A mayor’s health battle, a new Lord Mayor, and a bygone prayer

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Two big city Mayors call for the reinstatement of a missing transport link
• An acting mayor appointed as a country mayor deals with health challenges
• Another council drops a Christian prayer from its meetings
• A bitter housing dispute between a council and the state government in Sydney’s east
• Cessnock the latest council to explore a special rate variation
• A Council CEO’s interstate travel under scrutiny
• A new Lord Mayor for Darwin
• and arrests over an alleged housing fraud at a London council

Plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond

Chapters

• 2:02 Victorian Report
• 8:41 NSW Report
• 12:08 QLD Report
• 14:12 TAS/SA/WA/NT Report
• 18:16 Global Report
• 22:11 Roundup Extra: Cr Adam Worling, City of Sydney

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

Mayors from two of Victoria's fastest-growing regions are calling for improved public transport connections between Wyndham and Greater Geelong.

It's been a decade since direct train services between Werribee and Geelong were discontinued with the opening of the Regional Rail Link in 2015, severing a connection that had existed for more than 150 years.

Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj told the Star Weekly that the removal of the service has created a significant gap in the network, adding at least 25 minutes to commute times and making Geelong less attractive as an employment option for Wyndham residents.

Wyndham Mayor Mia Shaw echoed those concerns, noting that better connections would help residents access jobs and services in Geelong without relying on cars. She highlighted that for some residents in Point Cook, the quickest route to Geelong involves traveling into Melbourne's inner suburbs first.

Despite these calls, the state government currently has no plans to redirect Geelong Line trains via Werribee due to the number of metropolitan train services on the Werribee corridor.

Horsham Rural City Council has appointed Councillor Brian Klowss as Acting Mayor, as incumbent mayor Ian Ross deals with health issues.

The appointment was made during an Additional Council Meeting held last Thursday.

Cr Klowss will chair meetings, attend public events and represent the Council in official matters when Cr Ross is unavailable.

Wimmera Mallee News reported that Cr Ross would know more about his situation after a biopsy late this week.

Moyne Shire Council is working on a replacement for a Christian prayer at its Council meetings, after a rescission motion failed to overturn a decision made by the Council in July.

The rescission motion from Cr Jim Doukas, which sought to put the issue to community consultation, was lost by 4 votes to 2.

Mayor Karen Foster told me that while the issue had been divisive, it was about being inclusive.

“when we sit around the council table, and we recite a Christian prayer, we may not mean to exclude, but that's the sense that we… that's the feedback we're getting from members in our community. That in 2025, we need to really move forward and consider the fact that we've got a lot more diverse communities now than we'd had before.

Cr Foster said a new nondenominational statement of values would be brought to a future council meeting for consideration.

Moorabool Shire Council has formally opposed the proposed Western Renewables Link overhead transmission line project through a submission to the Environment Effects Statement.

It has expressed concerns about landscape scarring and various negative impacts including bushfire, social, agricultural, and environmental impacts.

The next step in the process will be a public hearing starting in October, where the Council will be represented by a legal team and independent experts to advocate against the current project design.

It appears a decision on who the next CEO of Cardinia Shire Council is getting closer.

The council has scheduled an additional meeting tonight to consider a confidential personnel matter.

Former CEO Carol Jeffs resigned her position in April this year, and Peter Benazic has been holding down the role on an interim basis since late May.

Whitehorse City Council has reversed its 2023 decision to explore external management options for Aqualink facilities, instead confirming its commitment to in-house management.

It says the reversal is due to substantial operational improvements made over the past two years, including the completion of the Learn to Swim procurement process, a new Enterprise Agreement, enhanced membership experiences, and better financial performance .

Doctors are urging the Banyule Council to reverse its decision to close the Olympic Leisure Centre pool in West Heidelberg, according to ABC News.

They are warning of serious health consequences for the community as the pool serves as a vital exercise space for many disadvantaged residents.

The council says it is losing $1 million annually and experiencing declining attendance at the facility.

An expanded Western Renewable Energy Zone (REZ) area outlined in the Victorian Transmission Plan has sparked outrage among Yarriambiack councillors due to the significant expansion of its footprint without prior consultation.

