Grim determination, political bastardry, and by-election date set

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• A victory for community activism in Hepburn Shire
• A new award program honouring women in local government
• A CEO recruitment process comes under investigation
• A council fined over a sewage discharge
• Workers protest possible redundancies at Liverpool City Council
• The date is set for Townsville’s mayoral by-election
• Two South Australian councils appoint new CEOs
• and election controversies in Western Australia

Plus more of the latest 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

• 2:16 Victorian Report
• 9:34 NSW Report
• 14:51 QLD Report
• 17:18 TAS/SA/WA/NT Report
• 22:30 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Roundup:

Hepburn Shire Council is hailing a significant victory for community activism, with news the Endeavour Group's plans to open a Dan Murphy's liquor outlet in Daylesford have been permanently shelved after a two-year battle.

On Monday, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal upheld an earlier decision by the Victorian Liquor Commission to refuse the retail giant a license to operate in the town.

Mayor Don Henderson called the decision "a win for Daylesford, the community, the Shire and Council," noting that it would protect young people from potential alcohol-related harm.

The case has garnered attention as a landmark ruling, with VCAT citing concerns about the proposed store's proximity to schools and family-friendly areas.

Mayor Henderson praised the community's "grit and determination" in opposing the development, suggesting the decision could empower other communities facing similar battles.

The Victorian Local Governance Association and the Victorian Government have launched a new award program honouring women in local government.

Named after Victoria's first female councillor, the Mary Rogers Awards will recognise outstanding women leaders across three categories: an award for current women councillors, an emerging leader award for first-term councillors, and a champion award for councils promoting gender equality.

VLGA CEO Kathryn Arndt said the awards aim to highlight women's contributions to local government, with a goal of achieving 50% female representation by the 2028 elections. Currently, women make up 43% of councillors across Victoria.

Nominations are open until October 24th, with winners to be announced at Parliament House in late November.

Regional alliance One Gippsland is urging government action following a national report showing climate change is worsening natural disasters.

The report projects economic costs will rise from $35 billion in 2020 to $73 billion annually by 2060.

One Gippsland Chair Cr Nathan Hersey said the group is advocating for specific measures including a 'betterment' disaster funding model, 72-hour backup power for telecommunications towers and more flexible disaster recovery processes.

The group also wants to see a statewide interim flood overlay, and a clear pathway for managed retreat in vulnerable coastal areas.

Cr Hersey said One Gippsland representatives plans to meet with key government ministers in October to discuss the policy and funding recommendations.

Latrobe City Council has announced a cash surplus of $7.3 million for the current financial year, and has put plans in motion to reinvest the funds back into the community.

At last month's council meeting, the Council endorsed several key projects, including $600,000 for a new public toilet at Immigration Park in Morwell and $500,000 toward a multi-use pavilion at Northern Reserve in Newborough.

The largest allocation will see $3.4 million set aside specifically to leverage additional state and federal government funding for future infrastructure developments.

Half of the surplus has been directed to the Transition Reserve to support long-term financial sustainability and economic development initiatives.

Golden Plains Shire Council has put a revised 2025-2026 budget with an overdraft facility option out for public comment.

The changes to the budget address significant increases in depreciation expenses and asset values that weren’t complete at the time of adopting the original budget.

The council has unanimously adopted a gambling harm minimisation policy that will guide strategies on planning, regulation, advocacy, service delivery, and infrastructure, positioning Golden Plains as a regional Victorian leader in gambling harm prevention.

Horsham Rural City Council has made a formal submission to the Australian Government's National Food Security Strategy, highlighting the region's significant contribution to food production.

The Council is advocating for a regional-first approach that includes protecting agricultural land, investing in infrastructure, and prioritising strong regional cities.

The submission was endorsed at Mayor Ian Ross’s final meeting before taking leave for health reasons. Cr Ross recently revealed he has been diagnosed with Adenoid Cystic Carcenoma, a tumour in his palate extending to just beneath his brain.

The duration of his leave of absence is unknown, but he said he hopes to return to Council once his treatment is complete.

Campaspe Shire Council has voted against joining a taskforce aimed at supporting asylum seekers, despite an impassioned plea from Councillor Zoe Cook.

The motion, which would have seen the council become a member of the Mayoral and Councillor Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum, was defeated four votes to three at a recent council meeting.

The Riverine Herald reported on the debate, in which Councillor Cook argued that the council has a "moral obligation to stand up for marginalised communities."

However, Mayor Daniel Mackrell, who voted against the motion, cited 2021 Census data showing no registered asylum seekers currently living in Campaspe Shire. He and other opposing councillors maintained that asylum seeker policy remains a federal issue outside council's operational scope.

And we note the passing of a long time councillor and former mayor of Geelong.

Jim Fidge served as a councillor in the late 1970s, following in the footsteps of his father.

He served as mayor between 1987-89, and was involved in many community and sporting groups.

He was 84. Vale Jim Fidge.

Victorian Briefs:

Banyule Council has welcomed new state government rules to protect tree canopy in residential areas, which will help meet the council's 30% canopy cover target by 2050 while addressing housing needs.

The new regulations require residents to contact the Council before removing any trees, with illegal removals being subject to prosecution.

