Local Government News Roundup
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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.
More suspensions, landmark legal ruling, and CEO sacked - #560
#560
Last Sunday at 8:00 PM
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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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Last Thursday at 8:00 PM
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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
Smarter systems for lo...
Ex mayor charged, brotherly leadership, and another monitor - ft. Stephen Yarwood #558
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03/03/2026
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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 appo...Skills shortage, debate rejections, feral pigs and corellas - #557
#557
03/01/2026
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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 Martin Clun...Merger smackdown, mayors for Parliament, and Australia Day differences - #556
#556
02/26/2026
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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 approval of i...Suspended mayor, failed merger plan, and market failure - ft. Robert Hicks #555
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02/24/2026
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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?
On Round...
Improper tax grab, transparency questions, and a test of municipal agility - #554
#554
02/22/2026
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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 Australia...
GP blow, costly blunder, and 4 day week reversal - #533
#553
02/19/2026
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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 local gove...
Grand Prix win, rate peg applications, and costly dump fires - ft Frank Wilkie #552
#552
02/17/2026
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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 more n...
Suspended, cleared, nominated and investigated - #551
#551
02/15/2026
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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.
Smarter systems for local...
Misconduct, oversight, disruption and scrutiny - #550
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02/12/2026
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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 government news...
“Field of Dreams”, mooted merger, and mayor conduct breaches - #549
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02/10/2026
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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.
Smarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to fi...
“Dismissive and out of touch”, IBAC complaint, and suspended CEO - #548
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02/08/2026
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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.
Smarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to find out...
Sell-off pushback, rail frustration, and a blast from Batman - #547
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02/05/2026
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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.
Smarter systems for loca...
Data centre warning, CEOs depart, and councillors reprimanded - ft. Greg McDonald #546
#546
02/03/2026
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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 reporting...
Re-election bids, cash flow problems, and procedural errors - #545
#545
02/01/2026
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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 energySmarter systems for local government. Vi...
"Game of chicken", concerning trend, and 4 day week first - ft. Jonathon Marsden #544
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01/29/2026
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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.
Also today...
Australia Day controversies, merger ambush, and councillor suspensions - #543
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01/27/2026
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
An urgent call for action on bushfire supportA NSW councillor under fire for controversial Australia Day commentsA close-knot town in mourning, as the hunt continues for a council worker turned fugitiveA warning for parents from a Queensland mayorTwo Tasmanian councillors suspended for conduct breachesHobart City Council under watch from the local government ministerA council rejects a merger "ambush",and calls for the Mayor of Alice Springs to resignAlso today, strong representation from local government in this year’s Australia Day honours list.
...Media ban, governance breakdown, and elections postponed - #542
#542
01/22/2026
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
More scrutiny over a councillor’s suspension last yearA council bans a local media outlet over reporting concernsFrustration builds over illegal dumping in Greater GeelongNorth Sydney’s controversial rates decision survives a move to rescindA councillor’s comments condemned after a tragic road accidentA frank assessment of a troubled infrastructure project in Townsvilleand a critical breakdown in governance laid bare at the City of Perth in a leaked reportAlso today, the UK government reveals its list of postponed council elections, as well as tho...
New leadership era, medical emergency, and a sudden resignation - #541
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01/20/2026
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
The dawn of a new era for Hobsons Bay as a new leadership team takes the reinsMoyne Shire Council acknowledges community frustration over the closure of a local poolThe split-second decision that saved a councillor’s lifeNewcastle’s Lord Mayor back at work after medical leaveA popular tourist attraction closed - the council says visitors are making it unsafeand a sudden councillor resignation in South Australia, and a leadership update at OnkaparingaSmarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to find out...
Misinformation refuted, bridge decision deferred, defamation win - #540
#540
01/18/2026
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In this Summer Series update from the Local Government News Roundup:
Councils mobilise to deal with yet more extreme weather eventsGreater Geelong refutes misinformation about the future of its waterfront bollardsWaverley Council defers a decision on the future of the Bondi Park bridgeA controversial prayer hall defies a council shutdown orderCessnock proceeding with a controversial rate rise proposaland a Perth mayor wins a $250,000 defamation case.Smarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to find out more.
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Special Edition: Jim's View, ft. Jim Magee - #539
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01/14/2026
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In this special edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A councillor resignation at Whittlesea to trigger a by-electionStrathbogie Council launches a petition to improve power reliability, after days of outages during bushfire emergenciesDebate over the future of the Bondi Park bridge at the centre of a recent terror attackand a monitor appointed after relations breakdown at the City of PerthPlus former Glen Eira mayor Jim Magee OAM drops by for a chat on all things local government, including a controversial new survey that found some people want to do away with councils...Special Edition: Municipal Monitors, ft. Tony Raunic - #538
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01/13/2026
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In this special edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A plea for people to stay away from fire affected areasA council survey of young people shows high levels of psychological distressA call for changes to new laws in Queensland with fears it will lead to more by-electionsand Tony Raunic joins Chris to discuss the recently released Darebin municipal monitors’ report, and the use of monitors more broadly at Councils in Victoria.Smarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to find out more.
