Local Government News Roundup
Australia’s no.1 podcast for local government news and views, hosted by veteran media presenter and senior executive Chris Eddy. Brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Historic mayoral result, suspension plea, and a call for kindness - #660
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
An historic event for one city leads this week's Victorian mayoral election resultsAs two sitting mayors rule themselves out from seeking another termA Victorian mayor's embarrassing parking mistakeMoree Plains makes a plea for an adviser over suspensionAn embattled councillor gives into pressure and resignsThe shock passing of a serving mayorA date set for Redland's mayoral election, and the field is taking shapeA CEO's call for kindness and respect toward council staffand the NZ CEO appointed to run two district councilsand more news from...
Display cancelled, election shocks, and an absenteeism crackdown - #659
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Victorian councils call for a pause on new data centre approvalsWodonga’s CEO announces his planned departureIndigo Shire appoints its new CEO.A new General Manager appointed to Moree Plains ShireA Gaza artwork display cancelled on safety grounds by Shoalhaven CouncilHobart’s longest-serving councillor loses his seat after 34 yearsA Queensland council cracking down on absenteeismand the shock passing of a New Zealand deputy mayorplus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Surprise election outcomes, a bizarre termination, and a confusing resignation, ft. Allan Watkinson - 658
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
The wash up from Tasmania's local government elections, including some surprise resultsThe cost of a mayor's legal fight against a political criticVictoria's mayoral election season is underwayAn embattled Queensland mayor resignsA Western Australian Council CEO sacked... after she had already resignedMoonee Valley Council votes to remove a former mayor's name from plaques across the cityA councillor resignation at Knox Council in MelbourneGeneral manager movements in New South Walesand much more news, plus:
A new Gallup report, Local Government at a Turning...
Council court victories, leave denied, and a sensational resignation, ft. Ryan Carters - #658
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Court victories for Cardinia Shire Council and the City of StonningtonA second NSW Council under threat of suspensionDemerger plans progress for two regional NSW councilsThe tragic death of a former Queensland councillorRedland's mayor denied a request for leaveBullying allegations against a South Australian mayorand more turmoil at South Perth as the CEO sensationally quitsAll of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.
Also today, how a former professional cricketer is teaming up with councils to he...
Sector shake-up, a councillor censured, and whale carcass wash-up - #656
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Indi leaders united in condemning violence in public lifePort Phillip calls for cruise gateway master planBallarat consulting on a leadership shake-upA censure and a referral to the OLG at Kempsey ShireCessnock takes on a social media giant over online abuse videosTwo more councils considering massive rate risesWhale carcass problems on two coastsand the London council cutting more than 500 jobsand much more local government news from around the country.
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"Blindsided", a wave of condemnation, and a call for compassion, ft. Anne-Marie Cade - #655
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A wave of condemnation from across the local government sector, in the wake of Monday's horrific attack on MP Helen Haines. Reaction from councils and representative bodies across the country.Industrial action escalates in Melbourne's westClarence Valley's new administrator starts workGilgandra Shire appoints its new General ManagerThe Queensland Government's response a local government Depreciation Taskforce reportand yet another South Australian Council parts ways with its CEOAlso today:
Former mayor Anne-Marie Cade on equipping councils and elected members to manage conflict effectively.<...
Crossing backdown, online abuse, and growing pains ft. Todd Carney - #654
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A council's backdown on school crossing cost-shiftingGeelong heads off a controversial supermarket developmentA class action settlement proposal over a council nominations debacleA backdown on grant distribution changes in NSWBrisbane Council to destroy two dogs involved in an alleged violent attackGrowing concerns about online abuse towards council candidates in Tasmaniaand a WA councillor's call for changes to defamation lawsAlso today:
Penrith Mayor Todd Carney calls for more investment in Outer Western Sydney ahead of massive growth in the coming years.
...
Council suspended, administrator appointed, and rate pegs set - #653
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
New councillors elected as Victorian by-election outcomes confirmed Industrial action in Merri-bek, as West Wimmera locks in a four year dealClarence Valley Council suspended by the MinisterNext year’s rate pegs set for NSW councils A CEO appointed as the search for another gets underway in Queensland A call for candidates for next year's South Australian council electionsTwo CEO appointments at WA Councilsand much more local government news from around Australia and beyond.