East Gippsland Shire Council is seeking quotes for an independent safety audit of the Bairnsdale Outdoor Pool, an aging facility at the end of its life with identified risks.

The audit will assess safety risks, compliance with standards, inspect infrastructure, and provide recommendations for remediation to ensure the facility is safe for staff and the community.

Brimbank City Council's Sunshine Energy Park project has been shortlisted for a 2025 Engagement Institute Core Value Award, recognising its excellence in community and stakeholder engagement.

The ambitious $500 million project aims to transform a 74-hectare former landfill into a landmark for environmental innovation, wellbeing, economic opportunity, sports excellence, and Caring for Country.

Residents of Melbourne’s outer west will hold a rally this weekend to press the need for better bus services in their area.

They are calling for electric buses to run every 10 to 15 minutes, seven days per week, and the straightening of indirect bus routes into an efficient grid system.

The Better Bus Fest will held in Werribee on Sunday.

National Roundup:

NSW:

NSW Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has reportedly asked the Office of Local Government to look into the appointment of former MP Andrew Constance as CEO of Shoalhaven City Council.

Multiple media outlets are reporting that the minister has launched a "preliminary investigation" into the manner of the appointment.

The appointment of Mr Constance was announced this week by Mayor Patricia White, and quickly drew the condemnation of Member for Gilmore Fiona Phillips, who said it smacked of "political bastardry."

Her concerns are reportedly shared by state Member for South Coast Liza Butler.

Some Shoalhaven councillors are now calling the process into question. Cr Ben Krikstolaitis said the entire process was "flawed from the start". He said the goalposts kept shifting, and that he believes it to be a political appointment and not based on merit.

Another councillor, Bob Proudfoot, told the ABC he has concerns about conflicts of interest, and that the appointment should be re-examined.

Late yesterday, the Council released a statement to the media, confirming its understanding that a complaint had been received by the Office of Local Government "regarding the recruitment process of the CEO".

A spokesperson said the Council welcomes any review by the Office of Local Government into this robust recruitment process."

More: The Bugle App; South Coast Register$; ABC News

Central Coast Council has been fined $30,000 by the NSW EPA for discharging over 140,000 litres of sewage near Toukley Golf Course.

That’s after initially reporting it as a minor 1,000-litre overflow contained in an inaccessible swamp area.

Despite the significant discharge, which lasted about three days and potentially reached Lake Budgewoi, no long-term environmental impacts are expected due to tidal dilution.

The United Services Union has held a rally to protest Liverpool City Council's decision to proceed with restructuring and potential redundancies of 150 positions despite an ongoing public inquiry into council operations.

The union said workers are fighting against job insecurity caused by frequent restructures and demanding an end to invasive workplace surveillance measures.

It claims there have been 33 restructures and realignments at the council in five years, and 11 different CEOs since 2010.

Bathurst Regional Council has announced it will open up the iconic Mount Panorama Racing Circuit to commercial advertising for the first time ever.

The Council is seeking expressions of interest from brands looking to secure premium billboard and trackside signage at the internationally acclaimed circuit, which attracts over 280,000 visitors annually outside of major race events.

Deputy Mayor Ben Fry says the initiative aims to create new revenue streams for the region without increasing the burden on local ratepayers, particularly as cost-shifting from the NSW State Government continues to impact regional councils.

Coffs Harbour City Council is raising concerns over what it describes as a "prohibitive" waste management system for lithium batteries.

The Daily Telegraph reported that damaged lithium batteries must be transported 410 kilometres away to Newcastle for proper disposal.

The issue is particularly concerning for batteries over 5 kilowatt-hours, commonly found in solar energy storage systems and electric vehicles, which are classified as hazardous waste.

Even more alarming is that water used to extinguish lithium battery fires is classified as untouchable 'liquid waste' that cannot be processed at local facilities.

Councillors have unanimously approved a motion seeking assistance from the state government through the Local Government NSW Annual Conference.

NSW Briefs:

Jayden Rivera, a 31-year-old councillor first elected in 2024, has been elected as deputy mayor of Campbelltown City Council for a one-year term.

Cr Rivera succeeds Cr Karen Hunt in the deputy position.

Cr Jack Dods has been re-elected to the position of Deputy Mayor of Byron Shire Council, for a another 12 month term through to September next year.

Ballina Shire Council has invited public feedback on a proposal to increase to general rates by 6% per annum for four years from next year.

The proposed Special Rate Variation would result in an additional $346 per year for the average residential ratepayer by 2029/30.

The council said the increase would not affect water, wastewater, waste collection or stormwater charges, and be applied only to general rates.

Lismore City Council has begun landslip repairs on five priority roads as part of a larger restoration package funded by Commonwealth and NSW Governments that will carry out damage repairs through late 2027.

The works will reconnect communities and villages impacted by the 2022 natural disasters.

QLD:

Townsville’s mayoral by-election has been set for November 15.

Local Government Minister Ann Leahy has approved the Council’s request to conduct the election by full postal ballot, which represents a saving of more than $200K over an in person election.

Former mayor Troy Thompson, who resigned last week, has said he will run for re-election - an option that would not have been open to him if he had been dismissed by the government.

