Dysfunctional budget debacle, mayoral challenge, and a rate cap warning

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• A suspended councillor’s legal troubles resolved
• A mayor’s budget challenge to the rest of the country
• An apology called for after a councillor was wrongfully accused of theft
• The shock passing of two sector leaders in NSW
• Sydney Council takes aim at gas appliances, and the unsightly proliferation of rubbish bins
• A Queensland council’s dysfunctional budget debacle
• New general manager appointments
• Australia used as a cautionary tale against rate capping in New Zealand

Also today, a new resource for councils to help meet the rapidly growing demand for basketball facilities. 

Jake Keogh, General Manager of Government and Facilities at Basketball Victoria is here to discuss the sport’s extraordinary growth and why this guide could be a game changer for facilities development in Victoria and potentially around Australia

Learn more about SmartGlue at www.symphony3.com

On Tuesday, 22 July the VLGA and LGIU will host the next in its series of Global Executive Live Panels for 2025.

This webinar will explore the topic of Building the Local Economy and will be held online from 5.30pm to 7pm.

Panellists include:

• Dr Angela Jackson, Commissioner (Social Policy), Australian Productivity Commission
• David Marlow, Chief Executive, Third Life Economics 
• Merryn Tinkler, Manager Economy & Culture, Mount

Chapters

• 1:59 Victorian Report
• 8:51 NSW Report
• 13:29 National Report
• 20:44 Global Report
• 24:21 Interview: Jake Keogh, Basketball Victoria

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

Kingston councillor Jane Agirtan has been offered a two-week diversion by Moorabbin Magistrates' Court after being charged with breaching a personal safety intervention order by failing to remove a reference to a complainant within 24 hours.

Bayside News reported that to satisfy the court's order, Cr Agirtan must make a $2000 donation to the Royal Children's Hospital.

Cr Agirtan had been stood down from Kingston Council until the legal matter is resolved.

A separate criminal matter against her that was also listed for June 20 was withdrawn by police.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj claims his council’s new budget is extraordinary and unique, according to the Geelong Advertiser.

The budget includes the removal of a controversial $73 "permit to burn" fee, funding for football clubs, and the reversal of a planned cut to funding for the annual Pako Festa.

Mayor Kontelj has praised the budget for simultaneously achieving a surplus, increased capital works and renewal expenditure, committing to no new loans, reducing debt, and keeping rate increases below the state government's cap.

He has challenged any level of government to aspire to the same level of achievement.

Banyule Council has approved a new direction for Olympic Leisure Centre, which will close its aging aquatic facilities in October while expanding health, fitness, community services, and adding a new library service by March 2026.

The centre has operated in Heidelberg West since the 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games.

The transformation comes with a $1.8 million investment and includes provisions like free access to Ivanhoe Aquatic Centre for current users and a feasibility study for a water play park.

The Council has formed the view that it could not deliver the full vision from a 2021/22 co-design working group, and sees the changes as a necessary step forward to better serve the community's evolving needs.

A community campaign opposing the new direction has mobilised in recent weeks, as reported by the Age last week.

Opponents say the pool is important for accessibility, community connection, and public health, and have questioned the council's claims of low patronage.

A chemical reaction during pool maintenance at Broadmeadows Aquatic and Leisure Centre prompted an evacuation last Friday evening.

Nine patrons were taken to hospital for assessment, and Hume City Council reported that all were doing well.

Following a WorkSafe assessment confirming the facility's safety, the centre remains open with normal operations while the council conducts an internal review to determine the cause and prevent future incidents.

The City of Ballarat has condemned recent vandalism to a floral Pride flag display in the Sturt Street gardens.

Mayor Tracey Hargreaves said the targeted attack on the LGBTIQA+ community was disheartening, and narrow-mindness from a small minority of people.

The display, which took months to cultivate since January, will need to be removed as replacement flowers cannot be sourced in matching colours.

Mayor Hargreaves has encouraged anyone with information to report it to Victoria Police.

Murrindindi Shire Council says it is disappointed with the Victorian Government's response to the Parliamentary Inquiry into Local Government Funding and Services, as only 9 out of 48 recommendations were fully supported, with many key issues remaining unresolved.

The Council had submitted detailed proposals for systemic reform including better disaster recovery funding and fairer grant processes, and views the government’s response as a missed opportunity to address the mounting financial pressures faced by rural councils.

The VLGA welcomed the Victorian Government's response to the inquiry, appreciating the commitment to work with councils but expressing disappointment that recommendations for more sustained funding, including a review of the rating system and adequate capital expenditure funding, were not supported.

Corangamite Shire Council has provided a detailed update to its community, on how it is actively seeking state and federal government support to assist those who are drought-affected.

