News | Local Politics
29 Sep 2024 10:25
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Local Politics

    City of Unley council votes to reverse decision to hold Australia Day ceremonies on January 25 after community survey

    The City of Unley reverses its decision to hold Australia Day citizenship and awards ceremonies on January 25 after the council conducted a survey that found a majority of residents supported celebrating the events on the public holiday.


    An Adelaide council has reversed its decision to move Australia Day events away from January 26 after a survey found residents supported keeping ceremonies on the public holiday.

    The City of Unley voted 7-5 in September last year to hold citizenship ceremonies on January 25, after the federal government gave councils the option to hold events before or after the public holiday.

    But on Monday, the council said Unley members voted 8-4 to reinstate Australia Day citizenship and awards ceremonies to January 26 in light of the survey results.

    A poll conducted by the council from July to August found that 60 per cent of residents surveyed — or 510 people — thought citizenship and awards ceremonies should be held on January 26.

    The council said about 72 per cent of respondents expressed their desire for a community event, with 80 per cent of those people wanting it be held on January 26. 

    Unley Mayor Michael Hewitson told ABC Radio Adelaide that three members changed their mind at the meeting to support holding events on the public holiday.

    "You had people who saw it as celebrating Invasion Day and you had three members who changed to support the community … who actually would have supported the other side," Mr Hewitson said.

    The mayor said he was keen to have an independent firm conduct the survey but that it was going to cost $20,000. 

    "In doing council budgets, it didn't make the cut. I do believe there was no stacking or ranting and raving with this one and I think the result was pretty reflective of the community," he said.

    He said Monday's debate was "deep and meaningful" and members exchanged their thoughts about what Australia Day meant to them. 

    "Even when Australia Day was designated by the Commonwealth government — which by the way also came into some flack last night — but hoisting the decisions onto the local government when the date of Australia Day is a Commonwealth national decision."

    "We appreciate the feedback from all those who participated in the consultation, and while we recognise that not everyone will agree with this outcome, we believe it reflects the majority sentiment of our community," Mr Hewitson later said in a statement. 


    ABC




    © 2024 ABC Australian Broadcasting Corporation. All rights reserved

     Other Local Politics News
     26 Sep: Local government controls your roads, schools and utilities - but that doesn’t mean the US president doesn’t touch your life in important ways
     25 Sep: Christchurch City Councillors are already discussing next year's rates
     23 Sep: Basic service provider or mini democracy? Why NZ needs to decide what it wants from local government
     22 Sep: More local councils are getting on board with cat regulations
     17 Sep: Little sympathy for Wellington's Mayor Tory Whanau over her financial woes
     16 Sep: A new bylaw means Far North cat owners will be expected to microchip and desex pets
     12 Sep: Vital green spaces are disappearing in NZ cities – what can central and local government do?
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    Wallace Sititi has again earned special praise from All Blacks coach Scott Robertson after another leading performance More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    New Zealand exporters are making the most of our green reputation - to attract more global interest More...



     Today's News

    International:
    Indonesia, Solomon Islands join countries banning nuclear weapons, putting Australia at odds with neighbours 10:07

    Rugby:
    Wallace Sititi has again earned special praise from All Blacks coach Scott Robertson after another leading performance 10:07

    Cricket:
    The Black Caps have been skittled for 88 on day three of the second cricket test against Sri Lanka at Galle, on Sky Sport 9:47

    Soccer:
    Attacking midfielder Cole Palmer's scored four goals to power Chelsea to a 4-2 win over Brighton in football's English Premier League 9:47

    Rugby:
    Coach Scott Robertson feels the All Blacks have taken a step forward in the 33-13 triumph over the Wallabies at Sky Stadium 9:37

    Rugby League:
    Nathan Cleary has downplayed fears over the his fitness after he failed to finish Penrith's 26-6 preliminary NRL final win over Cronulla 9:27

    International:
    Hassan Nasrallah turned Hezbollah from an Islamist militia into a political force that will outlive him 9:17

    International:
    What happens with Trump's criminal cases if he wins the election? 9:17

    International:
    Israel 'determined to keep fighting' in Lebanon despite assassinating Hezbollah chief Hassan Nasrallah 8:37

    Health & Safety:
    More people are discovering their lung cancer diagnosis in emergency rooms, not through their GP 8:17


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2024 New Zealand City Ltd