Mayor Kylie Zanker said community feedback will be sought during the REZ declaration process, providing an opportunity to adjust boundaries, but concerns remain about the lack of clarity about gigawatt capacity.

Victorian Briefs:

Brimbank is getting its first community battery, to be built in Sunshine West .

It will store excess solar energy during the day and redistribute it during peak periods, benefiting dozens of homes while reducing emissions and grid pressure.

The battery will be decorated with community-created artwork, and is expected to be completed by December.

Moonee Valley City Council will hold a competition to decide who will design the next playground in Queens Park West.

The council will work with design competition experts to attract applications, and a judging panel will pick a winner from a shortlist.

The playground is due for renewal in 2026-27

Kyneton Town Hall will be illuminated in blue tonight in honour of two police officers who lost their lives at Porepunkah recently.

Macedon Ranges Shire Mayor Dom Bonanno emphasised the heroism and dedication of police who serve as community pillars.

VLGA Message:

As part of the VLGA’s ongoing commitment to support councillors on their journey to be successful community representatives, the Victorian Councillor Census is back again in 2025. All Councillors in Victoria will be emailed the Census on October 6 and will have until the end of the month to complete. Now in its second year, the VLGA’s annual Census captures and tracks councillor demographics, attitudes, and the key challenges to local governance over time.

You do not need to be a member of the VLGA to participate and at no stage will the VLGA have access to an individual’s responses. The findings of the Census will be used to inform, influence and lead conversations across local government and other tiers of Government. This is your chance to have your voice heard as a councillor. All responses to the Census will be fully confidential.

National Roundup:

NSW:

A bitter dispute is escalating over the Minns government's ambitious housing development plan for Woollahra Council in Sydney’s east.

The state government aims to create 10,000 new homes and reopen a long-abandoned train station, but the council’s deputy mayor Sean Carmichael has labeled the plan as "old-fashioned toxic masculinity," claiming the housing crisis won't be solved through what he calls "random and peculiar acts."

The Sydney Morning Herald reported that council has taken unprecedented steps in its opposition campaign, including distributing anti-development pamphlets with rates notices and voting unanimously to explore legal challenges against the proposal.

Meanwhile, Planning Minister Paul Scully has fired back, suggesting opponents of increased housing density are creating "suburbs without grandchildren" and fostering "systemic resistance" to expanding housing options.

Cessnock City Council has engaged Professor Joseph Drew, a leading local government finance expert, to guide its financial sustainability efforts and support a potential application to IPART for a special rate variation.

A team of international scholars will provide independent expertise to address budget challenges caused by factors such as asset growth, cost shifting, and rate caps imposed by the state government.

Community consultation sessions are planned for November.

Narrabri Shire Council will advocate for maintaining adequate resources at rural fire stations amid Fire and Rescue NSW facing challenges in rural areas, with particular concern about potential downgrades that could affect smaller communities.

The Narrabri Courier reported that although no local stations are currently at risk, the council will investigate opportunities to support recruitment efforts and seek clarification on how future changes might impact stations within the Narrabri area.

AlburyCity will host over 200 delegates from across NSW at the 2025 Local Government NSW Water Management Conference this week, focusing on critical water security issues, technical innovations, and best practices in water management.

The conference brings together councillors, water utility managers, industry professionals, and policymakers to tackle pressing challenges like rural water security, while showcasing Albury's leadership in water management.

NSW Briefs:

Blacktown City Council has released a draft Development Control Plan to transform the southern part of Blacktown's city centre into a vibrant community hub with guidelines for land use, building design, public spaces and sustainability.

The plan is open for public consultation and aims to accommodate the city's growing population while creating better services, spaces and opportunities for residents and businesses.

City of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie, and Maitland councils have launched a Solar Neighbourhoods program to make renewable energy more accessible and affordable for local residents.

The initiative provides quality solar, batteries, and EV chargers through a program partner, offering exclusive discounts and payment options to help households save up to 90% on typical electricity bills.

The Joe Rider campaign is returning to Tweed Shire this year, inviting motorcyclists to wear bright yellow vests to promote road safety and participate in a community spotting competition running October 18-26.

