On the Friday, 20th February edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- Excitement turns to disappointment as Bass Coast loses the MotoGP to South Australia
- A costly mistake for a rural Victorian council
- Mornington Peninsula’s Mayor confirms he wants to run for State Parliament
- A proposal to merger two Hunter region councils on the agenda
- Parkes takes a stand on a proposed energy from waste facility
- Questions raised about the appointment process for a Queensland Council CEO
- And Launceston Council drops plans for a 4 day work week
Plus more local government news from across 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
Excitement has turned to disappointment in Bass Coast Shire, with the news that the Australian MotoGP will leave Phillip Island for South Australia after this year’s event.
Earlier in the week, the state government confirmed its ongoing support for the event at Phillip Island, turning down a request from organisers to move to Albert Park.
That news was received positively, but the excitement was short-lived, as the South Australian government confirmed it had successfully enticed the event to Adelaide from 2027.
Mayor Rochelle Halstead said the community was in mourning, telling the ABC that it was a huge blow to the region, and would have a very large economic impact.
The state government says it will have more to say soon about securing a new major event for the region.
Mansfield Shire Council has apologised after discovering a costly administrative blunder spanning more than a decade.
The council revealed this week that it overcharged drivers on parking fines between 2009 and 2019, collecting around $34,000 more than it should have.
The council had been issuing fines of up to $102 for certain parking infringements, when state law requires the default penalty to be set at just $41, unless a formal council resolution is passed to increase it.
That resolution was never made.
Mayor Steve Rabie said the council takes full responsibility and will refund affected motorists, with around 765 fines impacted.
Eligible drivers will be contacted directly as the council works through its refund scheme.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Mayor Anthony Marsh has confirmed that he has formally applied for Liberal Party pre-selection, ahead of the upcoming by-election in the state seat of Nepean.
The seat has been vacated due to the retirement from politics of Sam Groth, the party’s former deputy leader.
Despite having previously ruled out running for parliament, Cr Marsh said in a statement posted to his Facebook page that he had received overwhelming encouragement from local members, community leaders and residents.
Not everyone is happy about his decision though. The Age reported having seen a draft no-confidence motion to be raised at the council’s meeting on Tuesday night. The rumoured motion did not eventuate, and the council will not meet again until 17th March.
It’s believed the party will decide on its candidate for the seat on 24th February.
Kindergarten and childcare services will continue to be delivered by West Wimmera Shire Council after a council decision this week.
In making that pledge, the council has also resolved to explore partnership options to strengthen the long-term viability of the services.
Mayor Tim Meyer said the services are performing well and meeting standards, but acknowledged growing pressures including workforce shortages and increasing compliance demands.
The council will now review potential partnerships with not-for-profit providers and neighbouring councils.
Victoria’s Legislative Council has held public hearings to examine how the state can better align electric vehicle charging with electricity supply and demand. The Ferntree Gully Star Mail reported that a number of local councils presented evidence on infrastructure challenges.
Knox City Council, Port Phillip, Yarra and other municipalities highlighted key barriers including limited licensing powers for chargers on arterial road car parks, high installation costs ranging from $10,000 for slow chargers to over $250,000 for fast chargers, and difficulties serving apartment residents who lack off-street parking.
The Councils strongly advocated for regulatory changes, state coordination, and increased support to accelerate the rollout of public EV charging infrastructure, particularly in dense urban areas and shopping precincts.
Mitchell Shire Council has resolved to continue its partnership with Goulburn Region Tourism Incorporated through a new Memorandum of Understanding running to June 2029.
The partnership was established following the Victorian Government’s introduction of the Visitor Economy Partnership Framework in 2023, which aimed to provide equal tourism support across the state. Previously, Mitchell Shire had been excluded from Regional Tourism Board structures, creating an inequity in regional tourism services.
Goulburn Region Tourism represents three council areas: Mitchell Shire, Greater Shepparton City, and Strathbogie Shire. The partnership is eligible for $350,000 in annual Victorian Government funding, provided all three councils contribute financially.
From the Herald Sun, a new advocacy group is calling out councils for wasteful spending. Local Communities Victoria says ratepayers are footing the bill for what they call “passion projects” while essential services deteriorate.
Stonnington councillor Tom Humphries, the group’s president, claims councils now offer around 100 services each, and about half of council budgets go toward “nice to have things” , instead of fixing potholes and maintaining basic infrastructure.
The group is also demanding the state government stop passing responsibilities down to councils.
Victorian Briefs
Bayside City Council has upgraded electric vehicle chargers at its Corporate Centre in Sandringham, including a 24/7 public 50kWh charger and two 60kWh chargers for community use outside office hours.
