"Blindsided" - high density surprise, suspension push, and clickbait and chaos

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Plans for new high density precincts unveiled in Melbourne
• Liverpool Councillors move to have the city’s CEO suspended
• A mayor distances her council from expected job losses
• From Gore to Walcha - a trans-Tasman leadership transition
• The spectre of Operation Sandon hanging over Casey City Council
• A budget blow for the City of Nedlands
• and claims of clickbait and chaos at a Reform UK led council

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
• 7:18 NSW Report
• 11:35 QLD Report
• 13:15 TAS/SA/WA Report
• 15:53 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

Premier Jacinta Allan has unveiled plans for 25 new high-density precincts around train and tram hubs. The draft plans will allow buildings up to 16 storeys tall in suburbs like Oakleigh, Kew, and Hawthorn—predominantly in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

But The Age reported that some local councils, including Stonnington and Boroondara, have expressed frustration at what they call inadequate consultation.

Stonnington Mayor Melina Sehr said they had been "blindsided" by the announcement.

Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny defended the plans, saying they're about "delivering more homes for Victorians, particularly young Victorians who have been locked out of these areas."

Public consultation runs until October 19th.

The Standard reports that Warrnambool City Council has approved a plan to increase childcare worker wages by 15% above award rates using a federal government grant, while adjusting fee increases to meet grant conditions.

The unanimous Council decision aims to attract and retain staff at council-run childcare centres as new facilities open in the area, supporting the critical role the educators play in both the local economy and children's development.

Yarra Council has unanimously endorsed a motion reaffirming its commitment to inclusion and diversity while taking a clear stand against racism and extremism in the community.

The Council has called for collaboration across all government levels to address far-right extremism and protect the social cohesion of Yarra, where 29% of residents are born overseas and diversity is celebrated as a strength.

Yarra City Council has purchased a 290m² parcel of land on Wellington Street, Collingwood for $1.5 million from the Salvation Army to preserve as open space.

The Council will engage with the community about the future use of the site, which Mayor Stephen Jolly said is an important investment for the densely populated suburb.

Maroondah City Council is advocating to the Victorian Government for better maintenance of arterial roads managed by the Department of Transport and Planning (DTP).

It says there have been increasing resident concerns about safety hazards and unsightly conditions.

The Council has formally requested Minister Melissa Horne to address issues including overgrown vegetation, potholes, and uneven surfaces that pose risks to motorists and create fire hazards in the community.

Greater Shepparton City Council is experiencing significant population growth, with the region attracting new residents at one of the highest rates in Australia.

Mayor Cr Shane Sali said the latest Regional Movers Index figures highlight the appeal of regional Victoria, with Greater Shepparton recording a 229 per cent year-on-year increase in net internal relocations.

The growth surge has prompted the council to call for urgent infrastructure investment from the State Government, particularly in transport, healthcare, and economic development to support sustainability and liveability for current and future residents.

Frankston City Council says the city is experiencing a business boom, with 639 new GST-registered businesses in the past year.

Mayor Kris Bolam said the city is experiencing an unprecedented resurgence of investor confidence, which is translating into some rapid-fire business openings this year.

The economic resurgence is supported by substantial government infrastructure investments, private property developments totalling $506 million, and an increasing number of both national chains and local entrepreneurs establishing businesses in the region.

Later today, a new episode of VLGA Connect will drop on YouTube on podcast, and this week I speak with the Mayor of Casey City Council, Cr Stefan Koomen.

With charges now brought out of Operation Sandon, Cr Koomen talks about the effect of the seven year long investigation on the new group of councillors that he leads.

“…”

Cr Koomen also told me that he’s open to continuing as mayor for another term.

“…”

Victorian Briefs:

The nominations have been finalised for the inaugural MAVLab Innovation Awards.

Finalists in 16 categories highlight the breadth of innovation happening at the local level, with winners to be announced at a special celebration on 8th October.

Former City of Melbourne and Greater Dandenong council director Katrina McKenzie has been appointed as the new Commissioner of Economic Growth Victoria and Better Regulation Victoria.

Brimbank Council has unveiled plans for a significant new public artwork titled "The Birds (Sunshine)" to be installed in the H.V. McKay Memorial Gardens in Sunshine by mid-2026.

The artwork will feature six sculptural birdbaths created by the acclaimed Monash Art Projects collective.

The Rural City of Wangaratta has issued an alert about a text message scam targeting community members with fake council fine notices, according to the Wangaratta Chronicle.

The Council's customer service team has been responding to inquiries about these fraudulent messages, which attempt to trick recipients into making payments for non-existent fines.

