Australia Daily News – plus this week’s Global Local on the value of trust.
Report suggests generational divide between Australia’s NIMBYs and YIMBYs
Good morning LGIU members! Grab your morning brew ☕ as we catch you up on everything happening in the world of local government today. Get in touch if you have a story that you'd like to share.
Global Local: The value of trust
Newsletter | 11-min read ⌛
This week's Global Local includes a brand new trust collection, with an exploration of challenges from working with communities to working with partners. How councils can recover trust in an age of misinformation. Plus the best from the rest – reports on trust from leading think tanks. Full summary below.
HOUSING & PLANNING
Report suggests generational divide between Australia's NIMBYs and YIMBYs
New data from The Susan McKinnon Foundation reveals a generational divide in housing preferences across Australia. Younger generations are increasingly open to housing developments, with a Yes In My Back Yard (YIMBY) attitude that embraces "human-scale" and small-sized complexes. However, older generations resist higher density development, taking a Not In My Back Yard (NIMBY) stance. The national poll of 3,000 people found that, compared to younger generations, boomers and their parents were more than twice as likely to object to new apartment developments. Commenting on the survey, Business Western Sydney executive director and Housing Now chair David Borger emphasised the need for support from baby boomers to allow the next generation to live close to work and amenities. “The golden generation of property ownership has been kind to baby boomers and their parents, but not to those below them”, he said. “Baby boomers have a social responsibility to support more housing development to allow the next generation to live close to work, family and amenities. If we hold change back, we are needlessly tearing at the fabric of communities".
The Australian
VCAT overrules Yarra City Council on historic hotel redevelopment plans
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) has overturned Yarra Council's decision not to grant a planning permit for the expansion of Fitzroy North's 1854 Terminus Hotel. At the end of a five-day hearing, VCAT senior members Philip Martin and Phil West said that, after considering concerns regarding noise, traffic and parking, "we consider that the proposal will not result in any unacceptable amenity impacts on the affected residential neighbours, which was the sole remaining ‘ground of refusal’ of council by the time of the hearing".
Geelong Advertiser
TRANSPORT
Rapid bus routes urged for Sydney's growing population
Dozens of rapid bus routes are recommended to be introduced in Sydney and its environs to support the city's population growth. The Bus Industry Taskforce has published a white paper suggesting the development of a priority list for 39 rapid bus routes along key transport corridors. The task force also suggests adding medium-density housing along "permanent, high-quality" bus routes. Commenting on the white paper, Transport Minister Jo Haylen warned that if the bus network is unable to meet demand for its services, there is a risk that Sydney and its communities will not be able to thrive and succeed. "We need to look at best practices from all around the world", she added. "If other cities like Manhattan and Amsterdam can do it, so can Sydney".
The Canberra Times
Melbourne doctors report spike in e-scooter-related injuries
St Vincent's Hospital in Melbourne has reported a glut of serious injuries in the near-two years since the city began its e-scooter trial. Since January 2022, its emergency department has faced more than 500 patients with e-scooter-related injuries, according to director of emergency medicine Dr Jonty Karro, with 143 later admitted to hospital. He said hand, wrist, finger and elbow fractures are the most common e-scooter-related injuries. Dr Karro's comments were echoed by Royal Melbourne Hospital trauma co-ordinator Kellie Gumm, who said: “As a major trauma service, at the RMH we treat patients with some of the most severe injuries. And we know e-scooter accidents can result in life-changing and even fatal injuries – especially if operated without a helmet, or while intoxicated". A decision on whether to make the e-scooter trial permanent has been put back until next year.
The Age
INFRASTRUCTURE
Eight locations under consideration for second Cam River crossing
Eight proposed locations for a second bridge over Tasmania's Cam River have been put out for consultation, 12 months after the current crossing was reduced to a single lane, causing traffic tailbacks for almost a fortnight. The options, which are online now and available to view in person at the Circular Head Council chambers, the Waratah-Wynyard Council chambers, and The Point at West Park Oval next month, include the addition of two lanes to the Bass Highway between Cooee and Doctors Rocks.
Northwest Tasmania Advocate
LGIU collections
Dive into LGIU's curated collections and you will find key resources focusing on a single theme or issue. We gather together the best resources - some very recent, some from further back that you might have forgotten about - to create an invaluable single issue collection for you to refer to.
