The Local Government News Roundup is back today with the latest news from across the local government sector, including:
- Levy discontent grows as rates notices go out
- A council’s major restructure plan announced
- Casey Council backtracks on controversial local laws
- Another potential NSW council demerger moves a step closer
- Sweeping reforms announced for council elections in South Australia
- An historic appointment for Western Australian local government
- plus executive appointments, resignations and election results from across the country
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.
Listen to this episode here, and find the link for your podcast player here.
Here is all the news from episode #481:
Victorian Roundup:
Discontent over the state government’s new emergency services volunteer fund is growing as rates notices begin landing in mailboxes.
The South West Victoria Alliance says the nasty and unfair levy means many ratepayers will see significant increases in their bill, with little clarity on how the additional revenue will be spent.
Alliance Chair, and Warrnambool Mayor Ben Blain said it’s a flawed levy that nobody wants, and the state government is making councils do its dirty work by collecting the unpopular tax.
The alliance wants the government to go back to the drawing board and develop a fairer method to raise funds, that doesn’t punish vulnerable households and small businesses.
Brimbank Council estimates the levy will cost its ratepayers more than $12M.
Mayor Thuy Dang said the levy places a significant financial strain on ratepayers already struggling to meet their obligations.
Yarra City Council reaffirmed its opposition to the levy at its August meeting, tabling figures that estimate its ratepayers will contribute $14.6M, with nearly $9M coming from local businesses.
The Mayor of Banyule City Council, Cr Elizabeth Nealy, has published an open letter to the Treasurer and other MPs expressing concerns about the unfair financial pressure on households from the levy, and calling for a range of additional assistance measures.
Cr Nealy said the levy appearing on Council rates notices is creating confusion, misdirected frustration towards Council, and is undermining trust in Local Government.
Mornington Peninsula Shire Council has announced a major organisational restructure aimed at improving customer service and ensuring long-term financial sustainability.
The restructure plan includes reducing employee expenses by $5 million and achieving $5 million in service efficiencies.
It will streamline the leadership structure and result in up to 48 redundancies, with redeployment opportunities identified for many affected staff.
CEO Mark Stoermer and Mayor Anthony Marsh have acknowledged the changes are difficult but necessary to improve service delivery and value for ratepayers while positioning the organisation for the future.
Casey Council has unanimously voted to overhaul its local laws regarding recreational and unregistered vehicles on private property, scrapping costly permits after significant resident backlash earlier this year.
The revised laws would allow residents to ride recreational vehicles during specified hours without permits and keep any number of unregistered vehicles on their property.
The changes also include the removal of rules around 24 hour timeframes for bins and a ban on hard rubbish fossicking; replaced with a new law to prevent the dumping of household waste in public bins.
Final approval of the changes is expected in December, following a period of public feedback on the new rules.
Macedon Ranges Council is mourning the sudden passing of South Ward Councillor Christine Walker, who served since November 2023 and was re-elected for a four-year term in October 2024.
Fellow councillors and staff have expressed deep shock at her loss, remembering her warmth, humour, and community-driven approach to her role.
A countback election will be held on the morning of 1st September to fill the vacancy on the Council.
Nominations are open for a by-election in Wodonga City Council’s Lake Hume Ward.
It follows the resignation of Hannah Seymour from the council in late June.
Nominations close next Tuesday, with ballot packs to go out from mid September. The close of voting is Friday 3rd October.
By-elections in Darebin and Whittlesea in recent weeks have resulted in the election of new councillors to those councils.
In Darebin, where the election was required due to the passing of Gaetano Greco earlier this year, Angela Villella was successful from a field of seven candidates.
The new councillor is understood to have a strong commitment to environmental protection, community safety and service delivery.
At Whittlesea, where the Lalor Ward result from the last election was voided by VCAT, a new poll has seen the election of Michael Labrador to the council.
Former councillor Stevan Kozmeski was unsuccessful in regaining the position after distribution of preferences, despite having the highest proportion of first preference votes.
Kingston City Council is urging the Victorian Government to provide a direct and safe alternative to the closed Mordialloc Stabling Yard underpass, which was a vital link used by thousands of pedestrians and cyclists weekly.
The underpass has been closed by the Level Crossing Removal Project.
The council considers the current 800-metre detour inadequate and is seeking an urgent solution to restore connectivity between key Mordialloc precincts.
An unexpected expansion of Victoria’s Renewable Energy Zones into Buloke Shire communities has been meet with strong disapproval from the council.
