In today’s edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- A resignation triggers a by-election for Latrobe City Council
- An inquest postponed over potential criminal charges against a former council employee
- A first term Albury councillor preselected for the Liberals in Farrer
- A tense debate at Federation Council, as it votes to remove Indigenous flags from its chambers
- A woman charged over alleged threats against a Queensland councillor
- and an indoor arena is a step closer on the Gold Coast after a major announcement.
Plus, Regional Cities NSW Chair, and Mayor of Lismore, Steve Krieg is here to talk about the economic impacts and a hidden safety crisis in the state’s flailing freight system – but he has a solution.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Symphony 3, and Rath Engineering Development.
Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform, or by clicking here.
Transcript for Episode #564
Victorian Report
A by-election is looming for Latrobe City following the immediate resignation of a second term councillor.
Morwell River Ward representative Tracie Lund has stepped down this week after five years on the Council.
Ms. Lund, a former Deputy Mayor and well-known manager of the Morwell Neighbourhood House, was recognised for her advocacy in mental health and community resilience.
Mayor Sharon Gibson thanked Ms. Lund for her service and leadership, wishing her the best for the future.
The Victorian Electoral Commission will oversee a by-election to fill the vacancy, with further details to be advised in due course.
The coronial inquest into the 2023 Daylesford pub crash that killed five people has been postponed… after the court heard criminal charges had been foreshadowed against a former Hepburn Shire Council employee over outdoor dining permits at the site.
According to the Ballarat Courier, the court was told council director of development Ron Torres may be named… and his lawyer argued giving evidence now could compromise the right to silence and shape any future case.
Coroner Dimitra Dubrow said there is significant overlap with the evidence expected… and adjourned the inquest in the interest of justice. It is now due to resume on May 8.
Drivers in Melbourne’s west are being asked to turn frustration into a show of force… with Brimbank Council backing a community rally to “Fix Taylors Road”.
The council says the 1.6‑kilometre stretch between Kings Road and Gilson College is still unduplicated… even as traffic has surged beyond the road’s intended capacity.
It says peak‑hour trips can take up to sixteen minutes… and police data shows twenty‑five crashes along that section since 2019.
Mayor Councillor Virginia Tachos says fully duplicating the road would improve safety and cut congestion… and is urging major parties… ahead of the state election… to commit to the work.
In Richmond, Crews have begun narrowing protected bike lanes on Elizabeth Street… and bringing back forty-eight car parks… after a heated local dispute.
City of Yarra Mayor Stephen Jolly says the change is about sharing the road… and better access for residents and nearby businesses.
But cycling advocates told The Age that the new lane width is too tight… and say an independent safety audit flagged higher risk from reduced sight lines.
They’ve been lobbying Minister for Roads Melissa Horne over the issue, but the government says it cannot direct council on the design… as long as standards are met.
Many parts of Southern Grampians are still dealing with patchy… or non-existent… mobile coverage… and locals say it has become more obvious since the 3G shutdown.
The council is asking residents to help map black spots across farms… townships… roads and recreation areas… to build a clearer picture than the carriers’ coverage maps.
Acting Mayor Councillor Helen Henry said the shire covers more than 2,800 kilometres of roads… plus remote camping areas and bushland… and local knowledge is critical to fill the gaps.
People are being asked to drop a pin on an interactive map and complete a short survey… open until Thursday April 30.
In Halls Gap… Northern Grampians Shire Council says it will start enforcing local laws to stop rubbish and recycling blowing out of kerbside bins… after long-running complaints about litter harming amenity… wildlife… and the town’s tourism appeal.
Deputy Mayor Councillor Justine Hide says birds and wind play a part… but so do absentee owners and short‑stay properties that leave bins out for days.
The rules require bins to go out no more than 24 hours before collection… be brought back within 24 hours after… and any spills cleaned up.
Council says repeat offenders could face infringements… and it will sell spring‑loaded “Litter Lock” bin devices at cost… about forty dollars each.
A new housing estate on a former golf course in Melbourne’s south‑east is set to ban fake grass… in a bid to keep neighbourhood temperatures down.
The City of Casey has written the rule into its approval for the Woodhaven development at Cranbourne North… where tree cover is well below the Melbourne average.
Mayor Stefan Koomen told The Age that the council is pushing for cooler, greener design as the area grows.