The initiative addresses the concerning statistic that motorcyclists account for 48% of road fatalities in Tweed, aiming to increase driver awareness and create safer roads for all.

QLD:

Gold Coast Council CEO Tim Baker has defended his $6,000 expenses for Melbourne sporting events, including an AFL match and the Australian Open, according to the Gold Coast Bulletin.

A spokesperson said the trips were for legitimate business purposes involving meetings with Optus and AFL executives.

The Council is reportedly focused on reducing expenses for staff travel, estimated at an average $300,000 per six months, by limiting the number of officers attending conferences.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Rosanna Natoli has called on community members to suggest immediate solutions to the region's growing homelessness crisis, according to the Sunshine Coast News.

She says "no idea is too far out of the box" as homeless numbers double in areas like Nambour.

Officials are working on long-term housing solutions while also addressing safety concerns expressed by residents who feel unsafe in public spaces where rough sleepers have congregated.

Ipswich City Council has unanimously voted to negotiate sponsorship support for the Supercars event at Queensland Raceway, recognising its significant economic benefits of approximately $8 million and over 20,000 visitor nights.

The Council aims to secure Ipswich as a venue for the 2026 Supercars Championship calendar while supporting Queensland Raceway's new owner Tony Quinn, who has invested millions in upgrading the facility.

A report in the Cottton and Grains Outlook has looked the innovative solutions regional and remote Queensland councils are using to attract staff.

Barcaldine Regional Council has turned to strategies including highway billboards and investigating how to make bricks from local soil to build affordable staff housing.

Other councils like Maranoa are offering incentives such as increased leave, nine-day fortnights, and superannuation contributions while addressing housing and childcare barriers through initiatives like childcare study bursaries.

TAS:

The City of Launceston is launching its inaugural Street Art Festival in March next year, inviting Australian-based artists to transform the CBD with murals that celebrate the city's character.

The festival aligns with the Council's cultural strategies and will feature installations at high-visibility locations throughout the city centre.

Applications are due by October 1, 2025.

Huon Valley Council has successfully advocated at the 2025 National General Assembly for a healthcare reform proposal aimed at developing a 'Skills and Capability Framework.'

The framework would allow nurse practitioners, paramedics, and pharmacists to bill Medicare under a new funding model.

The idea seeks to address health workforce shortages and improve access to healthcare in regional and remote areas by expanding the range of Medicare-eligible services at community health centres.

SA:

The $52 million Summit Aquatic and Leisure Centre in Mount Barker has officially opened, offering comprehensive facilities including pools, fitness areas, and inclusive accessibility features.

Co-funded across all levels of government, the centre represents a significant investment in community health and wellbeing, with sustainability features making it one of the most environmentally advanced aquatic centres in regional Australia.

A ceremony will be held at the Port Lincoln War Memorial in Eyre Park this morning to plant a Fig Tree of Tobruk, a descendant of the original fig tree that provided shelter to Australian troops during the Siege of Tobruk in World War II.

The planting continues a national tradition of creating living memorials to honour the legacy of the resilient Australian soldiers.

Port Lincoln Mayor Diana Mislov said the city is privileged to host the ceremony, with unveiling of a commemorative plaque to follow later in the year.

NT:

There's a changing of the guard in Northern Territory local government as former politician Peter Styles has been elected as Darwin's new Lord Mayor, defeating incumbent Kon Vatskalis after eight years in office.

NT News reported that the results were officially declared by the NT Electoral Commission early Saturday morning following a contentious election period that involved police investigations into allegations of fake how-to-vote cards.

In his farewell comments, outgoing Mayor Vatskalis expressed pride in his tenure, particularly highlighting his leadership during Cyclone Marcus and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, in Alice Springs, NT Greens-endorsed candidate Asta Hill has made history by winning the mayoral race against longtime councillor Eli Melky. Ms Hill, a young mother, stated that her victory represents hope for the future of Alice Springs.

Palmerston remains the only major locality to retain its incumbent Mayor, with Athina Pascoe Bell securing another term.

National Briefs:

A seven-storey development featuring 18 serviced apartments in Subiaco has been unanimously approved by a Development Assessment Panel, bypassing council scrutiny according to PerthNow.