Mayor Alan Getley said there had been a lack of consultation and transparency about the expansion which was revealed through a state government announcement last weekend.
Cr Getley said the council stands with community members who feel blindsided by these changes, encouraging residents to submit feedback to the government.
The council’s own submission to the Draft 2025 Victorian Transmission Plan is available on its website.
And this week Buloke Shire Council has appointed Daniel McLoughlan as its Interim Chief Executive Officer starting September 1, 2025, following the departure of Wayne O’Toole.
Mr. McLoughlan, a local resident with extensive experience at the Council including leading flood recovery efforts, will serve for up to 12 weeks until a permanent CEO is appointed.
Meanwhile, Golden Plains Shire Council’s new CEO Adam McSwain takes up his new role on Monday.
Mr McSwain is moving from Hume City Council where he was Director of Infrastructure and Assets. He is a former General Manager of Edward River Council in New South Wales.
Victorian Briefs:
Strathbogie Shire Council is the latest council to implement a registration system for in-person attendance at Council Meetings starting September.
Attendees will be required to register in advance, provide identification, and check in before meetings.
The Councils says the change aims to ensure meetings remain safe, inclusive and well-managed.
The Geelong Resource Recovery Centre and Transfer Station (GRRC) will be replaced with a new state-of-the-art facility, following the closure of the original 1970s facility in March due to safety concerns.
Greater Geelong Council determined that building a new purpose-designed center represents a better investment than pursuing costly short-term repairs to the aging structure.
With construction to take some time, a new temporary site will open next month for limited drop-offs, with the location yet to be announced.
Brimbank Council has approved the submission of Wominjeka Plaza as the proposed name for a new public space adjacent to the Vietnamese Museum Australia which is being built in Sunshine.
The name is now being submitted to Geographic Names Victoria for consideration.
The plaza is scheduled for construction from late this year pending funding from Federal and State Governments.
National Roundup:
NSW:
Residents of Snowy Valleys Council will finally have their say on whether to split their council in two, after the State Government gave the green light for a referendum on de-amalgamation.
Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig has accepted recommendations from the NSW Local Government Boundaries Commission to allow residents to vote on reversing the controversial 2016 merger of Tumut and Tumbarumba councils.
The Minister met with local officials to release the Commission’s report, which warns of significant rate increases should the councils separate – with Tumut residents facing almost 15% higher rates over seven years and Tumbarumba potentially seeing increases between 45 and 65%.
The forced amalgamation, implemented under the previous Liberal-National government, has been described by Minister Hoenig as “another local government disaster inflicted upon regional NSW communities.”
For the demerger to proceed, it will need majority support across the entire council area when the referendum is held.
More debris balls have washed ashore at several Central Coast beaches this week.
The council issued a notice yesterday advising people to avoid seven beach locations and not to touch the material, which is undergoing analysis.
There is no evidence at this stage to confirm the source of the debris balls, or whether they are related to those that washed up on Sydney beaches between last October and January this year.
At Shoalhaven Council, a countback election will conducted to replace Natalee Johnston, who resigned her position earlier this month.
Ms Johnston was elected in September last year, and reportedly resigned due to ineffective governance and cultural issues within the council. The ABC reported that she felt unable to properly serve the community, expressing concerns about a combination of behaviours and somewhat questionable decision making.
The countback will be conducted on Tuesday 16th September.
There’s been a resignation at Narrabri Shire Council which will also require a countback election.
Joshua Roberts-Garnsey resigned citing his full time responsibilities as a teacher and a need to focus on family, health and students.
He has served on the council since last September’s election.
And a countback election is happening at Glen Innes Severn Council, after the resignation of Troy Arandale.
The Northern Daily Leader reported the resignation happened in dramatic circumstances during a recent council meeting.
The second term councillor described the council as divided and dysfunctional, and claimed baseless allegations and personal attacks had harmed his professional standing and taken a toll on his mental health.
Mayor Margot Davis thanked the former deputy mayor for his service over almost four years on the council.
The countback election is scheduled for Tuesday 2nd September.
Former Bayside Council Mayor Bill Saravinovski has reportedly been charged on three counts of giving misleading evidence to the Independent Commission Against Corruption.
The Sydney Morning Herald revealed details of the new charges from a document uploaded to the ICAC website last week.
The charges will be tested in court late next month.
The public inquiry into Liverpool City Council is ongoing, looking at alleged dysfunction and maladministration.
The Sydney Morning Herald reports that this week the inquiry has heard about the lead-up to a fiery meeting involving Mayor Ned Mannoun and former CEO John Ajaka that precipitated the termination of the CEO’s employment contract.
