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.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 resultsSupport the show
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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...
“Lower the temperature,” dysfunctional councillors, and a landslide win - #576
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
a landslide win for Newcastle’s new Lord Mayorcouncillors plan a motion of no-confidence in Wyndham’s mayora $3B election call from a group of regional councilsa mayor calls for a lowering of the temperature after a family car is firebombeda councillor sensationally resigns, branding her colleagues as dysfunctionala last minute settlement of an unfair dismissal claim at a Tasmanian council, anda first of its kind deepfake detection pilot launched in England ahead of local electionsPlus the Roundup Flashback machine takes us b...
Resignations abound, by-election chaos, and a financial black hole - #575
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A string of CEO resignations, affecting four statesA $15M court decision with sector-wide implicationsIndustrial action at some Melbourne councils escalatesPolice are called, as Liverpool’s by-election descends into chaosThe council pausing green waste collections to save on fuelA Councillor steps down after months of controversyA costly cleanup after a run of vandalism in KiamaQueensland councils staring into a financial black holeAnd scrutiny on a Council’s interstate fact finding tripplus much more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Shock suspension, hidden camera breach, and a “nonsensical” decision - #574
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
The shock suspension of a municipal building surveyorPolice called after hidden cameras found in a town hallThe half million dollar cost of democracy in LiverpoolDeath threats reported in the case against a Councillor and CEOA political stoush over safety and police numbers in Western SydneyAnother councillor resignation, this time from WAA vaccination program under scrutiny in TasmaniaAll of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.
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A mayor under scrutiny, the toll of abuse, and a “wooden spoon” controversy - #573
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A local government minister in hot water over a throwaway commentMore councillor resignationsThe state government accused of rushing through planning changes in Melbourne’s bayside suburbsA Queensland Mayor under investigation over a CEO recruitment processThe personal toll on a Council CEO as budget cuts loomThe price tag on staff departures in Parramattaand new moves to protect council officers from abuseAnd the Roundup Flashback Machine takes us back to this week in 2022.
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Protests and petitions, and non-lethal nudging - #572
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Protests and a petition as Kiama Council considers budget cutsA former Council CEO loses a dispute over his exit packageA Council fight over workplace safety spills into public viewA council renaming proposal slammed as “chasing snob value”A new lever to turn planning approvals into homes in HobartGreater Bendigo’s new councillor revealedA rural council mayor appointed to the board of the VLGAA court finds WALGA is subject to FOI lawsplus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Sickening reference, industrial action and a 4 day week back on the agenda - #571
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Pressure mounts on a city mayor to resignA NSW council floats a plan for a four day work weekA mayor’s off mic moment becomes publicIndustrial action set to disrupt services across eight Melbourne councilsA council ‘s $10M legal bill successfully challenged in courtResidents set to protest a NSW council’s planned budget cutsControversial changes to committee appointments on the Gold Coastand council meeting lunches get the chop in AucklandAll of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local go...
Mayor under pressure, resignation news, and blurry councillors - #570
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Pressure builds on a newly elected mayor to step downA South Australian Council CEO resigns after one year in the jobHobart City’s new plan to tackle anti-social behaviourA resignation triggers a by-election for another Victorian councilVictorian councillors report growing pressures in their roleSydney’s Lord Mayor issues a new housing challenge to the state governmentand the curious case of the blurry councillorsplus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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Court date, CEO reinstated, and an unsettling crime wave - #569
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Criminal proceedings against a CEO and Councillor hit court in BallaratTwo councillor resignations in one week at a Tasmanian CouncilThe Federal Court orders the reinstatement of a sacked Council CEO in the NTA new Deputy Mayor, and a new CEO announced, for Merri-Bek CouncilCouncils monitoring services as fuel prices continue to climbHigh level meetings to tackle rising crime in a rural NSW communityMore details of a CEO recruitment process leaked at Redland Counciland two new mayors elected in WAPlus the Roundup...
A stern rebuke, election fail, and a Solitaire scandal - #568
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
The Palestinian flag is coming down in DarebinA leadership crisis at the City of Ryde stretches into a second weekLegal advice sought over a councillor’s claims at the City of PerthRepeated attempts to elect a deputy mayor at Merri-bek Council fail to deliver a resultA so called ‘playground style’ spat earns a stern rebuke for two Moonee Valley councillorsThe sector pays tribute to a former Mayor of Lismoreand a Councillor under fire for playing a computer game during a Council meetingPlus m...
