Shock document leak, showdown looms, and an “improper and unlawful” action

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• The shock leak of a confidential report into a longstanding issue at Hepburn Shire
• A showdown looms as Whittlesea’s mayoral crisis drags on
• A spate of recycling truck fires prompts more warnings from councils
• A regional NSW council’s cash flow warning
• An urgent call for an investigation into financial concerns at a regional airport
• Perth councils push back on the use of NDAs and cost-shifting

and much more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

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Victorian Roundup:

A confidential draft report from a closed local government inspectorate investigation involving Hepburn Shire Councilhas been released on social media.

Last year, the inspectorate announced that it closed its investigation into allegations about the council and its former CEO’s involvement with the Rex Theatre development.

It said it was satisfied the council had taken remedial action and that there was insufficient evidence to take the matter further.

Hepburn Mayor Cr Don Henderson released a statement on Friday, confirming the Council was aware the confidential report had been shared on social media, and indicating that a formal statement would follow early this week.

Mayor Henderson referred any enquiries about the report to the Local Government Inspectorate.

It’s unclear how the report has come into the public domain and what, if any, status it carries.

Hepburn Shire’s former CEO Aaron van Egmond moved to the same role at Hobsons Bay in 2018, before the complaint was lodged with the inspectorate.

He was recently suspended by Hobsons Bay Council pending investigations, and former Wyndham Council and MAV CEO Kerry Thompson has been installed as Acting CEO.

A showdown is looming Tuesday night, when Whittlesea mayor Aidan McLindon will be forced to chair the Council’s latest meeting online while a CEO-imposed ban on personal attendance is in force.

As previously reported, CEO Craig Lloyd has imposed the ban, citing concerns for the safety of councillors and staff due to alleged inappropriate behaviour by Cr McLindon.

All 10 other councillors passed a motion of no confidence in the mayor last month, and called for his resignation, which he has said he will not do, while strongly denying the accusations against him.

The Star Weekly reported that Cr McLindon plans to make a statement alongside his lawyer at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Meanwhile, a leading local government legal expert has cast doubt on the claimed confidential status of letters from the CEO to Cr McLindon, imposing a range of restrictions on him.

On VLGA Connect this week, Tony Raunic said he believe the letters were unlikely to meet legislative confidentiality definitions.

“I don’t think they would meet the definition of confidential information in the local government act. There’s specific elements in that section that make out the definition of confidential information, and I don’t think this falls within that at all.”

“There is this tension between the CEO’s responsibility to provide a safe working environment, but also recognising that we have an elected official here in a democracy, and they are being significantly constrained from carrying out their elected role.”

The restrictions on Cr McLindon are due for review next week, but Mr Raunic believes the matter can only be resolved through a formal process.

“I think it’s best resolved in the arbitration hearing where there’ll be a finding as to whether the mayor’s actions have in any way breached the model code of conduct.”

For the full discussion with Tony Raunic on the Whittlesea matter, as well as the recently released monitor’s report for Buloke Shire Council, check out the latest episode of VLGA Connect, available now on YouTube or podcast.

Two Melbourne councils are raising urgent concerns about dangerous items being incorrectly disposed of in household bins.

A Glen Eira recycling truck caught fire on Monday after a vacuum cleaner containing a lithium-ion battery was placed in a recycling bin. Just days later, Whitehorse council reported their second waste truck fire in less than a week.

The incidents have required significant emergency response resources, with one fire requiring three fire trucks and eleven firefighters to contain the blaze.

Both councils are strongly urging residents to dispose of e-waste, batteries, and other hazardous materials through proper channels.

Greater Dandenong City Council has appointed ADCO Constructions to build the new Dandenong Wellbeing Centre, after a rescission motion was voted down at last week’s online Council meeting.

Cr Rhonda Garad sought to have the decision to appoint ADCO Constructions overturned, but was unsuccessful, with the council voting 7-4 to proceed as originally determined.

The state-of-the-art facility is designed to replace the outdated Dandenong Oasis and provide comprehensive aquatic, fitness, and rehabilitation services to the community.

The $100M plus project is being partly funded by a $20 million Federal Government grant and is set for completion in early 2027.

40 percent of submissions to Hume City Council’s draft budget have come from Sunbury residents, with many focussing on an upgrade of the Sunbury Aquatic and Leisure Centre.