Experts warn synthetic turf can run hotter than concrete… and shed fibres into waterways. The developer says it has never mandated against artificial turf before… but will do it here as part of its sustainability goals.
Whitehorse City Council is warning the clock is ticking on Aqualink Nunawading… saying without a major redevelopment, the aquatic and recreation centre may struggle to keep operating in coming years.
A council business case has looked at likely costs… community needs… timeframes and what a redevelopment could include.
But council says it has not yet committed to the upgrade. The next phase will help shape longer-term planning… with consultation to come… as the city weighs how to keep the facility running for future generations.
Victorian Briefs
Surf Coast Shire Council is looking for more riders to join a cycling trial… using a smart bike light that collects anonymous, real-time data on everyday trips.
Council says the information will help with future transport planning… by showing where people ride… and what conditions cyclists are dealing with on local roads.
Cardinia Shire is spending 32 million dollars over four years to replace the council’s core business software… covering everything from customer service and rates… to planning, records and staff systems.
After a review flagged security and efficiency risks… the Council has awarded a contract to TechnologyOne… moving to an integrated cloud platform.
A new webinar taking place next week is unpacking lessons from the Gippsland community eBus pilot… including how local groups moved from an idea to day-to-day operations.
Organisers iMove Australia say the session will cover compliance and risk… how to choose a vehicle… and how to fund and staff a service when volunteers are hard to find.
It will also look at whether electric vehicles make sense for community transport.
The webinar runs Tuesday March 24… from 1 to 2.30pm.
NSW Report
Albury City Council could be facing a change in its ranks, following the pre-selection of Councillor Raissa Butkowski for the upcoming Farrer by-election.
Ms. Butkowski, a first-term councillor and community lawyer, has been endorsed by the Liberal Party to contest the seat left vacant by former leader Sussan Ley.
The move raises immediate questions for the Council chamber.
Cr Butkowski has indicated she does not need to stand aside from her councillor role during campaign, according to the Border Mail. She was an apology for the council’s meeting on Monday night.
While there is no legal requirement to step down while campaigning, the council’s Code of Conduct mandates a strict separation of roles—prohibiting the use of council phones, laptops, or staff for federal campaign activity.
If successful on May 9, Ms. Butkowski must resign her council position before being sworn into Parliament.
Albury ratepayers are unlikely to face the cost of a standalone council by-election. Because the vacancy would occur within 18 months of the last local poll, the seat would likely be filled via a NSW Electoral Commission countback.
Albury councillors have knocked back a proposal to close the Swim Centre over winter to save about $187,000… after swimmers and water polo groups warned the loss would hit the community.
The Border Mail reported that the Council will now look for other funding options… including a possible winter surcharge for users.
Interim CEO Steve McGrath says any surcharge could still reduce participation… and affect the operator arrangement.
Staff say the centre currently needs a large subsidy… and the numbers will be reviewed ahead of next winter.
ABC News and the Border Mail have reported that Federation Council will remove the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from council chambers in Corowa and Urana… after councillors rejected draft protocols that would have kept the flags on display.
Deputy Mayor Rowena Black said 78 per cent of more than 800 submissions backed keeping all three flags… arguing it is not a partisan issue, and that “Flying all three flags … does not diminish, nor negate the Australian flag.”
Mayor Cheryl Cook said the debate sparked vitriol and personal abuse… and that she was surprised by the level of insults received.
The Border Mail described the debate as “tense”, with cries of “shame” ringing out from a packed public gallery.
The council will now focus on finalising its Reconciliation Action Plan.
Eurobodalla Shire Council has moved to endorse a formal probity review of the draft Batemans Bay Masterplan.
The review, conducted by Centium, identified the need for clearer project governance and visible management practices to address public perceptions of potential conflicts of interest.
It noted that while Council holds dual roles as both landowner and planning authority, the recent decision to excise the Vesper Street site from the masterplan process helped mitigate these concerns.
Key recommendations now guiding the plan include a significant shift in the planning horizon—reducing it from one hundred years to a more manageable twenty-five-year period for community engagement.
In North Parramatta… a well-used local sportsground is about to get a major upgrade… as the city tries to keep pace with growth.
Council wants to revamp Doyle Ground… with improved fields… new synthetic cricket wickets… and solar lighting along the circuit path… plus new seating and outdoor furniture.
