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
Funding call, CEO news, and AI in focus
Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:
- The latest Melbourne council to call for more funding to maintain state-owned roads
- Strathbogie appoints an interim CEO
- Wodonga’s mayor gets a meeting with the Health Minister to discuss hospital concerns
- A city farewells a popular leader
- Voters off to the polls again at two Tasmania councils
- Sunshine Coast Council’s CEO is the next to leave in Queensland
- The Jeremy Clarkson- inspired change to planning laws in England;
- and the sector set to come together to prepare for the adoption of AI technology
Plus much more news from across the world of local government.
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Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.
Victorian Roundup:
Brimbank Council is seeking increased funding from the State Government to maintain state-owned roads.
It says the current contribution leaves the council and ratepayers out of pocket.
The council spends an estimated $475,000 annually on state owned roads, with the State Government contributing only $109,000.
Mayor Ranka Rasic said the council is struggling with the long-term impacts of rate capping and rising costs. These roads are ultimately a responsibility of the State Government,” she said.
The council has requested a response to their appeal for increased funding by 30 June 2024.
It follows a decision by Yarra City Council last month to stop maintaining open spaces, cleaning drains, and providing hazard response services on Victorian Government-owned roads from July 1st.
Strathbogie Shire Council has appointed Tim Tamlin as its interim CEO, effective 15th July.
The decision was made at the council’s meeting last night.
Mr Tamlin will undertake the role for up to 12 months, including overseeing the induction of a new council following the return of elected representatives in October.
Current CEO Julie Salamon resigned in April and finishes on the 4th July.
Last December, the local government minister suspended the elected body and appointed Peter Stephenson as administrator until the October elections.
Wodonga’s Mayor will get the chance to put the council’s case for a new border hospital at a meeting with Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas.
The Border Mail reports today (22nd May 2024, p.2) that the minister has agreed to a meeting after months of advocacy from both Wodonga and Albury councils about their preference for a greenfields hospital development to serve the region.
Cr Mildren told this week’s council meeting that he had been working with his counterpart at Albury, Mayor Kylie King, on a draft document outlining their cities’ joint health care concerns.
Colac Otway Shire and its partners have been successful in achieving a $2M grant from the federal government for the creation of two housing sites for an estimated 150 people.
The project aims to establish a new standard for affordable and key worker housing in Australia, with a focus on innovative, sustainable, and adaptable precinct planning.
The funding application was one of only six approved across regional Australia and is seen as a significant step towards addressing the Key and Essential Worker Housing Crisis declared in 2021.
Benalla Rural City Council has secured an additional $2.965 million from the Australian Government's Growing Regions Fund for the redevelopment of the Benalla Art Gallery.
The project will include a renewal of the gallery's climate control system, refurbishment of existing gallery spaces, improved visitor amenities and cafe, and collections storage and management.
The funding will be combined with a $3 million grant from the Victorian Government.
Swan Hill Rural City Council has secured over $5 million in funding from the Federal Government’s Growing Regions Program for the Reinvigorating Our Riverfront project, which aims to transform the Riverfront precincts in Swan Hill and Robinvale into iconic spaces for future generations.
The funding will be used to create inclusive recreational spaces, replace the Pental Island Pedestrian Bridge, and deliver significant infrastructure upgrades including the replacement of the Swan Hill Ten Steps and the installation of a terrace wharf project in Robinvale.
Construction is expected to begin within 12 months.
Victorian Briefs:
The Australian Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) Titles will be held on Phillip Island from the 23rd to the 27th of October, 2024, as part of a two-year deal with Bass Coast Shire Council, Surfing Australia, and Surfing Victoria.
The event is expected to draw hundreds of participants from across the nation.
The City of Ballarat is seeking public feedback on its Draft Social and Affordable Housing Action Plan, which outlines initiatives to increase social and affordable housing supply.
The plan focuses on five key areas: Land, Policy and Planning, Community Engagement, Partnerships, and Advocacy and Further Investigations.
The consultation will remain open until June 16, with the final plan expected to be delivered to Council in July.
The City of Port Phillip plans to replace a vandalised plaque dedicated to showbiz legends Maurie Fields & Val Jellay, known as "The King and Queen of Vaudeville".
The pair were especially known for their roles in "The Flying Doctors" and other iconic TV shows as well as decades on stage.
TV Tonight reported that efforts will be made by the council to make the new plaque more resistant to vandalism.
