In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- An alleged complaint against the Victorian Local Government Minister
- North Sydney’s mayor disputes state government claims,
- While the Health Minister is accused of being dismissive and out of touch
- A sector leading four day week plan defended by Launceston Council’s CEO
- A council considering a name change
- A Council CEO reportedly suspended and under investigation
- plus a string of councillor resignations in WA
plus much more local government news from Australia and beyond.
The Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 – simple, connected customer experiences.
Listen to the episode here.
Read along with all the news, and find story links from this episode:
Victorian Report
Victorian Local Government Minister Nick Staikos is reportedly facing an IBAC complaint following allegations about his conduct in a meeting with Kingston Council leaders.
According to a report from The Australian, sources claim that in April last year, Minister Staikos warned council officials to drop what he allegedly called a “witch hunt” against Labor-aligned councillor Hadi Saab – or face government monitors overseeing the council’s operations.
The controversy centres on a seventy-five-thousand-dollar ratepayer-funded grant to a religious charity linked to councillor Saab, who also sits on the charity’s board.
Minister Staikos has firmly denied the allegations. In fact, he calls them “rubbish” and says the grant was never discussed at the meeting.
Four months after that meeting, the minister did appoint monitors to oversee Kingston Council, citing governance issues. The monitoring period has now been extended to mid-2026.
IBAC has declined to comment on whether it has a complaint or investigation before it.
Greater Geelong Council’s North Bellarine Aquatic Centre in Drysdale will be closed for six months from mid-April to allow stage two construction works to ramp up.
The works include a 25-metre indoor pool, warm water exercise pool, gym and cafe.
The $40 million stage two project is expected to be completed by late 2027, with the facility temporarily shutting down to ensure public safety during high-risk construction activities.
Cr Rowan Story thanked the community for its patience, acknowledging the inconvenience of the closure.
KidsTown Adventure Playground in Greater Shepparton will close for three weeks from February 16 to allow remediation works in preparation for future improvements.
Heavy machinery and excavation will be used across the site during the closure, with ageing infrastructure being removed and new facilities installed based on previous community consultation.
A small number of commemorative pavers will be affected by the works and will be carefully reinstated in an alternative location within KidsTown.
Three local government areas have been selected for a state government trial of digital birth certificates.
Parents in Wyndham, Casey and Mitchell Council areas will have access to their child’s birth certificates on their phones through the Service Victoria app under the trial which is now officially live.
Warrnambool and the South West have been included in the expanded Geelong Cats Next Generation Academy region, creating new opportunities for collaboration between the AFL club and Warrnambool City Council.
The Cats held a community camp including a business breakfast, kids’ clinics, school visits and an open training session at Reid Oval, with over 70 local business leaders attending.
The expanded academy means more local talent can be identified and developed, while the partnership delivers benefits both on and off the field for the regional community.
Frankston City Council is proposing a new differential rate at 300 per cent of the general rate for vacant commercial properties in the Frankston city centre.
The rate would apply to retail, hospitality and service properties that haven’t been open to the public for at least 90 days in the last 24 months.
Council is seeking community feedback on the proposal as part of its draft Revenue and Rating Plan 2026-2029 before making a final decision.
A consultation process is underway to shape the future of early years services in Mildura.
Parents, educators, and community members are being asked to provide feedback to the council as it explores potential transition out of direct delivery of those services.
The findings will inform council planning for early childhood education infrastructure.
Murray River Group of Councils is calling on residents to make submissions to the Basin Plan Review.
Councils, including Swan Hill and Gannawarra, warn that community input is critical to protecting regional water security and local agriculture.
They’re pushing back against proposals that could reduce water allocations for irrigation.
More Councils in the News:
The Herald Sun reported that Stonnington Council has rejected a petition calling for a freeze on paid parking permits, citing budget constraints and the need for sustainable transport infrastructure.
The decision has sparked backlash from residents who say the rising costs are unfair.
Maroondah Council has ended a popular goat grazing program along Mullum Mullum Creek in Ringwood, telling The Age that grant funding has dried up and the goats have done their job.
More than 350 residents have signed a petition to keep the goats, which have been eating weeds and reducing fire hazards while becoming a community attraction over the past year.
The council says its bushland team will continue targeted vegetation control and monitor whether goats need to return.
Victorian Briefs
West Wimmera Shire Council has commenced a corella dispersal program in Edenhope this week to address the bird population problem.
The initiative will use noise deterrents and other methods to relocate the birds away from residential areas.
Residents have complained about noise and damage caused by large flocks of corellas.
Darebin City is launching a trial of shared e-bikes and e-scooters to boost sustainable transport options.
The program aims to reduce car dependency and improve accessibility across the municipality.
