"Systemic shortcomings", a funding dispute, and a controversial resignation

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• More councils take issue with funding for beach lifeguard services
• Townsville’s controversial mayor resigns, but the long running saga is not over
• Calls for publication of Council FOI requests
• A council’s $2M parking machine overhaul
• A Sydney area council CEO reportedly negotiating a contract exit
• A major financial restructure for a Queensland council
• A string of supplementary election results from South Australia
• A costly by-election in WA after a surprise resignation
• and controversy over CEO recruitment at a NZ council

and much more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

Victorian Local Governance Association
The VLGA is an independent organisation supporting councils and councillors in good governance.

Chapters

• 2:07 Victorian Report
• 9:18 NSW Report
• 11:27 QLD Report
• 14:23 SA/WA Report
• 17:49 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

A funding dispute between Life Saving Victoria and local councils has intensified, according to the Age.

After concerns were raised by Bass Coast Shire in recent weeks, Hobsons Bay Council now says it will not pay an $88,000 bill for lifeguard services at Altona and Williamstown beaches.

Mayor Daria Kellander said the cost, historically been covered by the state government, should come from the new ESVF Levy, which receives $9M from the Hobsons Bay alone.

Without council funding, Life Saving Victoria says it will completely withdraw paid lifeguard services from Williamstown beach and reduce patrols at Altona.

Frankston Council said it would pay the bill, under protest about cost shifting, while Port Phillip and Kingston Councils say they are opposed to picking up the costs.

Life Saving Victoria says it is reviewing how it delivers paid lifeguard services due to rising costs and constrained funding.

Hume City Council is facing mounting calls to increase transparency by publishing all Freedom of Information (FOI) requests and their responses.

Sunbury Life reported that the council has acknowledged never previously considered making FOI materials public but indicated this could change as part of ongoing transparency policy reviews.

The suggestion to proactively publish FOI data was raised through a public question at the Council’s September 22 meeting.

It comes after the Office of the Victorian Information Commissioner placed Hume among the top five councils for FOI complaints in November 2024.

Greater Dandenong Council has approved a $2 million parking meter modernisation program featuring a 50-50 split between cashless and coin-operated machines. The contract, awarded to Duncan Solutions Australia, will upgrade the council's 135 parking meters across central Dandenong, Dandenong Market, and Springvale's Balmoral car park.

The Dandenong Star Journal reported that the new "pay by plate" system will eliminate paper tickets, with users simply entering their registration numbers. Acting CEO Sanjay Manivasagasivam confirmed implementation is expected by year-end, with no immediate parking fee increases planned.

Greater Geelong Council has decided against implementing additional tree protection controls on private land, opting instead to focus on community education through its refreshed Urban Forestry Strategy.

The decision came after extensive public consultation, where 67.3% of respondents supported stronger tree protection measures.

While housing development was identified as the primary threat to tree canopy, the council determined that new controls would duplicate those already being introduced by the Victorian Government's Plan for Victoria, which targets 30% urban canopy cover.

Under Geelong's current Planning Scheme, permits are now required for removing canopy trees over five meters, aligning with state regulations.

Whittlesea City Council has voted to seek ministerial approval for new planning controls aimed at protecting environmentally significant areas in the municipality's northern green wedge land.

The proposed Planning Scheme Amendment would enhance biodiversity protection and clarify development regulations in sensitive areas, following discoveries of threatened species including brush-tailed phascogales, common dunnarts, and powerful owls during extensive ecological research.

If approved by the Planning Minister, the proposal will undergo community consultation, with affected landowners to be directly notified.

At its meeting last week, the council also supported a Notice of Motion calling for stronger penalties to deter illegal rubbish dumping.

Mayor Martin Taylor said stronger deterrents are needed to send a clear message that the behaviour is unacceptable, and that residents should not unfairly bear the financial costs of cleaning up.

In response to growing concerns from local farmers, Mansfield Shire Council has taken the initiative to address the pressing issue of livestock predation by facilitating a key stakeholder meeting earlier this month.

