City of Cambridge in Ontario has issued more than 2,600 tickets for people leaving vehicles on the road during a snow event.

Since November, when snow starting falling, the city has received nearly 1500 snow-related complaints. It told CBC News that its crews are doing their best to clear snow off sidewalks and residential streets.

Meanwhile in Edmonton, a seasonal parking ban is in effect on residential roads as crews begin working to clear slush.

There are concerns that a failure to fund towing teams means many streets won’t be plowed as crews have to work around parked vehicles.

Vehicles will be ticketed, but they won’t be towed, as is the practice in other major cities like Calgary, Winnipeg and Montreal.