Users need to download the Exploren app and create an account to access the charging stations.
Maribyrnong City Council says it has achieved its highest-ever overall performance rating in the 2025 Annual Community Satisfaction Survey.
It scored 7.1 out of 10, with libraries and waste collection services among the top-rated offerings and dissatisfaction dropping to just 4%.
Areas for improvement include safety, road maintenance, and traffic management.
Brimbank Council has adopted a new Social Justice Framework, which aims to create a fairer, more inclusive community by ensuring everyone has equal access to services and opportunities.
The Council says community feedback led to key changes to the framework, including making human rights an overarching foundation and adding climate justice as a commitment.
A new Social Inclusion Action Group will work to reduce isolation and support local mental health.
NSW Report
Upper Hunter Shire councillor Troy Stolz has followed through with his promise to propose a merger with Muswellbrook Shire Council at the next Council meeting.
In his Notice of Motion, Cr Stolz calls for a consultative process to explore a potential amalgamation with neighbouring Muswellbrook.
He has publicly argued that a merger could tackle his council’s $24.6M debt crisis, and give Muswellbrook economic diversity beyond its heavy reliance on mining.
Muswellbrook Council says it would carefully consider any formal approach.
In a report to the council, Upper Hunter Shire General Manager Greg McDonald said it was a decision for the council, noting there was no budget or staff time allocated to such a process at this time.
The Notice of Motion will be considered at the Council’s meeting scheduled for 23rd February at 5.00pm.
Parkes Shire Council has unanimously rejected a proposed Energy-from-Waste facility in the Parkes Special Activation Precinct.
Mayor Neil Westcott says the decision reflects strong community concerns about the lack of government engagement and credible safety information.
The objection means the NSW Government must refer the planning assessment to the Independent Planning Commission.
Coffs Harbour Council has voted against appealing a Land and Environment Court ruling that allows raspberry farmers to erect large polytunnels without development approval.
The decision ends a fourteen-month dispute with the Nagra family, whose four-hectare operation was saved by the court’s finding that steel polytunnels are exempt from permits because they’re essential to the crop.
According to the Daily Telegraph, Councillor Cath Fowler led the charge to drop the case, arguing it wasn’t a responsible use of ratepayer money, with costs estimated at up to fifty thousand dollars.
The council’s own legal report warned the ruling could have statewide implications for farm regulation. The region’s berry sector is worth four hundred million dollars and represents twenty percent of Coffs Harbour’s GDP.
Goulburn Mulwaree General Manager Scott Gallacher has made a statement to the council after a former employee was charged with 34 fraud offences, totalling more than $1.2M.
Tom Dimec, who worked at Council from 2009 to 2016, allegedly deposited funds into his accounts during employment at three councils.
Mr Gallacher said while noting that Mr Dimec is innocent until proven guilty of the charges, that the incident was a fundamental breach of trust with the community.
The Council has commissioned an independent audit of its financial systems and controls.
Federation Council has confirmed Adrian Butler will continue as General Manager for another five years, seeing him through to 2031 with the council.
The reappointment is effective from 1st March.
Mayor Cheryl Cook says the move reflects Council’s confidence in Butler’s leadership over the past eight years, during what she describes as a period of significant progress and stability for the region.
Orange City Council has voted to develop clearer guidance on where large-scale renewable energy projects should be located.
The decision follows recent applications for solar farms that raised community concerns about impacts on farming land and rural landscapes.
Council staff will prepare a report balancing the need for renewable energy with protecting the region’s agricultural land and rural character.
The New South Wales Government has released a guide to help councils identify unused land for affordable housing projects.
The guide shows councils how to transform vacant sites like former depots into homes for low-income families.
It includes case studies from councils like Shoalhaven, which converted surplus land into 39 affordable units, and supports the National Housing Accord’s goals to increase housing supply across the state.
NSW Briefs:
Kempsey Shire Council has unanimously supported a mayoral minute addressing rising antisocial behaviour, calling for increased government resources and coordinated intervention to tackle root causes.
Mayor Kinne Ring requested the CEO write to the local State MP seeking additional support, noting councils often manage complex social issues without adequate funding.
Port Macquarie Hastings has ranked second in NSW and fourth nationally for garage sales, with almost 9,500 residents taking part.
Over 18,000 second-hand items were sold across 221 sales, keeping 11 tonnes of goods out of landfill.
Bega Valley Shire Council has completed six new bridges funded through the NSW Government’s Fixing Country Bridges program.
The $13 million investment replaces ageing timber structures, improving safety and connectivity for residents, businesses and emergency services.