Deadlock broken, rules tightened, and fuel concerns - #567
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Deadlock broken - Wyndham finally elects a new mayorControversial policy updates go through at Hobsons BayKingston Council moves ahead with plans to tighten Notice of Motion rulesThe death of a long-serving NSW councillorPeak bodies call for certainty on fuel supplies for the regionsClamping down on rogue drivers on beachesand we go inside the MAV’s new sector wide campaign ahead of the Victorian state electionPlus more news from across the world of local government in Australia and beyond.
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Five Years of the Roundup, plus reforms, recommendations and reflections - #566
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
The number of councillors to be cut in Tasmania, as the government unveils new sector reformsA man fined for throwing coffee at a Victorian Council CEOGeelong council under fire for considering the closure of leisure centre crechesA new report places council’s insurance claims processes under the microscopeA Council cyber attack heads to court, but will the perpetrators face justice?A community gift turns into a legal investigation for a NSW CouncilCouncils unite to push for high speed railA new councillor for Cessnock, an...Mayoral deadlock, wild admissions, and a leadership crisis - #565
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A mayoral deadlock in WyndhamYarra’s mayor makes wild admissions while trying to get an assault charge droppedA leadership crisis at the City of Ryde, with three top executives sidelinedA deputy mayor facing conduct questions over a local health disputeA long serving NSW General Manager is stepping downMayors react to a backflip on a planned expansion for SBS in western SydneyEvacuations at a Queensland council after a threat to public buildingsand a WA council calls for a monitor to help with culture and go...By-election, harassment charges, and freight bottlenecks - ft.Steve Krieg #564
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A resignation triggers a by-election for Latrobe City CouncilAn inquest postponed over potential criminal charges against a former council employeeA first term Albury councillor preselected for the Liberals in FarrerA tense debate at Federation Council, as it votes to remove Indigenous flags from its chambersA woman charged over alleged threats against a Queensland councillorand an indoor arena is a step closer on the Gold Coast after a major announcement.Plus, Regional Cities NSW Chair, and Mayor of Lismore, Steve Krieg is here...
Artwork apology, rate cap shake up, and personal attacks condemned - ft. Diane Kalen-Sukra #563
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A Council worker convicted of fraud appeals his jail sentenceAn apology to artists whose work was damaged in a Council chamberA council calls for a shake up to the rate cap system in VictoriaA new general manager for Dubbo Council means a vacancy in Alice SpringsA tourism push to recapture “that Bondi feeling”A long serving WA councillor steps downand a NZ Council CEO speaks out after public debate turns personalAlso today, world leading civility campaigner Diane Kalen-Sukra with an update on p...
Criminal charges, council mergers, and a four day work week - #562
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A councillor and a CEO served with alleged criminal chargesNew CEOs appointed at Berrigan and Junee CouncilsA CEO’s performance review exposes divisions within a NSW councilNew land valuations raise concerns about potential rate rises in SE QueenslandCouncil mergers back on the table in Western Australia, along with calls for compulsory voting in local government electionsAnd a four day work week introduced by a major international cityplus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.
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...Contract renewals, sector reforms, and a new arena - ft. Fabian Dattner, #561
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Councils react to new visitor fees for an international tourism iconCEO contract renewals in VictoriaHawkesbury Council speaking out after online activity involving two of its councillorsSutherland Shire considering on-street long term parking restrictionsA new consultation agreement between councils and the Tasmanian governmentLocal government reforms take effect in QueenslandGold Coast Council takes control of overseas travel approvals, and greenlights a new Olympic arenaA legal win for a sacked Council worker in South Australiaand dysfunction plays out publicly at South Perth council, in front of...More suspensions, landmark legal ruling, and CEO sacked - #560
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Two more Victorian councillors to be suspendedMayors speak out - Local distress over international conflict, and senseless violence on our streetsA council advised to plan the closure of a local aerodromeA landmark legal ruling on human rights goes against Moreton Bay councilA string of arson attacks rocks a local communityThe 4 day week might not be dead and buried in TasmaniaPlus a Council CEO sacked, and a warning issued over online abuseplus much more local government news from around Australia and beyond.<...