Residents will be able to access the shared mobility service through a smartphone app.
Ballarat City Council has unveiled its Advocacy Priority Projects Pipeline, pushing for state government funding ahead of the Victorian election.
Key projects include transport upgrades, community facilities, and infrastructure improvements.
NSW Report
North Sydney Mayor Zoe Baker says the NSW Government has wrongly claimed to be in discussions with council over Cammeray Park, despite her writing to the Minister eight times since 2022 without a meeting, while Golf NSW has met five times.
The Council says the Minister is threatening to use ministerial powers to permanently quarantine the golf course for a single user group, giving council just 14 days to respond.
Mayor Baker is calling on the community to stand with council to keep the parklands publicly accessible and managed in the interests of all residents.
Balranald Shire Mayor Louie Zaffina has labelled the Health Minister’s response to Euston’s healthcare gaps as “dismissive and out of touch” after parliamentary questions received no new solutions.
The Council says pointing residents to distant towns ignores the reality of reduced cross-border access to Victorian services.
Balranald is demanding an immediate feasibility study for a multi-purpose health facility and funded transport solutions.
Port Macquarie Deputy Mayor Nik Lipovac has condemned the NSW Government’s decision to declare the 18-storey Park Street development State Significant, stripping council of decision-making power.
He says the move amounts to tokenism and warns high-rise development will change Port Macquarie’s coastal character.
News of the Area reported that the Council is calling on the local member and community to fight back against what they see as growing state overreach.
McDonald’s has launched Land and Environment Court appeals against City of Sydney and Northern Beaches councils after development applications for Redfern and Manly Vale restaurants were rejected.
The Redfern proposal drew 269 objections, with NSW Police warning a 24-hour outlet near the station would increase crime and anti-social behaviour.
Yahoo! News reported that conciliation conferences are scheduled for April and May, with locals expressing disappointment that community opposition is being dismissed.
Hilltops Council warns that the town of Boorowa may move to Level 3 water restrictions within days as extreme heat and low rainfall continue to drain the town’s water supply.
The weir’s inflow has dropped significantly despite current Level 2 restrictions and bore water use.
Council is urging residents to conserve water immediately to avoid more severe measures.
Greyhound Racing NSW has officially ended racing at Lismore‘s CBD track and is offering the flood-damaged site to the council as a free gift.
The Mercury reported that the Council will vote this week on accepting the five lots but has no immediate use for the land and wants strict due diligence on potential contamination before signing.
Shellharbour City Council is cracking down on illegal parking in school bus zones as students return to class, expanding its Enhanced No Parking Zone program with highly visible bollards.
Region Illawarra reported the move aims to stop drivers blocking buses and reducing visibility during peak drop-off and pick-up times.
Destination Kiama is calling on Kiama Council to guarantee funding for the next New Year’s Eve Sky Show after describing the town as a ghost town without fireworks.
The Tourism and Economic Advisory Committee voted unanimously to reinstate the event, which normally attracts 20,000 people and is considered Kiama’s biggest annual gathering.
TEAC chair Matt Brown told The Bugle that the cancellation due to financial constraints left local businesses empty and led to unsafe rogue fireworks being set off around the area.
Queanbeyan-Palerang Regional Council has deferred a decision on flooding concerns along the Queanbeyan River, requesting critical information on evacuation times, early warning systems, and how other councils handle development in high-risk flood zones.
The council wants to know the minimum warning time for safe evacuation during a major flood and the maximum evacuation window when Googong Dam peaks. Results will be shared with the Queanbeyan Floodplain Management Committee.
The NSW Government has introduced new legislation to Parliament aimed at shutting down unlawful places of worship that are spreading hate and division in our communities.
Premier Chris Minns described these venues as ‘factories of hate’ and says the new laws will give local councils real power to take action.
Under the proposed changes, councils will be able to issue orders to stop activities that breach planning laws or pose risks to public safety. Penalty fines will double – from three thousand to six thousand dollars for individuals, and from six thousand to twelve thousand for corporations.
Perhaps most significantly, if venues fail to comply with orders, councils can apply to the Land and Environment Court to have their water, electricity, and gas cut off.
NSW Briefs:
Shoalhaven City Council has won $488,000 in state government funding to plant over 100 trees in nine high-traffic carparks across Nowra, West Vincentia, Milton and Ulladulla.
Soil vaults will be installed in the asphalt to ensure the mature, broad-canopy trees develop strong root systems over the next 12 months.
Coffs Harbour Council is building a second water main to give northern residents greater water supply security.
The duplicate pipe will run for 2.3 kilometres in West Woolgoolga.
The $1.9 million project will use underground horizontal directional drilling through road reserves, with practical completion expected by July.
