On the Friday 6th March edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- Predictions of a messy industrial standoff across eight Melbourne councils
- A super merger of councils not favoured in Melbourne’s southeast
- A regional council’s major budget blackhole
- A long serving Council CEO announces he’s stepping down
- A controversial plan to charge visitors for parking at Sydney beaches
- Pressure to overhaul a CEO performance review process in Queensland
- Councillor resignations in NSW and Western Australia
- A Canadian mayor apologises for false claims about a colleague
All of that and more on Australia’s number one local government podcast.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Symphony 3.
Listen to this episode on your preferred podcast platform, or by clicking here.
Transcript for Episode #559
Victorian Report
Greater Melbourne could be looking at a messy standoff… with council workers warning they may walk off the job in a pay dispute, according to reporting from Sky News, the Australian and others.
The Australian Services Union says it is pushing a multi‑employer bargaining deal across eight metro councils… and has applied to the Fair Work Commission for a protected action ballot.
Those councils might include Melbourne, Hume, Darebin, Merri-bek, Yarra, Maribyrnong, Hobsons Bay and Greater Dandenong.
Street cleaners, waste crews, and parking officers could be among those affected.
The union argues wages have lagged living costs for years… and points to rate‑capping and tight state funding.
Bargaining is expected to begin in coming weeks.
The idea of merging councils into “super councils” is back on the agenda in Victoria… with some inner‑city mayors saying it is time for an adult conversation about boundaries and budgets.
Former premier Jeff Kennett has even suggested cutting Melbourne’s councils down to just five.
But in the outer south‑east… Greater Dandenong’s mayor Sophie Tan says another merger is not a priority… pointing to tensions from the Springvale and Dandenong amalgamation three decades ago.
The Star Weekly spoke with former councillors from pre and post the 90s amalgamations… they say bigger councils can deliver savings… but warn residents could lose local representation.
A budget oversight at Warrnambool City Council has opened up a big hole in next year’s finances, according to the Standard… almost one million dollars in superannuation costs that were not fully forecast in the 2025–26 budget.
The gap was first put at about three hundred thousand… but councillors now say it has blown out to nine‑hundred‑and‑seventy thousand.
Council executives say they have found savings by leaving some vacancies unfilled… cutting overtime… delaying some initiatives… and reducing casual hours, including at the Flagstaff Hill tearooms.
No jobs have been lost… but councillors are warning the squeeze could still affect services.
After a decade with the same CEO at the helm… Mount Alexander Shire Council is preparing for a change in leadership.
Darren Fuzzard has announced he’s stepping down as CEO... ending a ten-year tenure that began in 2016.
Darren is being credited with steering the Shire through significant growth… a global pandemic… and a sharpened focus on climate resilience.
Mayor Toby Heydon thanked Darren this week… noting that his legacy is one of stability and “heart.”
A recruitment process for a new Chief Executive is expected to begin shortly.
In Victoria’s Latrobe Valley… the local council is calling for a rethink of the new V/Line timetable on the Gippsland line.
The earliest morning service now gets to Southern Cross later than it used to… and the council says that is leaving tradespeople and early shift workers unable to start on time.
More trains are running through the day… about every forty minutes from Traralgon… but Mayor Sharon Gibson says the first service needs to be tweaked… so the region can keep reliable links to Melbourne for work and study.
Councillors have unanimously backed a motion asking the transport minister to review the change.
Melton City Council says its pound has confirmed cases of feline parvovirus… a serious and highly contagious disease in cats.
The outbreak was identified on Tuesday… and the facility has moved to strict quarantine… with suspected cases receiving veterinary care and being closely monitored.
For at least the next two weeks… the pound will be closed to cat adoptions and to new cat intakes… including strays and surrenders.
Council says dog services are not affected… and will continue as normal.
In Melbourne’s north… Hume City Council says it wants a seat at the table… as the state and federal governments plan for more data centres.
Councillors warn the area could be hit by a “tsunami” of proposals… with two facilities already operating… and two more applications under assessment.
A council report points to the heavy demands data centres can place on power and water… and the extra pressure on local roads.
Council says it will write to both levels of government… pushing for a statewide framework… and a more sustainable approach… so large facilities are not simply concentrated on the city’s outer edge.