National Roundup:

NSW:

Liverpool councillors have called for an extraordinary meeting, seeking to suspend the council's chief executive, Jason Breton, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

The paper reports that two councillors have submitted the motion, and that at least five of the eleven councillors are expected to vote in favour.

The move follows allegations made at a public inquiry into the Council that Mayor Ned Mannoun solicited a $1000 donation from a property developer to help fund a failed local government run by Mr Breton.

The motion calls for Breton to be immediately suspended and replaced by community and lifestyle director Tina Bono as acting CEO; and for the allegations to be referred to the ICAC for investigation.

No extraordinary meeting is yet listed on the Council’s website. Meanwhile, the inquiry into alleged dysfunction and maladministration at the council is yet to be concluded.

The Mayor of Shoalhaven Council has distanced herself from job losses expected as part of an organisational restructure.

Patricia White told t*he South Coast Register* that the restructure was an operational matter being managed by the council executive, although she agrees that reducing wage costs is necessary to improve the Council’s financial position.

The restructure is currently undergoing internal consultation and is expected to result in 50 jobs cut from the structure and the creation of 14 new positions.

The Register reported that proposal has prompted an angry response in the community, much of it directed at councillors, but Cr White said they have not been involved in the decision-making around the proposed changes.

Lismore City Council has appointed Councillor Jeri Hall as Deputy Mayor until August 2028, dispensing with a practice of electing the deputy for 12 months at a time.

The council also voted to maintain daytime council meetings for the same period.

The Lismore App reported that there were two nominations for deputy mayor, that of Cr Hall and from Cr Jasmine Knight-Smith, with Cr Hall prevailing in a 7-4 vote.

There’s been a trans-Tasman leadership transition this month, as former Gore District Council chief executive Stephen Parry has officially begun his tenure as the new general manager of Walcha Council in New South Wales.

Mr Parry served as the chief executive for the Gore District Council in New Zealand for more than two decades.

He took up his new role on September 1st, bringing his local government experience to the small rural community of just over 3,000 residents.

The appointment follows the departure of former general manager Phil Hood who concluded his service with Walcha Council in June after leading the organisation through several challenging years.

Walcha, located in the New England Tablelands region near Tamworth—which maintains a sister city relationship with Gore—represents a similar rural governance environment to Parry's previous posting, albeit with a significantly smaller population base.

During the leadership transition, council's Director Infrastructure Lacey Latham served as acting general manager, maintaining operational continuity until Mr Parry's arrival.

Briefs:

Due to recent rainfall and wet conditions, Wentworth Shire Council has closed all unsealed roads in the shire to prevent damage and ensure motorist safety.

Residents and travellers are advised to exercise caution, check the Road Condition Report for updates, and avoid driving on closed roads as it may result in fines.

The NSW government has introduced a Mutual Recognition Scheme allowing mobile businesses to operate across multiple local council areas without duplicating approval processes, cutting red tape that previously hindered their mobility.

The reform aims to boost vibrancy and economic activity across NSW by reducing administrative burdens for food trucks, outdoor fitness trainers and other mobile businesses while still allowing councils discretion over recognising approvals.

Tweed Shire Council is seeking community feedback on the draft Tweed Heads South Levee and Drainage Study, which proposes various measures to reduce flood risk in Tweed Heads South and Banora Point.

This second stage of consultation will help finalise a flood management strategy that combines technical expertise with residents' lived experiences.

Regional Cities NSW has welcomed an invitation to join the NSW Premier's new Rural, Remote and Regional Advisory Council, providing an opportunity for the alliance of 15 regional cities to influence state policy decisions.

The council will meet twice yearly to address challenges like housing availability, infrastructure investment, and economic growth.

QLD:

Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery has joined Property Council of Australia Queensland in calling for State Government [intervention to unlock critical industrial land](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/city-of-moreton-bay_mayor-peter-flannery-yesterday-joinedproperty-activity-7371346614562766848-F9m8?), aiming to create local jobs for the growing population.

They are advocating for a $500 million Industrial Infrastructure Fund, a state industrial strategy, and better data benchmarking as solutions to address the shrinking supply of industrial land in Greater Brisbane revealed in the No Room to Grow Report.

The Scenic Rim Olympics, Sports and Recreation Advisory Committee is urging reconsideration of Lake Wyaralong as the optimal rowing venue for the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Scenic Rim Mayor Tom Sharp said the venue is the natural choice for 2032, due to its existing infrastructure, accommodation capacity, and proximity to Brisbane.

The Committee has highlighted the venue's cost-effective upgrades of approximately $100 million, sustainable accommodation for over 1,600 athletes within a 35-minute radius, as well as the significant long-term economic and tourism benefits for the region.

