Mayoral misconduct, malicious attacks, and councils win in court

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• A step towards open briefings at Greater Dandenong
• A Council CEO condemns malicious attacks on staff and councillors
• Victorian first e-bike and e-scooter parking installed in Yarra
• Mayors found guilty of misconduct and privacy breaches
• A contentious Welcome to Country motion voted down
• A win in court for a Queensland council
• and bin worker strikes escalate in a major UK city

and much more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

Victorian Local Governance Association
The VLGA is an independent organisation supporting councils and councillors in good governance.

Chapters

• 1:57 Victorian Roundup
• 7:54 National Roundup
• 15:38 Global Roundup

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

Greater Dandenong City Council has taken the first step towards livestreaming councillor briefings to the public, and will receive a report on costs and support needed within two months.

The motion from Cr Rhonda Garad received the support of half the councillors present, and was adopted on the casting vote of Mayor Jim Memeti.

Cr Garad said the move was about transparency and building trust, and that it was unacceptable to continue holding meetings behind closed doors where people believe decisions are being made.

Opposing arguments included concerns about raising anxiety through the discussion of less than fully formed ideas.

CEO Jacqui Weatherill said the preparation of the report would require research to be undertaken by staff, noting that only one other Victorian council had taken steps towards opening their briefings to the public online.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is currently consulting its community on a protocol for public councillor briefings and is poised to be the first in the state to do so.

City of Stonnington CEO Dale Dickson has called out personal and malicious commentary directed towards Council officers and some Councillors.

Mr Dickson said there is no excuse for trolling and online abuse, and challenged a misconception that councillors are fair game because they are elected.

He said malicious online comments have been largely targeted at female leaders, and noted an escalation of physical threats and intimidation directed at Council employees.

Mr DIckson said the council would not hesitate to involve Victoria Police and would pursue all available measures to protect and support their people.

This week the council unanimously approved urgent measures to improve community safety in the Chapel Street precinct.

The measures include establishing a Community Safety taskforce, expanding cleaning services, and implementing various infrastructure improvements.

The Council is also advocating for support from Victoria Police and the State Government to address legislative reforms, increase police presence, and enhance CCTV monitoring.

Yarra City Council has pioneered Victoria's first designated e-bike and e-scooter parking spaces across inner city locations, following similar designs in Brisbane.

9News reported that the parking bays have been painted on footpaths, and new rules have been introduced banning parking on narrow footpaths, enforced through geofencing technology by operators Lime and Neuron.

There are plans to add 40 more such spaces in the coming weeks.

Kingston Council says it will exercise its powers under the Local Government Act 1989 to enter the Rossdale Golf Course site, and conduct an environmental assessment after previous requests for access were unsuccessful.

Mayor Georgina Oxley said the assessment is essential before any future site discussions, noting that similar assessments have been conducted before, such as at Kingswood Golf Course in Dingley Village.

In related news, the council is advocating for thorough community consultation and assessment of development plans for the former Kingswood course.

The development would increase Dingley Village’s population by up to 25 percent.

The Council is particularly concerned about infrastructure management and public asset planning in relation to the site.

Hobsons Bay City Council has implemented leadership changes and appointed an acting executive team to ensure continuity of core services while investigations by integrity agencies are ongoing.

Former Queenscliffe CEO Lenny Jenner has been appointed acting manager of corporate integrity, on a temporary basis, and Ingrid Bishop has been recruited as acting director of corporate services.

Mayor Daria Kellander said essential community services remain unaffected, and that clear channels have been established for raising concerns through appropriate agencies - emphasising that councillors cannot play a role in operational matters.

Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed a new interim CEO.

Cohen Van Der Velde has been appointed through mid-April, with current interim Martin Hopley on personal, unplanned leave.

A recruitment process is under way to fill the role on a permanent basis, after the departure late last year of former CEO Mark Dupe.

Meanwhile at South Gippsland Shire Council, Allison Jones, the council’s Director of Performance and Innovation has been chosen for the interim CEO role, with the departure of Kerryn Ellis after five years in the role.

Victorian Briefs:

The City of Ballarat has secured a three-year deal to host the Australian Athletics Cross Country Championships from this year at Victoria Park.

This year’s championships will be held in August, and serve as a key event in the national athletics calendar.

Noorat residents and Corangamite Shire Council are calling on Telstra to fulfill a 2022 commitment to build a new mobile tower on Mount Noorat.

Cr Geraldine Conheady said communication failures during the 2018 bushfires underline just how vital the upgrade is for the safety of people and property.

The Victorian Government has announced $4.5 million in funding to build the Jacksons Creek Community Centre in Sunbury's Everley Estate, which will create 118 new kindergarten places and provide maternal and child health services.

