In today’s edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- More drama at Golden Plains as a countback winner rejects a spot on the Council
- Higher rates flagged for owners of derelict Melbourne properties
- A building surveyor loophole raises concerns
- A crackdown on trivial councillor conduct complaints in NSW
- Councils make big moves on beach and pool safety
- A SA council calls for state help as it forecasts massive debt to accommodate growth
- And anger in Edinburgh ahead of the Oasis reunion concerts
plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Symphony3 – simple, connected customer experiences.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Here is all the news from episode 464:
Victorian Roundup:
In a surprise twist, the successful candidate from a countback for a position on Golden Plains Shire Council has turned down the opportunity.
The Geelong Advertiser reported that John Crowe did not return a written declaration within the required 48 hours of the countback election, leaving just one remaining candidate in the running.
Dom Cook, a resident of Gheringhap, now has the opportunity to complete a declaration of qualification to be a councillor, with a deadline of 9am Wednesday.
He told the Advertiser he was considering whether he would take up the position.
If he does not, a by-election would be required as there are no remaining candidates from last October’s election.
Mayor Owen Sharkey said he was frustrated by the process, believing it could have been sorted out with a few phone calls.
ABC News has reported on a controversial decision by Wyndham City Council to spend $24 million in developer contributions collected from Point Cook elsewhere in the municipality.
That has caused concern amongst some residents who say the growing suburb has a lack of basic infrastructure and amenities for its population of 70,000.
Petitions have been started and state MP Mathew Hilikari has called for integrity agencies to investigate council decision-making.
The Council has written to the Local Government Minister about its concerns with the MP using parliamentary privilege to “pedal misinformation and lies” and says suggestions that it has a legal obligation to spend the money in Point Cook is “false and misleading.”
Mayor Mia Shaw said the council was focussed on developing a major regional community events space that would benefit all residents of Wyndham.
Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece is proposing increased rates and charges for owners of derelict buildings in the CBD.
The Herald Sun reported that the move is in response to concerns about community safety and urban blight.
The initiative aims to encourage property owners to clean up, activate, or redevelop these sites, with the Lord Mayor highlighting successful conversions of historic buildings into apartments as examples of positive transformation.
From The Age today, concerns that building surveyors in Victoria are increasingly bypassing strict local requirements by obtaining qualifications in Western Australia.
Data shows that 60% of new surveyors in 2024-25 were registered through the interstate loophole.
It’s raised concerns about inadequately qualified professionals being responsible for building safety inspections, with industry experts warning it undermines Victoria’s standards and puts pressure on universities offering proper accredited programs.
Moorabool Shire Council has distanced itself from Ausnet’s community benefits program for the Western Renewables Link project, which involves 190km of high voltage transmission lines across several shires.
Mayor Paul Tatchell released a statement advising that the Council has not discussed or committed to the program.
He said the investments announced had raised concerns with residents, and the Council is maintaining its stance of supporting community members impacted by the project while awaiting an Environmental Effects Statement in the coming months.
A review commissioned by Hume City Council following two serious dog attacks in Sunbury last August has found that while council staff acted appropriately, they were significantly constrained by current state laws in their ability to prevent such incidents.
Sunbury Life reported that the council is now implementing several changes including creating a dedicated animal management team and advocating for stronger legislative powers.
It is also calling on the Victorian Minister for Agriculture to urgently amend the Domestic Animals Act 1994.
Greater Geelong councillor Eddy Kontelj, supported by mayor Stretch Kontelj, is seeking Victorian government backing to rename a portion of northern Highton to Queens Park.
A resident petition shows strong local support for the change in suburb name, according to the Geelong Advertiser.
The proposal aims to give the area its own identity and reclaim its historical name from the 1800s, though Geographic Names Victoria has raised concerns about potential confusion with similarly named localities in NSW and WA.
Swan Hill Rural City Council is highlighting a critical shortage of early childhood educators in the region, with only one childcare place available for every three children under five.