Gympie Regional Council has launched a three month community education campaign to promote responsible dog ownership, accompanied by a new inspection program to identify unregistered dogs which currently represent more than half of all dogs in the region.

The Council wants to address growing concerns about dog-related issues such as attacks and wandering dogs, while encouraging the community to comply with relevant animal management laws.

TAS:

The City of Clarence has announced the recipients of the 2025 Clarence Prize, Australia's richest acquisitive furniture design award worth $20,000.

Ash Allen has won major prize for his innovative piece "Beanless" which transforms a beanbag into an heirloom-quality design object.

The biennial competition also awarded a Highly Commended Prize and an Emerging Designer Prize, with all finalists' works on exhibition at Rosny Farm until October 5.

SA:

City of Onkaparinga Acting Mayor Lauren Jew has addressed a Federal Senate inquiry into South Australia's harmful algal bloom.

Cr Jew said the bloom was having a significant impact on local communities and there is a need for collaboration between all levels of government.

The advocacy efforts are part of a broader push for a national framework to address the algal bloom, including baseline data collection and long-term monitoring of the Great Southern Reef.

Crime Stoppers South Australia and the Town of Walkerville have launched a partnership that encourages residents to report suspicious activities anonymously to help prevent and solve local crimes.

The initiative includes locally tailored crime awareness campaigns, social media outreach, and community events aimed at building a more connected and secure neighbourhood.

Adelaide City Council has unanimously approved a Memorandum of Understanding to establish a sister-city relationship with Athens, Greece focusing on collaboration in culture, tourism, innovation, and sustainable urban living.

The Greek Herald reported that the agreement now awaits approval from Athens' Municipal Council and the Greek Ministry of the Interior before being formalised through signatures from both cities.

WA:

The City of Nedlands is facing budget challenges after the State Administrative Tribunal disallowed service charges for underground power projects, which were meant to recover costs from ratepayers.

The budget had been set by commissioners in August, but was returned to them earlier this month for changes after the Tribunal ruling, according to Perth Now.

The city is co-funding the power projects with Western Power, at a total estimated cost of $7.7M.

The City of Cockburn has doubled the number of its volunteer Turtle Trackers, working to help protect the Southwestern Snake-Necked Turtle during its nesting season from September to January.

Volunteers undergo special training to ensure the safety of female turtles as they leave wetlands to lay eggs, navigating challenges including roads, pets, predators, and climate change.

Global Roundup:

UK:

Reform UK claims to have saved millions in its first 100 days running Kent County Council by cutting environmental initiatives and making operational changes.

The Independent reported that opposition parties are disputing the claims, and have characterised the Reform UK administration as "clickbait and chaos" that takes direction from party leader Nigel Farage.

They’ve drawn criticism for the use of divisive rhetoric about migrants and LGBTQ+ issues while removing Pride and Ukraine flags from buildings, and are accused of creating a hostile work environment which is deterring people from working for the council.

A new report by Audit Wales has identified "poor behaviour" and "fractured relationships" between elected councillors and paid officers at Wrexham council.

BBC News reported that report calls for urgent changes to prevent undermining the council's work.

Despite previous recommendations, insufficient progress has been made to address critical governance issues, with ongoing tensions including councillors not trusting officers' advice and publicly criticising them, while training sessions face poor attendance by councillors and last-minute cancellations by officers.

USA:

Seattle City Council has voted to expand the city's surveillance camera network, approving new CCTV installations in three additional areas of the city.

The controversial measures passed with a 7-2 vote on Tuesday, despite significant public opposition according to Fox13 News.

The expansion will also allow Seattle Police to access traffic cameras operated by the Department of Transportation through their Real Time Crime Center.

More than 120 people signed up to speak against the ordinances during public comment, with the ACLU among several organisations voicing concerns about civil liberties.

The council has included privacy safeguards, limiting data retention to five days unless needed for investigations, and has specifically prohibited cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

CANADA:

Ottawa City Council has approved a hiring freeze at City Hall, capping the size of the municipal service at 17,105 employees, with exemptions for essential services like paramedics and firefighters.

CTV News reported that the council also directed staff to draft the 2026 budget with a maximum 3.75 percent increase in property taxes and transit fare increases up to 7.5 percent.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe said the budget would be tough, and some very difficult decisions would be required.

NZ:

Wellington City Council has adopted New Zealand’s first comprehensive Rainbow Action Plan, aiming to ensure the city's operations champion and celebrate rainbow identities across public spaces and internal practices.

The plan addresses inequities faced by the LGBTQIA+ community in Wellington, where 11.3 percent of adults identify as rainbow/LGBTQIA+ – more than double the national average.