Parramatta Lord Mayor Councillor Martin Zaiter says the goal is a high-quality facility that can support more sport… for local families and clubs… for years to come.
Stage one is a nine-point-five million dollar project… backed by council and the NSW Government… and is due to start construction in 2026.
In Coffs Harbour… the council is floating a new “contributions plan” that would levy new developments to help pay for a thirty‑million‑dollar upgrade of the Jetty Strip precinct.
The draft plan is going on public exhibition for 42 days… and, if adopted, would cover about a quarter of the rebuild.
The works include a realigned Harbour Drive… designed to create a boulevard-style gateway… with new intersections and better walking and cycling links between the CBD and the beaches.
Council says the rest of the funding would still need to come from other sources… with some projects and housing types exempt from the levy.
Lake Macquarie is positioning itself as a rugby league development hub… after a new partnership between the National Rugby League and Hunter Sports Centre.
The NRL will set up a dedicated base inside the centre’s redeveloped Sport and Community Building… running seminars, training and education programs for players, coaches, officials and volunteers.
The deal comes one year after the centre’s major upgrade… backed by a 52 million dollar investment.
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz says bringing the NRL in builds pathways for local kids… and strengthens the region’s sporting future.
Shoalhaven Water is getting attention for a practical idea… using batteries to keep sewer pump stations running when the power goes out.
The project… built with the University of Wollongong… has won the regional Infrastructure Project Innovation Award at the NSW Heads of Water gala dinner.
Mayor Patricia White says the batteries give reliable backup… and could be rolled out across more than 250 pump stations.
Western NSW is mourning a towering local government figure… with tributes flowing for former Bogan Shire Mayor Ray Donald OAM, who has died after a brief illness, according to the Western Plains App.
Mr Donald spent three decades as a councillor… and served as mayor from 1997 until retiring in 2021… pushing for services and facilities in and around Nyngan.
He also held senior roles with the Shires Association and Local Government NSW.
Current Bogan Shire Mayor Glen Neill says Donald was a rare mix of passion and practical skill… able to win support and keep battling for people in the bush.
Later in this episode, Lismore Mayor Steve Krieg wears his hat as Chair of Regional Cities New South Wales, to press the case for urgent government investment in identified bottlenecks in the state’s freight system – and why doing nothing is not an option, as fuel prices and interest rates keep rising.
That’s coming up in Roundup Extra, after the Global Report.
Queensland Report
A Redland City councillor says alleged threats have changed the way he lives and works… and made even routine trips to Cleveland feel unsafe.
Redland Bayside News reported that Police have charged a 60-year-old Wellington Point woman with using a carriage service to menace, harass or cause offence towards Redlands Councillor Shane Rendalls.
Strict bail conditions have been imposed… including no contact with the councillor… staying at least 100 metres away… not going to council buildings except for official business… and not posting about the councillor online.
Councillor Rendalls says the stress has affected wellbeing… and forced costlier travel to meetings… including taking a barge instead of public transport.
The matter is due in Cleveland Magistrates Court next week.
The Gold Coast is a step closer to a new indoor arena… with a global consortium now shortlisted to take the project into detailed negotiations.
AmplifyGC brings together infrastructure investor Plenary Group… Live Nation… builder Built… and architects Cox and 3XN… to deliver a minimum 12,000-seat venue at Carey Park in Southport.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate says choosing a single proponent means the city can move quickly… with an Olympic deadline in sight… and delivery targeted for 2030.
The council says the deal will be refined through a request for proposal process… with a project agreement expected in 2027.
New figures from Queensland’s Valuer-General show land values across the City of Ipswich are up more than fifty per cent since 2023… covering about ninety-one thousand properties.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding says many suburbs are seeing rises of twenty to eighty per cent… with some up to eighty-four.
She points to fast population growth… and new development opportunities under the Ipswich City Plan 2025… but says a big jump in valuations does not automatically mean a big jump in rates.
Council says it will weigh cost-of-living pressures as it sets the next budget.
Logan City Council says construction on the new Waterford West District Park is moving into the stage people can finally see… with structures, play areas and pathways starting to rise above ground after months of earthworks.
The six‑hectare park is a 27‑million‑dollar project… backed by the Australian and Queensland governments through the SEQ Liveability Fund.