Nominations for the VLGA board are now open, with all member councillors eligible to nominate for one of the two available positions. Details are available on the VLGA website. Nominations close on Monday 27 May at 5:00pm and councils must be a VLGA member by midday, 24 May 2024 for a councillor to be eligible to nominate.
National Roundup:
NSW:
Beloved former Blacktown City Mayor, Tony Bleasdale OAM, has been farewelled by hundreds of mourners at a funeral service attended by the NSW Premier and Deputy Premier and other dignatries.
Mr. Bleasdale, who served as the city’s Mayor for five years and a councillor for nearly 30, died aged 77 while on a flight home to Australia.
He was remembered as a respected and well-liked councillor and community figure.
His contributions to the community were recognised with an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2010.
A new levy on funerals and cremations, referred to as a "death tax", has come under fire from the NSW opposition and councils, who claim they will have to pass the costs onto grieving families.
The levy, which will be applied from July 1, 2024, has been deemed inappropriate by regional councils and the NSW Nationals leader, who argue it adds to the cost-of-living crisis.
Griffith Mayor Doug Curran says the levy is yet another example of cost shifting.
The levy will not apply to children under 12, miscarriages, stillborn babies, and destitute people.
The City of Parramatta has unveiled a draft 25-year vision, Parramatta 2050, which aims to transform the city into a global powerhouse by 2050.
The plan includes creating an additional 150,000 jobs, becoming an epicentre of creativity, housing national sporting teams, leading in First Nations partnerships, and becoming the most globally connected university city in Australia.
The vision also proposes five globally relevant districts across the city, each with a distinct identity and job focus, and the creation of a new body, Parramatta International, to foster economic development.
TAS:
Glenorchy City Council in Tasmania will have its third election for mayor in three years, after the resignation of Bec Thomas who was elected to the Legislative Council last month.
It’s the second time a Glenorchy Mayor has vacated the position to move on to state parliament.
The Mercury reports that contenders for the by-election are emerging, including former MP and current acting mayor Sue Hickey, and councillors Russell Yaxley and Shane Alderton.
Meanwhile, a by-election will also be need to elect a new mayor of Sorell Council.
Kerry Vincent resigned from the position earlier this month after being elected to the Upper House seat of Prosser.
Deputy Mayor Charles Wooley is continuing as Acting Mayor until a by-election can be conducted.
Nominations have opened for by-elections at both councils to elect one councillor and one mayor each.
An elector poll regarding the Glenorchy War Memorial Pool will also be held, with all voting to be conducted by postal ballot.
Polls will close on the 20th June with results to be released progressively from 9am on Friday 21st June.
A review of private works undertaken by councils in Tasmania has resulted in recommendations for improved transparency and compliance.
AG Martin Thompson found that councils were not effectively managing private works due to a lack of transparent and consistent processes and non-compliance with legislative requirements.
He has recommended that councils establish publicly available policies, implement controls for policy compliance, establish a list of fees and charges for public inspection, and apply the Competitive Neutrality Policy to their private works activities.
QLD:
After three-and-a-half years as CEO of Sunshine Coast Council, Emma Thomas is stepping down to explore new personal and career opportunities.
Ms Thomas is the eighth Queensland Council CEO to announce their departure since elections in March.
Her resignation is effective June 14. An interim CEO yet to be announced.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has been appointed to the board of Brisbane's Olympic Games Organising Committee for the 2032 event, following years of criticism about the city's exclusion from planning.
The Courier Mail reported that the state government's decision comes after a parliamentary committee recommended Tate's inclusion due to the resources and partnership the Gold Coast has invested in the event.
Mayor Tate was previously left off the committee even though the Gold Coast is set to host seven of the Games venues.
Noosa Council is concerned about the state's plan to override local councils in the delivery of affordable housing, fearing it will alter local areas and not guarantee long-term affordability.
The council has objected to changes that allow developers to bypass councils and have the minister approve applications with a minimum 15% affordable housing component.
Mayor Frank Wilkie expressed concerns over the vague definitions of affordable housing and the potential for developments to bypass council assessments.
The council has taken its concerns to the state’s peak body for councils, LGAQ, and the Council of Mayors.
The Local Council Energy Partnership (LCEP) program, a $1.21 million initiative by the State Government, has been welcomed by the peak body for Queensland councils.
The program aims to connect councils and Regional Organisations of Councils (ROCs) with planning experts to maximise benefits from renewable energy developments.
The initiative is part of the Queensland Energy and Jobs Plan, which targets 80% renewable energy by 2035.