The project is part of a larger $12.9 million Building Blocks Partnership with Hume City Council that includes six new and expanded kindergartens, collectively delivering up to 450 kindergarten places across the region.

National Roundup:

The Australian Local Government Association (ALGA) has welcomed the Federal Government's commitment to potentially acquire Rex Airlines, in the absence of any other buyers.

ALGA President Mayor Matt Burnett said ALGA had previously called for strong and decisive action from the government to ensure regional communities remained connected and accessible in the wake of the airline entering administration.

Mayor Burnett said ALGA would continue to work with the government and councils, noting that disruption to airline access would be devastating for rural and regional communities.

NSW:

Former Bayside City mayor Bill Saravinovski has been found guilty of misconduct for failing to properly declare his relationship with a developer and berating council staff over a car park development proposal.

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that the misconduct involved a failure to disclose five years of communications with developer Al Ibrahim, whose proposal would have transformed a two-storey car park into 180 premium units with increased building height and floor space ratio.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal released a judgment this week after proceedings that were confidential until now.

In a contentious vote at MidCoast Council, councillors have overwhelmingly rejected a Libertarian Party motion to discontinue Welcome to Country and Acknowledgement of Country ceremonies at Council meetings.

News of the Area reported that the motion, proposed by Cr Michael Graham and supported only by the three Libertarian councillors, was defeated 8-3.

The Council subsequently passed a motion to affirm its commitment to continuing the cultural practices at meetings and in communications.

Wagga Wagga City Council has voted to strengthen protections against building solar farms on prime agricultural land.

Region Riverina reported that the decision prompted an outbreak of applause from local farmers present in the gallery.

The new motion focuses on investigating legal avenues to protect high-quality farmland from solar development projects, replacing an earlier proposal that would have established a stakeholder reference group to discuss renewable energy opportunities.

Shoalhaven City Council is considering transitioning its Family Day Care service to independent providers after a service review revealed potential annual cost savings of $90,000.

The review found the service has been operating at a loss of between $68,000 to $96,000 annually since 2020.

It has led to recommendations to support affected educators to transition to other providers while exploring alternative delivery models for family day care coordination across the Shoalhaven.

The Broken Hill community is mourning the passing of Cr Dave Gallagher, a retired police sergeant and councillor of 14 years.

ABC News reported that the 64 year old is being remembered for his dedication to community and love for Broken Hill, which he called "the best place in the world."

He passed away on Sunday following complications from a stroke.

QLD:

A Gold Coast council committee has deferred a decision on the introduction of gate fees at rubbish tips to the full council.

The water, waste and energy committee heard this week that ratepayers would see increased waste charges if the gate fees were not introduced.

The Gold Coast Bulletin reported on a marathon four hour debate during which councillors heard the City is running out of landfill space and is being impacted by the state government’s waste levy.

The City of Moreton Bay has ordered all homeless people to leave Gayundah Arboretum by Sunday, citing health risks and requiring $110,000 in site remediation.

ABC News reported that the situation has highlighted ongoing tensions between local government and homeless individuals.

The council recently implemented broader restrictions on homeless people including bans on pets and van sleeping on public land.

The Federal Court of Australia has ruled in favor of Toowoomba Regional Council regarding Fringe Benefits Tax obligations for employee parking in the CBD, providing legal clarity on a complex taxation matter.

The Council said the favourable ruling will result in significant savings of approximately $3 million over the next decade for ratepayers, amounting to around $300,000 annually.

National Briefs:

A delegation of 10 south east Queensland mayors has travelled to Europe to explore infrastructure opportunities for the Brisbane 2032 Olympics.

The Toowoomba Chronicle reported that the Council of Mayors SE Queensland trip will take in Paris, Singapore and the UK over a 10 day itinerary.

The City of Hobart is reviewing the future of e-scooters, ahead of the expiry of an agreement with Beam in May.

Pulse Tasmania reported the review comes as a new report reveals usage of e-scooters in the city has declined to around a third of initial levels.

Naracoorte Lucindale Council is proposing to maintain its current representation structure of a Mayor and 10 Councillors with no wards, which has been in place since 2003.

It is currently seeking community feedback before making a final decision, as part of a mandatory review required by the Local Government Act 1999.

TAS:

Tasmania’s Ombudsman has found that Hobart Lord Mayor Anna Reynolds violated privacy laws by sharing confidential information about councillor Louise Elliot's venue booking request with transgender activists.

Pulse Tasmania reported that the Ombudsman identified four separate privacy breaches after an investigation found Cr Reynolds leaked details about a planned women's rights event booking at the Town Hall, leading to the booking being denied.

Recommendations have been made for privacy law training for all elected members, which CEO Michael Stretton confirmed would be provided.

Former councillors Jan Hughes and Wendy McLennan are returning to the Dorset Council chamber after a recount, following the resignations of Councillors Jerrod Nichols and Dale Jessup.