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State of disaster, Elvis controversy, and an outrageous wall - #537
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01/12/2026
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A State of Disaster declared in 18 Victorian local government areas, as multiple bushfires burn across the stateA puzzling new survey about perception of levels of governmentA local mayor quashes speculation about a run for State ParliamentA Sydney council to decide on a rate rise of more than 50 per centControversy at the popular Parkes Elvis FestivalNew powers for NSW councils in the fight against hate speechA controversial wall sparks outrage in Tasmaniaand a UK Council Chief resigns over allegations of inappropriate behaviourSmarter systems...
Emergency funding, council overruled, and wind farm dismay - #536
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01/08/2026
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Beach patrol services rescued with emergency fundingYarra Council overturned at VCAT on a controversial rooming house proposalA wind farm approved over the objections of two councilsA Bondi attack memorial relocated by Waverley CouncilCessnock Council due to vote on a 40 per cent rate increaseA Tasmanian council CEO resigns after just four monthsA UK council confirms the theft of personal information in a cyber attackand iconic eleven term New Zealand mayor, Sir Tim Shadbolt, dies at 78Smarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au...
Cool councils, sinkhole shock, and representative resignations - #535
#535
01/06/2026
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In this Summer Series edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A call for government intervention over a bureaucratic bungleThe discovery of a sinkhole closes a popular sporting fieldLong term councillors step down over the Christmas New Year breakA council removes illegally planted trees at a local beachAnother council exiting home care service deliveryAnd the US councillor placed under investigation, moments are being sworn-inSmarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to find out more.
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An ego-bruising loss, and a bizarre public health warning - #534
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01/04/2026
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Another extension of municipal monitors in Victoria,As WA’s new local government inspector gets sweeping new powersVictorian councils stand with Waverley against hate and anti-semitismGeelong region VCAT numbers revealedA political shift at Sydney’s largest councilCourt losses for former councillors in Queensland and South AustraliaIllegal camping prompts serious safety concerns at a Queensland aerodromeand the most bizarre public health warning of the year from a Tasmanian mayorSmarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to find out more...
Monitors appointed, a perplexing extension, and a prayer hall shutdown - #533
#533
12/24/2025
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A bonus pre-Christmas update from the Local Government News Roundup, including:
Monitors appointed to Mornington Peninsula Shire CouncilA “perplexing” extension of monitors at KingstonVictoria’s new rate cap comes with new waste charge guidelinesA mayor returns from leave of absenceQueensland mayors and councillors to receive pay risesA South Australian council announces its new CEOCanterbury Bankstown shuts down illegal prayer hallUK Government warns councils against four-day working weeksSmarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to find out more.
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Rate cap set, 'insensitive' move, appointments and transitions - #532
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12/22/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Victoria's rate cap set for next yearDarebin Council defers a controversial flag debateA mayor urgently calls for state government support as coastal areas deal with increasing rates of homelessnessSnowy Valleys Council seeks executives to lead its demergerBorder Mayors step up advocacy for a new single-site hospitalCEO appointments in three statesA UK government plan allowing councils to postpone local elections comes under fireand an English Council calls for all primary schools to be smartphone-freeSmarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to...
Emergency meeting, name change deferred, and "bombshell admission" - #531
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12/18/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
The final monitors report for Darebin Council has been releasedA new acting CEO announced for Baw Baw CouncilA mayor cleared by an arbiter of misconductWaverley Council commits $100k to support for the Jewish communityA special rate variation to proceed at BallinaA potential name change for Glenn Innes Severn Council deferredA Queensland CEO hits out at media reporting of his Council’s financial positionand the council fraud update described as a “bombshell admission.”All of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one loca...
Mayoral musical chairs, flags, and performance scrutiny - #530
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12/16/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Councils unite against hatred and anti-semitismA second Victorian mayor steps aside, less than a month after being electedSydney’s Lord Mayor hails a huge win for the cityScrutiny over a Council’s general manager performance review processA controversial oval renaming finally settledA CEO hires a private investigator to examine a staff complaintand more of the latest news headlines from around the world of local government.Smarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to find out more.
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Bondi attack, misconduct, CEO appointments, and travel bills - #529
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12/14/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup Summer Series:
Local government leaders respond to the horrific terror attack at Bondi BeachAn Arbiter finds Whittlesea councillor Aidan McLindon engaged in misconductPlus Council CEO appointments and extensionsThe passing of a long time local government leaderGold Coast mayor’s international travel bill comes under scrutinyand more of the latest news headlines from around the world of local government.Smarter systems for local government. Visit rathed.com.au to find out more.