It says the shortage is expected to worsen with upcoming Victorian Government reforms.
The local TAFE is actively recruiting qualified early years teachers and offering incentives, including support for completing Certificate IV in Training and Assessment, to address the pressing workforce need.
RMIT University and Wyndham City Council have partnered to deliver an innovative new AI for business program.
The program is being delivered from the RMIT Business and Technology Studio, in the East Werribee precinct, and is aimed at upskilling local businesses in AI technology.
Participants will get affordable access to AI training and resources through initiatives like Business AI Workshops and Solutions Sprints, with the long-term goal of establishing a Wyndham & RMIT AI Hub for emerging technology training and innovation.
Victorian Briefs:
Indigo and Towong Councils have made a joint submission to a Parliamentary Inquiry into Ambulance Victoria.
The submission highlights that the two council areas have longest ambulance response times in the state, due to pressures from the Albury Wodonga Health system, and they are advocating for two key improvements in ambulance resources and support for a new single site regional hospital.
Yarra Ranges, Cardinia, and Nillumbik Councils have formed a new Visitor Economy Partnership to enhance tourism initiatives and funding across Melbourne’s outer-east region.
The partnership is set to commence on July 1st under the temporary name “Tourism East”, with a new Board to develop a brand as one of its first tasks.
The Boer War Memorial Statue has been reinstated in the City of Ballarat‘s Sturt Street Gardens after an eight-month removal period,
The original 117-year-old copper statue has been replaced by a new bronze replica due to severe internal corrosion at a cost of $318,000, partially funded by the Victorian Government.
The VLGA has appointed Dawn Bray as its new Head of Local Government Programs and Policy.
Ms Bray is ann experienced local government professional with over three decades of experience in Australia and the UK who has most recently served as Strategy, Governance and Operations Manager at the Local Government Inspectorate.
She is a former Director of People and Governance at Strathbogie Shire Council.
Ms Bray takes up her new position next month.
National Roundup:
NSW:
The NSW state government is cracking down on ‘trivial and vexatious’ complaints about councils after revealing nearly $7 million has been spent settling complaints against councillors, general managers and council staff over the past five years.
The Daily Telegraph reported that out of 1,866 code-of-conduct complaints costing an average of $3,600 each, only 226 resulted in actual breaches, with examples of trivial complaints including incidents of cheese-throwing and cat-like noises during meetings.
Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has issued new guidelines to address the issue.
Northern Beaches Council is bringing all beach safety services in-house by taking over from the Australian Lifeguard Service (ALS) in the north of the peninsula, creating a unified lifeguard service across its 21 patrolled beaches.
The current contract with ALS for life guard services, believed to be worth around $5.5M, ends this month.
ALS has questioned the economics of the decision after it put forward a business case for the entirety of the Northern Beaches.
Its General Manager Brett Manieri told the Northern Beaches Advocate that ALS was not given the opportunity to participate in a formal tender process, and that the council’s decision to go in-house would increase staff and liabilities.
However, the Council says the change will be cost neutral, and deliver ongoing service efficiencies and economies of scale.
ABC News has reported on a trial at Cabonne Shire in rural NSW, which has opening its seven pools for unsupervised hours to cut costs.
Under the conditions of the trial, swimmers are required to bring companions and complete safety training.
The council has been able to reduce operational costs per swim by up to 50%.
The initiative has proven so successful, with triple the usual season pass sales and the formation of community swimming groups, that the council plans to continue the program in the next swimming season.
Hornsby Shire Council has endorsed proposed NSW Government reforms to strengthen rules around illegal tree clearing in urban areas.
Mayor Warren Waddell said the reforms, which include increased penalties and improved enforcement powers, are a welcome step forward in protecting the shire’s valued urban forest.
Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has unveiled a comprehensive master plan to transform the CBD into a vibrant regional city centre, focusing on improved housing opportunities, pedestrian access, and business activation.
