Council shutdown, charged Mayor stands aside, and intervention for two councils

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Alpine Shire Council shuts down as a police manhunt continues
• A metro mayor facing charges stands aside
• Many Melbourne councils predicted to fall short of government housing targets
• Sydney councils at odds with the state government over planning proposals
• Government intervention looms for two WA councils
• CEO appointments and resignations in Victoria and New South Wales
• Concerns over leaked details of a CEO’s employment conditions
• Counting continues in key NT mayoral races

and more local government news from across 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

• 0:54 Victorian Report
• 9:19 NSW Report
• 12:45 QLD Report
• 15:50 TAS/SA/WA Report
• 18:52 NT election update
• 20:11 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

The mayor of Alpine Shire Council Sarah Nicholas has posted an emotional message to the community after yesterday’s shocking events at Porepunkah in northeast Victoria, where two police officers were killed and another injured.

As at the time of recording, the culprit is still at large and a manhunt is continuing.

Cr Nicholas extended heartfelt condolences to all those impacted by the event, and advised that all council facilities were closed until further notice.

The Council meeting scheduled for last night has been postponed for two weeks.

Maribyrnong Mayor Cr Pradeep Tiwari has stepped aside from his duties as mayor and councillor, after being charged with traffic offences, including dangerous driving.

The charges relate to an alleged incident last June before he was elected to council.

The Council said the mayor had stood down in accordance with Local Government Act requirements and while a legal process was underway.

It said it was a personal matter for Cr Tiwari and it would make no further comment at this time.

Cr Tiwari told the Star Weekly that he expected the matter to be resolved within weeks, not months, and that he hoped to return to his role before the end of his mayoral term in November.

Deputy Mayor Cr Bernadette Thomas will take on the role of Acting Mayor in the interim.

Nearly three-quarters of Melbourne's councils are projected to miss housing targets set by the state government by approximately 500,000 homes, according to an analysis by The Age.

Councils say they approve most building applications but are limited by the construction sector's capacity and argue that the government's targets are unrealistic.

While some suggest it's too early to judge the program's success, the planning minister Sonya Kilkenny said there would be a crackdown on councils not committed to approving more dwellings.

Whitehorse and Darebin councils are among those forecast to fall short of targets by more than 50,000 homes, while six councils on the city’s urban fringe with available land for development are on track to exceed their targets.

Andrew Tenni has been unanimously appointed as the new CEO of Colac Otway Shire following a vote at this week’s Council Meeting.

Mayor Jason Schram announced the appointment, noting that Mr Tenni has been serving in an interim capacity and previously held the position of General Manager of Corporate Services for three years.

Mr Tenni brings executive experience as the former CEO of the Magistrates Court of Victoria and has held senior leadership positions in State Government.

The Mayor expressed confidence that the appointment will help Council maintain focus on economic development, tourism opportunities, and essential community services.

Campaspe Shire Council is taking concerns about renewable energy project assessments to the Municipal Association of Victoria State Council in October, advocating for transparent processes that don't bypass community input following controversial approvals like the Cooba Solar farm.

The council is also pushing for support in water recovery, flood mitigation infrastructure, and rural public housing investments to protect local communities and ensure their voices are heard.

Southern Grampians Shire Council has invited Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to visit the region to witness firsthand the severe impact of unprecedented drought conditions on the local farming community and economy.

The drought has devastated farmers economically and mentally, with below-average rainfall in 2025 indicating conditions may worsen compared to 2024.

The Council has been actively advocating for better targeted drought support through various initiatives including collaboration with other Victorian councils, meetings with agricultural departments, and pushing for policy changes to better support affected farmers.

Wodonga Council has narrowly voted 3-2 against providing a submission to the Victorian Gambling and Casino Control Commission (VGCCC) objecting to an application for 70 poker machines.

The Border Mail reported that the decision contrasts with the council's previous position in June when it voted to oppose a similar application for 75 machines from the same hotel owner.

Councillors who voted against the submission argued for personal choice and free market principles, while those supporting it cited concerns about economic impact and gambling addiction.

The shift in position follows the recent resignation of Hannah Seymour, a position yet to be filled with a by-election scheduled in the weeks ahead.

A field of six candidates will contest the by-election after the close of nominations yesterday.

Former Casey mayors at the centre of the Operation Sandon corruption investigation are calling for the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission to end all public hearings, according to the Berwick Star News.

In a joint submission to a State Parliament inquiry, Sam Aziz, Lorraine Wreford, and Janet Halsall have claimed that the public examinations cause irreparable reputational damage to witnesses.

Their stance directly contradicts former IBAC Commissioner Robert Redlich, who oversaw Operation Sandon.