Mayor Mannoun is yet to give evidence before the inquiry.
Meanwhile, the CEO of Shellharbour City Council Mike Archer has been sacked after council consideration of a report into allegations made against him.
Minutes of an extraordinary meeting on 12th August show that the council decided to terminate Mr Archer’s employment contract with immediate effect, and appointed Wayde Peterson as acting CEO.
NSW Briefs:
Kiama Council confirmed that there will be no NYE Sky Show this year, after efforts to explore alternative funding models were unsuccessful.
The council anticipates the event will return in 2026, with efforts to secure sponsorship continuing.
Newcastle City Council has voted to allow Rising Tide to use community land for a People’s Blockade event in November.
Councillors endorsed authorisation for an event at Camp Shortland and in-principle support for the use of Foreshore Park.
The council received 1,855 public submissions on the matter before making its decision.
Bellingen Shire Council has exceeded its goal of a 45% reduction in fuel and electricity emissions, a full five years ahead of target.
The latest figures show a 58% reduction in emissions through a range of energy efficient actions and the installation of solar panels, as well as its partnership with 12 other regional councils in a 100% renewable electricity power purchase agreement.
QLD:
Redland Mayor Jos Mitchell has been cleared of wrongdoing, after an investigation found allegations of misconduct to be unsubstantiated.
Redland Bayside News reported on the council’s consideration of the investigation report and a motion to note that the allegations were unsubstantiated and to release the report’s confidential attachment to the public.
The motion passed but was not unanimous.
The investigation report is now accessible on the Council’s website.
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has indicated that Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson’s suspension could be extended until the corruption investigation by the CCC is complete, despite the mayor earning $225,000 per year while suspended.
ABC News reported that the Premier is awaiting a report from the CCC, but gave no indication of when that might occur.
Thompson claims he is being denied due process and natural justice, and than the Premier and Local Government Minister had refused to engage with him on a proposed resolution to the issue.
After eight years as CEO of Fraser Coast Regional Council, Ken Diehm has decided to retire earlier than his original mid-2026 plan to provide stability during a period of leadership renewal.
He will step down once a new CEO is appointed, likely before the end of the year, and will stay on temporarily to ensure a smooth transition and oversee the completion of the new Library and Administration Centre.
His decision comes as two senior executives, Keith Parsons and Mark Vanner, have left the organisation for senior roles on the Sunshine Coast and in Brisbane.
A new Director of Water and Waste Services is expected to be announced shortly, with recruitment for the remaining Director roles and a new CEO to occur in the coming weeks.
Gerard Carlyon has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer of Mackay Regional Council, effective from the end of September, returning to the organisation where he previously served as Director of Community Services and Director of Planning between 2009 and 2018.
The highly experienced administrator, who is currently Deputy CEO at Fraser Coast Regional Council, is excited to be returning to Mackay with his family and working to address regional and organisational challenges including staff attraction and retention.
TAS:
The City of Launceston has welcomed two new Councillors, Krista Preece and Ross Marsden, who were elected following recounts conducted by the Tasmanian Electoral Commission to fill vacancies created by recent resignations.
Both new Councillors bring valuable experience and community service backgrounds, with Cr-elect Preece returning to Council after previously serving in 2021 and Cr-elect Marsden bringing over 30 years of media experience and involvement in Tasmania’s performing arts sector.
Earlier this month, Andrea Dawkins resigned from the council with immediate effect after more than a decade of service.
Former councillor George Razay was elected to state parliament in the recent elections, creating the other vacancy on the council.
A recount has been conducted this week to fill a vacancy on West Tamar Council, after former Deputy Mayor Jess Greene was elected to state parliament.
Caroline Larner has been elected to fill the position until next year’s ordinary council elections.
There are upcoming by-elections for Central Highlands Council and Dorset Council; the former due to the passing of Cr Tony Bailey in July, and the latter following the resignation of James Cashion in late June.
In both cases, there are no eligible consenting candidates to take part in a recount.
SA:
South Australian Local Government Minister Joe Szakacs has announced sweeping reforms to council elections.
InDaily reported that the changes set to be introduced to parliament next month will require all council election voters to be Australian citizens from 2026 onwards.
Minister Szakacs described the current situation as an “anomaly” in the electoral system, where non-citizens can vote in council elections despite being ineligible to vote at state and federal levels.
The announcement comes amid concerns about dismally low voter turnout for the current Adelaide City Council supplementary election.