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Attendance microscope, new lobbying rules, and rising conduct complaints - #652
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Councillor attendance under the microscope in VictoriaA disturbing video reignites calls for more CCTV in a rural municipalityNew lobbying rules on the way for councils in NSWAlbury Council defers a proposed 30 per cent special rate variationComplaints about one Queensland council double in a yearMore conduct rulings about Tasmanian councillors as elections approachand UK households set to get more time to pay their Council tax debt under new government rulesPlus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Rail trial proposal, a "direct attack", and a balaclava ban - #651
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A call to trial a return to train services between Geelong and WerribeeYass Valley confronts an $8.3M funding gapNewcastle's Lord Mayor confronts a 'direct attack' from councillorsThe sector welcomes the scrapping of disaster recovery funding changesA Hobart councillor appealing a third suspension for conduct breachesFive councillors from one council sanctioned by a conduct paneland growing calls for sweeping electoral reforms in New Zealandand more news from the world of local government in Australia and beyond.
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Fifty Days Out: Victorian Councils Press Candidates - #650
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Melton Council's innovative move to potentially fast track new railway stationsOuter north councils unite on ClovertonClarence Valley appoints interim GM and asks Minister for more timeAlburyCity's revised special rate variation proposalA no confidence petition targeting a Queensland mayorA suspension for a Tasmanian councillorA WA council CEO's suspension lifted after ten daysplus more local government news from around Australia and beyond.
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Consultation frustration, accusations of neglect, and highlighting Geelong Design Week - #649
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Frustration in Victoria's northwest as a council calls out an ill-timed consultation process - Chris is joined by Buloke Shire Mayor Cr Graeme MilneTwo city mayors accuse the government of neglecting a critical development precinctClarence Valley calls for an investigator, but may get an administrator insteadMaitland council overturns a controversial decision to sell community parklandCharters Towers Council wins a court challenge against its rating of mining landA councillor calls security... on his own mother,and we shine a spotlight on Geelong Design Week underway now...Case dismissed, exclusion order dropped, and an existential threat - #648
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
An assault charge dismissed against Yarra's mayorA council's open letter to the community about a controversial funding sourceLeeton consults on Special Rate Variation proposalsA media exclusion order dropped after five monthsData centre powers stripped from Queensland councilsNo charges over Hobart's snack-gate scandaland a warning of an existential threat to local government in the UKFind out more at www.lgnewsroundup.com
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A tokenistic process, a wombat apology, and a delay for democracy - #647
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Another mayor steps aside to run for State ParliamentThe City of Melbourne's new position on January 26Two Councils withdraw from they call a 'tokenistic' consultation processA Council apology after wombats were inadvertently impacted by a rabbit control programClarence Valley Council calls for an investigation into its own governanceAn indefinite delay for Coober Pedy's return to democracyA serious misconduct opinion against a former WA council managerPlus more mayoral elections and CEO movementsand much more local government news from around Australia and beyond.
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An early mayoral departure, a service reversal, and a CEO un-terminated - #646
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Moonee Valley's mayor stepping aside earlyMornington Peninsula's Meals on Wheels reversalA Council CEO sounds the alarm on state planning rule changesICAC hears allegations of illegal surveillance and blackmail at a Sydney councilMore history making mayoral elections in NSWA WA Council CEO's employment un-terminatedA New Zealand CEO resigns after a damning report into a fatal landslideand more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
Read more and find story links at www.lgnewsroundup.com
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Rate cap stays, GM dismissed, and insults outlawed, ft. Philip Joseph - #645
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Proposed changes to Victoria's rate capping framework off the tableThe council calling for a rethink on backpacker visa capsYet another Council General Manager dismissedMore turmoil at LiverpoolGold Coast workers reject the council's latest pay offerA Hobart councillor ordered to undergo media trainingWA councils move on smart glassesand the council making it illegal to insult its officersPlus Philip Joseph, Head of Digital Solutions at Symphony3, tells us about a new whitepaper, "Governing in the Age of Disruption", a must-read for every Council CEO.