The Star Weekly reported that submitters are seeking improvements such as rebuilding pools, adding shade structures, and installing new facilities like a water slide and sauna.

Residents have expressed frustration over the facility's extended closure in 2023.

Cardinia Shire Council is asking for more than $100M in federal funding to be reinstated for road sealing.

Mayor Jack Kowarzik told the Pakenham Berwick Gazette (12th March 2025) that an original funding commitment would have paid for about 85 per cent of the cost of sealing more than 160 local roads.

But the funding was abruptly cut in 2023 by the current government when it made changes to the “Sealing the Hills” program.

The council received only $41M of the promised $150M.

Cr Kowarzik said the council wants the government to finish sealing roads in areas like Emerald and Cockatoo, and provide the remaining $109M that was promised.

Two Victorian councils are highlighting an innovative approach and significant investments in maintenance of their local road networks.

In Southern Grampians Shire, the council has deployed cutting-edge technology to assess road conditions, using specialised vehicles that capture high-definition images every 10 meters and employ artificial intelligence to analyze road defects.

Meanwhile, Mornington Peninsula Shire has committed to a substantial $7.5 million annual investment in road renewal, including $5.3 million from council funds and an additional $2 million from federal sources. The Shire is set to upgrade nearly 160,000 square meters across 35 local roads.

Both councils have emphasised the importance of community feedback in their road management strategies.

Victorian Briefs:

Swan Hill Rural City Council has announced plans to convert a former kindergarten site into modern accommodationfor essential workers.

The development will feature 10 new dwellings, aimed at addressing the region's housing shortage and attracting key workers to the area.

Pyrenees Shire Council is conducting a digital connectivity survey to understand residents' experiences with telecommunications services, particularly following the 3G network shutdown.

The aim of the survey is to strengthen council's advocacy for improved digital infrastructure.

The City of Greater Bendigo, Australia's first UNESCO Creative City and Region of Gastronomy, is seeking expressions of interest from experienced event organizers to develop and deliver a major annual gastronomy festival launching in 2026.

The festival aims to celebrate the region's rich food culture, involving over 100 producers, 60+ cellar doors, and multiple craft breweries.

Moonee Valley City Council has been recognised as one of Australia's top workplaces for women by Work180 for the third consecutive year,.

It’s the only local government organisation in the Top 101.

Women comprise two-thirds of the council’s workforce and hold more than half of all management positions, including the current Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and CEO roles.

National Roundup:

NSW:

Financial challenges are looming for Bathurst Regional Council, which has revealed a significant $7.3 million decrease in its unrestricted cash position.

Mayor Robert Taylor confirmed to the Western Advocate that the council has a substantial cash flow problem, primarily attributed to slower-than-expected land sales at The Reserve development.

The council is now looking at implementing cost-cutting measures, including potential event cancellations and staff reductions. There's also talk of revisiting a special rate variation, though not at the level of last year's proposed 68.6 percent increase.

Twenty lots at The Reserve are currently under negotiation, which could provide a cash injection of $6 million.

Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun has taken aim at incomplete infrastructure projects in Southwest Sydney, highlighting the need for proper rail connections to Western Sydney International Airport and expressing concerns about the region's transport bottlenecks.

The Mayor said that while last week’s promise from the Federal Government of a $1 billion land acquisition is welcome, the region requires complete projects with clear completion timelines and full funding commitments, estimated at around $10 billion for the rail link.

Newcastle's Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge has called for an urgent investigation into Newcastle Airport's financial management amid growing concerns over its fiscal stability.

The call comes following revelations by the Newcastle Herald about potential job cuts and significant debt issues at the facility.

The Herald reported that Wallsend MP Sonia Hornery has also requested an investigation from the Local Government Minister.

The airport's acting CEO Andrew Warrender has acknowledged workforce changes may be necessary but denies any immediate plans for staff reductions.

Questions are being raised about the oversight of the airport and potential implications for Newcastle and Port Stephens ratepayers.

The NSW Audit Office has confirmed that the airport's borrowings are considered a council liability.

A performance order imposed on Edward River Council last year was triggered by a controversial council meeting incident, Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has revealed.