The $200,000 initiative is supported by the NSW Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund with aims to enhance public spaces, night life economy, and green spaces.
The City of Newcastle is tripling its public electric vehicle charging network by adding 34 new charging ports across 11 locations citywide, supported by a $270,000 NSW Government grant.
The expansion, which will create a network of 50 ports across 15 locations, aims to encourage EV adoption and support Newcastle’s goal of having 52% of new car registrations being EVs by 2030-31.
QLD:
Noosa Council will remove infrastructure charges for granny flat construction from July 1, aiming to incentivise landowners to build secondary dwellings and help address the local housing crisis.
The Sunshine Coast News reported that the initiative is part of a broader strategy that includes waived development fees for affordable housing providers and a new monitoring program to track housing challenges in the region.
Townsville City Council is set to adopt a new Community Safety and Wellbeing Plan, which outlines strategies to address key safety issues including anti-social behaviour, homelessness, and community safety through collaboration with law enforcement, social services, and community organisations.
The plan, developed following extensive community engagement through safety audits and surveys, will be supported by a potential $400,000 grant from the Queensland Government’s Secure Communities Partnership Program.
Acting Mayor Ann-Maree Greaney said the plan responds to the community’s top safety concerns and priorities. It will come before the council for adoption on Wednesday.
National Briefs:
Wagga Wagga Council has secured nearly $5 million in NSW Government funding to construct a 4.6-kilometre concrete pathway along Plumpton Road as part of its Active Travel Plan.
The project, which will connect the Southern Growth Area to the existing Active Travel network, will be delivered alongside the Plumpton Road upgrade to minimise disruption to local residents.
The City of Moreton Bay’s new $6.7M Peninsula Support Hub is nearing completion.
Mayor Peter Flannery has inspected progress on the project which will be a hub for local service providers helping people in need.
The project has been supported by the state government’s South East Queensland Community Stimulus Program.
The City of Busselton Council has adopted a new Unhosted Short Term Rental Accommodation Policy that designates specific areas where short-stay accommodation will and won’t be permitted, aiming to balance tourism needs with community interests.
The policy establishes six “non-preferred” areas where new short-stay accommodations will be prohibited.
Approximately 8% of properties in the city are currently registered as unhosted short-term rentals.
TAS:
LGAT President Mick Tucker says recent state budget wins may be short-lived, as the calling of a state election means funding commitments are no longer guaranteed.
The association was celebrating an advocacy win when it secured $300,000 to develop a Planning and Development Capability Program, as well as $177,000 for continuing work on safeguarding children and young people.
A snap state election has been called for 19th July, with candidates in many seats yet to be announced.
Local government figures expected to run include Burnie Deputy Mayor Giovanna Simpson and Central Coast councillor Kate Wylie, who are standing for the Liberals in Braddon.
SA:
Mount Barker District Council has called on on the state government to move beyond apologies and take decisive action to support one of South Australia’s fastest-growing regions.
The council’s debt is projected to reach $255 million by 2027/28 as it invests in essential infrastructure to support South Australia’s housing growth, including the establishment of GMB Water subsidiary to manage wastewater operations from July 2025.
The Council is calling for state government support through grants or interest-free loans, highlighting that their debt per property is five times higher than other growth councils where state co-investment exists.
Mount Gambier Council is being criticised after reportedly leaving three lambs in a skatepark without proper care for two nights, with one newborn lamb nearly dying from hypothermia and lack of milk.
The lambs were originally found wandering near a highway and were placed in the skatepark by a council ranger, attracting the ire of a local wildlife carer, according to the Advertiser.
The lambs have since been rescued and are recovering at the Orphan Lamb Rescue Farm in Glencoe.
WA:
The City of Stirling council has rejected a proposal to give rangers and patrol officers additional powers to combat antisocial behaviour, according to a report from PerthNow.
In voting down the proposal from Cr Tony Krstikevic, councillors cited concerns about increased risks to officer safety and potential job overlap with WA Police.