<...Health scare, CEOs terminated, and amalgamations paused - #644
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Greater Geelong's deputy mayor on the mend after a mid-meeting medical scareMornington Peninsula Shire to revisit its aged care exit planCEO level terminations in New South Wales and Western AustraliaKu-ring-gai withstands pressure from protestors over a controversial synthetic turf field projectIpswich Mayor and councillors at loggerheads over media policyA Tasmanian Council orders a review of its response to a dog attackNZ council amalgamation decisions delayedand more NSW mayoral election resultsPlus more of the latest local government news from across Australia and beyond.
<...Data centre win, funding losses, and smart cities summit, ft. James Sankar - #643
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
New data centre rules hailed as a win for communitiesWinners and losers speak up about proposed grant funding changes in NSWGold Coast Council begins its search for an Olympic-era CEORevelations of a vehicle fleet rort uncovered at Redland CouncilThe surprising numbers from the candidate pool for Tasmania’s council electionsA CEO and three councillors gone from a WA Council in one weekAnd later in the episode, Australia's smart communities movement, "Leave No One Behind," and what to expect at Australian Smart Communities Summit 2026. Ja...
Intervention order overturned, parking fine backlash, and necessary due diligence - #642
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A personal safety intervention order for Stonnington’s Mayor is overturnedYarra calls an Extraordinary Meeting in response to government housing plans in North RichmondA backlash leads to the withdrawal of 42 parking fines issued by the City of WhittleseaPublic hearings conclude in the Federal Government’s inquiry into local government financial sustainabilityClarence Valley Council without a mayor after a procedural error with its electionAn early leader as counting gets underway to fill a vacancy on Townsville Counciland a new inquiry into Perth City Council draws criticism; the...Leave denied, funding setback, and a novel housing fix - #641
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
AI smart glasses on the agenda for more councilsA VCAT decision to cost Boroondara a big payoutAn innovative fix for the housing shortage proposed on the Surf CoastICAC hears of intense political manoeuvring at Strathfield CouncilSydney’s Town Hall Square project halted by the stateA long serving Council General Manager set to departRedland denies its mayor a medical leave requestand more NSW mayoral election resultsplus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Stonnington suspension, legal costs questioned, and a new inquiry - #640
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Councils lining up to introduce bans on smart glassesA four week suspension handed to a Stonnington councillorA new mayor in Greater SheppartonAn integrity body’s lack of funding exposedQuestions about a councillor’s access to funding for legal defence costsNew and returning mayors announced at NSW councilsGold Coast Mayor Tom Tate’s dramatic exit from a press conferenceand a new inquiry launched into the City of PerthAll of that and more just ahead on Australia’s only dedicated local government news podcast.
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Election shake-up, rate notice errors, and escalating consultancy costs - #639
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
City of Melbourne elections set for a shake-upYarra moves forward with a potential ban on smart-glassesHepburn apologises for errors in its rates noticesMaladministration claims at Liverpool not supported by inquiry findingsA long running tiny home dispute reaches its conclusion in courtKiama searching for solutions to a $3.8M budget gapand criticism aimed at Gold Coast Council over escalating staff and consultancy costsand more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Mayoralty relinquished, smart glasses ban, and a colossal white elephant - #638
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Greater Shepparton’s Shane Sali relinquishes the mayoraltyA push to ban smart glasses from a Melbourne councillorA call for stronger benefit sharing from data centresBlacktown confirmed as a creditor of a collapsed housing developerGlen Innes Severn to respond to a proposed PIOMayoral elections continue in NSWBrisbane City challenged over a $30M rates billand the reaction after a major shake-up of UK councils put on holdPlus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Sali’s preselection, political theatre, and a public censure- #637
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Victorian Councils welcome a pledge to reinstate country roads and bridges fundingAnother mayor to step aside ahead of the state electionA NSW council to remove indigenous references from gateway signageAccusations of political theatre in northern QueenslandA deferred vote on removing Welcome to Country from a council’s meetingsA surge in racist abuse as Tasmania’s council elections approachAnd a public censure for a Western Australian councillorand more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Rates notice error, mayoral confusion, and the cost of conduct - #636
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A calculation error forces a Melbourne council to reissue its rates noticesVictorian councils make pitches for election commitmentsThis year’s Mary Rogers Awards winners announcedAlbury City appoints its new CEOMayoral elections begin in NSW, as a long standing mayor bows outThe Parramatta ICAC hearings officially endConfusion over who has been leading the City of Hobartand more local government news from around Australia and beyond.