The City of Melbourne has confirmed its plans for Southbank’s Red Stairs… the first major redevelopment of the bright riverside landmark in nearly twenty years.
Councillors have backed a one‑point‑seven‑million‑dollar draft design… aimed at making the space safer… greener… and easier to use.
The proposal would lower the stairs by about three metres… replace the top tier with a viewing platform and railings… and add trees and garden beds for shade and small events.
Final details are still to come… with consultation set for the next design phase.
In more news from around the state:
Brimbank Council is pushing back on claims that fire alarms at the Sunshine multi‑deck car park were installed to deter people experiencing homelessness.
In a letter to the Star Weekly… the council’s chief executive Fiona Blair says the alarms are only in the fire stairwells… and they are there to keep emergency exits clear and accessible.
Moorabool Council has greenlit the design stage for the shire’s long planned indoor aquatic centre. Mayor Steve Venditti-Taylor said years of advocacy have brought it to this point… with funding pledged from the Federal Government, the Victorian Government, and Council.
On the border… Albury City and Wodonga councils have renewed their “Two Cities One Community” partnership agreement… a deal first signed in 2017.
The mayors say the goal is to tackle shared issues with a single voice… from cross‑border services and infrastructure… to long‑term planning tied to each city’s 2050 vision.
And Ballarat City Council has backed a new push to tackle hoon driving… voting to commission a report on what it can do within its powers and budget. The Times reported the council also voted this week to explore seeking restitution from convicted vandals… and confirmed steps toward permanently closing Ring Road at a rail crossing.
Victorian Briefs
The Victorian Independent Remuneration Tribunal has advised that it will be making a new comprehensive Determination of allowances for mayors, deputy mayors and councillors in 2026.
The Determination will include a comprehensive review of the existing allowances and allowance categories.The Tribunal must make its Determination by 19 August 2026.
The Victorian government has announced another two‑point‑four million dollars in grants for council projects that protect vulnerable road users. The funding targets projects designed to protect pedestrians and cyclists… from raised “wombat” crossings… to speed reductions and visibility upgrades near busy intersections. Bayside and Murrundindi Councils are among the recipients.
The VLGA is hosting a special International Women’s Day event on Friday, 13 March in Melbourne.
Commissioner for Gender Equality in the Public Sector Dr Niki Vincent will be joined by the 2025 Mary Rogers Awards winners as they look to provide ideas on how the sector can encourage and inspire women to play an active leadership role within their community.
Details and bookings through the VLGA website.
NSW Report
Parking at some of Sydney’s busiest beaches could soon come with a price tag for some… Randwick City Council is consulting on paid visitor parking at spots like Coogee and Maroubra.
The council says it spends about twenty‑three‑and‑a‑half million dollars a year managing beachside areas… and argues most of the nine million annual visitors come from outside the district.
Under the plan, locals would be exempt through a permit system… while revenue could fund services, infrastructure and cycleways, according to a 7News report.
Consultation runs for six weeks… closing mid‑April.
North Sydney is the latest council to pull the plug on gas.
Starting July 1st, new residential developments in the LGA will be pushed to go all-electric… a move Council says will save households over six hundred dollars a year and reduce indoor health risks.
The decision comes despite a wave of social media backlash and formal opposition from thirteen of the sixteen major submitters. It highlights a growing rift between local leaders and the Minns Government… which continues to resist a statewide ban to protect “consumer choice.”
If you’re building in North Sydney this spring… the future is induction.
After eighteen months of service, Wollongong City Councillor Tiana Myers has announced her resignation... effective immediately.
Elected in 2024 to represent Ward Three… Myers says the decision follows medical advice and a need to focus on her long-term health. Lord Mayor Tania Brown praised the outgoing councillor’s “passion and integrity,” particularly her advocacy for inclusive communities and floodplain management.
Residents won’t need to return to the polls, however… the vacancy will be filled via a “countback” of the 2024 election ballots… avoiding the cost of a formal by-election.
In Kiama… council staff are defending a decision to refuse Fillmore’s development application… saying the proposal, as submitted, did not meet planning rules.
The cafe operator was seeking to expand its operations to trade as a bar and restaurant later into evenings, and was reported to be “fuming” at the Council’s decision.