Mr Redlich has called for expanded powers for public hearings, arguing they serve the public good by increasing transparency and deterring corruption.

The Operation Sandon investigation examined serious corruption allegations involving planning and development decisions in Casey Council, leading to the sacking of all councillors in 2020.

Despite extensive public hearings and adverse findings against some witnesses, no charges have been filed in connection with the investigation.

The Municipal Association of Victoria (MAV) has established a 'Future is Local' Taskforce to develop a sector-wide response to major challenges reshaping local government.

The taskforce, comprising experts from within and outside the sector, will create a framework for action on issues like climate volatility, demographic shifts, digital technologies, social fragmentation, and infrastructure resilience.

Findings from the taskforce’s work will be discussed at the MAV's Future is Local Conference in October.

Victorian Briefs:

Cardinia Shire Council has submitted the name 'Honora Fields' to Geographic Names Victoria for a new suburb in Pakenham East that will accommodate 7,000 new homes.

The proposed name honors Honora Carney, whose family has historical ties to the land dating back to 1869 and still resides in the area today.

Murrindindi Shire's 2025 National Tree Day celebrations resulted in 3,861 native plants being added across ten sites, with participation from over 200 students, teachers, community volunteers and Landcare members.

Despite weather challenges, the widespread community effort fostered environmental stewardship while providing educational experiences for students who can now watch their plantings grow.

Greater Shepparton City Council is beginning the first stage of restoration work on the fire-damaged Ted Davis Grandstand at Mooroopna Recreation Reserve, with partial demolition starting in early September.

The project aims to carefully preserve the heritage-listed structure that was damaged by fire in February this year, with materials being retained for assessment and potential reuse in future restoration.

VLGA Message:

Places are filling fast for the VLGA’s Mayoral Leadership Program.  Book now to secure your place.

The program, now in its second year, is designed to equip mayors and deputy mayors with the knowledge they need to lead their council effectively and with good governance at their foundation.

It is now mandatory for Mayors and Deputy Mayors to undertake training at the commencement of each mayoral term. Under the new Victorian Government reforms this training must be completed by 31 December 2025.

The VLGA Mayoral Leadership Program will be held on Friday, 28 November from 9.30am to 4.30pm at the Monash Conference Centre, 30 Collins St, Melbourne.

The full-day program will cover the roles and responsibilities of a mayor, the mayor-CEO relationship, how to chair a council meeting, managing difficult conversations, dispute resolution and effective communications and media training and directly aligns with the state governments mandatory professional development requirements.

National Roundup:

NSW:

Cumberland Council and the NSW Government are at odds over plans to convert 45 hectares of green space at Carnarvon Golf Course into a cemetery.

Cumberland City Mayor Ola Hamed has criticised the proposal, arguing that Western Sydney is already "doing the heavy lifting" for Sydney's problems and questioning why alternative sites in Sydney's east aren't being considered.

The Council has unanimously voted to fight the plans.

It says the region already hosts Rookwood Cemetery, the largest cemetery in the southern hemisphere.

A public rally organised by Member for Auburn, Lynda Voltz, will be held this Sunday at Coleman Park, and the Council is urging residents to attend.

The state government is also copping criticism from Woollahra Council over the plan to build 10,000 new apartments and revive an abandoned railway station.

Mayor Sarah Dixson has questioned how the proposal will address housing affordability with only 1,000 units designated as affordable housing.

The Mayor expressed concerns about potential overdevelopment in an already densely populated area, suggesting the project could result in 50 apartment towers of at least 30 storeys and disregard existing heritage conservation areas.

She called on Premier Minns to ensure the project benefits young renters and homeowners rather than primarily serving developers' interests.

Lake Macquarie City Council will soon be searching for new leadership after CEO Morven Cameron announced she'll step down next month after eight years at the helm.

Ms. Cameron, who has served the community for a total of 19 years in various roles, will conclude her tenure on September 12th, with Deputy CEO Tony Farrell stepping in as interim leader.

During her time as CEO, Cameron has been credited with guiding the city's economic transition away from traditional mining and heavy industry toward a more diverse economy focused on services, hospitality, and innovation.

Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz praised Cameron's leadership, noting her role in developing significant community facilities including the Fernleigh Awabakal Shared Track and Speers Point Variety Playground.

The widely-respected CEO, who received Business Hunter's Business Leader of the Year award in 2019, says she plans to "stop, breathe and consider what opportunities might come next."

The formal selection process for her replacement will begin following her departure next month.

The City of Coffs Harbour has appointed a new General Manager to help navigate the coastal region's rapid growth. Murray Wood, currently the CEO of Dubbo Regional Council, was confirmed as the successful applicant by Coffs Harbour Council during an extraordinary meeting this week.