Minister Szakacs has blamed what he called an “abysmal state of affairs” and “childish behaviour” among councillors for the turnout rate.
The District Council of Peterborough has extended the term of its acting CEO Kristen Clark through July next year.
Mr Clark took on the role in May after the resignation of former CEO Leanne Babic.
The Council said Mr Clark has made a significant impact in his first three months, including reviewing its financial position and driving organisational improvements.
WA:
Tony Brown has been appointed as Western Australia’s first Local Government Inspector to oversee the state’s 139 councils, ensuring compliance with regulations and codes of conduct.
The role comes with significant powers including the ability to launch inquiries, require evidence from local governments, and recommend dismissal of dysfunctional councils or council members.
Mr Brown’s appointment is for five years from 20th October. He has worked at the Western Australian Local Government Association for nearly 20 years.
The Office of the Local Government Inspector will begin operations from January 2026 with a team of investigators, compliance specialists, and support staff to assist in monitoring local government operations and addressing issues before they escalate.
At the City of Busselton, the council has tapped experienced CEO Garry Hunt as its interim CEO, following the resignation of Tony Nottle last month.
Mr Hunt has several decades experience leading councils, including the cities of Joondalup, Perth and Melville.
His interim appointment will commence mid-September and is expected to be for a six to eight month period while a recruitment process is undertaken.
Busselton Councillor Richard Beecroft resigned earlier this month with immediate effect after 18 months of service.
The position will remain vacant until elections scheduled for October.
Liz Ledger has been unanimously appointed as the new CEO of the City of South Perth.
Ms Ledger has been CEO of the Town of Claremont for eight years.
She will officially take up the position on December 1, with Acting CEO Matthew Scott to continue in the interim role until her commencement.
Mayor Jock Barker paid tribute to Ms Ledger’s achievements for the Town, describing her as the finest senior executive he has had the privilege of working alongside.
Meanwhile Marty Symmons is also departing the Town of Claremont to become the new CEO of the Shire of Morawa, in the state’s North Midlands region.
Mr Symmons has been Claremont’s director of infrastructure for five years.
Three commissioners have taken up their responsibilities at the City of Nedlands, after the resignation of five councillors followed by the remaining four positions being declared vacant by the state government.
David Caddy, Bianca Sandri and Cath Hart have replaced the council, and will carry out its functions until a special election in March next year.
Global Roundup:
UK:
The Guardian reported this week that Labour-run councils in Britain are considering legal challenges to close hotels housing asylum seekers following a successful injunction by Epping Forest Council.
The court decision has prompted the government to consider alternative accommodation options including military sites.
The Labour government has pledged to end the use of hotels to house asylum seekers by 2029, aiming to save £1bn by moving refugees to cheaper sites.
Meanwhile, the BBC reports that three councils in Northern Ireland are investigating the legal planning status of hotels housing asylum seekers.
It says unionists have raised concerns in the wake of the Epping Forest decision. Councillors at Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council have tasked officers with looking into the planning status of the hotels and to consider enforcement action if warranted.
Hertfordshire County Council has expressed concerns over the expansion plans for London’s Stansted Airport, which could accommodate up to 51 million passengers annually by 2040.
That would make it the UK’s second-busiest airport.
In a formal response to a planning application, the Council has acknowledged potential economic benefits, but is questioning how much local residents would benefit given increased traffic, pollution, and noise concerns.
However it remains “cautiously optimistic” that expansion could proceed within environmental limits.
USA:
Two city councillors in the Massachusetts city of New Bedford had made an unusual request of President Donald Trump.
The city’s longest serving councillors Brian Gomes and Linda Morad want the President to stop a waste transfer station being developed in a city business park.
The Standard Times reported that the plant would accept up to 1500 tons of trash and construction waste per day, and has received strong community opposition over the proposed site.
CANADA:
A Canadian local leader has credited firefighters from Australia and Mexico with saving his community.
Firefighters from the two countries have been working alongside local crews in Saskatchewan for the past several weeks, battling wildfires in the north of the province.
The Mayor of Beauval, Rick Laliberte told CBC News that the international support was the difference between saving and losing his community.
39 Australian firefighters responded to a call for assistance, and have now returned home after helping bring the wildfires under control.
Pet bylaws in one of Canada’s largest cities are changing for the first time in two decades.
Edmonton City Council has approved updates which include a tiered attack scale for dog bites, according to CTV News.
After two years of consultation, the new regulations will also impact animal welfare responsibilities, feral cats and license fees.
Household limits on animals will remain at three dogs, six cats, and a new limit of four rabbits.