Kingston monitors, tight mayoral contests, and a 'gut-wrenching' attack

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Monitors announced for Kingston
• Moorabool’s toxic waste fight with the EPA continues
• A waste-to-energy surprise in Hume
• A former mayor attempts a by-election comeback
• A NSW councillor fails to block a second suspension
• NT mayoral election counts on a knife-edge
• Surprising recommendations for a boundary change in SA
• and trio of Tasmanian councillors hit back at hurtful online claims

plus more of the latest news from across the world of local government in Australia and beyond.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Chapters

• 0:59 Victorian Report
• 6:44 NSW Report
• 9:15 QLD Report
• 11:00 NT election update
• 13:11 SA/TAS Report
• 17:34 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

Two municipal monitors will oversee Kingston City Council, commencing Monday 25th August through the end of this year.

Local Government Minister Nick Staikos has announced that John Tanner will be one of the monitors, with the second to be appointed at a later date.

Mr Tanner is currently a monitor at Hobsons Bay City Council, and is the former Chairman of the panel of Administrators at Moira Shire Council.

Mr Staikos said the monitors would support good governance at the council for the rest of the year.

Kingston Mayor Georgina Oxley and CEO Peter Bean say they are committed to working with the monitors.

Cr Oxley said the council looks forward to better understanding the government’s concerns, and would share with the monitors their “strong processes, governance oversight and transparent decision-making.”

Hume City Council has responded to the Victorian Government's announcement of provisional approvals for a waste-to-energy facility between Bulla and Sunbury, expressing disappointment about a lack of prior consultation.

The Council says it will thoroughly review the proposal when it is formally referred to it, considering community concerns and advocating for optimal outcomes for residents.

Sunbury Life has reported that the annual capacity of the waste-to-energy power plant proposed by the company HiQ for a site in Bulla has more than doubled, from 300,000 tonnes to 750,000 tonnes.

Moorabool Shire Council says it has spent half a million dollars to remove toxic industrial waste from a Crown road reserve in Merrimu, and that calls for the EPA to pay the bill are falling on deaf ears.

Mayor Cr Paul Tatchell said the council had removed trailers of toxic waste, but there were still unsecured industrial waste cylinders inside the property that are the responsibility of the EPA.

The Council is calling on the authority to take responsibility for removing the cylinders inside the property boundary.

Cr Tatchell said the EPA is ignoring the Council, but that it knows the waste is there and that it is as dangerous as the waste that was outside the property.

Hobsons Bay City Council has corrected what it calls ‘misreporting’ about a discovery of asbestos at Newport Lakes.

The Council said material had been found in a garden bed in the north-western lawn, and not the Aboretum, and that the area had been fenced off and signage put in place.

In a statement, the council said the material had been assessed as low risk, and clean-up works would be completed by mid-week.

It made no comment about the likely source of the material.

A number of sites in the city were impacted by mulch contaminated with asbestos material in April last year, leading to park closures for inspection and remediation works.

Former Wodonga City Council Mayor Ron Mildren has confirmed he will contest the Lake Hume Ward by-election, after the resignation of Hannah Seymour.

Ms Seymour narrowly defeated Mr Mildren at last October’s election.

He told the Border Mail that he has been flooded with calls from people urging him to run.

The paper reported that there have been six nominations so far, with nominations set to close tomorrow.

Campaspe Shire Council is implementing Licence Plate Recognition technology to replace traditional tyre chalking for more efficient parking management in Echuca, with a two-week warning period before enforcement starts in late September.

The new system aims to improve parking turnover for local businesses, and the Council is encouraging workers to use designated all-day parking areas to free up short-term spaces for customers.

Victorian Briefs:

Frankston City Council is investing $100,000 in two free legal service initiatives delivered by Peninsula Community Legal Centre - a School Lawyer Program in secondary schools and an expanded tenancy legal service for vulnerable residents.

The programs will provide legal advice, education and representation to approximately 600 community members over the next 12 months.

Brimbank City Council has launched Melbourne's first permanent soft plastics recycling program that transforms waste into road materials, with each kilometre of road using approximately 430,000 plastic bags.

The innovative initiative allows residents to drop off clean soft plastics and polystyrene at the Brimbank Resource Recovery Centre for free.

The 2025 Bush Summit, coming to Ballarat on August 29, will bring together national leaders including Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to discuss critical issues affecting regional Australia.

The free event is being hosted by Ballarat City Council, which says it is an important opportunity for the Ballarat community to contribute to shaping regional Australia's future.

VLGA Message:

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

The Intensives will be held over three days, will include all 13 mandatory modules, are cost effective, time efficient and promote the benefits of peer-to-peer and face-to-face learning.

In addition to the Intensives, and in recognition that every council has different needs, the VLGA also offers bespoke training options, both online and in person.

A Faculty of Facilitators will work with you to customise a program that responds directly to the unique professional development needs of your council, delivered in a way which suits you.

To find out more, head to vlga@vlga.org.au

NSW:

Councillor Andrew Thaler's bid to block his second suspension from Snowy Monaro Regional Council has been unsuccessful, according to a report from About Regional.

The NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal refused his application to stay the three-month suspension, which was imposed in July over controversial social media comments.

Senior member Sigrid Higgins noted that Thaler did not dispute making the comments and expressed concerns that he might continue similar behaviour if allowed to return to council duties.

Meanwhile, Cr Thaler has announced his candidacy for the upcoming Kiama by-election on September 13th, following the resignation of former MP Gareth Ward. In a statement, Thaler claimed he would be running "with an increased public profile."

Thaler's formal appeal against his most recent council suspension is scheduled to be heard on October 2nd.

Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald has welcomed a $26 million Liberal Party pledge for the Kiama Sports Precinct redevelopment ahead of the September 13 by-election, triggered by the resignation of former MP Gareth Ward.

The Council is calling on Labor to match the commitment.

It has unanimously adopted a State Government Advocacy Plan outlining key priorities, including sports facilities upgrades, housing development planning, and infrastructure improvements.

Lismore City Council has completed the installation of a 10-kilometre fibre optic network that enables remote activation of flood pumps, enhancing safety and responsiveness during weather events.

The technology, part of a larger flood restoration initiative, allows for data-driven decisions and more flexible pump operation from secure locations, representing a significant advancement in the city's flood management capabilities.

A number of beach access points have been closed by Lake Macquarie City Council due to the impacts of significant coastal erosion.

The erosion has caused damage to dune access tracks and fencing, and the Council said the closures are necessary for public safety to prevent further damage to the dune system.

Access will be restored once the dunes have stabilised and it is safe to reinstate formal pathways.

Narromine Shire Council has commended the outstanding performance of its General Manager, Jane Redden, after the completion of an annual review process.

Mayor Ewen Jones said the strong satisfaction rating of more than 80% reflected the council’s confidence in her leadership and delivery.

Mrs Redden has led the organisation for nearly nine years.

QLD:

In Townsville where strike action from council workers has been ongoing for weeks, the Bulletin reported on Friday that the council had put forward an improved wage offer which would be considered by AWU members in the coming days.

The latest development comes as industrial action impacts Magnetic Island, where no maintenance is occurring in BBQs, parks and public spaces.

A council spokesperson said negotiations are ongoing.

Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Geoff McDonald has expressed gratitude to the Queensland State Government for committing $54 million towards the Cressbrook Dam Safety Improvement Project.

It follows years of advocating for support for the project, which Mayor McDonald said is critical for the region.

The council is also seeking additional federal funding, including a $97 million application under the Federal Government's Round 3 Disaster Ready funding program.

Polling conducted for the Local Government Association of Queensland (LGAQ) reveals that while Queenslanders strongly support reducing waste and increasing recycling (88%), approximately 68% oppose households paying a levy on their bin waste.

LGAQ’s #BinTheTax campaign is advocating for a pause on the reduction of waste levy offset payments until the Queensland Waste Strategy review is completed, as the state government is already collecting an estimated $477 million in waste levy revenue this financial year.

Nineteen councils and their communities face an almost $30 million reduction in offset payments from July 1, potentially forcing councils to either pass costs on to ratepayers or reduce spending on community services.

NT:

Counting has been paused after Saturday’s NT elections, with many races sitting on a knife's edge according to reporting from the NT News.

Counting continued until 11pm Saturday night and will resume Monday morning. So far, voter turnout appears relatively low at 54 percent, a figure that may rise slightly once postal and declaration votes are fully processed.

In Darwin, the mayoral race remains extremely tight with incumbent Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis trailing former CLP Deputy Chief Minister Peter Styles by a small margin. Vatskalis currently holds 20.6 percent of the vote compared to Styles' 23 percent, with 55 percent of enrolled voters counted. With 13 candidates in the running, preferential voting will be crucial in determining the eventual winner.

Meanwhile in Palmerston, incumbent Mayor Athina Pascoe-Bell appears headed for victory with 50.4 percent of the vote, sitting nearly 30 points ahead of her nearest rival Rob Waters with 48 percent of votes counted.

In Katherine, following Mayor Elisabeth Clark's retirement after 17 years of service, newcomer Joanna Holden has established a commanding lead with 41 percent of the vote, well ahead of second-placed Mel Doyle with nearly half of enrolled voters counted.

Alice Springs is witnessing another close contest with Greens-endorsed candidate Asta Hill narrowly leading with 32.6 percent, just ahead of incumbent councillor Eli Melky on 31.5 percent. Only 92 votes currently separate the two frontrunners in what marks the first time a Greens-endorsed candidate has run for Alice Springs mayor.

In Litchfield Council, current councillor Rachel Wright leads the mayoral race with 39 percent, ahead of incumbent mayor Doug Barden who sits at 30.1 percent with more than half of enrolled voters counted.

The Electoral Commission has yet to receive nearly 2,600 postal votes.

Final results will potentially not be known until later in the week once all preferences are distributed.

SA:

The Local Government Boundaries Commission has completed its inquiry into a 2019 proposal by the Town of Gawler, recommending that the suburb of Hewett should be transferred from Light Regional Council to Gawler's jurisdiction.