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Data centre stand, childcare outrage, and council overruled - #635
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Councils take a stand on data centresA mayor’s outrage over childcare inactionSadness after the desecration of two war memorialsSydney Council to rule on extended fast food opening hoursExpanded Australia Day events at Bondi rejected by Waverley CouncilA decisive NO vote on a wage deal at Gold Coast City CouncilA new contender for Lord Mayor of Hobart emergesand Council CEO pay rises in the news in South Australiaand more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Allowances shake-up, the prayer returns, and mayoral oil portraits - #634
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A council CEO set to depart for the UKGreater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali declares his state election intentionsA shake-up of allowances for Victorian councillorsOpening prayers to return to Shoalhaven Council meetings,as the mayor extends her leave of absence for health reasonsA 44 year council career comes to an end in MuswellbrookGold Coast set to privatise its aquatic centresand New Zealand’s new rates cap draws a swift sector responsePlus, a South Australian council prompts debate after commissioning mayoral portraitsand yet more local government ne...
Bill debated, disgusting graffiti condemned, and a new rate cap announced - #633
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
The Victorian Parliament debates new changes to the Local Government ActArarat Council names its next chief executiveA bullying case against Liverpool’s mayor discontinuedBega Valley Shire condemns “disgusting” graffiti on a heritage bridgeNew bans covering the use of AI smart glasses at Brisbane Council’s 21 poolsA Tasmanian councillor threatens legal action… against another Tasmanian councilA major defence announcement welcomed in WA’s City of Cockburnand a 4 per cent rate cap flagged for New Zealand councilsand more local government news from around Australia and beyond.
<...Minister sued, questionable email, and “regulated into paralysis” - #632
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A former mayor sues a former local government ministerA suspension and an apology ordered for two Kingston City councillorsAn outgoing Wyndham councillor takes a parting shot at the sectorA rescission motion looms at Shoalhaven CouncilA tight race in the Kiama Council by-electionAn illegal dumping case thrown out after the council fails to turn upQuestions about a suspended Council CEO’s use of official emailplus much more local government news from around Australia and beyond.
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Campaigning councillors, unhappy councils, and a damning landslide review - #631
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
100 days out from a state election, and the list of Councillors running for state Parliament continues to growAs does the list of Councils unhappy with the Victorian GovernmentALGA welcomes an extension to Commonwealth Home Support Program contractsThe death of four dogs prompts calls for a NSW Council GM to resignNew guidance released for next month’s mid-term mayoral elections in NSWAnother new CEO appointment announced by a Queensland Council,as a Tasmanian Council GM announces his departureand systemic council failures found to have led to a...A new mayor, a last minute reprieve, and local govt reforms locked in - #630
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Casey Council Picks a New MayorCampaspe Names an Interim CEOBayside Council Grants A Temporary Reprieve For Brighton Beach Bowls ClubA $3M Oval Plan Becomes a $20M Problem for Ku-ring-gai CouncilA Council GM’s Harrassment Case Ends in a ConvictionNew CEOs appointed at Western Downs and Central Highlands CouncilsTasmanian Local Government Reforms Locked Inand Potential Legal Action after a South Australian Councillor’s ResignationPlus Jim Magee's view on an election commitment to mandate weekly rubbish collectionsSupport the show
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Suspected vote tampering, a CEO quits, and a monitor extension request - #629
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Kingston by-election result sent to VCAT over alleged postal vote tamperingLatrobe welcomes a new councillorNorth Sydney’s new pool shut days after a long-awaited reopeningNew powers for NSW Councils as nation-first shared e-bike laws come into effectQLD Government may step in over Moreton Bay’s homelessness camp trialBarunga West Council’s CEO quits after five monthsSouth Perth votes to keep a government monitor around a bit longerplus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Transparency push rejection, no “gutless” apology, and a “pokie palace” blast - #628
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Hepburn Shire confirms its Interim CEO arrangementsA Murrindindi Shire councillor resigns, as a former mayor is set to return to Wyndham CouncilThe Hills Shire rejects a transparency push amid ICAC scrutinyThe mayor refusing to apologise for “gutless” rate-rise critics commentRedland Council targets its own mayor in a conduct submissionWhile Logan’s Mayor comes out strong against a “pokie palace” planPlus a new Council CEO appointment in South Australiaand a push to ban data centres fails in Perthplus more local government news from around Australia...
