Today on the Local Government News Roundup:

• Victorian councils call for a pause on new data centre approvals
• Wodonga’s CEO announces his planned departure
• Indigo Shire appoints its new CEO.
• A new General Manager appointed to Moree Plains Shire
• A Gaza artwork display cancelled on safety grounds by Shoalhaven Council
• Hobart’s longest-serving councillor loses his seat after 34 years
• A Queensland council cracking down on absenteeism
• and the shock passing of a New Zealand deputy mayor

plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

Listen now wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Local Government News 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; and Rath Engineering Development – smarter local government systems built from real on-the-ground experience.

In this episode:

Victoria

Victorian councils have called on the State Government to pause new data centre approvals until a comprehensive planning, environmental and infrastructure assessment framework is in place.

The resolution was passed at the Municipal Association of Victoria’s State Council in October. Most approvals are made through the Development Facilitation Program, with councils referred in as part of the process.

M-A-V President Cr Jennifer Anderson said councils were not being given enough time, information or resources to consider cumulative impacts.

She said a temporary moratorium would allow communities to be engaged in building a robust framework.

Indigo Shire Council has appointed Gael Evans-Barr as its new C-E-O.

Ms Evans-Barr is currently Deputy C-E-O at AlburyCity, where she has also served as Acting C-E-O. Before joining local government, she held senior executive roles with the Victorian Government.

Mayor Cr Sophie Price said Ms Evans-Barr “stood head and shoulders above the rest”. She succeeds Mr Trevor Ierino.

Wodonga Council’s C-E-O, Matthew Hyde, will leave the role when his contract ends in July twenty twenty-seven.

Mr Hyde has led the council for almost five years. He says he is proud of what the organisation has achieved, including stronger finances and a move beyond municipal monitoring, and that he is ready for a new challenge.

Mayor Cr Michael Gobel thanked him for steering the council through a demanding period.

Recruitment and transition details will be shared as plans are confirmed.

Merri-bek Councillor Oscar Yildiz, who is contesting the Victorian state election as an independent, has called out the vandalism of campaign signs.

In a video posted to social media, Cr Yildiz described the behaviour as “disgraceful and gutless”, and said other candidates are being targeted as well.

He says he has footage of the individuals damaging signs, and that it has been provided to Victoria Police.

Cr Yildiz is urging anyone who sees election signs being damaged, whichever candidate they belong to, to report it to police or the candidate concerned.

Greater Geelong Council has criticised the State Government over delays to the Creamery Road Precinct Structure Plan.

The plan covers land west of Bell Post Hill and would deliver around four thousand two hundred homes, along with parks, roads and community facilities.

Council says it has completed its planning work, but Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny has requested further work rather than make a decision, despite advice from her own department and an independent advisory committee.

CEO Ali Wastie says the delay will increase housing costs, and that Geelong needs certainty now.

Colac Otway Shire Council is coordinating with state agencies to remove dead carp from Barongarook Creek following a natural oxygen depletion event during the breeding season.

Crews are working to remove dead fish from accessible areas, focusing initially on areas closest to housing. Costs will be shared with the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action.

Council management said the joint response aims to mitigate environmental impacts and address community concerns regarding water amenity.

The Courier reported on Ballarat City Council’s call for a royal commission into femicide.

In the face of escalating gender-based violence, the council is calling for urgent structural intervention rather than passive mourning.

Mayor Tracey Hargreaves said a national inquiry is required to examine systemic and cultural drivers and keep momentum going for future generations.

Hume City Council has launched a 12-month trial with car share provider GoGet, placing three dedicated vehicles across Craigieburn and Roxburgh Park.

The initiative aims to offer residents a sustainable, cost-effective alternative to private car ownership, with fuel, insurance, and maintenance fully included in bookings.

With four weeks to go until the Victorian election on November the twenty-eighth, Peri Urban Councils Victoria has launched a State Election Tracker.

The online resource brings together major party announcements relevant to peri urban communities, including Bass Coast, Baw Baw, Golden Plains, Moorabool and Surf Coast.

Chair Cr Moira Berry said people should be able to find the promises that matter to their community in one place.

So far, announced commitments span housing and enabling infrastructure, community and liveability, and public transport. Digital connectivity remains a priority for further commitments.

New South Wales

Shoalhaven City Council has cancelled the local showing of a prominent Gaza memorial artwork, citing unacceptable safety and security risks.

According to an exclusive Guardian report, the council asked event organisers to investigate hiring armed guards and restricting attendance before ultimately deciding against hosting the exhibition.

It’s understood CEO Andrew Constance made the decision out of concern for staff and visitor welfare, prompting organisers to relocate the display to an alternative community venue.

Moree Plains Shire Council has appointed Steve Hamilton as its new G-M, starting on Monday, November the ninth.

Mr Hamilton was appointed under the N-S-W Office of Local Government’s procedures, following an extraordinary council meeting on October the twenty-first. Council says he brings experience across local and state government, including a track record of improving capital works delivery.

Mr Ian Stoneman has been Acting G-M for the past four months.

There’s a temporary change at the top of the Office of Local Government.