LGAQ President Mark Jamieson said councils have been clear that Queensland’s renewable energy transformation needs to come as a benefit to local communities, not a detriment.
NT:
The Groote Archipelago off East Arnhem Land will establish its own local government, the Groote Archipelago Regional Council, following years of lobbying by traditional owners.
The election for the seven-member council will take place on October 26, with the council being declared on November 8.
This move, supported by a $3m investment from the NT government, is seen as a significant milestone in returning power to the people and allowing them to make decisions about service delivery, jobs, and community representation.
The change of boundaries of the East Arnhem region, and constitution of the Groote Archipelago region as the 18th local authority in the NT will take effect on 1 September.
National Briefs:
Rubbish left by visitors at Goolwa beach in South Australia is causing significant environmental damage. Local authorities and SA Water are considering measures to control access to the beach, including a potential permit system. ABC News has the story on the increasing problem and how local volunteers are putting in hours every day to clean up after others.
Willoughby City Council has launched a campaign to support local businesses and entrepreneurs, showcasing their contributions to the local economy and community.
The campaign, backed by Mayor Tanya Taylor and various chambers of commerce, aims to boost local trade and encourage residents to shop locally amidst nationwide economic challenges.
The council has also reaffirmed its commitment to provide networking opportunities and knowledge-sharing workshops for entrepreneurs.
The City of Perth has reported one of its most successful Aprils on record, with record event crowds bringing a total spend of $317 million, an 18.6% increase from April 2023.
The Boorloo Heritage Festival, which attracted over 90,000 attendees, was a significant contributor.
Global Roundup:
In the Netherlands, The Hague is encouraging employers to arrange accommodation for their expats before they arrive in the city, in an effort to control the influx of expats and migrant workers.
The city's housing market is under strain, with locals increasingly displaced.
However, a UN report suggests that government policy, not immigrants, is the primary cause of the Netherlands' housing shortage.
Rotterdam has already experimented with a similar accommodation requirement for expats.
The Good News Network has a story on how Amsterdam has transformed its cityscape into a 'sponge city' to combat flooding and improve climate resilience.
The city has covered 45,000 square meters of rooftops with water-absorbing plants and a smart valve system that stores and releases rainwater as needed.
The system, developed by a network of firms and organisations called Resilio, can also be used in dry climates to capture and use rainwater, reducing pressure on water resources.
The network believes that while the upfront costs are high, the system can result in savings over time.
Christchurch City Council is being urged to include cruise ship and aviation emissions in its carbon accounting, according to a report from The Press.
The council's current emissions tally excludes emissions from areas it does not have day-to-day operational control of, such as Lyttelton Port and Christchurch Airport.
Critics argue that this approach creates a "loophole" that reduces the size of the council's emissions tally.
They are recommending the council adopt a financial control approach to emissions accounting, which would include emissions from all council-controlled organisations.
Northland Regional Council chair Geoff Crawford may lose his position following a motion to remove him, amidst ongoing political tensions within the council.
Scoop News reports that the move is being led by former chair and current deputy Tui Shortland.
If Cr Crawford is ousted, it will be the third leadership change in 19 months.
New planning laws in England will allow farmers to convert unused buildings into homes, shops, and other business opportunities without submitting a planning application.
The changes are said to have been inspired by Jeremy Clarkson’s battles with his local council that have played in his Amazon Prime television show.
The government says the changes aim to help farmers diversify and grow their businesses.
They also double the amount of agricultural floorspace that can be used for commercial purposes and increase the number of homes that can be created through the conversion of agricultural buildings.
A Labour councillor at Bristol City Council elected just three weeks ago has been disqualified from holding office because she works at a council-run school.
Deborah Vittori told BBC News that she was unaware that her teaching role would disqualify her from being an elected councillor, and that it was a great shame it didn’t come to light earlier in the process.
A by-election is expected to be held, with a date yet to be confirmed.
Residents living near a brewery in Kent have complained about a strong, unpleasant smell that prevents them from enjoying their gardens, according to a report from Metro.
The South East Bottling brewery has been ordered by Thanet Council to conduct an odour assessment.
The brewery's managing director thinks the residents and council need to compromise - he says he finds the smell quite pleasant.
The brewery has tried to address some of the initial concerns and has restricted working hours to limit the use of the flue causing the smell.
Roundup Extra:
Interview with Clare McCartin and Anthony Dow - Davidson AI Summit.
Register now to attend the summit, 10-12 September 2024. Early bird deals available until 14th June.