Mayor Nikki Williams expressed confidence in the appointment, stating: "For me, this was never just about finding someone to manage the organisation. It was about finding the right person for this city and for our team."

Mr Wood brings extensive experience in local government, having held senior roles with Dubbo Regional Council since 2003, and previously serving as Director of Industry Development within the Department of Regional NSW.

He will commence his role on December 8th.

Griffith City Council has welcomed its new General Manager, Scott Grant, who began his role this week. Grant brings over 14 years of leadership experience across various sectors, including previous positions with Campbelltown City Council, Cricket Australia, and Hyundai Motor Company.

Mayor Doug Curran has expressed enthusiasm about Grant's appointment, describing it as "an exciting new chapter for Griffith" and highlighting Grant's "wealth of experience, energy, and fresh ideas."

The new General Manager said he's looking forward to meeting community members and understanding their priorities, stating he feels "honored to take on the role."

This appointment follows the retirement of long-serving General Manager Brett Stonestreet, who officially stepped down on August 21st.

Meanwhile, a panel of ten people, including nine councillors and a recruitment consultant, will be formed to select the next permanent General Manager for Eurobodalla Shire Council.

The position is expected to be advertised this week, but a final decision is not expected until late October 2025.

It follows the departure of Warwick Winn in March after two years in the role.

QLD:

There are calls for early consultation and greater clarity on a Queensland state government plan to establish a Sunshine Coast Waterways Authority.

$35.6M has been allocated over three years for the new authority to manage local waterways and improve community engagement.

Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie is among those looking for more detail.

He told the Sunshine Coast News that his council will be proactively working with the government to understand the intended role of the proposed new authority, which is intended to provide a one-stop shop for waterway management while addressing pressing issues in areas such as the Pumicestone Passage, Noosa River, and Mooloolaba Harbour.

Fraser Coast Regional Council has officially joined the Reef Guardian Council Program, a partnership aimed at protecting the Great Barrier Reef and its connected waterways through environmental initiatives.

The program, led by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority, now includes 21 councils covering over 76 percent of the Reef catchment and representing more than 1.2 million people.

The Fraser Coast region, including the Great Sandy Biosphere, plays a crucial role in protecting biodiversity with marine species like whales, dugongs, and turtles migrating through the area and into the broader Reef system.

Frank Beveridge, a former Charters Towers Mayor and Councillor, has passed away, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and dedicated public service that helped to shape North Queensland.

His leadership contributions to regional development and community wellbeing earned him deep respect across the region, and the council has extended condolences to his wife Sharon, family, and friends.

National Briefs:

Blacktown City Council is working with an ecologist to create artificial hollows in trees, providing essential habitat for local wildlife that would normally take a century to form naturally.

It’s part of a broader five-year Vegetation Management Plan to conserve critically endangered Cumberland Plain Woodland and improve biodiversity in the area.

Toowoomba Regional Council engineer Blaise Shann has been named the prestigious national IPWEA Public Works Leader of the Year at the International Public Works Conference in Sydney.

His achievement recognises his exceptional leadership in managing Toowoomba's $300 million Flood Recovery Program and reflects positively on the council's commitment to excellence in public works engineering.

Sunshine Coast Council has allocated $300,000 to explore options for a new community facility in the Maroochydore city centre.

Sunshine Coast News reported that the aim is to create a welcoming and vibrant space separate from the proposed exhibition and convention facility.

The investigation will examine how to best plan and deliver a community hub as part of the ongoing development of the Maroochydore city centre.

TAS:

Launceston City Council has approved a $27,690 Harvard University professional development course for its chief executive Sam Johnson, drawing criticism amid rising rates and cost of living pressures.

ABC News reported that Mr. Johnson has deferred attendance until 2026 due to concerns about "councillor interactions with operational staff," though the council has already paid for the course.

Local Government Association of Tasmania president Mick Tucker defended professional development investments as necessary for maintaining high standards in local government.

Mr Johnson has raised concerns about the leaking of his confidential employment information, and has requested a legal review of the situation.

SA:

Burnside Council has taken extraordinary measures to address what experts are calling a "dysfunctional" workplace culture, according to the Advertiser.

The council has voted to implement six recommendations from a Healthier Council Culture report, including the elimination of pre-meeting meals and moving all briefings online - steps designed to limit face-to-face interactions between councillors.

Councillor Mike Daws, who proposed the changes, cited "serious risks" to psychological safety among council members. The confidential report apparently found widespread division, incivility, and antipathy toward Mayor Anne Monceaux.

In a 7-4 vote, the council also approved having independent consultants handle member complaints rather than the mayor.

The council's acting CEO Matt Spearman said the measures aim to improve culture and reduce legal costs to ratepayers.