Light Regional Council's newly-elected Mayor Bill Close expressed strong opposition to the move, stating: "Changes such as this do nothing to impact the day-to-day lives of our communities and have been a distraction, taking valuable time away from delivering quality services."

Council CEO Richard Dodson called the recommendations "surprising," suggesting the focus should instead be on providing more housing and critical infrastructure to the growing region.

For its part, the Town of Gawler has acknowledged the recommendations, but noting that the process is not yet complete.

Gawler CEO Chris Cowley said it was important to understand it was not a final decision, with the ultimate discretion to accept, vary or reject the recommendations sitting with the Minister for Local Government.

No timeline has yet announced for his determination.

Kangaroo Island Council is seeking community assistance after significant vandalism at the historically important Reeves Point site, where a vehicle was deliberately driven over grounds and damaged a heritage mulberry tree propagated from an original 1836 specimen.

Mayor Michael Pengilly has condemned the "senseless acts" that destroy community assets and disrespect the island's history, calling for those responsible to be identified and held accountable.

TAS:

Three Circular Head Council members have issued a joint statement responding to what they describe as "false and deeply hurtful claims" made against them online.

Mayor Gerard Blizzard, Deputy Mayor Annette Dawes, and Councillor Mark Dabner have strongly refuted accusations that they were "associating with a convicted offender" at a community event last October.

In their statement, the elected representatives clarified they attended the intergenerational community event in their official capacities and were unaware of any attendee's criminal history.

Deputy Mayor Dawes, who has a background in education, called the accusations "devastating," while Mayor Blizzard described the situation as "gut-wrenching."

The three council members, who are signatories to the "Lift the Tone" campaign, have called for a higher standard of public conversation in the community.

National Briefs:

The City of Moreton Bay has become the first Queensland local government to integrate advanced thunderstorm tracking technology from WeatherWatch into its Disaster Dashboard.

It means real-time thunderstorm risk information is now provided, with updates every five minutes.

The City of Rockingham has received its fifth RoadWise Ribbon from WALGA, marking its excellence in road safety across planning, infrastructure, fleet management, community engagement, and governance.

The recognition highlights the City's comprehensive approach to road safety, including its Road Safety Management Plan 2023-2030.

Kingston District Council has provided an update on the status of the Kingston Jetty, which sustained damaged from a storm, and is undergoing insurance assessment by the Department for Infrastructure & Transport.

No repairs expected before summer.

Additionally, the Cape Jaffa Jetty has also sustained significant damage and is being assessed by the State Government, which will advise on repair plans as soon as possible.

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Global Report:

UK:

City of Bradford Council in West Yorkshire, England, is getting tougher on illegal dumping, increasing fines for fly-tipping and littering.

Penalties for illegal waste disposal will climb from £400 to up to £1,000 under a new three-tier system.

Council spokesperson Cllr Sarah Ferriby said the changes send a clear message that fly-tipping will not be tolerated.

The council is also introducing new measures to make it easier to dispose of DIY waste at Household Waste Recycling Centres.

Dorset Council is urging visitors to avoid lighting barbecues and campfires in the countryside due to wildfires that have already burned 260 hectares of land this year.

That’s 15 times more than in 2024, according to BBC News.

The plea comes after a deliberately started fire required firefighters from 17 fire services to spend six days tackling the blaze, highlighting the threat to rare heathland habitats and public safety.

USA:

There’s growing political tension between Denver Mayor Mike Johnston and the city council following recent layoffs at city departments, as reported by Axios Denver.

Mayor Johnston is defending his administration's decision to lay off 169 city employees amid accusations that some dismissals were retaliatory in nature. The controversy escalated when Councilmember Stacie Gilmore, whose husband was among those laid off, publicly called the mayor "trash" in a Facebook post.

The mayor insists the layoffs were fiscally responsible decisions made to address a $200 million budget deficit.

Denver's transportation department was hit hardest with 33 workers let go.

Mayor Johnston has rejected claims that his spending on homeless programs and migrant aid caused the budget crisis.

There’s controversy also in Minneapolis, after City Council Vice President Aisha Chughtai launched a profane verbal attack against Mayor Jacob Frey at a recent campaign event.

Fox9 News reported that the profane remarks, which also targeted President Donald Trump, came while Chughtai was expressing support for State Senator Omar Fateh, who is challenging Frey in the upcoming mayoral election.

Three council members issued a joint statement Tuesday condemning what they called an "extraordinary breach of decorum" and "inflammatory and disrespectful rhetoric." They have called on Chughtai to apologise for her remarks.

NZ:

Radio New Zealand has reported on the surprise from Members of Whakatāne District Council that certain services like cemeteries, public toilets, and animal control have not been listed as core services in a local government amendment Bill that has been introduced to Parliament.

The bill aims to reduce council rates by making councils focus on specific core services rather than "nice-to-haves," removing reference to four wellbeing aspects that were reintroduced by Labour in 2019.

In a submission, the council is asking the Government to amend the list of core services to include all functions required by legislation and communities, and to address the lack of appropriate funding tools for local government.