The September 10th gathering brought together local farmers, government officials, and environmental agencies to develop a coordinated approach to feral animal management in the region. While not directly responsible for feral animal control, the Council has stepped in to connect affected residents with relevant authorities.

A major outcome from the initial meeting is the promotion of the FeralScan app as a centralised reporting system. Community members are strongly encouraged to document all feral animal sightings and incidents through the platform to build a comprehensive data set.

Economic momentum is building in Glenelg Shire with three major feasibility studies now underway, backed by over $1 million from the Portland Diversification Fund.

The studies include a potential bulk liquid storage terminal for renewable fuels, an innovative seaweed facility that could reduce livestock methane emissions by up to 80%, and an interactive economic dashboard called 'Future Portland.'

Meanwhile, Victoria's largest-ever battery storage project has been approved for Portland. The $1.3 billion facility will have enough capacity to power 345,000 homes during peak demand, creating 300 construction jobs and 60 permanent positions.

Council CEO Helen Havercroft said the initiatives are a proactive step toward building a more resilient economy, reflecting the strengths and potential of the region.

In other news making the local papers:

Cardinia Shire Council will potentially double its debt to nearly half of rates revenue by 2029 to fund infrastructure needs, according to the Packenham Berwick Gazette.

Greater Geelong council has adopted an Outer Areas Heritage Assessment Study, proposing 20 significant historical sites for inclusion in the Heritage Overlay to protect them from unauthorised changes. More on that from the Geelong Independent.

South Gippsland Shire Council has voted to proceed with rezoning the Korumburra Senior Citizens Centre site despite ongoing legal disputes about land ownership.

The South Gippsland Sentinel Times reported the council voted down a motion from Cr Steve Finlay to delay the process until ownership is resolved.

Victorian Briefs:

The City of Whittlesea is planning a six month Food Organics Recycling Trial, offering local businesses an opportunity to reduce food waste sent to landfill while receiving free bins, collection services, and staff training.

The initiative aims to promote sustainable waste management practices, reduce disposal costs, and gather feedback to shape future waste programs in the community.

Ararat Rural City Council's new clothing donation program has successfully diverted nearly 13,000 textiles from landfill in just two months, preventing 5.1 tonnes of CO₂ emissions and 1.3 million item-years of landfill persistence. The free program, operated in partnership with Recycle Care Australia, accepts donations of clothing, shoes, and accessories at the Ararat Resource Recovery Centre.

Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King will be the special guest speaker at the 2025 National Local Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Congress in Bendigo on November 12.

The Minister is expected to deliver an address on the Federal Government's national agenda and recent reforms at the congress, which will focus on local roads funding, maintenance, and infrastructure.

National Roundup:

NSW:

The chief executive of City of Parramatta, Gail Connolly, is reportedly in negotiations to exit her role well before her contract expires in 2027.

Sources close to the matter told the Sydney Morning Herald that Ms Connolly has engaged legal representation to negotiate terms of departure.

This comes amid mounting troubles at the council, including a recent Supreme Court ruling that found Ms Connolly had improperly withheld documents from councillors in a censure matter against Councillor Kellie Darley.

It’s understood the council intends to appeal the finding.

Ms Connolly has been with Parramatta since March 2023, and previously led Ryde and Georges River councils.

The City of Newcastle is calling for the reinstatement of the Newcastle Show public holiday for 2026 and 2027 after a majority of community survey respondents supported the move.

The Newcastle Herald reported that the proposal received majority Council support, despite some councillors holding concerns about the impact on businesses who would need to pay penalty rates.

Shoalhaven City Council has received an independent recommendation to proceed with commissioning and operating a new Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) in West Nowra.

The $37M facility will process recyclable materials at a rate of 15 tonnes per hour with an annual capacity of up to 25,000 tonnes, and will revolutionise how the Council processes commingled products.

It is also expected to create new revenue opportunities by capturing recycling waste from other councils.

