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Latest edition Edition date · Wed, 7 Oct 2026

Consultation frustration, accusations of neglect, and highlighting Geelong Design Week – #649

  • Frustration in Victoria’s northwest as a council calls out an ill-timed consultation process
  • Two city mayors accuse the government of neglecting a critical development precinct
  • Clarence Valley calls for an investigator, but may get an administrator instead
  • Maitland council overturns a controversial decision to sell community parkland
  • Charters Towers Council wins a court challenge against its rating of mining land
  • A councillor calls security… on his own mother,
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Clarence Valley Council faces possible suspension after seeking independent investigation

Clarence Valley Council faces possible suspension after seeking independent investigation

Clarence Valley Council in northern New South Wales is facing the prospect of suspension. The Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, wrote to council on Friday advising he is considering suspending the elected body and appointing an interim administrator. The letter followed a unanimous council resolution the previous day, asking the State Government to consider […]

Case dismissed, exclusion order dropped, and an existential threat – #648

Case dismissed, exclusion order dropped, and an existential threat – #648

An assault charge dismissed against Yarra’s mayor · A council’s open letter to the community about a controversial funding source · Leeton consults on Special Rate Variation proposals · A media exclusion order dropped after five months · Data centre powers stripped from Queens...

A tokenistic process, a wombat apology, and a delay for democracy – #647

A tokenistic process, a wombat apology, and a delay for democracy – #647

Another mayor steps aside to run for State Parliament · The City of Melbourne’s new position on January 26 · Two Councils withdraw from they call a ‘tokenistic’ consultation process · A Council apology after wombats were inadvertently impacted by a rabbit control program · Cla...

Shire of Gingin appoints Zac Donovan as new CEO

Shire of Gingin appoints Zac Donovan as new CEO

The Shire of Gingin has appointed Zac Donovan as its new Chief Executive Officer, with a start date of 4 January 2027. Mr Donovan is currently CEO of the Shire of Koorda. He previously held senior executive roles at WALGA, and has a background in media management and government relations. That includes positions with WA […]

“Tokenistic” – Northern Grampians and Buloke councils withdraw from VNI West technical reference group

“Tokenistic” – Northern Grampians and Buloke councils withdraw from VNI West technical reference group

Northern Grampians and Buloke Shire councils have withdrawn from the Technical Reference Group for the Victoria to New South Wales Interconnector West (VNI West) Environment Effects Statement (EES). Both councils have written to the Minister for Planning, Sonya Kilkenny, advising of their decision. They cite growing concern about how their feedback was handled. The Technical […]