Mayor Kate Makin said the council has written to multiple government officials and is participating in the state’s new Drought Response Task Force.

The Council is advocating for various support measures including zero-interest loans, rate subsidies, mental health support, and a FarmKeeper program modelled after pandemic relief initiatives to help farmers and related businesses weather the crisis.

And the Border Mail reports this morning that Wodonga Council has adopted its $95 million budget with a 3% rate increase despite opposition from two councillors who argued for finding savings instead of raising rates, and claims that ratepayers have been misled.

Coming soon to the Roundup - the Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has launched the inaugural MAVlab Innovation Awards to recognise and celebrate innovative projects and people reshaping local government across Victoria's 79 councils.

The program features 16 award categories across various disciplines, aiming not only to acknowledge innovation but also to share and scale successful ideas throughout the sector.

The MAV’s Chief Innovator in Residence Bonnie Shaw will join me on an upcoming edition of the Roundup to tell us more about these exciting new awards for the Victorian local government sector.

Victorian Briefs:

Geoff Rollinson has been reappointed as CEO of Gannawarra Shire Council for an additional two years, following his initial appointment in December 2022.

Mr Rollinson has over 30 years of experience in local government, including various roles within the council since 1995.

Greater Shepparton City Council has approved a Hard Waste Collection Service starting July next year, providing residents with two 3 by 3m nature strip collections annually to improve waste disposal access.

The initiative supports the Council's landfill diversion targets while responding to a 28% EPA Levy increase. It will be implemented following an open tender procurement process.

Strathbogie Shire Council has appointed a new waste collection partner.

FOOTT will manage all household waste collection, as well as recycling, organics and the new glass-only bin.

Mayor Claire Ewart-Kennedy said FOOTT uses more advanced technology that the previous provider, equipping its trucks with onboard cameras and GPS tracking.

National Roundup:

The Commonwealth Government is bringing forward $1.7 billion in financial assistance to councils across Australia to ensure the continued delivery of essential local services and community projects.

The early payment represents 50% of the 2025-26 Financial Assistance Grant allocations, and will be distributed before June 30th.

NSW:

The NSW Government’s latest budget has received a mixed reaction from the state’s peak body for councils.

LGNSW President Phyllis Miller OAM has acknowledged positive elements but expressed disappointment that funding gaps for the local government sector had not been addressed.

The budget includes $4.2 billion in disaster relief, and funding for biosecurity measures, housing development, and rural health services, but falls short with a 7% increase in Emergency Services Levy council contributions which Cr Miller said would be devastating.

Tributes are flowing after the unexpected passing of a serving Newcastle City councillor this week.

Greens councillor Sinead Francis-Coan has died after a short illness at the age of 40.

Her mother announced the news on social media, saying that Cr Francis-Coan had passed away unexpectedly at home.

Local government colleagues and parliamentarians are among those to pay tribute to the late councillor, who is being remembered as a long time community advocate, and a strong voice on issues of social justice and equality.

In honour of her service and memory, the City of Newcastle announced yesterday that it will lower its flags to half-mast.

And in another blow to the sector, news came earlier this week of the sudden passing of Charles Casuscelli, the CEO of Western Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (WSROC) and former NSW Legislative Assembly member.

Mr Casuscelli had a distinguished career spanning military service, transport management, and local government advocacy.

He was a tireless champion for Western Sydney who served in multiple leadership roles including the Australian Army Reserve, NSW Roads and Traffic Authority, and NRMA Motoring Services.

He leaves behind a legacy of dedicated public service and community engagement.

Sydney City Council has unanimously voted to ban gas appliances in all new residential developments from December 31, and is seeking feedback on requiring renewable energy use in other developments like office blocks and hotels.

Proponents claim the ban will save households $626 annually on energy bills, according to the Daily Telegraph, while critics argue that families should have choice about their stovetops.

The ban doesn't affect gas bottle usage for barbecues.

The Council has also this week passed a motion from Cr Adam Worling, seeking to address the negative impacts of residential bins being left in public places longer than necessary.

Cr Worling raised various issues, including obstructions, clutter, illegal dumping, and environmental concerns arising from around 100,000 bins for 124,000 homes.

The Council’s CEO will now investigate a programmed response to systematically and effectively address the issues, including consideration of updates to bin stickers and labels, and a neighbourhood-level campaign to foster understanding and improvements in how residents store bins within their properties.

Federation councillors have voted against increasing their pay for the next financial year, against the recommendation of the NSW Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.

They rejected the rise in a 4-3 vote, out of concerns for cost of living pressures and following an approved rate rise of 19 percent, according to the Border Mail.

Griffith City Council has appointed Scott Grant as its new General Manager, following the retirement announcement of Brett Stonestreet.