Clarence Valley Council has published the results of its latest staff engagement survey, which shows an 81 percent participation rate and a 61 percent engagement score, up 7 percent from 2023.
The highest scores were for staff knowing what’s needed to succeed in their roles, while the lowest were around seeing positive changes from the last survey and perceptions of fair pay compared to other councils.
Queensland Report
Mareeba Shire Council has unanimously voted to extend CEO Peter Franks’ contract for another five years.
Mayor Angela Toppin praised Mr Franks’ exemplary actions and commitment over his decade-plus tenure with the council.
She said the decision ensures ongoing stability for the organisation.
Central Highlands Regional Council has begun dispersing flying foxes in Duaringa.
Contractors use lighting and noise to redirect the bats from their roosting location.
The Council says the process may run for approximately one week and will be carried out humanely under a strict code of practice.
Flinders Shire Council has adopted a new organisational structure after more than twelve months of planning and consultation.
The changes include a standalone water and sewerage operations area to support major Queensland Government-funded infrastructure works.
Mayor Kate Peddle says the structure will strengthen service delivery and support staff as the council prepares for significant capital works.
City of Gold Coast lifeguards have completed a record summer season, keeping four-point-one million beachgoers safe over December and January.
They performed sixteen hundred and six rescues and more than thirteen hundred medical treatments.
Acting Mayor Mark Hammel has thanked the lifeguards for their tireless work during the busiest time of year.
Tasmania
Launceston Council chief executive Sam Johnson has defended a proposed four-day work week for council staff against criticism from business groups and a councillor, according to the Examiner.
The enterprise agreement would see 600+ employees work 30.4-hour weeks instead of 38 hours with no salary increase, effectively capping the wages bill.
But critics claim it amounts to an unjustified pay rise and could distort the local labour market.
Mr Johnson says those critics should focus on their own areas of expertise, and “be prepared to challenge their own mind to do something different.”
West Coast Council is demanding answers over repeated Telstra outages.
Pulse Tasmania reported that a hardware fault knocked out mobile services in Queenstown, the latest in a string of disruptions plaguing the area.
The council says reliable telecommunications are essential infrastructure and current service levels are unacceptable.
Hobart’s CBD could see dedicated safety officers under a new council proposal.
The City of Hobart will consider establishing a Safer Hobart Program with three uniformed officers patrolling the city to tackle anti-social behaviour and support vulnerable people.
The program would cost three hundred thousand dollars annually but require no new funding, repurposing existing vacant positions.
South Australia
The Rural City of Murray Bridge is considering dropping the “Rural” from its name to better reflect the area’s growth and development.
Councillor Fred Toogood has put forward a motion for Monday’s council meeting, seeking a report on the costs and processes involved in the name change.
The administration has recommended deferring any decision until after the next council term begins later this year, but will prepare an options report if the Council supports the motion this week.
Western Australia
The Shire of Laverton has suspended its chief executive Phil Marshall, and has voted to investigate allegations made against him, according to the Kalgoorlie Miner.
Shire president Patrick Hill says it’s “business as usual” with deputy CEO Jackie Hawkins appointed as acting chief, while the town looks forward to a new hospital and bumper tourism season.
Shire of Gingin Councillor Lincoln Stewart has announced his resignation following allegations that he received threatening voicemails, according to The West dot com dot au.
Stewart, who’s been on council since 2023, says stepping down will allow him to speak freely and focus on legal proceedings. He said, “Resigning from council will allow me to tell the truth about everything without being dragged through a LG (local government) complaints process that is biased and broken.”
Police allege the threatening calls were made by the husband of Shire President Linda Balcombe.
Bridgetown-Greenbushes Council has lost two councillors this month.
Councillor Tracy Lansdell has resigned after securing a job as Community Development Officer with the shire, ending her tenure that included serving as Shire President from January to October last year.
Councillor Stephen Butler has also stepped down for personal reasons, effective February 5th, just months after being elected in October 2025.
The Australian Pipe Band Championships will be held at Subiaco Oval in April, the first time in 30 years the event has come to Western Australia.
Hundreds of pipers and drummers from across Australia and Singapore will compete, with Highland Games, Scottish dancing, and the Subi Night Market adding to the spectacle.
Global Report
MALAYSIA:
A new study is underway to explore the possibility of holding mayoral elections in Kuala Lumpur. The research, being conducted by the International Islamic University Malaysia, began in December under the previous Federal Territories Minister.
Currently, the Mayor of Kuala Lumpur is appointed every three years by the Minister of Federal Territories – a system in place since local government elections were suspended in 1970. This means residents of the capital have no direct say in choosing their city’s leader.