From Wednesday, Deputy Secretary Brett Whitworth moves to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure for six months. He’ll coordinate work across levels of government on the renewable energy transition, with a focus on working with councils and communities.

Scott Johnston, currently the department’s Deputy Secretary Corporate Services and a former head of Revenue N-S-W, will act as Deputy Secretary, Local Government. Mr Whitworth says Mr Johnston will continue to progress the OLG’s policy and regulatory agenda.

Cobar Shire Council has commenced the search for a new General Manager, following Peter Vlatko’s announcement that he will retire after ten and a half years in the role.

Peter told the Cobar Weekly that he and his wife plan to relocate to Adelaide at the end of the year.

During his tenure, Mr Vlatko said the council shifted its focus from preparing for town decline to investing strategically in infrastructure and community growth.

Notable achievements during his leadership include upgrades to the Great Cobar Museum, the construction of an Early Learning Centre, and securing funding for regional water infrastructure.

Clarence Valley Council’s new Interim Administrator, Mr John Rayner, held his first Council meeting on Thursday, October the twenty-ninth.

In his Administrator Minute, Mr Rayner set out his priorities: restoring confidence in Council, reviewing aspects of its governance, and overseeing the recruitment of a new G-M. That recruitment is under way, with an appointment expected late in the first quarter of next year.

He has also commenced meeting with suspended councillors, and says he will continue to do so as appropriate.

Mr Rayner will report to the Minister for Local Government around mid-December, with recommendations on restoring the proper functioning of Council.

Liverpool City Council has elected Councillor Sam Karnib as its new Deputy Mayor, continuing a distinguished family legacy in local government following the public service of his late father, Ali Karnib.

The newly appointed Deputy Mayor brings his professional background as a principal solicitor to the role, as he joins Mayor Ned Mannoun in the leadership team at Liverpool.

The Deniliquin Pastoral Times reported on debate at Murray River Council about six thousand dollars in expenditure on mayoral and councillor name badges.

Cr Gen Campbell has called for an independent audit, while Mayor John Harvie has defended the bulk purchase as a long-term investment.

The council says the badges were bought within budget and aligned with existing expense policies.

Greater Hume Council has released a draft policy governing the use of body worn and motion activated cameras for regulatory enforcement and compliance activities.

Under the proposed framework, static trail cameras and officer worn devices will be deployed to support staff safety and assist in investigating illegal dumping and environmental offences.

Public submissions on the draft policy remain open until Thursday, the twenty-sixth of November.

Queensland

Mornington Shire Council, in Queensland’s Gulf of Carpentaria region, has dismissed two employees and issued final warnings to seven others following an internal review into chronic absenteeism and performance issues.

A human resources report presented at a council meeting revealed that management initiated formal disciplinary action in September regarding ongoing and excessive absences. When nine staff members received formal letters, eight initially ignored the documentation.

Following subsequent interviews, management elected to issue final warnings to seven workers, cautioning that any further failures in attendance would result in termination. Two additional employees were dismissed, one for the abandonment of employment and the other for unsatisfactory performance and attendance.

The Cairns Post reported on that story.

Councils across Queensland have endorsed motions put up by Toowoomba Regional Council at the annual Local Government Association of Queensland conference covering safety protections, waste reforms, and water fluoridation.

Toowoomba Mayor Geoff McDonald said the strategic items will aid local government service delivery in critical areas such as waste diversion and water supply.

Deputy Mayor Rebecca Vonhoff also noted that safety and security protections for councillors are necessary following a rise in reported abuse and intimidation.

Ipswich City Council will install a bright green seat at River Heart Parklands to raise awareness of long-term missing persons cases.

It is part of The Green Seat Project, founded by Sally Leydon, who has searched for her missing mother for almost thirty years. A QR code on each seat links to profiles written by families.

Ipswich has five long-term missing persons cases.

Tasmania

The count for Hobart City Council was finalised yesterday, and it saw the city’s longest serving councillor lose his seat.

After 34 years of service, Marti Zucco is bowing out following an unsuccesssful attempt to remain on the council, after a restructure saw councillor numbers trimmed down from twelve to nine.

And the final count delivered a blow to Ben Lohberger who failed to secure a position, which rules him out of taking up the deputy lord mayor position, despite winning that separate vote.

The city’s newly elected Lord Mayor Charles Wooley has already faced controversy after claiming at his first media conference that “women didn’t vote for women,” a likely reason for the male-dominated election result. Prominent political figures slammed the remarks as an abdication of leadership and a return to the 1950s.

Australia’s longest-serving councillor, 82-year-old Tony Bisdee, has secured another term on the Southern Midlands Council, extending an incredible stint of 55 years in local government.

Mr Bisdee, who has also served 17 years as mayor, told the Mercury that he attributes his longevity and ongoing commitment to strong community relationships and the rewarding experience of helping local residents.

At Derwent Valley Council, only two sitting councillors have retained their seats while three newcomers and two former members were voted into office.

Luke Browning secured the position of deputy mayor after defeating Melinda Pearce in the final count.

Twenty-three-year old tradesperson Zac Morrisby has been elected to Clarence Council, becoming the state’s youngest sitting councillor.

