Parliamentary shame, dogs in pubs, and council positions in jeopardy

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Councillors embroiled in a Parliamentary shutdown
• A cancelled funding agreement under review
• IPART considers a public hearing on a controversial rate increase proposal
• A call to relax restrictions on dogs in pubs
• A council sets the record straight on property sales due to rate arrears
• A court ruling puts four seats on Adelaide City Council in jeopardy
• And sweeping changes for UK councils that could see them stripped of planning powers

Plus Chris is joined by Alice Jeffcott from Market Creations Agency to talk about how they are helping councils across Western Australia and beyond meet new obligations for live streaming and public registers.

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

Chapters

• 2:02 Victorian Roundup
• 8:27 National Roundup
• 16:51 Interview: Alice Jeffcott, Market Creations Agency
• 33:24 Global Roundup

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

A Towong councillor was banned from the Victorian Parliament for seven days, following an outburst during discussion about hospital plans for the Albury Wodonga border region.

The Border Mail reported that Cr Denise Anderson told the minister “people are dying,” prompting the ban, and Albury Deputy Mayor Jess Kellehan yelled “shame” at the minister.

The outbursts followed a demonstration on the steps of the Parliament.

Doctors from the region reportedly engaged in shouting at Minister Mary Anne Thomas, leading to Question Time being suspended while the public gallery was cleared.

A decision to terminate a $285,000 partnership with an environmental group is under review by Ballarat City Council.

The decision to revoke funding followed allegations of anti-semitic and discriminatory social media posts by a former board member.

The council confirmed to the Ballarat Courier that an appeal against the decision had been received, and a process of assessing that request to overturn the decision was underway.

A Mulgrave food business operator was fined $55,500 and ordered to pay $28,000 in costs after being found guilty of 21 charges under the Food Act 1984, including operating without registration and breaching food safety standards.

The case highlighted the operator's aggressive behavior towards Monash City Council officers and complete disregard for food safety laws, leading to the business's closure and a strong condemnation from Magistrate Meagan Keogh.

The magistrate was complimentary towards the Council’s EHOs, highlighting their professionalism and the calm nature in which they undertook their duties.

Baw Baw Shire Council has successfully prosecuted a woman operating an unregistered animal shelter with 46 unregistered animals in poor conditions.

The case resulted in court-ordered penalties including a five-year good behaviour bond and significant fines.

The council encourages residents to report any concerns about animal welfare through their hotline or anonymous reporting system.

Hume Council will explore options for hosting or funding a small-scale carol event in the southern suburbs, following community feedback indicating interest from multiple locations including Broadmeadows, Craigieburn, and Greenvale.

The Star Weekly reported that the aim is to provide an alternative to the main Christmas carols event at Anzac Park, addressing the lack of dedicated celebrations in south Hume since 2013.

Yarra City Council has implemented a new process requiring a formal council decision for the removal of angled parking, with exceptions for works that don't reduce parking or temporary emergency changes.

The move comes in response to community concerns about preserving angled parking for local businesses and residents, particularly when considering proposals for footpath widening or pedestrian and cycling safety improvements.

Brimbank Council has opposed a planned social housing development in Albion that would replace two old public housing homes with a modern 19-unit apartment building.

The Star Weekly reported that the council holds concerns citing non-compliance with planning schemes and missing mandatory information.

While acknowledging the growing need for social and affordable housing, the council has requested specific conditions be implemented if the development proceeds.

Homes Victoria is continuing to engage with stakeholders to refine the design for optimal community outcomes.

Murrindindi Shire Council has acknowledged the Victorian Government's response to the 2022 flood inquiry, which proposes improvements to emergency coordination and flood management strategies.

While welcoming some aspects of the response, the Council has expressed concerns about insufficient commitments to long-term infrastructure resilience, Lake Eildon flood management, and support for flood-affected residents.

Victorian Briefs:

Filming on a new series of The Block has commenced in Daylesford.

Hepburn Shire Council says its excited about the opportunities the show will bring to the shire, as it highlights the area’s unique offerings to a national audience.

Voting for the President and Director positions on the MAV board has closed.

Counting will commence tomorrow morning, with results expected to be officially declared by midday.

Consumer spending in Greater Geelong last year reached $6.1 billion, with the biggest shopping day on Monday 23 December at $29.7 million.

Figures analysed by the City show online shopping continues to grow in popularity with residents spending a record $3.5 billion in 2024 - a 10.3 per cent increase on the previous year.

ABC News has reported on the significant barriers to growth small Australian towns are facing due to inadequate infrastructure funding.

Many say essential services like sewerage, water supply, and power systems are at capacity, preventing new housing developments despite strong demand from potential residents including healthcare workers and teachers.

The situation is particularly acute in towns like Kingston South East in South Australia, where the population has remained stagnant at 1,600 for a decade; and in Yarriambiack in Victoria, where recently the council learned it had missed out on government funding for infrastructure to enable the construction of 52 houses came through a media announcement.

