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.
Governance reset hampered, cricket pitch scrutiny, and a ground-breaking AI report - #612
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Cricket pitch management under scrutiny after the tragic death of a local footballerThe VLGA’s CEO resigns after nearly a decadeLiverpool Council to sue the OLG over an alleged failure to actA governance reset hampered by a mayor’s extended absenceAI traffic signals get the green light in QueenslandA UK Council’s climate emergency vote delayed - due to extreme heatand we dig in to a new report on the use of AI in Victorian councils - and how governance is struggling to keep paceThe...
Glass bin pressure, rate increase warning, and an attack on transparency - #611
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A councillor quits, triggering a by-election for Banyule CouncilPressure on the Victorian government to scrap next year’s glass bin rollout planA warning to NSW councils thinking about big rate increasesNew councillor access rules in Brisbane called an attack on transparencyA Tasmanian Council GM resigns after turbulent timesA rethink on Australia Day at Adelaide HillsA council CEO finds the devil in the detail of proposed new disaster recovery funding rulesand more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Unacceptable violence, gag outrage, and by-election request denied - #610
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Hume’s Mayor condemns “unacceptable” violenceVictoria’s Code of Conduct under fire for gagging councillorsKiama’s bid to forego a costly by-election blockedA NSW Council CEO set to retireA Queensland mayor’s warning over the government’s disaster funding shake-upA solid waste budget blunder in TasmaniaA failed attempt to remove a WA Council mayoral carand a new Council CEO appointed in the NT
All of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.
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Data centre warning, paid parking scrapped, and principled stand reversed - #609
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Campaspe CEO quits for a role in the cityA council warning that data centres could derail housing plansA controversial paid parking plan scrapped by a Sydney councilMore councillors under scrutiny in a new ICAC public inquiryAn eleventh hour call to ditch a costly by-electionA new CEO for Charters Towers, and a WA shire councilA council’s principled stand on event sponsorship reversedThe UK peak body’s CEO resignsAnd more local government news from around Australia and beyond.
The Local Government News Roun...
Monitoring extended, exiting aged care, and e-bike clutter targeted - #608
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A last minute extension for Kingston’s monitorsWangaratta flags its exit from aged careE-bike clutter targeted in NSWas Sutherland Shire deals with e-bike vandalismMore big council budgets landed in QueenslandNew councillors incoming in Western Australiaand a local authority chief tapped to become chief of staff for the UK’s likely new Prime MinisterThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Council Town Hall in Broa...
Thomas resigns, a sad loss, and tough budget decisions loom - #607
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Hepburn Shire’s CEO resignsPyrenees Shire chooses an interim, as its CEO prepares to retireTributes flow after the passing of one the sector’s long serving community championsA win in the Blue Mountains over a contentious data centre proposalA boundary change set to take effect for two NSW councilsDeadlines approach for tough budget decisions in QueenslandA South Australian council challenges a tribunal ruling on CEO payPlus — a Whittlesea councillor who took an idea all the way from Melbourne's growth corridor to a TEDx stage...
Court action support, media ban lifted, and big changes coming for Tassie - #606
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Stonnington backs a Supreme Court bid on activity centresA new role for a former LGV chiefPort Phillip renames St Kilda Beach as Socceroos fever buildsNew meeting rules kick in for NSW councilsA council ban lifted on a local radio stationA Queensland mayor’s claims refuted by a state government departmentAI solutions rolled out in MackayMajor changes for Tasmanian councils move a step closerand the $100k bill for conduct complaints in Hobartand more news from local government in Australia and beyond.
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Smackdown rebuffed, water blockage, and budget deja vu - #605
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Geelong fires back as the state moves to override local planningBallarat budget deadlock broken by mayor’s casting voteA former MP lines up for the Kingston by-electionA mayor accused of a policy “sleight of hand”Councils cut off water access over REZ supply fearsA Queensland mayor resigns on health groundsA councillor resignation in TasmaniaA five month delay for SA Council elections locked inThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August a...