Industrial standoff, budget blackhole, and a paid beach parking plan - #559
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Predictions of a messy industrial standoff across eight Melbourne councilsA super merger of councils not favoured in Melbourne’s southeastA regional council’s major budget blackholeA long serving Council CEO announces he’s stepping downA controversial plan to charge visitors for parking at Sydney beachesPressure to overhaul a CEO performance review process in QueenslandCouncillor resignations in NSW and Western AustraliaA Canadian mayor apologises for false claims about a colleagueplus more local government news from across Australia and beyond
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Ex mayor charged, brotherly leadership, and another monitor - ft. Stephen Yarwood #558
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
An ex suburban Melbourne mayor facing sexual assault charges - but his identity cannot be revealedThe election of a new deputy mayor at Greater Geelong delivers a brotherly leadership teamLiverpool’s mayor at odds with the NSW Premier over the use of a council venueWaverley Council investigating after trees were vandalised by men claiming to be council workersCalls for Redland Council’s CEO recruitment process to be independently investigatedRate capping shapes up as an election battleground in South AustraliaA councillor resigns, new Council CEO...Skills shortage, debate rejections, feral pigs and corellas - #557
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Concerns over council finances persist, as the Victorian government’s Big Build is blamed for a growing sector skills shortageA council closes the book on a misconduct investigationA call to rename wards with Indigenous names rejectedWollongong Council knocks back a debate on alleged police brutalityGold Coast Council’s wage offer criticised for being too lowMayoral contenders emerging in TasmaniaA WA Council chief subject to investigation,A deputy shire president resigns, andin the UK, a four year planning dispute ends in disappointment for actor Mart...Merger smackdown, mayors for Parliament, and Australia Day differences - #556
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Inner Melbourne mayors float a potential merger, and get a smackdown from the PremierA metro Council wants to raise rates by 5 per cent, and a rural council sounds the alarm on a spiralling asset maintenance gapMornington Peninsula’s mayor is running for state parliament;While a former Albury mayor considers a run at federal parliamentSydney overturns controversial new busking rulesEyebrows raised at a Queensland council’s spend on overseas travelA controversial parking fine system under review in AdelaideA WA council takes back its appr...Suspended mayor, failed merger plan, and market failure - ft. Robert Hicks #555
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
The mayor of one of Victoria’s largest councils suspended for one monthWangaratta Council appoints its new CEOA proposal to merge two NSW councils fails to get off the ground,As a dire warning is issued about the future of the state’s smaller councilsTensions rise in Wollongong during a cat curfew debatePlans for Australia’s tallest building on the Gold CoastA Hobart councillor’s fuel card mistakeAlso today - why are an increasing number of local governments funding GPs?
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Improper tax grab, transparency questions, and a test of municipal agility - #554
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Wyndham Council demands refund over an "improper land tax grab"Indigo Shire shuts down misinformation about a historic carriage collectionTransparency questions over workshops at WollongongBrisbane moves to sell eight homes over unpaid ratesFinancial sustainability warnings for more South Australian councilsWA councils may finally get the power to make their own cat lawsAlice Springs Mayor proposes moving Citizenship Ceremonies away from January 26A test of municipal agility in Canada ahead of the Olympic ice hockey finalplus more local government news from across...
GP blow, costly blunder, and 4 day week reversal - #533
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Excitement turns to disappointment as Bass Coast loses the MotoGP to South AustraliaA costly mistake for a rural Victorian councilMornington Peninsula’s Mayor confirms he wants to run for State ParliamentA proposal to merger two Hunter region councils on the agendaParkes takes a stand on a proposed energy from waste facilityQuestions raised about the appointment process for a Queensland Council CEOAnd Launceston Council drops plans for a 4 day work weekAll of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one loca...
Grand Prix win, rate peg applications, and costly dump fires - ft Frank Wilkie #552
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Success for a community campaign to keep the Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix at Phillip IslandManningham Council defends its parking enforcement around an annual festivalMaribyrnong’s controversial Footscray security trial to end10 NSW Councils apply for increases above next year’s rate pegA Queensland council faces a huge fine over illegal dump firesA South Australian council loses its fifth CEO in two yearsPlus 200 short-stay properties converted to long term rentals, and counting. Noosa’s success story with Mayor Frank Wilkie on Roundup ExtraAnd mo...