Mr Morrisby told Pulse Tasmania that he hopes to lead the way for youth representation in local government. His core priorities include addressing parking in Bellerive, improving public transport links, and increasing housing supply across the municipality.

Staff at the West Tamar Council are voting on whether to take protected industrial action in a ballot closing on 10 December, after the Fair Work Commission approved the ASU’s application.

The Australian Electoral Commission is running the secret ballot, which follows a decision made after the council did not object to the move. On Notice – Australian Workpace News has the details.

South Australia

Delegates from across sixty-eight local government bodies will meet in Adelaide next month to vote on a proposal introducing compulsory voting for South Australian council elections by 2031.

Local Government Association SA President Heather Holmes-Ross said low voter turnout, which has hovered around one third of eligible voters for two decades, makes reform necessary to strengthen local democracy.

InDaily reported that any changes to voting rules will ultimately require the support of the state parliament.

South Australia’s planning minister has intervened to override a decision by the Norwood, Payneham & St Peters Council assessment panel regarding a rejected medical project.

The Advertiser reports that the State Planning Commission will now reassess Leyton Property’s proposed health hub.

Minister Nick Champion said the state government stepped in because the development had previously been recommended for approval by the council’s own planning experts.

The Messenger reported on Prospect Council’s seventy-seven percent increase in parking fine revenue over the past financial year, which followed the deployment of full-time after-hours inspectors.

The council said the initiative was implemented directly in response to a growing number of unlawful parking complaints.

Meanwhile, the Charles Sturt Council also recorded heightened enforcement activity, generating over two point six million dollars in parking expiations.

Western Australia

Detectives from the Financial Crimes Squad have charged a 40-year-old man with alleged public sector corruption following a joint investigation by WA Police and the Corruption and Crime Commission.

The investigation centers on allegations of corrupt conduct by an employee of the Shire of East Pilbara between October 2021 and December 2023. Authorities contend that the employee allegedly acted corruptly when issuing contracts for works valued at $5 million to two Victorian-based companies controlled by the accused man.

According to police, the conduct was designed to eliminate other legitimate companies from competing for the contracts. Investigators allege that in exchange for securing the work, the man paid gratuities exceeding $50,000 to the Shire of East Pilbara employee.

The man faces eight counts of a public officer acting corruptly in the performance or discharge of their functions. He appeared in the Perth Magistrates Court and was remanded to appear again on 10 February 2027.

The Town of Victoria Park has announced a new waste management transition that will completely divert its general red bin rubbish from landfill.

Mayor Karen Vernon said residual waste will soon be sent to the Kwinana facility to generate energy and recover metals, bringing forward the local government’s 2030 zero landfill target.

Operational planning is currently underway with the Mindarie Regional Council and Cleanaway to finalise collection details.

International

NZ:

Tributes are flowing across the local government sector following the sudden death of Porirua City Council Deputy Mayor Kylie Wihapi.

Mayor Anita Baker said she was numb with shock and disbelief after her colleague and friend passed away following a fall at her home.

Leaders nationwide have remembered her as a passionate community advocate who made history as the city’s first elected Māori ward councillor.

A funeral service will be held on Saturday.

Dunedin City Council has accepted an independent report finding that Councillor Benedict Ong deliberately breached the Code of Conduct.

As a result, Cr Ong has been suspended from all council committees and subcommittees for nine months, though he will still be allowed to attend full council meetings. The council says the report will remain confidential.

In subsequent news, Council chief executive Sandra Grant has dismissed Councillor Ong’s attempts to avoid triggering a costly local by-election upon his planned resignation.

The council boss confirmed to the Otago Daily Times that any manoeuvre to sidestep the requirement for a public vote holds zero chance of success.

UK:

Oxfordshire County Council is considering a new legal challenge following the government’s announcement on local government reorganisation geography.

The government said it was ‘minded-to’ replace the seven existing councils in Oxfordshire and West Berkshire with three new unitary councils.

Council leader Tim Bearder said the authority will review the decision details before deciding on further action.

Meanwhile, Lewes District Council has also criticised the plans, stating that the proposals fail to justify the annexation of parts of its district. More from the Local Government Chronicle.

The UK government has ordered a rapid best value assessment into Ashfield District Council following serious concerns raised regarding its leadership and governance.

The Nottingham Post reported that the intervention follows the recent fraud and tax evasion conviction of the authority’s former leader.

Local government minister Jim McMahon said officials will meet with the council’s chief executive to address the urgent matter.

Bristol City Council has issued an unreserved apology and agreed to pay legal costs after unlawfully banning two gender critical campaigners from public meetings, reports BBC News.

The authority admitted its disciplinary process was inadequate and that a proper investigation should have been conducted prior to any exclusion.

The six month bans have now been formally rescinded, and all allegations the women withdrawn.

USA:

The entire full-time police force in Milner, Georgia, has resigned following allegations that the mayor placed a tracking device on the police chief’s vehicle.

According to KALB News, the city manager also resigned amid mounting governance concerns.

Local officials said the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office will temporarily manage law enforcement operations for the area.