Alcohol scrapped, by-elections set and another councillor suspension - #604
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Wyndham councillor suspended againFields set for two council by-electionsCouncils demand bigger untied federal fundingGilgandra GM resigns, heads to Mid-WesternCouncils react to the NSW state budgetWater buybacks draw more council criticismA Perth council narrowly votes to scrap ratepayer funded alcoholand the London council suing over affordable housing targetsThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Council Town Hall in Broadmeadows, running alongside the NGAA National Congress. Registration is...
Transparency challenge, a legal threat, and contentious travel plans - #603
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Bayside sues for planning transparencyKingston re-signs CEO Peter BeanA suspended councillor responds with a legal threatNews from the National General Assembly in CanberraNorth Sydney winds back its park user fee planThe latest Murray Darling water buyback slammed by RAMJOThe sector reacts to the Queensland budgetWaratah-Wynyard names its interim CEOand council travel plans remain contentious in PerthThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Council Town Hall in...
Suspended, resigned, and elected - and the mental health of elected members - #602
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A two month suspension for a Melton councillorThree councillor resignations in three days at a WA CouncilTasmania’s local government minister slaps down criticism of new sector reformsVLGA board election results are inBass Coast Shire calls for government help as it loses another major eventDeamalgamation moves forward at Snowy Valleys CouncilPlus insights into a new study of the mental health and wellbeing of Australian politicians, with Emma Broomfield.Find out more about the Political Wellbeing Lab here.
The Local Government News Roundup is...
Donation fail, misconduct finding, and an accidental release - #601
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Victoria’s new local government bill criticised for failing to crack down on political donationsA call for an urgent review of Victoria’s domestic animals actA rural mayor’s damning assessment of the Murray Darling Basin Plan review processA Tribunal rules on misconduct by a Queensland mayorMore mayoral contenders emerge in Tasmania, as a trail blazing mayor prepares to retireA council’s accidental release of confidential informationPlus an elected member resignation and a senior executive appointmentThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by...
Standoff solution, vexatious complaint dismissed, and a costly compliance failure - #600
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A end to the Wyndham mayoral standoff in sightA councillor’s conduct complaint dismissed as “vexatious”A costly compliance failure at a regional sports stadiumKu-ring-gai formally adopts a 29% rate increaseA Queensland Council CEO resigns after 18 monthsTensions in the chamber as Cairns Council adopts its new budgetGlenorchy scraps its public arts policyand a local government reform success story… from Cyprus!The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Council To...
Urgent boost, unfair funding, and a mayoral showdown - #599
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Mount Alexander taps its next CEOA call for an urgent police boost in BallaratICAC’s Parramatta inquiry wraps after six weeksA rural council blasts its ‘unfair’ funding shareRedland backs a push for an independent review of a mayoral conduct disputeA mayoral showdown set for DevonportA WA council’s 40 per cent rate increaseand a New Zealand councillor reports death threats to policeThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City...
Deadlock broken, budget showdown, and an affront to local democracy - #598
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Council workers march of the Victorian ParliamentMornington Peninsula’s mayoral deadlock brokenSouth Australia’s council elections to be put back five monthsAlbury Council floats a 40 per cent rate increase proposalNewcastle’s quarter of a million dollar fire cleanup billRate rises locked in, and a budget showdown, in Queenslandand a UK council in political limbo, unable to elect a new leaderThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Cou...
Broken funding model, bin-top basket spread, and a mayor ghosted - #597
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On the Local Government News Roundup today:
Victoria’s library funding “broken” as fringe councils boomBin-top basket recycling spreads across VictoriaKiama councillor quits; by-election clock starts tickingStrathfield bins Homebush rename planA Sunshine Coast developer takes the council to court over a $15M chargeSouth Australian mayor ghosted by Woolies over dumped trolleysShire of Harvey appoints interim CEONZ mayor rejects Waikato “super council” pushThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Council Town Hall in Broadmeadows...
