International local government news 13.08.24

Here are the latest newsworthy and interesting stories from the local government sector that caught our attention. In this round-up of what’s happening right now in the world of local government, you’ll find best practices, inspiration, and more from across the sector.

AUSTRALIA: “Good cop” hoarding approach adopted by NSW council sees interest from 50 councils
A NSW council’s initiative to address hoarding has seen widespread success, having been adopted by numerous local governments across the country. Since Lake Macquarie City Council’s Hoarding and Squalor Framework took out a National Environmental Health Australia award in May, more than 50 other councils have sent inquiries to replicate the scheme. The approach aims to encourage hoarders to seek long-term solutions to the issue with health professionals and community groups, rather than the traditional approach of issuing fines and warnings. Mayor Kay Fraser said “We realised a more effective and compassionate approach would balance the wellbeing of people living in these conditions with the impact on the community and our regulatory requirements”.
Government News

SCOTLAND: Glasgow using AI to improve traffic flow
Glasgow City Council has partnered with transport technology scale-up VivaCity to improve traffic flow and road safety for pedestrians and cyclists using AI-enabled sensors. Funded under the Glasgow City Region City Deal, the initiative aims to make roads safer, reduce congestion, and encourage active travel, and in turn reduce the city’s carbon emissions. The AI-powered sensors anonymously count pedestrian numbers, providing larger groups with greater priority. Buses are also detected on approaches, helping the council to balance bus and pedestrian movements.
SmartCitiesWorld

AUSTRIA: Town makes switch to reusable water balloons
The Austrian town of Oberwart has moved to ban single-use water balloons at its public outdoor pool, replacing them with 200 reusable balloons. The aim is twofold: To improve safety for children and to reduce the environmental impact of the balloons, which are plastic and often left as litter or to clog up drains. While these reusable water balloons are seen as a more sustainable and practical solution, reducing waste and the risk of harmful materials being ingested by children, kids have reported they hurt much more when thrown.
The Mayor

AUSTRIA: “Cool seats” tackle rising temperatures
Viennese designers have introduced new innovative cooling benches to tackle rising temperatures in the city’s urban areas. The “Cool Seats” project sees benches equipped with integrated cooling systems that employ the city’s district cooling network to provide a nicer experience for users. These cooling benches aim to offer relief during hot summer months while promoting more sustainable cooling solutions for the city.
The Mayor

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