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Unplanned leave, historic leadership team, and escalating dysfunction - #528
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12/11/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Victoria’s mayoral election season is over as the last Council makes a historic decisionAlbury Council’s CEO takes unplanned leave amid financial crisisMaitland Council votes to return historic gaol to NSW GovernmentCity of Perth dysfunction escalatesBass Coast launches petition to secure MotoGP beyond 2026The reason behind a country mayor’s resignation revealedRedland City Mayor's scathing attack leaves officers in tearsA reprieve for flannelette shirts in Orange, and Kuala Lumpur's first woman mayor removed after 16 monthsPlus more news from across the world of loca...
Beach security, bulldozing defence, and a distressing mistake - #527
#527
12/09/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Waverley Council ramps up security for an Bronte Beach Christmas bashPerth scraps a controversial workplace culture investigationMoreton Bay defends bulldozing of homeless camps in a Supreme Court human rights challengeHobsons Bay residents win permanent rights to stay after 2.5-year fight against evictionLatrobe City Council apologises after a cat is mistakenly euthanisedByron Shire urges NSW Government to purchase a former hospital site for affordable housingSA councils demand action on lithium-ion battery firesLondon councils spent over ÂŁ500 million on consultancy firms, now structurally dependent on private contractorsLevy backdown, mayor resigns, and a raffle debate - #526
#526
12/07/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A government back down on the controversial Emergency Services levyAlpine Shire’s mayor resigns after less than two weeks in the roleA rural NSW council commences a special rate variation processRowing clubs upset over a Sydney council’s swimming pool planTownsville's new mayor wins his first political testA Gold Coast councillor's raffle ticket purchase on a corporate card sparks policy debateHobart council to shift focus to compliance after a new AFL stadium is approvedAn infrastructure review reveals governance failures at a Tasmanian councilAll...
"Subverting democracy", councillors suspended and accosted - #525
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12/04/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A Merri-bek councillor to be suspended for misconductA councillor accosted in public over a controversial pool decisionThe NSW Council set to fly the Palestinian flagEnvironmental vandalism under investigation by Noosa CouncilA Queensland council’s calls for help with a recent crime spikeA South Australian mayor resigns, effective immediatelyand Perth’s Lord Mayor abandons a controversial workplace culture reviewAll of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.
Plus we go live to Las Vegas in the st...
Rate cap breach, intervention and a tragic loss - ft.Anne-Marie Cade #524
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12/02/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A second Victorian council in breach of the rate capHume Council wins VCAT action against illegal earthworksNew figures show the chronic underfunding that is holding back housing developmentA proposal to fund Pride Month activities under fireA council backs away from a special rate variation planThe Queensland government to send an adviser into Redland CouncilThe tragic death of a WA deputy shire president in a bushfireAll of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.
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Overwhelming demerger vote, city turmoil, and "concerning misrepresentation" - #523
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11/30/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
Councils get behind a global campaign to end gender-based violenceA disappointing decision to close a community poolA referendum returns an overwhelming vote for deamalgamation of Snowy Valleys CouncilNewcastle’s Deputy Lord Mayor cops criticism from a local MPA council offers a $10,000 reward following a tree vandalism incidentA mayor’s decision to go to the Winter Olympics under fireA Tasmanian mayor survives an attempted no-confidence motionTurmoil at the City of Perth as its Acting CEO resigns, andThe shire that wants to be a cityAll...
Award winners, and a "grossly unfair"situation - #522
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11/27/2025
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Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
Winners announced in the inaugural Mary Rogers Awards for women in local governmentHepburn Shire calls for urgent action after an attack on its CEOThe latest mayoral election resultsA new LGNSW President electedSydney Council's controversial $20 million planter box contractTownsville’s former mayor found to have lied about his military serviceA councillor resigns in the wake of a strip club scandalUK mayors getting powers to introduce tourist taxesAnd warnings the NZ government's local government restructure threatens Treaty obligationsPlus more news from across the world of local go...
Housing first, claims refuted, and a community devastated - ft.Georgia Forde #521
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11/25/2025
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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
A Victorian-first housing initiative launched in FrankstonBallarat refutes claims about a waste processing tenderThe latest mayoral election results from around VictoriaLiverpool’s Mayor on the stand at a public inquiryMore NSW Councils considering special rate variationsA Muswellbrook Shire Council community devastated by the loss of century-old hall;Deficient procurement processes under the microscope at Douglas Shirea proposal to merge Hobart and Glenorchy councils deferred to an elector po...