Benched again, red fleet win, and gutter politics - #596
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
New allegations in the Hepburn Council court sagaWyndham’s mayor digs in furtherA Knox councillor benched againA red fleet cost win for NSW councilsMuswellbrook Council wants the Hunter transition pausedFlights suspended in Orange, and the local mayor is not happyGold Coast council’s wage battle heats upA Tasmanian mayor calls out gutter politicsand new arrests in a UK Council corruption probeThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume C...
Rubbish move, ICAC grilling, and a failed transparency push - #595
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On the Local Government News Roundup today:
Merri-bek moving to fortnightly rubbish collectionMornington Peninsula to transition out of aged care service deliveryGreater Dandenong set to decide on deferring its glass recycling rolloutGail Connolly grilled about allegations of workplace bullyingTownsville’s mayor denies assault allegationsSouth Perth considers a request to extend the term of its local government monitorand what’s behind a sharp increase in canine euthanasia in Queensland?The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume C...
An ineffective taskforce, waiver rejected, and Operation Navarra continues - #594
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Coming up today:
Glen Eira looks at transferring ownership of residential aged care facilityA call for greater Victorian government investment to tackle illegal dumpingGail Connolly back in front of ICAC todayBega Valley Council rejects a request to waive a million dollar debtSunshine Coast Council’s CEO defends a plan to slash jobsTensions flare at a Tasmanian council meetingand the South Australian councils that might have to carry vacant seats for up to a yearThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Area...
Suspension invalid, election delay, and a governance plan - #593
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Breaking news today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A mayor’s suspension ruled invalid by the Supreme CourtA six month delay for South Australia’s local government elections under considerationA Western Australian council takes issue with press reporting of CEO salariesKingston’s new governance improvement planA fresh protection order issued for a NSW mayor against a former councillorand LA’s mayoral runoff contenders confirmedThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City...
Honours, disputes, tree vandalism and an election twist - #592
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On the latest episode of the Local Government News Roundup:
This year’s Kings Birthday Honourees from local government across AustraliaA local council dispute headed for court in GippslandCEO appointments and contract extensionsEmotional testimony from the former Parramatta CEO at ICACA council’s zero tolerance stand on tree vandalismGold Coast Council waters down its rates riseA win in court for Sunshine Coast Counciland a late twist in the LA mayoral electionplus much more local government news from around Australia and beyond.
The Local Government News Roundup is supported this...
A forged signature, a cyber attack, and an atrocious price tag - #591
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In today's episode:
Council leaders sleeping out to highlight homelessnessA former CEO admits forging a signature on her employment contractDemergers press ahead in NSWA cyber attack against a Sydney council under investigationAn inquiry into Queensland’s councillor complaints systemSunshine Coast’s tough new budgetHobart headed for a wide open Lord Mayoral election raceand a row in Adelaide over the site for a relocated MotoGPand much more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the Nati...
Mayoral deadlock, rates shock and a Tasmanian shake-up - #560
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Coming up on the podcast today:
A dramatic adjournment after a split mayoral vote on the Mornington PeninsulaArarat’s CEO announces his departure after eight yearsNSW councils get the green light for massive rate hikes of up to 58 per centSnowy Monaro Councillor Andrew Thaler faces a tense hearing over bullying allegationsSydney councils crack down on illegal tree poisoningsMayoral races heat up in Tasmania’s north-westNew Zealand moves to strip unelected iwi representatives of committee voting power,LA’s incumbent mayor faces a fierce three-way battle as voters head to the pollsPlus m...
A stark warning, a biased decision, and a call for clarity - #589
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Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A council on the brink - a stark warning for Kingston CouncilVictorian council workers set to strike for a second timeMore concerning revelations as the Parramatta ICAC Inquiry continuesA call for clarity over the NSW meeting code debacleRedland Council to fold its investment arm into its internal structureA finding of bias against a South Australian council after it cut its mayor’s term shortand the councillor hit with thousands of dollars in finesplus Balranald Shire Council CEO Terry Dodds sounds the al...