Both women previously served on the Dorset Council during the 2018-2022 term and will serve until the 2026 ordinary elections.

SA:

From the SE Voice, a report that Robe’s historic obelisk, which is nearly 170 years old and at risk of falling into the sea due to cliff-top erosion, may be replaced by a replica at a new location at a cost of up to $1.3 million.

A working party formed by Robe District Council is considering design options, with the final decision subject to community feedback, development approval, and funding arrangements.

WA:

The City of Busselton is launching its first grant funding program to support activities celebrating its sister city relationship with the Town of Sugito, Japan, which has been in place since 1996.

The grants, which close on March 31, 2025, aim to foster cultural understanding and strengthen community links between the two cities, with applicants required to meet specific criteria focused on creating social, cultural, artistic, or recreational connections.

Geraldton Regional Library is hosting a special event celebrating local author Holden Sheppard's award-winning book "Invisible Boys," which has been adapted into a 10-episode television series premiering on Stan Australia this month.

The event, taking place on February 28, will feature Sheppard in conversation, discussing his upbringing in Geraldton and the development of the novel.

City of Greater Geraldton Mayor Jerry Clune said the book has resonated with many people and adds to the growing cultural footprint of the city.

Global Roundup:

UK:

A strike over pay cuts by Birmingham bin workers is escalating, after more than 350 workers voted for industrial action in December.

Additional strike days are planned through February, March and early April.

BBC News reported on a protest staged this week outside the Council’s headquarters.

The council disputes the union's claims about pay cuts and says it is committed to resolving the situation while minimizing disruption.

Also from BBC News, Manchester City Council has won a court ruling to remove a homeless tent camp from St Peter's Square in the city centre.

The council argued the camp is unsafe and unsuitable while securing a possession order against those living there.

The case involved dozens of refugees and has sparked debate about housing support, with the Greater Manchester Law Centre challenging the council's approach.

The council maintained it was fulfilling its statutory duties to provide accommodation options.

BBC News reports that Scotland's councils are considering council tax increases of up to 10% as they grapple with significant budget shortfalls, mounting service demands, and increased costs including National Insurance contributions.

It follows the freezing or capping of rates in the country for the past 20 years.

From ITPro, a report that Hammersmith and Fulham Council has been facing approximately 20,000 cyber attacks every day.

They primarily consist of phishing attempts, highlighting the growing cybersecurity challenges faced by local authorities who hold valuable personal data.

USA:

A county administrator in Michigan has resigned amid an ongoing Michigan State Police investigation.

Details about the nature of the investigation have not been disclosed, according to a report from MLive dot com.

Gratiot County Administrator Chris Oosterhoff had served as administrator since March 2023 after previously working as the county's finance director since 2017.

A city council in Montana is considering implementing term limits for council members and the mayor.

A Missoula City Council member has proposed a 12-year limit that would need voter approval at the November election.

He says the proposal is about bringing fresh perspectives to local government, following the example of cities like Billings which already has an eight-year term limit for its mayor.

More on that story from Montana Right Now dot com.

And in Indiana, Bloomington City Council has approved the creation of a new Transportation Commission.

Indiana Public Media reports that three seperate commissions will be combined into the new body that will review all transportation-related projects, and make recommendations and proposed changes to transportation policy.

CANADA:

The Government of Canada and the City of Winnipeg are investing $58.5 million through two housing programs to support the creation of nearly 2,500 new homes, leveraging over $1.6 billion in construction across Winnipeg.

The projects will create 2,487 new housing units, including 1,295 affordable homes.

Meanwhile, the City of Vancouver is moving forward with a new approach to delivering market rental housing.

The city says the initiative will enable the delivery of market rental housing on City land while piloting a new way to generate non-tax revenue for the City.

And in Edmonton, the city council has passed a bylaw to restrict the sale of knives in convenience stores in an effort to bolster community safety and respond to concerns from residents and local businesses.

The creation of a separate category for convenience stores will help limit convenient or impulsive access to knives. The bylaw does not affect the sale of everyday cutlery.

NZ:

Wellington City Council's process for setting its 10-year budget has been criticised in a report from the government-appointed independent observer.

Lindsay McKenzie’s report highlights issue around the airport sale controversy, and warns of potential problems with upcoming water infrastructure decisions, according to a story from The Post.

He has recommended changes to council procedures to reduce political conflict and improve governance.

The NZ Herald has reported that Tauranga Mayor Mahé Drysdale, who won the election seven months ago, still hasn't moved to the city he governs due to difficulties finding a home in his desired school zone for his family.

Mayor Drysdale currently stays with his mother in Mount Maunganui during the week and commutes from Cambridge where his family lives.

Local ratepayers' representatives are concerned about his delayed relocation, stressing the importance of having a mayor who lives among the community they represent.