Suspended, cleared, nominated and investigated - #551
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A one month suspension for a Southern Grampians councillorPredictions Mornington Peninsula Shire’s mayor will enter the race for a seat in State ParliamentVictorian councils push back on state planning movesA Tamworth councillor cleared of vandalism chargesContenders emerging for Newcastle’s vacant Lord Mayor positionA Queensland mayor calls for an investigation into cost overrunsand Auckland’s mayor pours cold water on a merger proposalplus more news from across the world of local government in Australia and beyond.
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Misconduct, oversight, disruption and scrutiny - #550
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A Bendigo councillor ordered to apologise after a misconduct findingQueenscliffe’s new CEO announcedA call for offshore wind farms to pay their fair share to local communitiesThe NSW government set to oversee senior executive appointments at ShoalhavenIndustrial action disrupts services at BlacktownPress scrutiny prompts a major change to Gold Coast Council’s travel policyTasmanian councils keep a watching brief on the introduction of a 4 day work weekA second WA council to be overseen by a monitor over governance concernsPlus more local gove...
“Field of Dreams”, mooted merger, and mayor conduct breaches - #549
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Controversial flag policies on the agenda for two Melbourne councilsWangaratta’s $5M parking decisionA regional council’s “field of dreams” pitch to CostcoNewcastle’s Lord Mayor steps down, over health and childish behaviourA councillor’s push for a merger of two NSW councilsA WA Mayor to apologise over minor conduct breachesand new CEO and GM appointments from across the countryplus more news from across the world of local government in Australia and beyond.
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“Dismissive and out of touch”, IBAC complaint, and suspended CEO - #548
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
An alleged complaint against the Victorian Local Government MinisterNorth Sydney’s mayor disputes state government claims,While the Health Minister is accused of being dismissive and out of touchA sector leading four day week plan defended by Launceston Council’s CEOA council considering a name changeA Council CEO reportedly suspended and under investigationplus a string of councillor resignations in WAplus much more local government news from Australia and beyond.
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Sell-off pushback, rail frustration, and a blast from Batman - #547
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Stricter rules on Victorian councils for collection of unpaid ratesPlanning reforms pass the Victorian ParliamentPush back on plans to sell an historic defence site in Melbourne’s westA mayor calls for fairer regional airfares after Qantas pulls out of a key routeA council successfully prosecutes environmental offencesMoreton Bay’s economy hits new heightsTwo troubled UK councils turn the corner towards recoveryplus much more news from across Australia and beyond on the nation's number one local government podcast.
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Data centre warning, CEOs depart, and councillors reprimanded - ft. Greg McDonald #546
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
An urgent call for action on data centresLegal threats over grant funding at a Melbourne councilA disturbing increase in abuse of Council lifeguardsAlbury Council parts ways with its long serving CEOUrgent water supply issues for two NSW councilsTasmanian councils criticised for their handling of gifts and donationsAdverse conduct findings for two South Australian councillorsand a WA council CEO departs after less than two yearsAlso today:
The General Manager of Upper Hunter Shire sets the record straight after misleading media...
Re-election bids, cash flow problems, and procedural errors - #545
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Melbourne’s Lord Mayor flags a new approach to tackling the cost of vandalismA call from rural councils to pause major consultations during fire seasonA fierce campaign to retain the Phillip Island MotoGPA high profile resignation from a Sydney councilA NSW council considers its options as it faces severe cash flow problemsA surprise election announcement from the mayor of the Gold CoastA high profile Tasmanian mayor confirms a re-election bidand 40 WA councils take a stand on renewable energySupport the show
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"Game of chicken", concerning trend, and 4 day week first - ft. Jonathon Marsden #544
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Councils in a “game of chicken” with the state governmentWyndham calls out a spate of online racismConcerning trends in local government finances across NSWA council chambers closed after an asbestos discoverySecret recordings lead to a governance crisis in CairnsAn Australian first as Launceston gets set to introduce a four day working weekand Perth’s Lord Mayor responds to the leaking of a damning internal reportAll of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.
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