Today on the Local Government News Roundup:

• Melton Council’s innovative move to potentially fast track new railway stations
• Outer north councils unite on Cloverton
• Clarence Valley appoints interim GM and asks Minister for more time
• AlburyCity’s revised special rate variation proposal
• A no confidence petition targeting a Queensland mayor
• A suspension for a Tasmanian councillor
• A WA council CEO’s suspension lifted after ten days

All of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.

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

Melton City Council has voted to initiate preliminary discussions with the Victorian Government regarding a potential public private partnership to construct long-awaited railway stations at Thornhill Park and Mount Atkinson

According to ABC News, the council is exploring whether co-funding the infrastructure could also generate ongoing local revenue through station parking fees.

With outer western growth corridor populations booming, regional transport planning remains a primary focus for growth area councils leading into November’s state election.

In council election advocacy news this week:

Hume City Council, Mitchell Shire Council, and the City of Whittlesea have partnered to call on political candidates to commit to major infrastructure in Melbourne’s outer north.

The joint advocacy highlights critical priorities for the proposed 52-hectare Cloverton city centre, including land reservation for a regional public hospital and an extension of the Upfield rail line to Wallan.

With local populations projected to reach 380,000, the councils are urging early state government coordination to deliver essential public facilities before further residential expansion occurs.

Mildura Rural City Council is urging candidates in the upcoming state election to commit over $74 million to three major local projects.

The requested funding aims to drive housing growth across the region, upgrade Mildura Airport, and create a new family playspace along the riverfront.

Deputy Mayor Helen Healy said the projects were about creating more opportunities for local families, supporting jobs and investment, and ensuring our region continues to grow.

Greater Shepparton City Council is calling on all political parties to commit to funding a second Goulburn River crossing as part of its 2026 Victorian State Election Priorities.

Mayor Geoff Akers warned that relying on a single major river bridge leaves critical freight routes and local emergency access dangerously vulnerable.

Meanwhile, the council has welcomed a Coalition commitment of $95 million to deliver Stage 2 of the Goulburn Valley Health Integrated Cancer Centre in Shepparton.

It described the pledge as a major milestone, which would bring comprehensive cancer diagnosis, treatment, and radiotherapy under one roof for northern Victoria.

The Municipal Association of Victoria has reached the halfway point of its Future is Local state election campaign, with fifty days until Victorians vote on November the twenty-eighth.

In an op-ed, MAV CEO Kelly Grigsby has welcomed recent road maintenance commitments, but said the policy debate is only halfway there.

The MAV will keep pushing for a three-year Fund the Gap program for growth areas, and a multi-year transformation fund and formal accord for local government.

Victorian local councils have forcibly sold 50 properties over the past five years to recover overdue unpaid rates, according to the Leader.

The forced sales were treated strictly as a measure of last resort, applying only to vacant land, commercial blocks, and abandoned estates where debts exceeded three years.

Yarriambiack Shire Council recorded the highest number of sales with 22 properties transferred, while metropolitan Melbourne councils avoided forced sales entirely.

Horsham Rural City Council has expressed disappointment after the Victorian Government approved a mining licence for the Avonbank Mineral Sands Project near Dooen.

Mayor Brian Klowss warned that major community concerns around environmental monitoring, land rehabilitation, and local infrastructure remain unresolved.

The Council says it will continue advocating for independent oversight and stronger transparency requirements throughout the life of the mine.

Wellington Shire Council will maintain its three-bin kerbside waste collection model, following early data showing a reduction in landfill waste of up to 40 per cent.

Council considered a community petition requesting the reinstatement of weekly general rubbish collections, but determined the current service balances waste reduction with long-term financial sustainability.

Reverting to weekly general rubbish pickups alongside weekly organic waste collections would have added an estimated $2.5 million annually to the kerbside service cost.

The Rural City of Wangaratta has reached a key milestone in its staged departure from direct aged care delivery, with all Support at Home clients now successfully transitioned to external providers.

The Council says it will now shift its focus to ongoing advocacy, and community drop-in sessions to assist local seniors.

New South Wales

Clarence Valley Council has voted to appoint an Interim General Manager for up to twelve months to lead a comprehensive organisational improvement plan.

The Council has also requested a one week extension from Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig to finalise a response to recent ministerial correspondence, seeking permission to remain in office while the six month restructuring program is carried out.

The decision was reached during an extraordinary meeting on Tuesday, with further formal debate scheduled for the upcoming council session on October 15 if the Minister grants more time.