Governance emergency, urgent demands, and alleged undue influence - #588
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Coming up today:
Victorian Councils press their advocacy priorities - with hooning, road conditions and police numbers among the demandsA governance emergency in New South Wales has councils scrambling to roll back new meeting rulesA NSW MP accused of undue influence on council operationsA new CEO appointed to run two Tasmanian councilsIn WA, a commissioner appointed to Carnarvon Shire, and a Council CEO calls timeA $400M housing incentive fund for NZ Councilsand another Canadian council looks to unwind climate emergency actionsThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by...
Public shaming, demolition and decommissioning, and a mayoral exodus - #587
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Today on the Roundup:
More pressure on Wyndham’s mayorMoyne councillors make a difficult decisionHistoric saleyards to be decommissioned in CamperdownA witness breaks down on the stand at the Parramatta ICAC InquiryCouncils’ Rex Airline debt bailed out by the governmentA bid to increase short stay accommodation rates fails in HobartA mayoral exodus in South Australia, as one departing mayor takes aim at governments and peak bodiesAnd much more local government news from across Australia and beyond
The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Grow...
Blurred lines, voting fraud, and a surveillance culture - #586
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On the Local Government News Roundup today:
No end in sight for Wyndham’s mayoral sagaCouncillors slam an MP’s blurring of “fact and fiction”Voting fraud claims rock Whittlesea by‑electionGlen Eira wins higher rates riseICAC’s Parramatta inquiry alleges a fear, surveillance cultureCouncil CEO comings and goings in five statesRedland’s governance advisor term extendedLaunceston slams the AFL’s Hawthorn exit decisionMajor reforms loom as Perth’s council is slammed for its diabolical cultureMandurah councillor resignation triggers public warPlus more news from across the world of local government in Australia and b...
Special Edition: Local Government's Perfect Storm, with Rum Charles
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In this episode of the Local Government News Roundup, we are joined by Rum Charles, a veteran consultant and trainer who has worked with over 100 councils across Australia. With a career in the sector dating back to the mid-90s, Rum brings a candid and sometimes provocative perspective on the internal cultures of local government.
Prompted by his recent analysis of a "perfect storm" approaching the sector, we dive into the systemic challenges facing councils today. From the "switchboard mentality" that hinders modern customer experience to the...
Special Edition - the ABCD and Beyond of Local Government
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Today on Local Government News Roundup, we are joined by Fiona Miller and Lee Griffiths, the authors of ABCD and Beyond: A Practical Guide for Local Government, published by the Jeder Institute.
This book has arrived at a time when councils are being asked to respond to complex, fast-moving challenges while also rebuilding trust, strengthening community relationships, and demonstrating clear public value.
The book brings together practice stories and plain language from councils across Australia to show what it looks like when local government shifts...
Special Edition: Community Safety and Crime Prevention, with Martin Taylor
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In this episode of the Local Government News Roundup, we are joined by Martin Taylor, a barrister, solicitor, and councillor at the City of Whittlesea. A prolific author on the intersection of law and public policy, Martin has recently published a comprehensive two-volume set on environmental crime alongside a new, vital guide to community safety and crime prevention.
Drawing on his background in civil engineering and law, Martin discusses the urgent need for target hardening and the role of <...
Special Edition: Councils on the Frontline of the Homelessness Crisis
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Today we are joined by Andrew Clarke, a senior lecturer in sociology and social policy at the University of New South Wales, to discuss a timely and critical new study examining how Australian local governments are navigating the escalating homelessness crisis.
While homelessness has traditionally been viewed as a state or federal responsibility, Andrew’s research reveals that councils are increasingly finding themselves on the front lines as de facto service coordinators.
We explore the findings from a national survey of over 160 councils, wh...
Pink Ops clique, a stunning backflip, and unnecessary secrecy - #585
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Coming up today:
A mixed bag for councils in the Federal BudgetICAC probes a Pink Ops clique at Parramatta CouncilA Queensland mayor goes on medical leaveAn urgent call for funding reform from a rural councilA new study reveals the pressures on councils to respond to a homelessness crisisDomestic violence charges dropped against a local mayorAnd another South Australian CEO set to resignThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Council Tow...