The $6.5 million project aims to boost Subiaco's tourism appeal by providing short-term accommodation near key transport links and services, but Mayor David McMullen has expressed concerns about the erosion of local government input in development decisions.

Sunshine Coast Council will install two new fishways on Petrie Creek in Nambour, allowing native fish like long-finned eels and Australian bass to bypass weirs and access critical breeding habitats.

The project, funded by the Australian Government's Natural Heritage Trust, will transform the existing weirs into staircase-like structures that will significantly improve fish passage from 1.8 days to approximately 314 days per year.

The Barossa Council and State Government's jointly funded Barossa Park will host AFL Gather Round matches again in 2026, following its successful debut.

The first AFL matches at Barossa Park generated $4.87 million in direct expenditure for the region, demonstrating the $45.7 million facility's economic impact

Global Roundup:

UK:

Thanet District Council has reversed its decision to implement a Public Spaces Protection Order that would have made swearing a fineable offense.

BBC News reported that the reversal follows legal correspondence from the Free Speech Union.

Council leader Rick Everitt stated that the Council had decided to avoid costly and protracted legal disputes, and would review the order before consulting residents and stakeholders on potential amendments.

Two individuals have been arrested in connection with suspected housing fraud at Barking and Dagenham Council.

The BBC reports that police have been investigating the allocation of hundreds of council properties where prospective tenants allegedly paid "finders fees" and inflated rents to fraudsters.

The investigation spans from November 2020 to December 2024.

Potential victims are being encouraged to come forward and complete a questionnaire to assist with the inquiry.

The Labour leader of Peterborough Council, Dennis Jones, has been suspended from the party and has since resigned after a messaging controversy.

The councillor referred to grooming gang victims as "poor white trash from Rotherham" in a message to another councillor, which was later shared on social media.

While Mr Jones has apologised for his "inappropriate" language, a formal complaint has been filed with the council and is under consideration, according to BBC News.

USA:

A fraudster stole $1.5 million from the City of Baltimore by impersonating a vendor and tricking city employees into changing bank account details for payments.

The city recovered one payment of $721,236.60 but has not been able to retrieve the other $803,384.44 payment, according to Security Affairs dot com.

The incident has highlighted critical weaknesses in the city’s verification processes despite having experienced similar fraud incidents since 2019.

The Mayor of the City of London - the one in the US state of Kentucky - has been removed from office by the city council on three of twelve charges of misconduct.

The Kentucky Lantern reported on a contentious hearing which was marked by strong public support for the ousted mayor, Randall Weddle.

He is accused of refusing to publish an enacted ordinance and then delaying its timely publication, not filling vacancies on the city’s ethics commission in a timely manner, and signing a $5 million mortgage without council approval.

He says he plans to challenge the decision in court and has vowed to run for reelection in 2026, while the council has appointed a local artist, Tracie Handley, as the new mayor.

CANADA:

A disturbing case of political intimidation has emerged in the municipality of Clarington, Ontario, where a local councillor is facing serious allegations after allegedly leaving a death threat on a retired police officer's voicemail.

Tom Dingwall, a former homicide detective considering a run for mayor in next year's municipal election, claims councillor Corinna Traill left a 39-second message threatening to "kill him and sexually assault his wife" if he doesn't stay out of the upcoming race.

CTV News reported that Dingwall has reported the incident to police, who are now investigating.

Councillor Traill has described it as an "unfortunate circumstance" and declined further comment while the matter is being resolved.

NZ:

Auckland Council is taking over most transport responsibilities from Auckland Transport (AT) through a new bill that will reduce AT's powers to focus solely on public transport services.

The changes, announced by government ministers and Mayor Wayne Brown, will make elected officials directly accountable for transport decisions and give local boards new powers over local roads.

Stuff reported that implementation of the changes is expected by September next year.

Roundup Extra:

As the City of Sydney faces dual challenges of preserving green spaces and managing an explosion of share bikes, Councillor Adam Worling has emerged as a passionate advocate for urban sustainability.

Last month, the Council supported two motions brought forward by Cr Worling looking to protect urban gardens and to introduce bike parking demarcation.

I spoke with with Cr Worling about his vision for balancing Sydney's green footprint with the changing transportation landscape.