Mayors stepping down, forced garbage collections, and a mass CEO exodus - #627
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Casey’s mayor to step down to contest the state electionThe Victorian opposition says it will force weekly rubbish collections on CouncilsThe Mayor of Shoalhaven takes leave after a serious health diagnosisA Sydney council looking to make English signage compulsory in local businessesA leaked report uncovers decades of water and sewerage neglect at Redland CouncilThe death of a serving councillor in TasmaniaA controversial Burnside councillor resigns ahead of a damning report findingand concerns that remuneration caps have caused a mass CEO exodus in South Australia...
A call for calm, a hefty fine, and a big city crackdown - #626
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A call for calm from Mildura’s mayor after a shocking event in the town centreHepburn Shire councillors back at work, and ready to appoint an interim CEOMore Victorian councillors set to contest the state electionA NSW council hits back after the OLG declines to act against one of its councillorsA hefty fine for the illegal clearing of native trees in SydneyA Tasmanian council GM and Mayor at odds with a former state MPThe deadline for NZ Council amalgamation proposals has arrivedand how one of th...Charges dropped, mysterious departure, and sector first working week - #625
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Criminal charges against Hepburn Council droppedYet another change in local government minister in VictoriaAn investigation into alleged electoral fraud wraps upAustralia’s first council to adopt a four day working weekThe mysterious departure of a NSW Council GMLockyer Valley announces its preferred candidate for CEOand the NZ councillor asked to leave two public events in one weekAlso today, a preview of LG Innovate 2026 - the AI conference for local government, with Vanessa Huxley from Davidson.
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Administration pending, dysfunction rejected, and Snackgate referral - #624
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Ministerial confirmation that an administrator is coming for Hepburn ShireStonnington weighs fixes to blunt $4.1m congestion levy hitWyndham security patrol trial endsBroken Hill backs the lifting of the NSW uranium banCairns Council rejects “dysfunction” claimsHobart’s deputy lord mayor referred to police over “Snackgate” allegationsand the shock death of a serving New Zealand Council CEOand more of the latest local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Monitor IBAC referral, critical copper losses, and the end of an era - #623
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Kingston City Council refers monitor invoices to IBACBacklash as Shoalhaven approves $14m sale of 20 propertiesGreater Bendigo to hand maternal & child health services back to the state governmentA win for Woolworths; Wingecarribee Council’s supermarket refusal overturnedCairns Regional Council hit by major copper cable theft affecting critical water infrastructurePeterborough District Council adopts 12% rate rise after wastewater fund diversion revelationsWanneroo shelves proposed council splitClarence City Council reveals the cost of Neil the elephant seal’s recent visitand much more local government news from across Australia and...
A budget crisis, bill shock and a surprise cat curfew - #622
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A Ballarat councillor suspended after a live radio disclosureIndigo Shire CEO resigns after nine yearsBoroondara to introduce a sunset to sunrise cat curfew against staff adviceServices cut in a budget crisis in AlburyCouncils unite against Inland Rail changesA vision for electric air taxis in SE QueenslandAn apology after a water meter bill shock at Western DownsSupport the show
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Suspension stayed, unrelenting personal attacks, and a desperate attempt at deflection - #621
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Rate cap overhaul predictedBallarat to keep family day care runningHepburn names its interim chiefA rotating mayoral model rejectedA councillor suspension stayed, pending appealAn art exhibition sparks backlashThe unrelenting personal attacks behind a CEO’s resignationA three month suspension for a South Australian councillorAnd secrecy surrounds decision making about a WA Council CEOplus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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