Tammy Smith reappointed as Yarriambiack CEO
New Mayor for Towong Shire
Darcy Byrne takes over as LGNSW President
Baw Baw Acting CEO appointment extended
Illegal dumping fine for Auburn business
Don Watson to address Victorian mayors
NSW Mayor calls for fairer power prices in the regions
Mayoral election finish line approaches
VIC: Tammy Smith has been unanimously reappointed as Yarriambiack Shire Council CEO for another five years.
Mayor Andrew McLean says Smith has been a highly effective leader over the past four years, having delivered major projects including affordable housing, recreation facility upgrades, and new kindergarten buildings.
VIC: Towong Shire Council has elected Cr Peter Tolsher as its new mayor today.
Cr Tolsher was deputy mayor for the last 12 months, and is in his first term on the council.
Cr Denise Anderson returns to the deputy mayor position, wchih she last held in 2023/24.
NSW: Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne has been elected as the new President of Local Government New South Wales, securing 66% of primary votes at today’s annual conference.
He takes over from Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller, vowing to ensure councils have a seat at the table with decision-makers.
Mayor Byrne has pledged to address inequities facing regional communities, particularly around infrastructure funding.
He says regional councils desperately need more State and Federal support for basic services like sewerage, water and roads.
The presidency alternates every two years between metropolitan and regional representatives.
VIC: Baw Baw Shire Council has extended the appointment of acting CEO Mick Cummins through the Christmas period, until 2nd January.
Mr Cummins is supporting the organisation while Chief Executive Officer Tilla Buden undergoes treatment and recovery following a recent breast cancer diagnosis.
NSW: An Auburn-based business has been fined $35,000 for illegally dumping more than 54 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated waste on Bankstown streets.
The waste blocked traffic lanes and car parks across three nights in August 2024.
Investigators for Canterbury Bankstown Council used CCTV footage and covert surveillance to track down the offenders, despite attempts to conceal vehicle plates.
The Council spent nearly $28,000 in ratepayer funds cleaning up the mess.
Mayor Bilal El-Hayek has warned potential dumpers that they will be caught and face criminal charges.
VIC: The Municipal Association of Victoria has named acclaimed Australian author and historian Don Watson as the speaker for the 2025 Mayors Institute Oration on December 4th.
Watson, former speechwriter to Prime Minister Paul Keating, will address Victoria’s Mayors on political culture and civic leadership.
MAV President Cr Jennifer Anderson says Watson’s insights will help both new and outgoing Mayors reflect on their legacy and the critical role of local government.
The Oration is part of the Mayors Institute, a leadership development program for Victorian Mayors and Deputy Mayors.
NSW: Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka is demanding fairer power prices for the bush, according to the Daily Telegraph.
Despite hosting wind and solar farms that generate electricity for the city, rural households pay significantly more in daily supply charges.
A typical Narrandera residence pays $1.54 per day compared to $1.19 in Sydney’s Hunters Hill, which has no renewable projects.
Mayor Kschenka argues it’s “grossly unfair” that regional communities bear the cost of renewable infrastructure while subsidising cheaper power for metropolitan areas.
VIC: The finish line is approaching for Victoria’s mayoral election season.
There are six Councils yet to elect mayors and deputy mayors, with Nillumbik, Queenscliffe and Towong set to do so today.
Latrobe and Horsham will conductr their elections later, while Frankston is expected to conduct its election next month.
Keep up to date with results on the Local Government News Roundup’s Victorian Mayors page.