Central Coast Council has released a draft Dog Management Policy which proposes changing two off-leash beach areas to dog-free zones while designating the eastern end of Buttons Creek Beach as a new off-leash area.

The policy also includes detailed guidelines on responsible dog ownership covering tethering, nuisance behaviour, complaints processes, and after-hours services for collecting stray or aggressive dogs.

Consultation continues til 12 October, after which it will go to councillors for consideration.

QLD:

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson has resigned, bringing an end to an 18-month controversy surrounding his qualifications. The resignation comes just one week after the Queensland government issued him a show-cause notice.

In a defiant video statement released on social media,Thompson announced he will recontest the position in the upcoming by-election, insisting his resignation is "not an admission of wrongdoing" but rather "a deliberate and principled stand."

Thompson, who defeated long-serving Mayor Jenny Hill in March 2024, has been under scrutiny after allegations emerged that he had falsified parts of his resume, including claims about serving with the SAS.

The scandal prompted an investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission, and in June, the council unanimously passed a no-confidence motion against him. Despite apologising for "inflating" parts of his record, Thompson had refused to step down until now.

In his resignation statement, Thompson made explosive accusations against the current council, alleging corruption and financial mismanagement, and called for the entire council to be dissolved.

The Local Government Minister Ann Leahy has received Thompson's formal resignation. A date for the by-election is expected to be announced shortly.

Mark Pitt PSM has been reappointed as Chief Executive Officer of South Burnett Regional Council for an additional four-year term from July 2026 to July 2030, following a unanimous decision by councillors.

Mayor Kathy Duff said the extension aims to create stability and continuity for the region, highlighting the importance of operational and elected representatives working together under experienced leadership.

Sunshine Coast Council is implementing a major financial restructuring after an independent audit revealed "systemic shortcomings" in their financial management processes, according to the Courier Mail.

The audit was prompted by the discovery of a $20 million accounting error related to depreciation calculations, an error that reportedly accumulated over a five-year period. The significant discrepancy forced council officials to delay the release of the 2025/26 budget.

According to documents presented at a recent Ordinary Meeting, the council has already begun realigning its finance structure and has committed to implementing all recommendations made by the audit committee.

Moreton Bay Council wants to see at least 1500 hotel rooms built before the 2032 Olympics to meet growing demand for accommodation.

Mayor Peter Flannery told NewsCop there is a need for more hotel investment, and the council is targeting at least ten more hotel projects beyond the four currently underway.

The council is strategically focusing development in the northern and western parts of Moreton Bay, where significant population growth is expected, including 70,000 people in Warraba and another 30,000 near the Bruce Highway.

SA:

Three new members have been provisionally elected to Adelaide Hills Council after recent resignations.

Lisa Woolcock has gained the position in Ranges Ward, while dairy farmer Richard Gladigau and winemaker Alex Trescowthick have filled the two positions on offer in Valleys Ward.

At the Town of Gawler, acting Mayor Nathan Shanks has been elected narrowly over former deputy mayor Cody Davies as the town’s new mayor after distribution of preferences.

There’s a new mayor of Yorke Peninsula Council also, after a two candidate race was taken out by small business owner Kylie Gray comfortably on first preference votes, over Michael O’Connell, a retired high school principal and third year councillor.

The District Council of Orroroo Carrieton has held an election for two councillor positions, with three candidates in the running.

Roger Jesser and Julia Clarke achieved quota in that order to be provisionally elected to the council. Both will be first time councillors.

Meanwhile, in Norwood Payneham and St Peters, a supplementary election has been won by civil engineer Rita Excell from a field of eight candidates; and at Mount Barker District Council, it was a three candidate race, taken out by Anne Fordham, a federal public servant and hobby farmer.

A busy election time in South Australian local government continues in October with a supplementary election for two Area Councillor positions in the District Council of Kimba, and another position on Norwood Payneham and St Peters Council.

WA:

Melville Council has voted to hold a costly by-election next March after Councillor Tomas Fitzgerald resigned to pursue the mayoral position in neighbouring East Fremantle.