Over the past five years, Council has upgraded 31 of its 376 bridges across the shire.
Queensland Report
The Brisbane Times has reported on leaked documents revealing concerns about the appointment of Louise Rusan as chief executive of Redland City Council.
Ms Rusan was voted into the role in early 2025, but the confidential documents show she wasn’t shortlisted by the recruiter hired to fill the position.
The recruitment process was already troubled after the first recruiter quit, raising concerns about staff who would report to the CEO sitting on the selection panel. The second recruiter provided a shortlist that didn’t include Rusan.
But after a closed-door meeting between councillors, Rusan was brought in to present alongside the shortlisted candidates.
The article claims Councillor Wendy Boglary raised alarms about potential political influence and procedural breaches.
When the vote came, it wasn’t unanimous. One councillor tried to abstain over “governance concerns,” and Mayor Jos Mitchell appeared exasperated but voted in favour.
The council maintains all appropriate processes were followed.
The Bureau of Meteorology has delayed scrapping flood monitoring software after councils warned the changes would endanger communities.
The phase-out of critical real-time weather data has been pushed back three months to October, but Brisbane City Council says it’s not enough.
The Courier Mail reported that the Bureau will now scrap plans to reduce flood gauge updates from five to fifteen minutes.
Construction has begun on a major upgrade to First Avenue in Maroochydore, creating a critical connection between the CBD and waterfront.
Queensland construction company GRC Civil will deliver the streetscape transformation, funded by 11.9 million dollars from the Australian Government and 15.9 million from Sunshine Coast Council.
The project will calm traffic, improve pedestrian crossings, and add 70 new trees and 2,000 plants to create cooler, shadier spaces.
The upgrade is expected to be completed in 2027.
Logan City Councillor Scott Bannan has been reappointed unopposed as Deputy Mayor for a second two-year term.
Cr Bannan, first elected to the Council in 2020, said he was “stoked” to continue the role alongside Mayor Jon Raven.
Tasmania
The City of Launceston has abandoned its controversial proposal for a four-day work week after intense pressure from business groups and ratepayers.
The council had been negotiating what’s known as a “100-80-100” model – where employees would receive 100 percent of their pay for working 80 percent of the hours, maintaining 100 percent productivity. Under the proposal, staff would have worked just over 30 hours per week instead of the standard 38.
But following fierce criticism from the Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, which called the plan “a slap in the face for ratepayers and local business,” the council has walked back the proposal.
Council CEO Sam Johnson says the decision came after extensive feedback from the community, and he cited increasing hostility and “unacceptable vitriol” directed at council staff during the public debate.
The revised agreement now includes flexible 38-hour arrangements – including compressed four-day weeks and nine-day fortnights – along with a 5 percent wage increase this year.
The Australian Services Union has condemned what it calls interference from external business groups, saying the original model was designed to address recruitment challenges without increasing rates.
The mayor of Launceston, Matthew Garwood, told ABC Radio that, on reflection, the bargaining process should not have played out in public, as much as it did, saying while community conversations were important, so was respect for the process.
The revised agreement will go to a staff vote in coming weeks.
For more, check out reports from The Mercury, ABC News, and The Examiner.
Northern Midlands Council has acquired the former Perth Police Station, a historically significant site that Mayor Mary Knowles says will be considered for future uses that align with community needs.
The Council is not yet revealing details about the purchase price or specific plans for the property, but says the community will be consulted once more information becomes available.
Mayor Knowles said the acquisition secures an important piece of Perth’s built heritage for potential future development.
South Australia
South Australia’s regional councils are calling for urgent action from state and federal governments to address housing supply barriers in regional areas.
While welcoming recent metropolitan housing announcements, councils say regional communities face unique challenges including limited infrastructure, workforce shortages, higher construction costs, and planning constraints.
Regional leaders emphasise that housing shortages are hindering workforce attraction and economic growth across areas including the Limestone Coast, Eyre Peninsula, Northern and Yorke, Southern and Hills, Murraylands and Riverland, and Spencer Gulf Cities.
Regional South Australia says with the right support, regional areas can play a significant role in meeting national housing targets while supporting sustainable population dispersal across the state.
Naracoorte Lucindale Council is seeking community feedback on the future of the historic Struan House Road bridge, which spans Mosquito Creek.
The bridge, originally built in 1865, requires approximately $1.1 million in repairs to address structural defects, despite load assessments showing it can support heavy vehicles.
Council is considering decommissioning the bridge due to these significant costs, which would add just 1.4 kilometres to some journeys.
Traffic data shows about 85 vehicles use the bridge daily.