Council says the finished site will include a water play zone… a large adventure playground… picnic and barbecue areas… walking paths… and new amenities.
The build is still on track to wrap up late this year… weather permitting.
Tablelands Regional Council is trying to get ahead of growth pressures in Far North Queensland… signing a new partnership with the Urban Design Institute of Australia.
The Memorandum of Understanding was signed in Atherton… by Mayor Rod Marti and UDIA Queensland chief executive Kirsty Chessher-Brown.
Council says the deal should sharpen planning and placemaking… as the Tablelands is promoted as a regional “growth hotspot”… balancing development with liveability and affordability.
UDIA says the agreement gives it a stronger regional presence… and a framework to work with council on sustainable growth and community outcomes.
Tasmania
Turning now to more news from across the Tasman…
In Hobart this week, local government procurement is in the spotlight. The LGAT Procurement Seminar has brought together sector leaders to discuss how council spending can actually drive a circular economy. A key highlight was a presentation from Hobart’s own Lara MacDonell, who outlined how strategic contract management can move the needle on sustainability goals.
Staying in the capital, and the City of Hobart is moving forward with its vision for the Macquarie Point precinct. The council has formally backed “Staging Plan Version A,” a critical roadmap that clears the way for site preparation and the eventual stadium construction.
On the planning front, the city is also moving to streamline residential approvals to get more housing through the door faster.
Up north in Launceston, a major community asset is taking shape. Work is now officially underway on a half-million-dollar redevelopment of the Punchbowl Reserve play space. Families can look forward to a new flying fox and fully accessible equipment, with the council expecting the gates to open by the end of the financial year.
And, in Glenorchy, the War Memorial Pool project has hit its 50 percent construction milestone.
While the hammers are still swinging, the council has already re-engaged Belgravia Leisure to manage the facility.
Meanwhile, Glenorchy is also finalising its LGBTIQA+ Inclusion Strategy, a move aimed at making the municipality a state leader in social advocacy.
South Australia
Now to South Australia… we start in the South East, where the District Council of Grant has officially green-lit the biggest infrastructure project in its history. After five years of planning, the Mount Gambier and District Saleyards are set for a massive transformation.
At a special meeting on February 23, Council signed off on a funding package that includes $4.6 million of their own funds plus borrowings. They’re supported by a recommitted $2.7 million from the State Government—funding that Primary Industries Minister Clare Scriven says has been held since the 2022 election.
Staying in the region, the City of Mount Gambier is looking for a different kind of “fresh coat of paint.” They’ve launched a new CBD Master Plan, and they want locals to hold the brush.
Mayor Lynette Martin says the project is about creating a city centre that residents love and visitors remember.
Council is hosting an intensive design week at a vacant shopfront on Commercial Street West starting next Monday.
Heading west to the Eyre Peninsula now. The City of Port Lincoln has secured what Mayor Diana Mislov calls a “once-in-a-generation” land deal. For $151,000, the city has purchased 16 hectares along the old BHP rail corridor.
This isn’t just about land; it’s about a “Western Link Road” that will unlock new housing and business opportunities while taking the pressure off local streets.
It also means an extension of the Parnkalla Trail toward Lincoln National Park, providing a beautiful coastal walk and a vital hazard buffer for the coastline.
And in the Wakefield Council area, a two-year experiment is coming to an end. The trial of unlimited waste disposal at transfer stations will wrap up soon, with the region returning to a voucher system starting with the 2026/27 rates.
But the trial has been a massive success. In just the first six months of the 2025/26 period, Wakefield has seen 160 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill thanks to better recycling and green waste habits.
Western Australia
In Western Australia, the City of Perth has officially pulled back the curtain on its blueprint for the next decade.
Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds has unveiled the “Towards 2036” strategy—a collaboration with urban designers Gehl that prepares for a city centre population expected to nearly double.
A standout project in the plan is the Buneenboro Loop, which will create a seamless waterfront link between the Swan River and Kings Park.
The Town of Cambridge is leading the charge on coastal safety. WA Today reported that the council is rolling out specialised shark-bite trauma kits at City Beach and Floreat—a move that it’s hoped will encourage other coastal local governments across the state to follow suit.
The City of Stirling is aiming to lure more private capital to the region with a new Investment Prospectus.