The Australian government has announced a new round of funding totalling $8.5 million to address ongoing impacts of harmful algal blooms in South Australia, including $4 million in direct funding to local governments.

The funding complements the existing $28 million support package and introduces additional measures for scientific research, monitoring, and testing capabilities to help communities and industries affected by the devastating ecological event.

WA:

Town of Port Hedland Mayor Peter Carter has resigned with immediate effect.

He said his decision was not made lightly, and comes after thorough consideration of his options.

His resignation leaves the Council without a quorum for the second time in six years.

The Town said it is awaiting advice from the Department of Local Government on next steps.

In May this year, Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said she had commenced groundwork to install a commissioner if required, after four councillors resigned in a six month period.

The Council has been operating with the minimum number of five councillors since that time.

Meanwhile, the Shire of Coolgardie in the state's Goldfields region has been given a three-week ultimatum by the Minister to justify why the council shouldn't be suspended due to serious financial issues.

ABC News reported the Minister’s move is the result of “extremely serious financial issues”, and doubts that it will be able to return to a stable financial position.

Now for the latest on counting in the Northern Territory mayoral elections:

58.2% of votes have been counted in the Darwin Lord Mayoralty race, and incumbent Kon Vatskalis trails former CLP deputy chief minister Peter Styles by 2.1% - they are sitting on 20.7 and 22.8 percent of first preference votes respectively.

In Alice Springs, with 51.1% of the vote counted, Asta Hill holds a slender lead with 33.2% of first preference votes, ahead of incumbent councillor Eli Melky with 31.6%.

Athina Pascoe-Bell is all but certain to retain the mayoralty in Palmerston, with 50.3% percent of first preferences after 48.2% of votes counted.

The vote for mayor in Litchfield has Rachael Wright at 38.8%, attempting to go from incumbent councillor to mayor. She is 8.8% ahead of incumbent mayor Doug Barden on first preferences.

And Joanna Holden continues to hold a strong lead in Katharine, with 41.5% of first preference votes. Her nearest competitor is Wayne Connop with 11.8%. A field of seven is trying to succeed Elizabeth Clark, who has retired after five years as mayor and 17 on the council.

Global Roundup:

UK:

Communities across the UK are losing valuable public facilities as cash-strapped councils sell off assets to tackle mounting debts.

A BBC investigation has revealed that local authorities are collectively £122 billion in debt, forcing many to dispose of schools, care homes, and community centres.

In south London, Croydon Council, facing a staggering £1.5 billion debt burden, has sold £210 million worth of public property over the last four years.

Meanwhile, in Greenwich, an Olympic legacy equestrian centre opened by Princess Anne in 2013 is now slated for sale, despite community efforts to save it.

The crisis stems from years of reduced central government funding, with council spending power down 18% per person compared to 2010, according to the Institute for Fiscal Studies.

One-third of councils report they risk going bankrupt within five years without funding reform.

Scottish councils' collective debt has increased to £19.2bn, with borrowing being used to fund essential infrastructure projects rather than day-to-day operations.

Their debt is considered manageable by experts, but they say it requires careful consideration as councils balance the long-term benefits of capital investments against the ongoing cost of servicing the loans, which currently accounts for about 5% of council budgets.

USA:

The Jacksonville City Council's Finance Committee has voted to remove funding for a city suite used by the mayor and council members at Jaguars football club home games, ending an arrangement that has existed since 1995.

USA Today reported that the Council President Kevin Carrico plans to introduce legislation that would prevent elected officials from receiving any free Jaguars tickets.

The elimination of funding only affects the city suite at EverBank Stadium and doesn't impact free tickets to other events at city venues like baseball games, arena football, hockey, and concerts.

CANADA:

Edmonton City Council has approved a $400 million deal that includes building a new event park next to Rogers Place and funding the demolition of the old Coliseum.

CTV News reported that the project includes contributions from the Alberta government ($183 million), the city ($138 million), and the Oilers Entertainment Group ($87 million).

The agreement, which passed with a 9-4 vote despite concerns about housing requirements and potential competition with existing conference centers, includes commitments from OEG to build 774 housing units over the next decade.

NZ:

Wellington City Council has revealed a plan to address homelessness and safety issues in Newtown, proposing to install a social services team at the community centre immediately rather than implementing a uniformed safety patrol.

Radio New Zealand reported that the plan includes physical improvements such as upgraded lighting, solar-powered CCTV in hotspots, and public needle disposal bins, which would require additional budget allocations to be discussed with councillors in September.

Officials also suggested community-led solutions including weekly social agency action days, addiction service meetings, and neighbourhood cleanup initiatives, noting that Newtown has not received the same level of safety investment as Wellington's CBD, which has a $40 million ten-year safety plan.