Councils say current government funding mechanisms aren't suitable for smaller communities, with minimum grant thresholds of $25 million far exceeding their needs.

Council leaders warn that without infrastructure investment to support housing growth, towns risk losing essential services and missing opportunities to attract new residents.

National Roundup:

NSW:

Consultation on North Sydney Council's proposed 87% rate increase has been extended by one week, and IPART is reportedly considering a request for a public hearing on the proposal.

The North Sydney Sun reported that the council’s application has drawn scrutiny after allegations of timeline discrepancies and ommitted community feedback.

It says the council’s submission was uploaded to IPART within minutes of a controversial council meeting last month, prompting questions about whether public input was adequately considered before finalising its application.

In a move that could see more wagging tails in local establishments, North Sydney Council is set to debate relaxing restrictions on dogs in pubs.

Councillors Jessica Keen and Efi Carr are leading the charge, proposing more discretionary enforcement of current regulations that limit our four-legged friends to outdoor areas only.

Under existing food safety laws, dogs are permitted in outdoor spaces like beer gardens but are banned from indoor dining areas.

Several popular venues already welcome canine customers in their outdoor sections.

The Mosman Collective reported on a local poll that shows strong community support for the change, although some residents have raised hygiene concerns.

The motion is set to be discussed at this week’s council meeting.

City of Coffs Harbour councillors are divided over a proposal to change Council meetings from fortnightly to monthly.

The News of the Area reported on a successful move from some councillors to keep meetings at fortnightly until mid-year, whie the community is consulted on the idea of moving to monthly, which has the support of Mayor Nikki Williams.

As the Muswellbrook region faces the loss of approximately 12,000 resource-related jobs by 2030, Mayor Jeff Drayton is calling for urgent action from both major political parties.

3,600 direct mining jobs are expected to be lost from the closure of BHP's Mt Arthur Coal Mine and Glencore's Mangoola Mine.

Cr Drayton wants to see industrial and manufacturing hubs developed on former mining land, emphasising that planning and discussion must be replaced with definitive commitments to protect the region's economic future.

A 400MW battery storage system has been proposed near Armidale, which will connect renewable energy projects to the existing grid while addressing community concerns about noise and aesthetics through enhanced barriers.

The Armidale Express (7th March 2025) reported that project has received strong support from Armidale Regional Council, which has secured significant community benefit sharing arrangements worth $850 per MW annually.

Meanwhile, a separate 150MW battery project in the region has progressed in its approval process following modifications based on community feedback.

Leeton Shire Council has partnered with the University of South Australia on a research project focused on improving migrant and refugee settlement support in rural communities.

The Council is contributing $6,000 to the initiative.

The project seeks to understand how rural communities can better welcome and integrate refugees and migrants, building upon previous research conducted in Leeton in 2023.

In the week of International Women’s Day, Central Coast Council is highlighting its credentials as having one of the highest representations of female beach safety personnel in New South Wales.

17 of 92 lifeguards are female, contributing to making beaches more welcoming and safer for all visitors.

The female lifeguards not only break traditional gender barriers but also enhance the beach-going experience, particularly for women and children.

This week’s Campbelltown City Council agenda has drawn the attention of local media, with 10 councillor submitted Notices of Motion up for debate, according to the SouthWest Voice.

The ten motions, shared across five councillors, cover a range of issues, including hospital wait times, a koala expo, wheelie bin stickers, and a request for a report on the cost of an International Mother Language Day flag raising ceremony held last month.

QLD:

North Burnett Regional Council has moved to correct recent media reports about property sales due to rate arrears, which it described as inaccurate and misleading.

The council says it has no immediate plans to sell any properties.

It said only 20 properties (0.32% of total rateable properties) have outstanding balances for three or more years, and any potential sales would only be considered after following a ratepayer-centred process with multiple opportunities for payment arrangements.

Bundaberg Regional Council has cancelled its planned bin inspection and tagging program.

Bundaberg Today reported that councillors made the call after receiving negative public feedback, and determined it was unnecessary given existing monitoring systems.

The Council had received full State Government funding for the campaign, but will continue its regular waste education activities and bin monitoring through existing camera systems.

And Cairns Regional Council has thrown its support behind a scheme that would raise around $16M annually to invest in visitor infrastructure and marketing.

The Cairns Post reported that a 2.5 per cent per night visitor levy is proposed to take the burden off ratepayers.

The statewide ‘opt-in’ scheme would be used for sustainable funding of the tourism industry.

National Briefs:

Campbelltown City Council CEO Lindy Dietz has been recognised with the Jennifer Westacott AO Woman of Western Sydney Award.

The award highlights the signification contributions and legacies of notable Western Sydney women, with Ms Dietz recognised as a powerful voice for the region.

