Local Government News Roundup
Australia’s no.1 podcast for local government news and views, hosted by veteran media presenter and senior executive Chris Eddy. Brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Local Government News Roundup
Councils in court, and a 'bizarre' by-election
Today on the Roundup, two Victorian councils taken to court; more mayoral election results; a NSW councillor’s position under a cloud after an assault conviction; a new councillor behavioural panel takes effect in South Australia; and the requirement for a by-election in WA described as bizarre.
Victorian Local Governance Association
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The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Davidson, the nationally recognised executive recruitment and business advisory service.
Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.
Episode 174 LG News Roundup, 23rd November 2022
“Councils in court, and a 'bizaare' by-election"
Hello and welcome to the Local Government News Roundup. This is your update for the 23rd November. I’m Chris Eddy.
Today, two Victorian councils taken to court; more mayoral election results; a NSW councillor’s position under a cloud after an assault conviction; a new councillor behavioural panel takes effect in South Australia; and the requirement for a by-election in WA described as bizarre.
That’s all ahead on the Local Government News Roundup, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; and by Technology One’s 2022 Local Government Digital Transformation Index - new report out now.
First up today,
The alleged removal of election signage in the city of Darebin is being challenged in the Supreme Court by the Victorian Labor Party.
The Guardian reported yesterday that the Labor Party has alleged the Council has removed eight large candidate billboards from private properties without the campaign’s knowledge.
A party spokesperson described the alleged actions as ‘craven political interference’ by a ‘Greens-dominated’ council.
Greens leader Samantha Ratnam denied the party had requested the council to remove the signs; and a council spokesperson said the application of local laws in relation to signage is carried out by officers and has nothing to do with councillors.
The matter is due back in court today.
Meanwhile, it’s understood an employee has taken Moira Shire Council to Federal Court, alleging illegal dumping of toxic waste and punishment for speaking up.
The Age this week reported on the claims that the worker was demoted and bullied for speaking out about alleged improper disposal of hazardous waste from development sites.
A council spokesperson said the council follows EPA standards when handling hazardous waste, but declined to comment further as the matter is before the court.
Here are the latest mayoral election results from around the state.
At Indigo Shire in the state’s northeast, Sophie Price has been elected mayor for a period of 24 months.
Cr Price has been on the Council for six years and this is her first time in the mayoral role.
Outgoing mayor Bernard Gaffney will be deputy mayor for the next 12 months.
There’s a new mayor at Macedon Ranges Shire also, with Cr Annette Death elected for a 12 month term.
Jennifer Anderson steps into the deputy mayoral role, after being mayor for the past two years.
Brimbank City Council has appointed experienced councillor Bruce Lancashire as its mayor for the next 12 months.
Former mayor Ranka Rasic is the new deputy mayor.
It’s a sixth term as mayor coming up at Corangamite Shire for Ruth Gstrein.
Cr Gstrein was last night re-elected unopposed, as was Geraldine Conheady who will again be deputy mayor - both for a one year term.
At Boroondara City Council, there were two candidates for the mayoralty - incumbent Cr Jane Addis, and Cr Felicity Sinfield. Three attempts to elect the mayor were unsuccessful as no absolute majority was achieved.
The election of the mayor and deputy mayor was deferred, and another attempt will be made at 6.30pm on the 8th December.
Keep an eye on the Local Government News Roundup website for regular updates as more mayoral election results become known.
In other Council related news this week:
It has been estimated that Greater Bendigo’s Elvis exhibition contributed $67M to the local economy, and a further $22M to the state economy.
The Bendigo Advertiser has reported that Mayor Andrea Metcalf announced the state government figures at Monday night’s Council meeting, congratulating the Bendigo Art Gallery team on the delivery of the exhibition.
(Bendigo Advertiser, 22 November)
An East Gippsland Shire planning officer has won the state’s top award for a young planning professional.
Kyra Collins has been named Young Planner of the Year at the Planning Institute’s Victorian Awards for Excellence.
Kyra is now in contention for the National Young Planner of the Year, to be announced next May.
A multi-Council study researching the potential for a best practice reusable nappy program has found that 90 per cent of expectant parents and carers are open to switching from disposable to reusable nappies.
Maroondah City Council was one of 12 Melbourne-based Councils to participate in the five month study, which reviewed reusable nappy programs from around Melbourne, Australia and overseas.
An outcome is a recommendation that Councils deliver more education and opportunities for the community to experience and connect with reusable nappy programs and products.
Coming Up: a NSW councillor’s position under a cloud are an assault conviction; a new councillor behavioural panel takes effect in South Australia; and the requirement for a by-election in WA described as bizarre.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government.
Once more in 2022, the VLGA will team with LGIU to bring you an insightful Global Executive Panel - bringing together leaders from Australia and the UK, this time to discuss the unique challenges being faced by rural and coastal shires.
Confirmed panellists include Malcolm Burr, the CEO of Western Isles Council in Scotland, and John Baker, CEO from Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula Shire Council; and Niall Healy - Director of Municipal Districts and Rural Operations at Ireland’s Cork County Council
Make sure you don’t miss your chance to be part of the conversation. It’s happening online at 6.30pm on Thursday 1st December.
It’s free for VLGA and LGIU members, and a small fee applies for non-members.
You can find out more, including registration details, on the VLGA website - link in the show notes.
Now in today’s National Roundup:
A councillor at Murray River Council in NSW has been convicted of assault occasioning actual bodily harm.
According to the Riverine Herald, the charge arose from an incident at a Moama car wash, involving Cr Tom Weyrich.