The Deniliquin Pastoral Times reported that the minister acted after viewing footage of former mayor Peta Betts ejecting councillor Harold Clapham from a March 2024 meeting, describing the action as "improper and unlawful."

While the timing of the order raised eyebrows, coming just before local elections, new mayor Ashley Hall reports positive outcomes from the intervention.

The council received 100 hours of professional training, and the government-appointed adviser assisted in recruiting a new CEO.

The performance order has now concluded, with adviser Mark Ferguson reporting improved meeting procedures and behaviour within council chambers.

A community petition calling for urgent action to clean up Griffith's CBD has gained significant traction, with 1500 residents backing the call for change, according to a report from Region Riverina.

Local businesswoman Doreen Wood presented the petition to Griffith City Council last week, highlighting concerns about dead plants, unkempt streets, and uninviting shopfronts in the town centre.

Deputy Mayor Anne Napoli acknowledged the concerns, pledging immediate action, while Mayor Doug Curran described the petition as a necessary "kick in the butt" for council.

In response, council held a workshop on the weekend, and has established a new Roads, Parks & Pathways Enhancement Committee, set to meet later this month.

QLD:

Toowoomba Regional Council has commenced a nationwide search for a new CEO, seeking an accomplished leader with business acumen and community focus to guide the organisation's next chapter.

The position, which current Interim CEO Colin Jensen will not pursue permanently, requires a proven track record in leading large organisations, with applications closing on April 6, 2025.

Former CEO Brian Pidgeon announced his intention not to seek a new term late last year, with his contract due to expire this July. He officially left the position in early January.

North Queensland mayors, MPs, and industry leaders have met with government representatives to advocate for regional funding priorities in the upcoming federal budget.

The Townsville Bulletin reported that the delegation has emphasised the region's contribution of over $22 billion in gross regional product annually, describing it as one of the most productive regions in the country.

The group was led by the North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils and Townsville Enterprise Limited, and focused on key investments needed in infrastructure, including roads, ports, hospitals, and industry-enabling projects.

Additionally, Townsville Enterprise has launched a new ESG toolkit to help local businesses track their carbon footprint and work towards Net Zero goals.

In Redland City, the council has issued an urgent dual alert following ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Residents are being warned about increased risks from both fire ants and mosquitos in the cyclone's aftermath.

Council officials are particularly concerned about fire ant colonies that may have been displaced by flood waters. During clean-up efforts, residents are urged to check debris carefully before moving it and inspect their properties for new ant mounds.

The recent combination of heavy rainfall and warm temperatures has also created perfect breeding conditions for mosquitos. In response, the Council's Mosquito Management Team has launched a comprehensive treatment program, including both aerial and ground operations.

The Cairns Super Carnival, set to debut in August, and bringing together two of major horse racing events, has received the backing of Cairns Council with a $150,000 two-year council funding agreement.

The carnival represents a strategic merger between the Cairns Cup Carnival and Cairns Amateurs Carnival.

The nine-day festival will combine events at Cannon Park with various social activities, aiming to create operational efficiencies while maintaining the region's racing tradition.

National Briefs:

Federation Council has launched a new digital platform to provide easy access to digitised cemetery records and maps for ten local cemeteries.

The platform allows users to locate graves, explore online memorials, and learn about cemetery history, and serves as a valuable resource for genealogists and historians while preserving local history.

Two City of Bayswater councillors from the same ward have been elected to the Western Australian state Parliament.

Former mayor Dan Bull won the seat of Maylands, creating a second extraordinary vacancy, after Lorna Clarke resigned in December and was elected as Member for Butler.

Both positions may remain vacant until elections in October.

Central Highlands Regional Council is actively managing flying-fox activity in Duaringa's Mackenzie Park through tree maintenance work, with the park temporarily fenced off during these operations.

CEO Aaron Johansson said the council is committed to addressing community concerns while following state government guidelines, promising ongoing updates as they work to resolve the situation.

SA:

The $45.7 million Barossa Park sporting precinct has been completed ahead of schedule and will host AFL Gather Round 2025 matches in April before opening to the community in May.

The new multi-purpose venue, jointly funded by The Barossa Council and the state government, includes extensive facilities like a 350-seat event space, clubrooms, netball courts, and an athletics track.