A Sydney community group, Stop the Cooks River AI Project, is intending to proceed with a demonstration against a proposed 2.9 billion dollar data centre development despite opposition from Bayside Council.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, the council has told organisers that the planned park gathering requires formal event approvals and public liability insurance, which have not been granted.

The group insists the demonstration will proceed, claiming the council does not have the power to stop protests.

The Council has not said publicly whether it intends to take any action to try and stop the protest from going ahead, and did not respond to the Herald’s request for comment.

Councillor Declan Clausen has officially commenced his eighth term as Deputy Lord Mayor of Newcastle, making him the longest-serving deputy in the city’s history.

His appointment comes as part of a four-year leadership sharing arrangement, succeeding former deputy Charlotte McCabe in the position. Cr Deahnna Richardson is scheduled to take over the role next October.

AlburyCity Council will consider a revised special rate variation proposal at its meeting on Monday, after consultation found strong concern about affordability.

Councillors are being asked to endorse fourteen per cent a year for two years, a cumulative twenty-nine point nine six per cent including the rate peg. That is well below the initial forty-five per cent options put to the community.

If endorsed, the amended plans would go on public exhibition, with a decision on applying to IPART due on the fourteenth of December.

Councillors at the City of Newcastle have voted against flying the Tibetan flag above City Hall for Tibetan National Uprising Day, citing concerns over potential political tension and setting a precedent for other nation-state flags.

Greens councillors proposed raising the flag on March 10 alongside developing a new flag-raising policy, but opponents argued civic buildings should remain focused on official national, state, and local flags.

As reported by the Newcastle Herald, council instead approved a motion to show support for the local Tibetan community by illuminating the City Hall clock tower in the flag’s colours.

A new Integrated Health Hub is coming to Campbelltown’s CBD as part of a 35 million dollar NSW Government investment to ease pressure on local emergency departments.

Campbelltown City Council Mayor Darcy Lound welcomed the announcement, highlighting that the facility will bring essential primary care and chronic disease management closer to home for Macarthur residents.

Orange City Council is calling for expressions of interest to rehome four elderly cockatoos, a Long-billed Corella, and a Galah from the Cook Park Aviary following an independent welfare assessment.

Applicants must demonstrate suitable facilities and care capabilities before the submission deadline at 5:00 PM on October 24.

Queensland

Logan City Council has voted to halve its infrastructure charges on one-bedroom secondary dwellings, saving developers and homeowners $13,500 per project.

The decision passed eight votes to three despite strong opposition from Mayor Jon Raven, who warned the move could be exploited by property investors and lead to severe suburban overcrowding.

According to ABC News, the reduced levy is designed to boost affordable housing supply and is scheduled to come into effect in November.

A community petition expressing no confidence in Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Helen Blackburn has been launched following a controversial 147 per cent increase to community rent rates.

The Courier Mail reported that the petition cites growing frustration over rising costs for local community groups and a perceived lack of transparency from council leadership.

The decision follows a split vote by elected members late last month to delay any potential reversal of the fee structure until mid-2027.

Townsville City Council has officially sworn in new Division 1 Councillor Michelle Hobson following her victory in the recent postal by-election.

Ms Hobson, who brings a background in business, health, and community engagement, now steps into the role to represent residents across the city’s northern and western suburbs.

Whitsunday Regional Council has announced a new annual record for its local airport, which welcomed over 522,000 passengers during the past twelve months.

The self-funded asset operates without ratepayer subsidies, delivering financial returns that directly support municipal services and regional infrastructure.

Council attributes the growth to increased flight frequencies and strategic airline partnerships, reinforcing the facility’s role as both a tourism gateway and a key regional economic hub.

Tasmania

A Code of Conduct panel has handed Burnie City Council member Trent Aitken a 28-day suspension following social media posts targeting local surf lifesaving clubs over LGBTQIA+ inclusion initiatives.

Details released by the Department of Justice show the penalty, which also includes specialised social media training, will commence after being tabled at the 27 October meeting.

According to the Advocate, the decision was published early to ensure voters are informed before council election polling closes.

A candidate for the West Tamar Council has withdrawn from the election, blaming time constraints and privacy concerns over the requirement to publish home addresses on campaign material.

Because nominations closed prior to the announcement, election officials confirm the candidate, William Gordon, remains on printed ballot papers.

According to The Examiner, a recount will be triggered to distribute preferences should the candidate secure enough votes to be elected. Mr Gordon had nominated for deputy mayor and councillor.

South Australia

Mount Barker Council has released a new parking management plan outlining its intention to introduce paid parking along Hahndorf’s Main Street and in off-street carparks to improve space turnover and manage congestion.

According to a report from The Advertiser, local business surveys indicate nearly 70 per cent of traders oppose paid parking, despite the town drawing more than 1.2 million annual visitors.