Cr Weyrich pleaded guilty to the charge, and was convicted and fined $1,000, with a 12 month community corrections to be served.
A council spokesperson told the newspaper that advice was being sought on the implications of the conviction for Cr Weyrich’s position on the council.
Cr Weyrich was elected to Murray River Council at last year’s election.
(Riverine Herald, 21st November 2022)
A by-election will be held in WA’s City of Albany next month to replace a councillor who passed away - despite pending sector reforms requiring the removal of four councillor positions.
Mayor Denis Wellington told the ABC that the requirement to hold the election, expected to cost $16,000, was bizarre.
The new reforms have yet to come into effect, and therefore current rules still apply and dictate the necessity for a by-election to replace Alison Goode, who died in August.
In South Australia, a new independent panel has been formed to deal with complaints about councillor behaviour that cannot be resolved at the Council level.
The Behavioural Standards Panel is one of the significant elements of a new council member conduct management framework that came into effect last week.
According to indaily.com.au, Local Government Minister Geoff Brock has also released behavioural standards applicable to all council members, and councils have the option to supplement those standards with additional expectations.
Gunnedah Shire Mayor Jamie Chaffey has been unanimously elected as the Chair of the Country Mayors Association of New South Wales.
Cr Chaffey has been deputy chair of the group for the past two years.
Rick Firman from Temora Shire has been elected to the deputy chair position.
Cr Chaffey said speaking up for the group’s 76 member councils as a big task, in light of unrelenting natural disasters, and extreme financial pressures from inflation, material shortages and price increases, staff shortages and energy price increases, amongst other challenges.
Newcastle City has announced the distribution of $800k in funding from its special business rate program.
16 projects will receive support, including a roaming music festival, contemporary dance party, and quarterly food, art and wine trails.
Many of the projects complement the vision of the city’s Newcastle After Dark Strategy, which is helping to guide the development of a safe, vibrant night-time economy in the city centre.
The City of Cockburn has been named the WA Age Friendly Local Government of the Year.
The award recognises the city’s commitment and support for seniors, through the development of its Age Friendly Strategic Plan.
The city’s plan was first developed in 2008, and was recognised with a WA Seniors Award in 2014.
Dirk Dowling has commenced as the new CEO of Winton Shire Council in Queensland.
Mr Dowling has worked across four Australian states and eight local governments, plus other public and private sector roles.
He has been appointed for four years, taking over from Ricki Bruhn who has held the role since late 2018.
SA’s District Council of Streaky Bay has re-elected Travis Barber as its mayor for another four year term. Greg Limbert will be a first time deputy mayor at the council.
It’s the last time the Council will elect the mayor - the district will move to direct election of the mayor in the next election cycle.
(Port Lincoln Times, 23rd November)
Port Stephens Council has been named the LGEA Active Super Employer of Choice for this year.
The award highlights good employment practices, particularly in relation to attracting and retaining engineers and other professionals within council organisations.
Tamworth Regional Council is asking local service station operators to turn off fuel pumps after 11.30pm in an effort to combat late night crime.
The action follows a meeting of the Council’s community safety working group, which was told of police concerns about young offenders being allowed to fill cars in the early hours of the morning whilst concealing their face.
The term on everyone's lips these days is 'digital transformation' – so, how does your council shape up?
TechnologyOne's 2022 Local Government Digital Transformation Index measures SaaS migration in councils today. The report's findings come from a survey of local government leaders across Australia and New Zealand in 2022. And it shows where digital transformation is sitting in the local government sector, where it is heading and identifies some of the sticking points that need to be overcome.
The report also outlines the characteristics of best-in-class councils, so you can learn from others in the sector and use their experience to transform your council into the best digitised version of itself – for you, your people and your community.
To find out what it means for your council, download your free copy of the report from the link in the show notes.
Now to today’s International Spotlight, highlighting some stories of interest from beyond our borders..
Firstly to Sweden, where the City of Stockholm is reportedly planning to introduce a ban on fossil fuel ads and sponsorships.
The website Badvertising reports that recent elections have led to strong support for a fossil ad ban, with a concrete proposal said to be part of the city’s 2023 budget.
It says the Stockholm municipal executive board will investigate options for a ban on advertising collaborations that drive fossil fuel use.
In Toronto, Canada, new legislation from the provincial government to implement strong mayor powers is being opposed by three newly elected city councillors, according to a report from CTV News.
The legislation would give the city’s mayor powers to bypass by-laws with minority Council support.
The new councillors want the mayor to reconsider taking on the new powers, with one describing the legislation as a clear attack on local democracy.
Toronto Mayor John Tory says the changes are needed to get more housing built in the city as quickly as possible; and the provincial government says the new powers are necessary to reduce red-tape.
And from England, the BBC reports that most councils are expected to raise rates by 5%, with the Chancellor Jeremy Hunt announcing they could do so without a referendum.
It’s part of a plan that he says will get the UK through an economic storm.
Currently, Councils need to conduct a referendum if they want to raise the council tax by more than 2%.
The Local Government Association said the increase to council tax is not the solution to long-term pressures and it would not plug shortfalls.
It is expected that most councils will opt for the maximum increase allowed.
That’s the latest from the Local Government News Roundup.
You can find more information at our website - lgnewsroundup.com - including our regularly updated list of Victorian mayoral election results and CEO appointment news.
The Local Government News Roundup returns with more on Sunday, brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; and Technology One’s 2022 Local Government Digital Transformation Index - download your free copy now.
Until then, thanks for listening and bye for now.