The council says a detailed assessment found issues around pedestrian and public safety… access and land encroachment… noise impacts… and whether the site had the right to use a laneway.
Kiama Council says community submissions for and against were considered… but staff are required to weigh a broad set of statutory matters.
The council is urging residents to read the public decision notice and assessment report… and is also stressing workplace safety for staff and elected officials.
In far western New South Wales… Central Darling Shire says the community is “extremely disappointed”… after the state government put plans for a replacement weir at Wilcannia on hold.
The council says the pause follows an announcement by NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson… and comes as locals continue to push for long-term water security and quality.
The project has been seen as a key piece of infrastructure for the Darling River town… and the council is urging clear next steps… including transparency about timing and funding.
On the Central Coast… the Lake Haven Cinema Complex has announced it is closing… but Central Coast Council says the decision was made by the operator… not the council.
Council says the operator has been unable to meet rental obligations… with more than three‑hundred‑and‑thousand dollars outstanding… and about four‑hundred‑and‑fifty‑thousand still owed in court costs after legal proceedings were decided in council’s favour.
Council also says it provided more than a million dollars in rent reductions since the start of the pandemic. The council says it will move quickly to find a new operator… and expects the cinema could reopen within months.
In western New South Wales… taxi services have all but vanished west of Dubbo… with councillors told only Condobolin still has an operator.
Narromine’s mayor, Ewen Jones, says compliance costs are crushing the business case… with registration and insurance running to around fourteen thousand dollars a year.
The Western Plains App reports that the Alliance of Western Councils is backing a push to the NSW Government… calling for cheaper registration and insurance… and a fairer playing field with rideshare services like Uber.
The mayors say the loss of taxis is leaving small towns isolated… and they plan to take the issue to the Country Mayors Association in late March.
More News Briefs:
Tweed Shire Council is rolling out a new self‑service beach wheelchair at Jack Evans Boat Harbour.
The chair is designed to be light and easy to manoeuvre… and council says it can be taken into the water up to the top of its wheels.
The service is meant to make a day at the foreshore more accessible… with a simple booking and pickup process.
The Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation has brought in outside help prepare its response to the Murray Basin Plan Review.
RAMJO has appointed Claire Miller Consulting to research issues… map stakeholders… and draft an evidence-based submission reflecting priorities of Riverina and Murray councils.
And as we head into our Queensland report, news that one of the Toowoomba region’s most senior public servants is preparing to step away.
After a long career in public works, Toowoomba Regional Council’s infrastructure services general manager, Mike Brady… will finish up later this month … after about fifteen years with the organisation.
Queensland Report
On the Gold Coast… councillors are pushing to change how the performance of the city’s CEO is assessed.
Governance chair Brooke Patterson has backed an independent review of the council’s chief executive performance process… warning of legal and governance risks in relying too heavily on the mayor.
Under the current policy… Mayor Tom Tate and CEO Tim Baker meet annually to set key performance objectives… with councillors briefed later in confidential sessions.
Patterson says the policy does not spell out a collective role for councillors… and claims reports that once went to the governance committee have not been presented since 2022.
The council says a review is underway… and a report will go back to councillors, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.
Brisbane has more food trucks than ever… after the city council opened up dozens of new parks and public spaces for traders.
But some operators say the new permit system is costing more… and making it harder to build regular customers, according to the Brisbane Times.
Licences now come in tiers… from four‑hundred‑and‑fifty dollars to more than two‑thousand… plus an annual application fee.
Vendors also say bookings only open a few weeks ahead… and popular spots can be snapped up by competitors.
Council says the changes were based on business feedback… and it plans to add a full trader list to its website.
A million‑dollar prize is heading to Moreton Bay… after Pultron Composites won the council’s “Ultimate HQ” pitch for high‑potential scale‑ups.
The package includes five years’ rent‑free office space… a two‑hundred‑and‑fifty‑thousand‑dollar fit‑out… and professional support from partners including Telstra, Westpac, and BDO.
Council says the program drew entries from six countries… reached more than six million people… and represents more than five‑hundred million dollars in potential investment… and around one‑thousand prospective jobs.
Pultron says it plans to base its headquarters at Moreton Bay Central… and explore research partnerships with UniSC.
Queensland councils are warning of an “infrastructure cliff”… and they want the state budget to put some money behind the fix.