Inquiry begins, police snub rejected, and a seismic shift in local politics - #584
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Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:
ICAC Parramatta Council inquiry opens todayYarra Council reportedly set to drop a controversial bike planA seismic shift in local politics in EnglandA local mayor rejects police snub claimsMurrumbidgee expands consultation on its four day work planNew housing infrastructure funding welcomedA cyclist loses a damages case against Brisbane City CouncilThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Council Town Hall in Broadmeadows, ru...
Media ban, inland rail shock, and “monster mergers” - #583
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Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Hawkesbury Council’s controversial media banThe latest South Australian Council CEO resignationKingborough’s Deputy Mayor elected to the Tasmanian ParliamentCouncils react to the Victorian BudgetRegional fallout from a shock inland rail decisionKnox apologises for a double rates deduction errorA major new tourism attraction for TasmaniaAnother mayor to step asideand confirmation the Shire of Carnarvon will get a commissionerand much more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the Nati...
Quorum crisis, a missed opportunity, and a surprise career move - #582
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On the Local Government News Roundup today:
Resignations trigger a quorum crisis in WAA Council CEO’s surprise career moveChapel Street Traders drop their legal challenge against Stonnington CouncilPeak groups call the Victorian state budget a missed opportunityNewcastle’s new Lord Mayor confirmedIndustrial action to hit the Western DownsA mayor targeted by a nasty graffiti attackand a councillor’s viral spray against his own councilPlus more news from across the world of local government in Australia and beyond.
The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the Na...
Resignation bombshell, boycotts and by-elections - #581
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Coming up today:
Marsh wins Nepean, triggering a by-election on the Mornington PeninsulaWyndham’s leadership crisis deepens, with councillor boycotts, and now a resignationA troubled Sydney pool development is heading to courtTempers flare in North Queensland, as the local government minister resists calls to step inA funding gap leaving country towns high and dryCessnock announces its new General ManagerA Tasmanian deputy mayor in the hunt for a seat in state ParliamentAll of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.
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Viral resignation, funding feud, and a mayoral blast - #580
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Coming up today:
A councillor’s dramatic mid-meeting resignation goes viralA monitor appointed after a troubling psychosocial investigation reportBass Coast picks a new mayoral teamA funding feud erupts between a Council and a local MPSydney considering a ban on short-stay rentalsMudgee stadium lands a naming rights dealA mayor blasts water buyback profiteeringInside Launceston’s failed four day work week planPlus a new CEO appointment and much moreOn Australia's #1 podcast for local government news and information.
The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas...
No-confidence, bombshell resignation, and teen takeovers - #579
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Coming up today:
Wyndham’s mayor digs in, as the council passes a no-confidence motionA Tasmanian mayor drops a political bombshellGold Coast claims success with its homelessness crackdownVictorian councils challenge the state on roads funding and planning rulesMajor projects under review as costs sky-rocketA trip to Dublin draws criticism for a Sydney councilThe full cost of Broken Hill’s legal troubles revealedAnd resignation threats in Tasmania over the use of Acknowledgements of Countryplus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
The Local Government News Roundup is supp...
Shock resignation, 2 month suspension, and an agenda setting emergency - #578
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Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:
A shock Council CEO resignationA two month suspension for a Hobart councillorA mayor calls out disrespect after a disrupted council meetingA council’s special business levy challenged at VCATMore councils reveal the impact of fuel costs on service deliveryThe cost of a crackdown on homelessnessE-scooters and e-bikes pose challenges for more councilsPlus acting CEO appointments and election resultsThe Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City...
Censure, corruption inquiry, and unavoidable trade-offs - #577
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A Fair Work ruling set to hit Councils’ bottom linesa corruption inquiry announceda councillor censured and facing disqualificationwhile another is under investigation over a violent social media postindustrial action escalates across MelbourneHawkesbury Council standing up to bulliesa multi-million dollar headache for a Sydney councilan extension for the City of Perth’s monitora council unveils its pitch for a new namea call for an urgent police surge in TownsvillePolice investigating a serious incident involving a New Zealand councillorAll of that and more just...