A boundary reform investigation, which could affect areas of Light Regional Council like Hewett, parts of Gawler Belt, and Reid, [has completed its community consultation phase.](https://www.light.sa.gov.au/yourcouncil/latest-news/boundary-reform-update-stay-informed!)

A draft report has been prepared by the South Australian Local Government Boundaries Commission.

The final report and recommendations are pending submission to the Minister for Local Government, who will make the ultimate decision on any boundary changes.

The process was started as the result of a request from the Town of Gawler.

WA:

Perth councils are pushing back against non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) required by the state government, restricting information sharing about shot-hole borer infestations in trees.

ABC News reported the concerns of some mayors, including Alison Xamon at the City of Vincent, who see the agreements as counterproductive to community efforts to combat the pest.

Perth already has the lowest tree canopy coverage of any Australian capital city, with over 4,000 trees destroyed since the beetle was first detected in 2021.

The lack of transparency extends to urban tree canopy data, which hasn't been updated since 2020, making it difficult to track progress toward the government's goal of 30 percent canopy cover by 2040.

ABC News has reported on Western Australian councils taking a stand against 'cost-shifting' from federal and state governments

The City of Greater Geraldton has unanimously rejected a request from Telstra to contribute $50,000 towards mobile coverage infrastructure, with Mayor Jerry Clune saying local governments shouldn't be doing the heavy lifting on telecommunications.

The move comes as regional councils across Australia grapple with increasing pressure to fund services traditionally provided by state and federal governments, including housing and healthcare.

Federal Local Government Minister Kristy McBain says she's met with over 250 councils and welcomes a parliamentary inquiry, the first of its kind in two decades, which will help inform future funding arrangements.

Global Roundup:

UK:

UK local government minister Jim McMahon has suggested councils may be given the ability to suspend councillors before they are convicted of a criminal offence.

Local gov dot co uk reported the minister’s comments last week, citing examples of councillors on bail for serious alleged offences but still able to attend council meetings and premises.

He said most members of the public would find that unacceptable, hinting strongly that the current regime would be changed.

A hefty price tag has been placed on a proposed restructuring of councils in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, with costs estimated to exceed £18 million.

BBC News reported that Stephen Moir, Chief Executive of Cambridgeshire County Council, revealed the figure at a recent committee meeting, stating the existing councils would need to absorb these expenses.

The government has requested all seven councils in the region to submit initial restructuring plans by March 28th, with final proposals due in November.

USA:

In Lynnwood, Washington, a recently appointed city council member has stepped down amid controversy over her online activities, according to VICE dot com.

Jessica Roberts withdrew her position after revelations about her OnlyFans account and alleged explicit social media posts came to light.

Council members claim they were unaware of Roberts's online presence during the appointment process.

Council President Nick Coelho defended their vetting procedures, stating they don't routinely examine applicants' social media accounts.

In her statement, Roberts maintained that her personal life wouldn't have affected her ability to serve, but chose to withdraw to avoid becoming a distraction to the council's work.

In Miami Beach, Florida, a controversy is brewing over an Oscar-winning documentary.

The Guardian reported on Mayor Steven Meiner’s move to evict a local independent cinema from city-owned property and withdraw grant funding after screening 'No Other Land,' the recent Academy Award winner for Best Documentary.

The film, which explores Palestinian displacement in the West Bank, has drawn sharp criticism from Mayor Meiner, who labeled it 'propaganda' inconsistent with city values.

The American Civil Liberties Union has called the mayor's actions unconstitutional.

Despite initial pressure to cancel screenings, the documentary has seen sold-out audiences.

CANADA:

A British Columbia municipality is struggling to meet its provincial housing target of 2,266 new homes by 2029, according to a report from Global News.

The City of West Kelowna has only completed 64 units in the first six months of the plan, and is seeking provincial support for infrastructure upgrades to accommodate growth.

But Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon said that despite being offered funding and tools, the city has rejected some housing proposals that would have helped them meet their goals.

NZ:

Local Government New Zealand is advocating for the replacement of postal voting with in-person polling places and ballot boxes in local elections.

Newstalk ZB reported that the call has attracted the support of Nelson Mayor Nick Smith, who says decreased access to mailboxes is a factor in low voter turnout, with less than half of eligible voters participating in local elections.