Western Australia
The City of Perth is under fire after installing high-pitched noise devices to deter homeless people from camping near a cycle path.
According to 9News, the city worked with the Public Transport Authority to place speakers emitting shrill sounds under the Lord Street overpass in East Perth.
The devices have since been switched off following swift criticism from homelessness advocates and politicians.
WA Premier Roger Cook has distanced himself from the decision, while the City of Perth maintains the devices were meant to address antisocial behaviour and safety concerns, not target homeless people specifically.
The election for mayor of Port Hedland next month will see several former councillors vying for the position. Eight candidates have nominated, including former mayors Camilo Blanco and Peter Carter. Mr Blanco has reportedly filed an official complaint about comments from Local Government Minister Hannah Beazeley about his eligibility to run in the election.
Two candidates have been elected unopposed in the City of Nedlands’ Coastal Ward. Eliza Clapin and Stephen Kobelke will take their places on the new council without going to election. The remaining wards, and the mayoral election, will be contested, with the election date set for March 28.
David Singleton has been elected unopposed to the Shire of Peppermint Grove Council. He will serve the remainder of the term, expiring in October 2029.
The Shire of Westonia has appointed Mrs Jasmine Geier as Acting Chief Executive Officer for 14 weeks from 9th March while the incumbent CEO takes annual and long service leave.
Global Report
NZ:
Hastings councillor Steve Gibson is refusing to participate in mediation over allegations he made inappropriate remarks to gallery staff about a controversial art installation, according to a report from Stuff.
The council has already spent nearly 10,000 dollars on an initial assessment, which Gibson says lacked balance because only council witnesses were interviewed.
He claims the matter was a misunderstanding and says the mayor should be apologising to him.
The investigation will now proceed to a full inquiry at additional cost to ratepayers.
In Wellington City, millions of litres of raw sewage have been pouring into the ocean for more than two weeks after the catastrophic collapse of the Moa Point wastewater treatment plant.
The Guardian reported that the disaster has forced beach closures, prompted public health warnings, and sparked fears for marine life including little blue penguins in a protected reserve.
A crown inquiry will investigate years of alleged underinvestment and warning signs that were missed by the multiple agencies responsible for the plant.
UK:
The fallout continues from the UK government’s reversal of its decision to delay local elections in 30 English councils, following a legal challenge by Reform UK.
Electoral officials warn they now face an uphill struggle to prepare in time for the May polls after losing months of planning.
BBC News reported that Councils across England are expressing frustration at the last-minute decision, with officials forced to work extra hours to catch up.
Norfolk County Council leader Kay Mason Billig has accused Local Government Secretary Steve Reed of being a “bully” who threatened to withhold funding if she spoke out against election delays.
She claimed Reed made threats through “back channels” that Norfolk would lose devolution funding if she called for elections to go ahead.
The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has denied the claims, calling them “untrue” and “baffling”.
Norfolk’s elections were delayed twice before the government’s recent U-turn reversed the postponement.
Reform UK MP Andrew Rosindell has pledged his party would offer Havering residents a referendum on leaving the London council area, to join Essex if Reform formed the next government.
The Romford MP, who defected from the Conservatives earlier this year, says residents would get a choice on remaining part of London or joining Essex as a self-governing unitary authority.
The proposal comes amid ongoing debates about local government reorganisation across England. Havering is currently one of London’s outer boroughs.
USA:
In Florida, the Tallahassee City Commission has imposed a 30-minute limit on public comment for items not on the agenda.
Mayor John Dailey says the move will restore decorum after months of raucous meetings, often dominated by protesters opposing the police department’s immigration enforcement agreement with ICE.
The Tallahassee Democrat reported that critics are calling it an attack on free speech and say residents have a right to be heard.
The restriction passed on a three-to-two vote, with the mayor suggesting speaker time could be cut to just one minute to fit within the limit.
The City of Omaha, Nebrasks and the owner of a long-vacant hotel in southwest Omaha are reportedly close to negotiating a demolition arrangement.
City officials say the site has been problematic for years and hope the land can be put to productive use once the structure is torn down.
The site owner had sought to block the city’s demolition plans in court, claiming the city broke an agreement.
A judge delayed a hearing until March 9th, but both sides now say they’re working toward a settlement, according to KETV.
SOUTH KOREA:
A former Seoul City Council member at the centre of corruption allegations is reportedly planning to run for a district mayor position that comes with an annual salary exceeding 100 million won.
District mayors in Seoul control budgets ranging from 500 billion to over a trillion won—more than some government ministries.
The Chosun Daily reports on the fierce competition for the positions in party primaries, and recent cases of mayors abusing their positions for personal gain, with some facing criminal charges.