PerthNow reported that the timing of Fitzgerald's September 4th resignation means the vacant position cannot be included in the upcoming October 18th local government elections, leaving Melville ratepayers to foot an estimated $80,000 bill for a separate election process.

Council officials say they explored "every avenue" to hold the election sooner or at lower cost but were hampered by resource limitations and electoral commission regulations.

It also means the the Palmyra-Melville-Willagee ward will effectively have only half its representation for nearly six months.

The Town of Port Hedland's new commissioners have approved the annual budget, ensuring service delivery for the next 12 months.

Chairperson Jessica Shaw said the budget represents a balanced approach, with careful consideration given to both immediate needs and long-term planning.

With special benefits introduced for owner-occupier residential ratepayers, the commissioners say they are supporting those who call Port Hedland home while preparing the groundwork for the elected council that will take office in March 2026.

The commissioners were installed recently by the state government after a string of councillor resignations, culminating in a loss of quorum when Mayor Peter Carter stepped down in August.

Stacey Hutt has been appointed as the new CEO of LG Professionals WA, succeeding Candy Choo, who is heading to Leadership WA.

Ms Hutt has worked across local government, community and private sectors in Western Australia and New Zealand.

She takes up the position on 20th October.

Global Roundup:

NZ:

Controversy has erupted over the recruitment process for a new chief executive at the Queenstown Lakes District Council.

Radio New Zealand has reported Councillor Niki Gladding’s claims that elected members were excluded from the initial stages of selecting a recruitment agency for the position.

Mayor Glyn Lewers and the chief executive performance review committee insist they've followed proper procedures and that councillors will be involved in the selection process following October's local body elections.

The mayor confirmed that the incoming council would make the final appointment decision.

The current chief executive, Mike Theelen, announced his resignation in August, effective February 2026.

UK:

Welsh council leaders have warned of potential job losses, service cuts, and council tax increases unless additional funding is provided in the next budget.

The Welsh Local Government Association told the BBC that a 7% budget gap cannot be addressed through current measures.

While the Finance Secretary said funding will only rise with inflation ahead of the 2026 election, the Welsh Government has acknowledged the pressures and says it is in regular discussions with local authorities about alleviating these challenges.

USA:

New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams has postponed a scheduled vote on proposed changes to the council's internal rules following concerns from fellow council members.

The vote was originally set for this week on a 44-page proposal, introduced less than a week ago.

City and State New York reported that the proposal includes several controversial provisions that would increase the speaker's power, such as raising the number of members needed to move a bill to the floor against the speaker's wishes from seven to eleven.

A council spokesperson said these proposals stem from work dating back to 2023 and include input from members, good government groups, and other stakeholders. No new date has been set for the vote, but discussions are continuing.

CANADA:

City of Ottawa employees will be required to return to the office five days a week starting January 1, 2026, following a city council vote that upheld City Manager Wendy Stephanson's mandate.

CTV News reported the council voted 15-10 to support the policy while maintaining flexibility for hybrid arrangements where appropriate.

The decision has sparked protests from municipal unions and advocacy groups who argue that hybrid work models have proven effective. Despite the opposition, Stephanson maintains that increased office presence is necessary for building relationships, knowledge transfer, and strengthening public trust.

Mayor Mark Sutcliffe defended the decision as an HR matter that should remain under the city manager's authority, emphasizing that council's role isn't to manage workplace policies.

Saskatoon City Council has approved the demolition of Marquis Downs, ending more than five decades of horse racing history in the city.

CTV News reported that the historic track, which has sat unused since 2020, will be torn down along with its grandstand and horse barns - structures city administration claims have reached the end of their "serviceable life."

Prairieland Park, which leases the city land for just $100 annually, plans to convert the area into a gravel parking lot for the immediate future, with potential redevelopment plans expected next year.

The decision has sparked some criticism from the community, with the horse racing community has expressing particular dismay.

Previous plans to repurpose the site for a professional soccer stadium were abandoned in recent years due to funding challenges.