In the media
Commonwealth
Reimagining the Australian city
A panel of urban planning experts will explore how
COVID-19 is shifting the parameters on how Australia's future
cities should look and examine whether it's time to revisit
some ideas from the past (09 September 2021). More...
Sustainability at centre of Infrastructure Australia
2021 plan
The 2021 Australian Infrastructure Plan highlights a
number of priorities for the nation's multi-billion
infrastructure spend, including supporting growth in regional
centres, digitisation and sustainability. Lasting reform would
require higher levels collaboration between the federal government
and its state, territory and local counterparts (06 September
2021). More...
'Rate caps impeding LG's ability to fund local
infrastructure'
A federal agency has called for a conversation on
developer contributions, saying financially constrained councils
are using them to raise revenue. In a new study published this
week, the National Housing and Finance Investment Corporations said
developer contributions now account for 8-11 percent of total home
construction costs in NSW, Victoria, and Queensland (03 September
2021). More...
Database trial to inform council carbon cutting
initiatives
Councils will be able to use a database to find
information about the emissions reduction potential, effectiveness
and cost of city projects around the world. The six-month pilot
will centre on the Cities Activity Database, which contains data on
13,000 climate activities taken by more than 800 cities around the
world (01 September 2021). More...
Victoria
Municipal monitor to guide Strathbogie Shire
Council
A municipal monitor has been appointed to the Strathbogie
Shire Council to help guide good governance. Janet Dore as
monitor for Strathbogie Shire Council will work closely with the
council to improve governance practices and help councillors
understand their roles and responsibilities under the Local
Government Act (08 September 2021). More...
Councils across Melbourne assess the future of outdoor
dining areas
The Victorian government funded Melbourne's outdoor
dining scene as something to last for "many summers to
come". But as councils start to look at the cost, what will
happen to the popular initiative? (08 September 2021). More...
Monitor to guide South Gippsland's new council
Acting Minister for Local Government Mary-Anne Thomas
announced a municipal monitor will be appointed to the Council
following the election in late October, to support good governance
and democracy during the Council's first year (07 September
2021). More...
Educating Victorians on new four bin recycling
services
The Victorian Government is helping councils educate their
communities ahead of the transition to a four bin recycling
service, as part of the state's goal to divert 80 per cent
waste from landfill by 2030 (06 September 2021). More...
Loans for councils to improve services,
infrastructure
Acting Minister for Local Government Mary-Anne Thomas
announced the new Local Council Lending Framework, giving councils
access to lower interest rates financed through the Treasury
Corporation of Victoria, to support the development of key
infrastructure and other projects, to make local communities even
better places to live (06 September 2021). More...
Queensland
$70 million Palaszczuk Government funding boost for
regional water projects
The next phase of Palaszczuk Government's hugely
successful Building Our Regions program has taken a step forward
with details of the $70 million for regional water infrastructure
projects revealed. The funding provides vital support to
councils who need financial help to get critical works completed.
More...
Stock routes investment funds upgrades
A million-dollar investment will upgrade Queensland's
vital 72,000 km stock route network ahead of proposed changes to
its management. The councils who received funding are Balonne,
Banana, Central Highlands, Goondiwindi, McKinlay, Maranoa, Murweh,
Western Downs and Winton (30 September 2021). More...
In Practice and Courts
Victoria
Plan Melbourne land use
framework
Plan Melbourne 2017-2050 recognises that
more detailed planning is needed for Metropolitan Melbourne to
manage growth across the city. It identifies the need for six plans
to be developed, providing detailed guidance at a regional level
and setting a 30-year vision for each area. The Department of
Environment, Water and Planning Melbourne's Future Planning
Framework which is now available for review and feedback
by 24 October 2021.
Local Government Inspectorate: Local government
integrity matters
Our winter integrity matters newsletter looks at conflict
of interest, personal interest and campaign donations declarations,
and unreasonable or vexatious complaints (August 2021). More...