Highlighting over three-and-a-half billion dollars in development approvals recently, the city is offering a new “Business Concierge” service to help developers navigate the planning system and reduce bureaucratic delays.
And, congratulations to the City of Subiaco.
The City’s Evelyn H Parker Library… now fifty years old… has won a state level award for asset management.
The library underwent careful repairs after assessments flagged risks to the building’s long-term integrity.
Subiaco Mayor David McMullen says the award recognises investment in community spaces… and that the restored building is meant to serve residents for generations.
Global Report
UK:
Following Reform UK’s sweep into power across Northamptonshire last May… taking control of both West and North Northamptonshire councils, BBC News reports that councillors are drifting away, less than a year on.
Two members in West Northamptonshire have resigned and are sitting as Independents… and in the North… two defected to Rupert Lowe’s new Restore Britain group… with one already trying to rejoin Reform.
Political scientist Rob Ford says these parties often attract inexperienced councillors… and that running a whole council can expose tensions fast.
The defections have left Reform just holding on to its majority in West Northamptonshire.
In Warwickshire… Reform UK council leader George Finch has survived a no-confidence vote by a single ballot… after Green Party councillors accused him of abusing the office of leader.
The motion was defeated 27 votes to 26… with two abstentions, according to BBC News.
Finch called it political theatre… and said he wants to focus on running the county council.
Green leader Jonathan Chilvers said the move was about behaviour and conduct… while Conservative leader Adrian Warwick urged Finch to learn from criticism and provide stability in the chamber.
CANADA:
Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe says she was surprised to learn a police sniper was deployed during an unsanctioned St. Patrick’s Day street party in the city’s university district… and says the city had no warning of any threat that would warrant it.
According to CBC News, the Waterloo Regional Police Service confirmed the sniper was an officer monitoring the crowd… but has not explained the decision.
Mayor McCabe has asked to meet with the police chief… as the city balances years of disruptive street parties with the need to keep residents and students safe.
NZ:
After February’s Moa Point wastewater plant failure in Wellington… and the ongoing discharge of untreated wastewater into the harbour… the New Zealand Government is setting up a Crown Review Team for Wellington Water Limited… and Wellington City Council.
The panel will examine oversight and contract management… performance expectations… risk monitoring… and incident response… and capture lessons for the new regional water services provider due to start on July 1st.
An interim report is due by June 30… with final findings by August 31.
USA:
Washington, D.C. is once again flirting with the idea of congestion pricing… a toll to drive into the busiest parts of downtown at peak times.
WUSA9 reported on a study commissioned by the D.C. Council that suggests a ten‑dollar fee for areas like K Street, Foggy Bottom, and around the National Mall.
But City Administrator Kevin Donahue says the data is from 2021… and does not reflect post‑pandemic commuting patterns.
Mayor Muriel Bowser also opposes the plan… warning it could hit already‑struggling downtown restaurants and retailers… and stir pushback from Maryland, Virginia, or Congress.
In Southern Colorado, a deepening infrastructure crisis in the historic town of Aguilar has led to a criminal investigation… and the arrest of a top local official.
For months, residents in the high-desert town of about 450 people have voiced concerns over the safety and reliability of their drinking water. But according to a recent investigation by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, those technical failures were compounded by financial mismanagement at Town Hall.
State investigators say Tyra Avila… who served as Aguilar’s town administrator, clerk, and treasurer for 17 years… allegedly diverted more than $26,000 in public funds into her personal accounts.
The CBI reports that millions of dollars in federal grants and loans… specifically earmarked for a critical water reservoir project… were commingled with the town’s general fund.
This led to bounced checks for contractors and stalled work on the infrastructure needed to bring the town into compliance with state water laws.
Avila, who resigned late last year, currently faces multiple felony charges…. including embezzlement of public property, theft, and cybercrime.
The town has since implemented stricter financial controls under a new oversight agreement with the USDA… while many in Aguilar continue to rely on bottled water… as they wait for the town’s long-delayed water project to resume.
Read more: Denver Gazette; Colorado Public Radio; Colorado Sun
Roundup Extra:
Cr Steve Krieg, Mayor of Lismore, and Chair of Regional Cities NSW – The costs and the hidden safety crisis from pinchpoints and bottlenecks in the NSW freight system.