Alternative solutions have been suggested, such as investing in technology and cameras instead of expanding ranger powers.
There’s ongoing debate over the livestreaming policies at the City of Belmont, with residents demanding more council meetings be livestreamed while simultaneously requesting to be excluded from appearing on camera during the broadcasts.
Despite neighbouring councils implementing broader livestreaming practices, PerthNow reported that Belmont council has voted against changes to livestream agenda briefing sessions and rejecting requests to exclude public participants from recordings.
Global Report:
CANADA:
The provincial government of British Columbia is planning to implement changes to oversee and address dysfunction in municipal councils across the province, according to CBC News.
The move has apparently been prompted by ongoing conflicts in cities like Kamloops where feuds between mayors and councillors have resulted in costly legal battles and ineffective governance.
The situation in Kamloops has been particularly problematic, resulting in over $1 million in legal fees and multiple investigations.
Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said that “this type of behaviour just cannot continue to go on,” and that the government is exploring ways to stop the “prolonged infighting situations.”
UK:
Reform UK has secured both seats in a rescheduled Nottinghamshire County Council election for the Mansfield North division, with its candidates winning by substantial margins over Labour and Conservative opponents.
The victory increases Reform’s majority on the council to 41 out of 66 seats, though another by-election is scheduled for July following a Reform councillor’s resignation in Newark West.
BBC News reported that development as well as news that the council is conducting an efficiency review to identify potential savings, although council leader Mick Barton has stressed that staff jobs are not at risk.
The review will be carried out over the summer by elected councillors and officers with possible external expertise, and is separate from but will work alongside Reform UK’s national Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) team initiative.
A by-election in North Northhamptonshire Council has also been conducted, delivering another seat to Reform UK and returning a conservative councillor. Reform UK holds a comfortable majority on the council.
There’s controversy in Plymouth over an upcoming referendum on whether to introduce a directly elected mayor.
The Labour Government has said it plans to scrap city mayors in favour of strategic regional mayors.
The referendum, costing £410,000 and scheduled for July 17, has sparked debate between supporters of the mayoral position and opponents who argue it would be a waste of money given the Government’s planned changes. More on that story from the Plymouth Herald.
There’s controversy in Scotland over the upcoming Oasis reunion concerts in Edinburgh in August, according to the Scotsman and many other media outlets.
Leaked Edinburgh City Council briefing documents have revealed that officials described Oasis fans as overweight, “older” and “rowdy” and that in with regard to stadium occupancy considerations, they would “take up more room.”
The band’s Liam Gallagher has responded with a scathing rebuke on social media.
He said the officials’ attitude stinks, and he’d love to see a picture of all the people on Edinburgh Council.
Some fans are also not happy, calling out the council’s “nasty, sneering stereotype” of concert-goers.
USA:
In Portland, Oregon, the city’s new 12-person city council has passed their first budget after a marathon 12-hour session that highlighted political divisions and tested their ability to work together.
OPB dot org reported on the $8.6 billion spending plan, which includes funding adjustments for public safety and parks maintenance, and was passed unanimously despite tensions over last-minute amendments and procedural manoeuvres.
In Virginia, a member of Martinsville City Council, has filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the City Manager and Sheriff’s Deputy, alleging violations of his constitutional rights after being escorted from a March 25 council meeting.
The lawsuit claims Aaron Rawls was removed at the direction of the City Manager while expressing opposition to her pay rise, and he is seeking compensatory damages, according to Cardinal News.
Derek Miller, a Texas City communications staffer, was arrested and charged with a third-degree felony for allegedly impersonating a member of La Marque City Council in Texas.
It is alleged that he wrote a number of Facebook posts from an account impersonating Councilman Joseph Lowry, in which posted complimentary messages about city officials .
Councilman Lowry is facing potential censure from colleagues after being accused himself of online harassment and defamation, according to a report from The Independent.