Queensland
Building our regions round 6
Guidelines for Round 6 are being provided to regional
councils so they could assess potential projects to submit for
funding when applications open in the coming weeks. Councils can
apply for up to $2 million in funding to support a range of
eligible construction and works projects over three years. More
information about Building Our Regions is available
here (07 September 2021).
Applications for the Lord Mayor's Better Suburbs
Grants 2021
The program comprises two categories: Community Support
Category (funding up to $10,000.) and Community Facility Category.
For the Community Support Category you can apply for grant. For the
Community Facility Category (funding ranging from $10,000 to
$200,000). Applications open on 30 August 2021. More...
Expressions of interest for Sunshine Coast Council's
landholder environment grants
Only private rural landholders can apply, and the project
must occur on privately owned rural land within the Sunshine Coast
Local Government area. Applying is a three-stage process: 1. Submit
an Expression of Interest before 30 August 2021. 2. Site visit from
a council Conservation Partnerships Officer to assess the project
and provide any additional guidance. 3. Apply online before 11
October 2021 Please read the Landholder Environment Grant
Guidelines at www.sunshinecoast.qld.gov.au/grants.
Public consultation: Queensland's renewable energy
zones (QREZs)
Public consultation would be followed by a technical paper
later in the year, for feedback from industry and other energy
stakeholders on the framework for QREZ design and access. The
online survey is open until 30 September 2021. More...
Consultation on the Stock Routes Network discussion
paper
Consultation on the discussion paper opens 16 July 2021
and will run for eight weeks. To get involved and provide your
feedback on the discussion paper, visit
haveyoursay.resources.qld.gov.au/stock-routes. For more information
on the Queensland stock route network visit www.qld.gov.au/environment/land/access/stock-routes.
Works for Queensland projects across the region
The Works for Queensland program supports regional
councils to undertake job-creating maintenance and minor
infrastructure projects such as parks and playgrounds, community
and sports facilities, swimming pools and water play areas,
renewable energy initiatives, footpaths, roads and water
infrastructure. A further $200 million committed for 2024-27. For
more information visit Works for Queensland.
Cases
160 Leicester Pty Ltd v Melbourne City
Council [2021] VSCA
250
CRIMINAL LAW - sentence - applications for leave to appeal against
sentence - company and its directors found guilty of contempt of
VCAT - contempts constituted by wilful and deliberately defiant
breach of VCAT orders - company fined $150,000 - directors ordered
to be imprisoned for 1 month - contemnors ordered to pay costs
fixed at $250,000 - whether Tribunal erred in assessing gravity of
contemnors' conduct - manifest excess - whether punishment
manifestly excessive - new evidence - evidence of compliance with
orders after sentencing - new evidence not throwing light on
matters which underpinned Tribunal's orders - proposed grounds
of appeal not reasonably arguable - applications for leave to
appeal refused. 1 On 15 October 2016, the building at 154-160
Leicester Street, Carlton, known as the Corkman Hotel, was
demolished. As no planning permit had been obtained for its
demolition, the demolition was unlawful.
Chester v Greater Geelong
CC [2021] VCAT 966
Section 183(1) of the Local Government Act 1989; differential
rates, Residential Land, Farm Land; Greater Geelong Council Rates
Council Policy, 30 June 2020
Review of land classification (Local Government Act 1989, s
183)
Residential Land differential rate applied for 2020-2021 rating
period - affirmed.
Legislation
Victoria
No 107 Land Amendment Regulations
2021 31/08/2021
No 109 Land (Regulated Watercourse Land) Regulations
2021 31/08/2021
No 110 Conservation, Forests and Lands (Infringement
Notice) Amendment (Flora and Fauna Guarantee) Regulations
2021 31/08/2021
This publication does not deal with every important topic or change in law and is not intended to be relied upon as a substitute for legal or other advice that may be relevant to the reader's specific circumstances. If you have found this publication of interest and would like to know more or wish to obtain legal advice relevant to your circumstances please contact one of the named individuals listed.