Federal Territories Minister Hannah Yeoh has defended the study, emphasising the importance of evidence-based policymaking. She argues that research helps leaders make more informed decisions that affect the public.
However, the proposal has drawn mixed reactions. Some see it as merely opening room for discussion, while others warn that mayoral elections could lead to politicisation of city administration and policy instability.
The debate continues as stakeholders weigh the pros and cons of bringing back local council elections to Malaysia’s capital city.
UK:
Norfolk County Council has pledged not to use any of its sixteen thousand acres of agricultural land for solar energy projects, according to the BBC.
The Conservative administration says Norfolk has too many solar farms already and must protect arable land that feeds the country.
A new report warns that London’s governance system, now over twenty-five years old, is failing to keep pace with the capital’s economic reality.
The Re:State think tank says fragmentation across thirty-three boroughs is hampering growth and infrastructure development, and calls for borough reorganisation, and deeper devolution of powers to the Mayor.
The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has issued a warning about Russian state-aligned hacktivist groups targeting UK organisations with disruptive cyberattacks.
It warns that local government authorities and critical infrastructure operators are particularly at risk from denial-of-service attacks aimed at crippling websites and online services.
The Local Government Association is commissioning an independent external review of its restructure plans after chief executive Joanna Killian took unexpected leave for personal reasons.
The proposed changes would see 62 roles cut from the organisation’s 540-strong workforce as it seeks to modernise and close a growing funding gap.
The external HR specialist will provide independent oversight and assurance, with the review taking stock of work undertaken so far before any further steps are taken.
Nicola Beach, chief executive of Suffolk County Council, is stepping down after eight years in charge to hand over leadership ahead of local government reorganisation.
She will leave at the end of March 2026, with the process to appoint a new chief executive beginning shortly.
Worcestershire County Council is facing effective bankruptcy unless it receives 71 million pounds in emergency funding from central government, according to its Reform UK leader Jo Monk.
The authority is waiting to hear whether it can increase council tax by up to 10% from April and has already scrapped 30 million pounds in capital spending.
Kent County Council has been accused of telling a blatant lie after its claim of nearly 40 million pounds in savings on net zero was found to be based on hypothetical projects with no documentation.
The council’s Reform UK leadership claimed the savings came from scrapping programmes to make properties environmentally friendly and electrify the vehicle fleet, but a freedom of information request revealed these projects had no business cases or identified funding.
NETHERLANDS:
The City of Amsterdam is exploring the option of ending sea cruises by 2035 to combat overtourism, making it the latest European city to consider major restrictions on large cruise ships.
The Dutch capital received over seven million international tourists in 2025, roughly ten visitors for every resident, straining local infrastructure.
The city found relocating the Port of Amsterdam outside the city centre not economically feasible at a cost of over 85 million euros, according to a report from The Street.
PHILIPPINES:
The wife of a suspended mayor in Minglanilla, Philippines has taken charge of the municipal government after her husband and other top officials were suspended for one year, according to a report from the Manila Times.
First Councilor Lheslen Enad has assumed the role of acting mayor following preventive suspension orders issued by the Office of the Ombudsman over alleged permit violations.
She has promised residents uninterrupted service, saying “there will be no drama” despite the personal difficulty of the situation.
USA:
Spokane City Council has voted to require landlords to participate in eviction prevention programs for at least 30 days before removing tenants for nonpayment of rent.
The measure, passed 5-2, aims to keep families in their homes by connecting them with rental assistance and mediation services, according to a report from Spokesman dot com.
Critics warn the law could delay evictions and increase costs for landlords, ultimately making housing less affordable.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors has released a new AI playbook in partnership with Google to help city leaders integrate artificial intelligence into government operations.
The guide recommends starting with low-risk projects like translating city council meetings or processing sewer pipe videos to identify cracks.
Mayors say AI has already improved service delivery, particularly in streamlining permitting processes, though questions remain about cybersecurity and ethical use.
NZ:
Clutha District councillors have voted to drop an investigation into vehicle-free zones on beaches, prompting cries of “shame on you” from the public gallery.
The review had been launched after complaints about drivers harassing seals and sea lions, including a 2024 incident where three sea lions were found dead with gunshot or stab wounds.
The council will instead investigate beach speed limits as a means to protect the coastline and wildlife, according to Radio New Zealand.
Northland‘s four councils have united to present a shared vision on local government reform, meeting with Minister Simon Watts ahead of looming submission deadlines.
RNZ reported that the councils are pushing for a “by Northland, for Northland” approach, rejecting one-size-fits-all solutions in favour of outcomes that reflect the region’s unique geography and iwi relationships.
Minister Watts says he’s encouraged by their commitment to work together on solutions that address today’s challenges.