Tasmanian local government representatives are coming together this week for a climate change forum, looking at change management, governance and communications needs to achieve ambitious climate action.

The one day forum is being held in Sandy Bay on Wednesday.

MidCoast Council has received silver in the Green Destinations Top 100 Story Awards, being recognised in the Destination Management category alongside winners from Slovenia and Laos.

The achievement, which marks Council's first appearance in these awards, supports its recent Eco Destination certification and showcases a commitment to sustainable tourism management across the diverse Barrington Coast region.

SA:

In news from Adelaide, a District Court judge has found that "illegal practices" affected the outcome of a 2022 Adelaide City Council ward election, putting four council seats in jeopardy.

ABC News reported on Judge Michael Burnett’s ruling that unauthorised individuals had handled ballot papers during the Central Ward election, with photographic evidence showing men collecting voting papers from apartment buildings.

The court identified 16 ballot papers that were not filled in by their rightful voters.

The election result saw Councillor Jing Li defeat former councillor Alex Hyde by just 24 votes.

An allegation of bribery against Councillor Li was dismissed.

Judge Burnett has invited submissions from all parties before the court makes its final decision on whether to void the 2022 Central Ward election.

If that occurs, a supplementary election may need to be held affecting four sitting councillors, including Deputy Lord Mayor David Elliott.

TAS:

The City of Launceston has unveiled an ambitious fifteen-year housing strategy to tackle the region's growing accommodation challenges.

Mayor Matthew Garwood says the Draft Launceston Housing Plan aims to deliver over six thousand new dwellings by 2040, through a mix of greenfield and urban renewal projects.

The comprehensive plan focuses on boosting supply, improving affordability, and creating better-connected neighbourhoods.

Local residents will have four weeks to provide feedback through the Council's engagement platforms.

The council has also approved a $3.9 million investment for comprehensive upgrades to the Albert Hall, including audio-visual installations, safety improvements, and various structural and aesthetic enhancements, with the project scheduled to complete in Spring 2025.

The Mercury reported that questions are being asked about why the council made its decision in a confidential session.

WA:

Interview: Alice Jeffcott, Market Creations Agency

Global Roundup:

UK:

In a major shake-up of planning regulations, ministers are set to announce sweeping changes that will strip local councillors of their powers to block most building projects.

The Times reported that under new legislation to be unveiled this week by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, councillors will only retain decision-making powers for the largest and most controversial developments.

The government aims to accelerate housing construction and development projects by limiting political interference in planning decisions. Only schemes above a certain threshold - potentially between 10 and 100 homes - will require councillor approval.

Developers have welcomed the move as a potential breakthrough in speeding up construction, but the Local Government Association warns it could undermine democratic oversight and public trust in the planning system.

In London, Mayor Sadiq Khan's controversial Ultra Low Emission Zone policy has shown remarkable success, according to a new City Hall study.

Sky News reported that the data shows boroughs which initially opposed the ULEZ expansion have, ironically, benefited the most from the scheme. Areas like Sutton, Croydon, and Merton have seen reductions of over 15% in nitrogen oxide levels.

Mayor Khan told Sky News that the initiative isn't about restricting car use, but rather about tackling pollution.

The mayor said nearly 10 million Londoners are now breathing cleaner air, with the capital showing faster improvements in air quality compared to the rest of the nation. He advocates for a unified approach across other UK cities.

Stephen McCabe has been re-elected as leader of Inverclyde Council after assault charges against him were dropped, according to BBC News.

That followed the resignation of interim leader Robert Moran due to health and family reasons.

The council, under its new leadership, has recently set its 2025/26 budget which includes an 8.5% council tax increase.

Cambridge City Council's leader Mike Davey and deputy leader Alice Gilderdale have announced their plans to step down from their leadership roles in May.

BBC News reported that Cllr Davey wants to focus on family and ward duties while Gilderdale is moving away from the city.

The announcement will trigger by-elections coinciding with the Cambridgeshire County Council and Combined Authority Mayor elections on May 1st.

NZ:

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown is taking credit for a major reduction in debt and a profit increase at the Port of Auckland.

Mayor Brown said last week he had promised to get a better deal for ratepayers, and this is what delivery looks like - a reduction of more than $100M in debt and a 98 percent increase in half-yearly profit.

West Coast Regional Council is taking a tough stance on non-compliant sewerage systems across the region, according to a report from 1News.

All three district councils on the West Coast have been put on notice to address issues with their wastewater treatment plants, with investigations revealing histories of non-compliance and unauthorised discharges.

Regional Council Chief Executive Darryl Lew says they can't turn a blind eye to district councils while taking action against other operators like dairy farmers and miners for illegal discharges.

The crackdown comes as tourism growth puts increasing pressure on aging infrastructure.

District councils are now working with regional authorities to develop action plans, with new national standards for water discharges expected soon.