Mr Grant has a broad background in leadership roles across various sectors, including as a director at Campbelltown City Council, chief operating officer and deputy CEO of Cricket Australia, and chief operating officer of Hyundai Motor Company Australia.

Set to commence on August 25, 2025, on a 5-year Performance Based Contract, Mr Grant said he was genuinely excited about contributing to Griffith's continued success and working with the council team and community.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council has appointed Scott Gallacher as its new General Manager.

Mr Gallacher’s most recent role was Chief Officer of the Isle of Man's Department of Environment, Food and Agriculture, and he has previously held senior central and local government roles in New Zealand.

Mayor Nina Dillon said she was delighted to be welcoming him to region.

Mr Gallacher will take up his new role in mid-September.

QLD:

Redland City Council has been described as “dysfunctional” and “a laughing stock” after a meeting to pass its annual budget this week.

What should have been a routine fiscal approval process descended into a five-hour spectacle of political division, procedural confusion, and public outrage, according to the Courier Mail.

The meeting featured walkouts, formal dissent motions against the mayor, multiple adjournments, and initially failed to pass the budget despite eight months of preparation.

After closed-door negotiations, the council eventually approved an 11 percent increase in fees and charges, making Redland the most expensive council in Southeast Queensland with typical households facing annual bills of $4,931.

Mayor Jos Mitchell, heading a minority faction within the council, ultimately voted against her own administration's budget, highlighting the deep political fractures within the chamber.

Questions are being asked after Scenic Rim Councillor Steve Moriarty was falsely accused of misappropriating $6,000 worth of fuel using a council-issued fuel card for a vehicle he never owned.

A complaint was made to the Office of the Independent Assessor but was dismissed by them as an "administrative error."

The Beaudesert Times reported (26th June 2025) that Mayor Tom Sharp is now demanding answers from the CEO about how such an error occurred and has called for a formal apology.

Arsonists have destroyed a playground at Ebert Park in the City of Moreton Bay, causing $100,000 in damage as part of a growing trend of vandalism against community facilities.

Mayor Peter Flannery has expressed outrage at the incidents, which have included multiple playground fires, theft of equipment, and graffiti costing ratepayers thousands of dollars despite the city's investment in CCTV surveillance.

The Toowoomba Chronicle has reported on delays and complications with the Cressbrook Dam safety project in Toowoomba, with only $43m spent of the $266m budget.

The project had an original completion date of end-2025, and is costing ratepayers approximately $1m monthly to maintain.

The delays are attributed to the dam being at full capacity due to ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred and complications with original construction materials, requiring design changes and updated modelling.

National Briefs:

Cr Kylee Isidro has resigned from Somerset Regional Council, effective this Friday.

Ipswich West Moreton Today (26th June 2025) reported that the Cr Isidro was stepping down after a challenging 18 months both personally and professionally.

A by-election will be held to fill the vacancy, with speculation that former councillor Sean Choat may attempt a return to the council.

Maitland, Cessnock, and Singleton councils have launched a coordinated weekly Food Organics and Garden Organics (FOGO) collection service starting June 30, allowing residents to combine food scraps with garden waste for processing into compost.

The collaborative initiative will be supported by kitchen caddies, compostable liners, and an ongoing education campaign.

Glenorchy War Memorial Pool will soon undergo repairs and refurbishment after the city council signed a contract with Hutchinson Builders.

The project is benefiting from a $5 million State Government grant, and is expected to be completed by mid-2026.

TAS:

Break O'Day Council has brought kerbside recycling collection in-house to reduce costs for ratepayers while creating a new local job opportunity for a Recycling Truck Driver.

The change also increases service reliability by maintaining a local back-up vehicle, eliminating the previous need to wait for replacement trucks from Launceston when breakdowns occurred.

Meander Valley Council has made what it calls a difficult decision to close the Westbury Waste Depot.

The depot will close next week, as the landfill has reached capacity and the council says continued operations are not financially viable.

After closure, residents can use facilities at Deloraine and Mole Creek, or waste facilities in adjacent council areas.

Huon Valley Council has allocated over $1 million in its 2025/26 budget to address a major landslip on Kingfish Beach Road near the Southport Catholic Cemetery.

Engineering surveys are set to begin over winter to determine the most suitable long-term repair solution.

While remediation work progresses, the road remains open to single-lane traffic managed by temporary traffic lights, which will soon be upgraded with advanced technology to improve traffic management and safety.

SA:

The Whyalla Airport runway upgrade, a $30+ million project funded by Australian and South Australian governments with additional support from the City of Whyalla, has been completed ahead of schedule and under budget.

The airport can now accommodate larger aircraft and increased passenger capacity.