The Local Government Association of Queensland is calling for more road funding… plus investment in recycling and resource recovery… and extra support to renew ageing water and wastewater systems.
It wants a state‑funded water and sewerage maintenance program brought back… arguing councils manage more than eighty‑two thousand kilometres of mains… and hundreds of treatment plants.
The peak body says stronger funding would also help rebuild flood‑impacted homes… protect the reef… and boost disaster resilience… and claims the package could add around three‑point‑four billion dollars to the state economy.
On the Sunshine Coast… a dispute over a brewery in the rural hinterland has moved from social media to the courts.
The Sunshine Coast Council says Terella Brewing has only one approval on its North Arm property… for intensive horticulture… and that the venue expanded into public events without the permits needed for parking, noise, and safety.
Council says it issued compliance notices after complaints… and the Planning and Environment Court has now upheld an enforcement notice… requiring unapproved uses to stop.
Terella has also withdrawn a development application. Separate alleged breaches of planning law are due in the Magistrates Court in mid‑April.
Tasmania
A spike in vandalism is costing the Dorset community more than damaged fixtures… it is also pulling time and money away from everyday services.
Mayor Rhys Beattie says public toilets, parks and reserves have been hit… with fires, defacing and damage to buildings and fittings.
Council says it reports every incident to police… and is asking residents to stay alert and speak up if they see suspicious behaviour.
South Australia
As housing gets ever harder to afford in regional Australia… the City of Mount Gambier is joining a national research project to look for new answers.
The council has agreed to partner with the University of Adelaide on a study into how prefabricated and off‑site construction could help increase the supply of affordable homes.
If an Australian Research Council grant is approved… Mount Gambier would contribute five thousand dollars a year for three years… plus staff time and local expertise.
Researchers will examine barriers like regulation, standards, and community acceptance… with findings intended to guide practical reforms for regional towns.
Port Pirie has landed a major sporting event… winning the right to host the 2027 South Australian Masters Games.
It will be the first time the city has staged the Games since 2019… adding to a run of eight previous editions dating back to 2000.
Council leaders say local clubs and volunteers backed the bid… with about thirty sporting codes flagging interest.
Several thousand athletes and visitors are expected… with benefits for accommodation, hospitality, and local retailers.
Registrations are now open for the Pichi Richi Marathon… set for Sunday, the twenty‑eighth of June… in South Australia’s Flinders Ranges.
The event is run by Flinders Ranges Council, which says it draws runners and walkers from across the country… with most travelling in from outside the region… bringing an estimated seventy‑two thousand dollars in visitor spending.
Western Australia
City of Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin has been elected as the new President of the Western Australian Local Government Association.
State Council also elected Shire of Northam President Chris Antonio as WALGA Deputy President.
Irwin takes over from outgoing president Karen Chappel… who led the association from 2022 to 2026. The City of Stirling says it is proud to see its mayor representing councils across WA.
WA’s Shire of Chittering has announced the resignation of its Shire President, Mark Campbell.
Cr Campbell’s resignation takes immediate effect, with a new Shire President to be elected at an upcoming Council meeting.
The Shire’s statement provides no reason for the resignation. It thanked Cr Campbell for his five years of service to the community, and said it “remains committed to strong governance and continuity of leadership”.
Meanwhile, one of the state’s oldest towns is looking for a new top executive… with the Shire of York opening applications for a CEO.
Council says it is seeking an experienced leader to run day‑to‑day operations… and guide the next stage of service delivery for the community.
Applications are being handled through recruitment firm Beilby Downing Teal… and close on Friday the twentieth of March.
In Western Australia’s Mid West… the Shires of Chapman Valley and Northampton have announced the appointment of a joint Community Emergency Services Manager… as part of its regional approach to emergency management and community safety.
The shire says the role will support coordination across local services… and strengthen preparedness for incidents… from severe weather to fire and road emergencies.
Council is encouraging residents to stay informed through official updates… as the region heads into another high‑risk season.
Global Report
NETHERLANDS:
In Amsterdam… the city has moved to tighten rules in and around Vondelpark, the city’s largest and most famous public park… after a rise in street drug dealing… robberies… and break‑ins at nearby businesses.
Residents in the Zuid (pronounced ZOWT) district were told the park and surrounding streets are now classed as a “nuisance zone”… effective immediately.