Take a look at a couple of recent collections:
- LGIU@40 Collection: Trust
- LGIU@40 Collection: Participation
Wyndham 2040 plan wins approval despite opposition
A plan outlining the future of Wyndham until 2040 has been approved at a council meeting, despite opposition from councillors as well as members of the public. The Wyndham Plan offers six proposals for the municipality to meet the needs of a population expected to reach 500,000 within 17 years; they include a Wyndham Transport Network, along with Living Residential Neighbourhoods. The latter concept has raised concerns among people fearful that it could be used to restrict movement and personal freedom. The meeting also head that council finished the 2022-23 financial year with a $300m operating surplus, up from $293m the previous year due to higher revenues from fees and fines, and greater investment interest.
Star Weekly Star Weekly
Safety upgrades planned for intersection on Riverina highway intersection
Transport for NSW has confirmed that it will allocate $11m for safety upgrades at the Sturt Highway intersection towards San Isidore. The works, which include the installation of a left-hand turning lane, widening of shoulders, and the establishment of a temporary work site, aim to address safety concerns at the notorious intersection. The funding is part of a $37m initiative by the state government to improve safety on the Sturt and Olympic highways. The works are scheduled to commence next week and will be carried out between 7am and 5pm Monday to Saturdays. The Kapooka Road intersection will be closed for two weeks next year to facilitate the works.
Wagga Wagga Daily Advertiser
ENVIRONMENT & WILDLIFE
Shark fishing banned from Perth beaches
Shark fishing has been banned from all of metropolitan Perth's beaches, in order to protect swimmers. The deployment of wire trace, which is necessary to catch sharks, is now prohibited within 800 metres of the shore, effective November 3rd. "Fishing for large sharks from metropolitan swimming beaches is simply incompatible with community values and community safety", explained WA Fisheries Minister Don Punch. "This reform is simple, effective, easy to understand and most importantly puts community safety first".
Yahoo News Australia
GOVERNANCE
New president and deputy president elected in Shire of Denmark
The Shire of Denmark has elected Kingsley Gibson as its new president and Jan Lewis as deputy president following the recent local government elections. Cr Gibson, who previously served as the deputy Shire president, expressed his gratitude to the council for their support. Two new councillors, Dominic Youel and Aaron Wiggins, were also sworn in, along with the re-elected councillors Nathan Devenport, Janine Phillips, and Shire president Gibson. Cr Gibson acknowledged the traditional owners of the land, as well as the service of former president Ceinwen Gearon and Cr Donald Clarke.
West Australian
FINANCE
Report: $326m government funding brings no improvements to Mornington Island
The $326m invested by government agencies in Mornington Island, Queensland, over the past five years, have brought about no consistent improvements, according to a KPMG audit. More than 75% of the funding came from the state government, with the federal government providing 17% and the remainder offered by local government. However, the report said, "community members reported that government-funded policies and services were not holistically meeting their needs" in areas including education, employment, physical and mental health, and social housing. "Us black people and white people of Australia, all of our money was wasted with no outcomes", said Mornington Island Mayor Kyle Yahner. "It breaks my heart, it's not just the expenditure but it's people still with no opportunities, still failing school, still going to jail, still sick". The report was commissioned by Housing Minister Meaghan Scanlon, who says that the government is considering the implementation of one its key recommendations - the appointment of a local decision-making body for the community.
ABC News
NEW NEWSLETTER
Global Local: The value of trust
Newsletter | 11-min read ⌛
Are we living in an age of post-trust politics?
As LGIU celebrates its 40th anniversary, local government faces a pivotal moment. Traditional challenges like funding and growing demand for services and infrastructure clash with emerging issues such as climate change, populism, and complex technology. The LGIU@40 campaign leverages our deep experience in local government yet fixes on the future. Focusing on three key areas – participation, trust, and finance – we've collaborated with members and the broader sector to develop innovative approaches for improving local government. A manifesto, set to be published at the end of the year, will offer a roadmap to transition from aspirations to actions and establish a solid foundation for local government to successfully exploit the opportunities and overcome the difficulties ahead.
What's in this edition that can help?
A brand new trust collection, with an exploration of challenges from working with communities to working with partners. How councils can recover trust in an age of misinformation. Digging into the data: drivers of trust. Plus collaborative approaches to building better relationships between citizen and state.
Plus a new Global Local executive panel with insights from senior decision makers in local government. LGIU members and paid Global Local subscribers can attend free!
Getting the most out of your LGIU membership
Like us, your council believes that local government is at its best when it is informed, engaged and connected, so they joined the LGIU.
We are your LGIU – use our extensive resources, get involved in our research, share your stories and experience with us and the LGIU local government community.