The project utilised 90% local construction materials and employed 234 workers including 110 Whyalla locals, and has secured the airport's capability to service over 50,000 passengers annually.

Coorong District Council has officially declared drought conditions in its region despite some recent rainfall, acknowledging the ongoing financial and emotional toll on farmers and agricultural communities.

The Council is implementing practical support measures including a simplified rates hardship application process while actively participating in state-level drought discussions to advocate for broader assistance and long-term recovery strategies.

WA:

Western Australia's 2025-26 State Budget is delivering an investment boost to local governments through various programs, headlined by the $4 billion Royalties for Regions program supporting infrastructure, housing, and community services across the state.

The budget also includes targeted funding for road safety, emergency services, sport facilities, and environmental initiatives.

A $3.1M State Bushfire Mitigation Branch will partner with councils on fuel reduction works on unmanaged lands, along with targeted funding for high-risk regions like the Kimblerley, Pi;lbara and Wheatbelt.

Read more on what’s in the WA budget for councils at the Council Magazine website.

The Town of Cambridge has received official endorsement for the restoration of the Whadjuk Noongar name "Galup" to Lake Monger Reserve.

The name change, which means "place where the home fires burn," was guided by extensive community engagement and consultation with Traditional Owners.

The Shire of Manjimup in Western Australia has enacted a policy allowing people to apply to live in caravans or tiny homes on wheels on private land for up to two years, with possibility of renewal.

Yahoo News reported that the move aims to address the region's severe housing shortage and stands in contrast to other Australian councils that are increasingly restricting where caravans and trailers can be parked.

Global Roundup:

NZ:

Local Government NZ President Sam Broughton has warned against rate capping for councils, citing evidence from Australia, particularly in NSW, where such measures have led to higher rates increases and increased borrowing costs for councils.

He made the comments to NewsTalk after the government said it was considering a cap as part of wider local government reforms.

Auckland Council is employing advanced Lidar mapping technology via helicopter to create detailed virtual walkthroughs of stream networks, helping to combat flooding events and enhance flood resistance across the city.

Radio New Zealand reported that the technology provides unprecedented detail with laser-point densities reaching 250 points per square metre, enabling better visualisation and management of waterways.

Wellington City Council has approved $460,000 to establish a Homelessness Coordination Service led by three frontline agencies to strengthen the city's response to chronic homelessness affecting an estimated 30 people in the central city.

The council is hoping to improve collective coordination, provide after-hours support, and address systemic barriers through a unified approach that honours the dignity of those experiencing homelessness rather than simply moving them elsewhere.

UK:

Plymouth City Council leader Tudor Evans has reported a serious threat of violence to police following weeks of intense campaigning ahead of a July 17 referendum on whether to have a directly-elected mayor for the city.

BBC News reported that the referendum, which will cost about £410,000, was triggered by a petition signed by over 10,000 people.

It’s going ahead despite government plans to potentially scrap directly-elected mayors for single authorities like Plymouth in favour of combined authority mayors.

Runnymede Borough Council in Surrey has received a £25,000 grant from the Chewing Gum Task Force to clean up gum-stained streets in key areas using eco-friendly methods and specialist training.

BBC News reported that the initiative is part of a wider effort to address a problem that costs UK councils around £7m annually in clean-up costs, with the majority of England's streets and retail sites affected by discarded chewing gum.

USA:

In Michigan, two people have been fired and another suspended by Wayne County after an employee was mistakenly paid $1.6 million in a single paycheck.

7News Detroit reported that the payment was due to a human error where an employee ID number was entered as an hourly rate.

The honest employee reported the error the following day and began returning the money.

The case has highlighted ongoing issues with the county's recently upgraded Oracle payroll system that has experienced multiple failures despite supposed safeguards.

A former North Las Vegas City Manager has been found to have committed a nonwillful violation of state ethics law by negotiating a $630,000 consulting contract with the city before leaving office.

The Nevada Ethics Commission determined the technical violation by Ryann Juden could allow the city to void the contract, although the Review Journal reported that commissioners have acknowledged limitations in their authority to address such governance issues.

Roundup Extra:

Basketball Victoria has launched Australia's first comprehensive basketball facilities guide to address Victoria's critical court shortage, providing essential infrastructure planning support for local governments and sporting associations.

The guide addresses a significant infrastructure shortfall where Victoria requires 220 additional courts immediately and 22 courts annually until 2030, with a current funding gap of $1.76 billion threatening participation and equal access to basketball across communities.

Chris is joined today by Jake Keogh, General Manager of Government and Facilities at Basketball Victoria to discuss the sport’s extraordinary growth and why this guide could be a game changer for facilities development in Victoria and potentially around Australia.