That gives police and prosecutors more tools… including temporary bans that can keep someone out of the area for a day… up to three days… depending on the offence.
Local retailers say the trouble is no longer seasonal… and that it has shaken staff and customers, according to I Am Expat dot nl.
CANADA:
In Vancouver… Mayor Ken Sim is apologising after repeating this false claim about fellow councillor Sean Orr: (grab, CTV News)
The mayor made the allegation at a Chinese‑language media briefing earlier this month… then repeated it again and again when questioned at a housing announcement.
Cr Orr says he was not even in the city on Christmas… and believes the comments were meant to damage his reputation ahead of October’s municipal election.
Sim says he was given misinformation… and has now apologised to Orr directly. When speaking to CTV News, he repeated the apology 18 times. (grab, CTV News)
Cr Orr says he is weighing his options, which include a formal complaint… and possible legal action.
USA:
Chicago’s long‑running fight over its parking meters is becoming a cautionary tale for other cities… tempted by quick cash.
Straight Arrow News reports that in two‑thousand‑and‑eight… the city took one‑point‑two billion dollars up front… and leased out seventy‑five years of meter revenue to a private partnership.
Investors reportedly made their money back by twenty‑twenty‑two… while Chicago residents faced rising rates and fines.
Now… with another budget crunch… the mayor says buying the system back would cost far more than the original deal… and may be out of reach for decades.
The warning for other councils is simple… short‑term fixes can surrender control and revenue for a generation.
The City of Honolulu is opening up more space for people and their dogs… KHON reports that the city has designated thirty‑six additional parks as on‑leash areas.
Officials say the move doubles the number of legal parks… after months of talks with neighbourhood boards… and a review of sites across Oʻahu.
The parks department estimates more than forty percent of households have dogs… and says it wants at least a third of city parks in more neighbourhoods to be dog‑friendly by the end of twenty‑twenty‑six.
New signs and waste‑bag dispensers are being rolled out… with a pilot program at selected parks… as the city tests how to manage concerns.
JAPAN:
The Japanese city of Kyoto is trying to take the edge off overtourism… by raising its accommodation tax… starting this month.
The charge is per person, per night… and it now climbs sharply for higher‑priced stays, according to news dot com dot au.
Budget travellers paying under six‑thousand yen a night will see no change… but mid‑range rooms will attract higher fees… and luxury accommodation will face the biggest jump.
For stays above fifty‑thousand yen a night… the tax rises from about one‑thousand yen… to as much as ten‑thousand yen… depending on the price bracket.
City officials say the extra revenue will fund crowd management… protect heritage streetscapes… and support cultural events… including the Gion Festival.
UK:
England’s councils say the government’s big building push is already running into a familiar problem… money.
The Guardian reported on a new survey of senior council officers that found nearly two‑thirds are seeing construction projects delayed… from housing to regeneration and transport.
The most common reason was simple… “funding”… with almost all respondents calling for longer‑term, multi‑year settlements.
Officers also flagged skills shortages… and warned that planned reforms to local government could slow delivery in the short term.
Ministers say planning changes and a new finance settlement will boost certainty… but councils say delays are hitting early… at scoping, planning, and contracting.
And there is the issue to developer contributions. New analysis suggests that councils in England are struggling to spend it.
The Home Builders Federation says around nine‑billion pounds in developer contributions… including Section 106 payments and the Community Infrastructure Levy… is sitting unspent in council accounts.
The group says some of that cash is meant for schools, transport, and affordable housing… but LocalGov reports that delays are being blamed on chronic understaffing… limited capacity… and weak monitoring.
Ministers say councils can hold funds for legitimate reasons… but they want the money used promptly… to deliver homes and the infrastructure that goes with them.
A Scottish council is giving Dolly Parton a day on the calendar… to celebrate the impact of her children’s book giveaway.
BBC News reported that Renfrewshire Council has voted to mark Parton’s birthday each year with an official “Dolly Day”… using it as a chance to promote reading and imagination.
Parton launched the Imagination Library in the UK in 2007… and the council joined the scheme in 2021. It sends one free book a month to children aged two to five.
Local leaders say the program has had an extraordinary impact… and they want schools, libraries, and community groups to join in.
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