Council representatives say paid parking remains a future option that will only be considered after initial measures, including a three-hour parking limit and new off-street facilities, are implemented and reviewed.

South Australian property group Buildtec has been selected by the City of Mitcham to redevelop the former Blackwood Library and nursery site on Main Road.

The planned mixed-use project features two conjoined multi-storey buildings with ground-floor commercial space alongside upper-level apartments, including affordable housing options.

Construction is set to start within 12 months, delivering a major milestone in Council’s long-term town centre master plan.

The Mayor of Cleve District Council has thrown his full support behind a $350,000 community-led petrol bowser project in Arno Bay.

Local residents are working to raise the required funds for the project, which aims to end a 15-year fuel drought in the town.

The Advertiser reported that Mayor Phil Cameron has praised the town’s determination to secure the necessary dollars for their community’s benefit.

Western Australia

The City of Bunbury has commissioned an independent review into communications issued following a recent decision on the Back Beach Precinct planning scheme amendment .

Council resolved to seek external assurance to determine whether a media release, interviews, and social media posts accurately represented the adopted resolution and aligned with governance protocols.

A suitably qualified specialist will conduct confidential engagements with elected members, with a final report and recommendations to be presented at a future council meeting .

The Shire of Ashburton in Western Australia has ended the suspension of its CEO, Keith Woodward, just ten days after councillors resolved to suspend him.

At a special meeting last Friday, councillors voted eight to nil, in a closed session, to end the suspension with immediate effect. It was clarified that the suspension was not on disciplinary grounds.

The Northwest Telegraph reported that the suspension was not publicly known until the decision to revoke it.

The Council has since announced that Mr Woodward is on leave, with Darren Kennedy serving as acting CEO currently.

The City of Nedlands has rejected a controversial proposal to increase housing density on Bedford Street, voting 7-2 against rezoning five lots from low-density R10 to medium-density R40, according to Perth Now.

Councillors noted the strong community opposition and that local housing targets were already on track to be significantly exceeded under the existing planning framework.

A series of community workshops will now be conducted to gather feedback ahead of an upcoming review of the local planning strategy.

International

NZ:

Waikato District Council’s Chief Executive, Craig Hobbs, has announced he will step down at the end of the month after 18 months in the role.

During his tenure, Hobbs helped hold rates below four percent, stood up New Zealand’s first waters CCO alongside Hamilton City Council, and delivered an operating surplus of more than $26 million.

Mayor Aksel Bech said he has accepted Mr Hobbs resignation and wishes him well for the future. He told the Waikato Times that people shouldn’t be looking for conspiracy theories, and that while a CEO departure after such a short time is unusual, he says it’s an unusual time for local government.

UK:

Lambeth London Borough Council has commissioned a formal review into trialling a four-day working week for its staff, according to a report by the Local Government Chronicle.

Led by its Green Party administration, the authority aims to lower employee turnover and sickness absence while boosting overall workforce productivity.

If implemented, the borough would become the first local authority in London to adopt the model, following a permanent transition by South Cambridgeshire District Council last year.

PHILIPPINES:A probe has been launched into Vice Mayor Jeryll Harold Respicio after a heated outburst during a Reina Mercedes council session where he accused local officials of being thieves.

Interior Secretary Jonvic Remulla condemned the behavior as inexcusable for a public official, warning that such conduct sets a damaging example for the community. PhilStar Global has more on that story.

USA:

Fire stations in Lowell, Massachusetts, are temporarily closing due to severe staffing shortages, which firefighters attribute to under-hiring and city leaders blame on excessive sick leave usage, according to CBS News.

Lowell City Council members have expressed deep concern after records revealed firefighters took 527 sick days in 77 days, driving overtime costs over $1 million.

A jurisdictional boundary dispute in Colorado has stalled efforts to clear a homeless encampment right outside Aurora’s Regional Navigation Campus.

The campus was purchased by Aurora to provide shelter, services and support for people experiencing homelessness, on the assumption it was under its jurisdiction.

Aurora City Council is now pursuing a land transfer with Denver City Council so the area can be managed and abated under a single set of rules.

CANADA:

A new national report released by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities reveals local councils are experiencing the earliest impacts of Canada–U.S. trade disruption, reporting rising costs, supply chain bottlenecks, and delayed investment projects.

Researchers note that local governments act as real-time barometers for economic disruption, detecting local employer challenges well before they appear in broader national datasets.

The City of London and the District of Mackenzie are among several authorities highlighting how trade exposure varies by industry focus rather than population size. More on that story from Municipal World dot com.