A CCC investigation into allegations against Mr Thompson is reportedly nearing completion, according to ABC News.

Other confirmed candidates so far are Henry Patel, a previous mayoral candidate, and member for Hinchinbrook Nick Dametto who it’s reported will resign his seat in order to contest the by-election.

A Moreton Bay City Council by-election count is underway.

Approximately 55% of enrolled voters were counted as of Saturday night, though the Electoral Commission of Queensland said the result may not be declared until after October 7 when all postal ballots are received.

The close race follows the resignation of Councillor Darren Grimwade in July.

Voters are able to return their completed ballots until 5pm on Tuesday, October 7.

North Burnett Regional Council has decided to exit ownership and operation of its four caravan parks by June next year.

It will take customised approaches for each site including public tenders for new operators or outright sales.

Mayor Les Hotz said the strategic decision aims to improve Council's financial sustainability while focusing resources on core services.

Redland City Council is pursuing former councillor Adelia Berridge for $500 in costs related to a conduct breach investigation, according to the Redland Bayside News.

The efforts are despite her refusal to pay and subsequent crowdfunding of legal challenges.

The investigation itself cost ratepayers $15,000, with the Council initially deciding to impose costs on Cr Berridge of $1500 before later reducing that amount to $500.

Phillip Keirle has announced that he will step down as CEO of Cloncurry Shire Council at the end of the year, after five years in the role..

He is relocating to Perth to be closer to family.

Applications have opened for the position and close on 27th October.

TAS:

The official ground-breaking has occurred for a $60 million Devonport Oval Sports Complex redevelopment, which will create a modern, world-class precinct serving six sporting codes.

The project is a landmark partnership between Federal and State Governments, Devonport City Council, construction company Fairbrother Pty Ltd and not-for-profit St Lukes.

Completion is expected by mid-2027.

Huon Valley Council says it is working to support tiny houses while advocating for state-level legislative changes that would better accommodate alternative housing solutions.

Despite limitations in its authority to override state laws, the Council is providing guidance on planning approvals, and taking an education-first approach to compliance.

Mayor Sally Doyle said while the council is actively lobbying for more progressive planning and building regulations, it has released a factsheet to provide clarity around the Council’s role in relation to tiny houses.

Launceston City Council says its city amenities team has more than halved overdue customer service requests, and dramatically cut completion times in an impressive turnaround in customer service performance.

CEO Sam Johnson said the huge achievement was a result of hard work, smarter systems and a shared determination to do better for the community.

SA:

The City of Mount Gambier has announced the appointment of Paul Simpson as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Simpson will take up the position from November 3rd this year.

He brings more than twenty years of leadership experience in local government, most recently serving as Interim CEO at Barunga West Council.

Mr. Simpson has a strong track record in regional development, having previously secured major grants for infrastructure projects while heading the District Council of Orroroo Carrieton.

In his statement, Mr. Simpson expressed excitement about joining Mount Gambier, noting he's witnessed the city's transformation in recent years and looks forward to relocating with his young family.

Mayor Lynette Martin welcomed the appointment, highlighting Mr. Simpson's experience in regional development and community-focused governance as valuable assets for the city's future.

The vacancy in the position arises with the departure of Sarah Philpott who announced her retirement in May and finished with the council in early August. General Manager City Infrastructure Barbara Cernovskis has served as interim CEO since that time.

Port Pirie Regional Council has announced the appointment of Chris Davey as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective October 13th.

Mr. Davey, who has served with the council for a decade, is stepping up from his current role as Director Development and Regulation.

He has been serving as Acting CEO since the retirement of Peter Ackland in July.

Mayor Leon Stephens said the appointment would ensure "seamless transfer and continuous delivery of Council's Community Plan and Long Term Financial Plan."

The incoming CEO is described as a well-respected member of both the Council's Executive Management Team and the Port Pirie community.

There are five candidates in the running for a supplementary election at the District Council of Kimba.

Radio 5CC reported that voting materials have been mailed ahead the 27th October polling day.

Salisbury Council is auctioning two northern Adelaide homes on October 22 to recover approximately $63,000 in rates that have been unpaid for 12 years.

Real Estate dot com dot au reported that it’s the latest in a trend of South Australian councils selling properties to recoup debts, with buyers purchasing these homes "as is" without prior internal inspections.

WA:

Concerns have emerged in Western Australia about what candidates can include in their election materials, according to PerthNow.

City of Canning Mayor Patrick Hall has criticised the current system, pointing out that for just $100, candidates receive what he calls a "free platform" to distribute their views to every household in their district.

He has questioned whether the current 250-word limit on candidate profiles is being exploited for political purposes, after a controversial candidate in Busselton expressed support for the "National Socialist Network" and advocated for a return to the "White Australia policy" in his election materials.

Those views caused four other candidates to withdraw from a public event.

In Canning, a candidate has used her profile to advocate for divestment from companies "complicit in the Gaza genocide" and to call for sanctions on Israel.

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley has responded by urging voters to research candidates and make informed choices for the elections scheduled for 18th October.

Perth City Council has pushed through two controversial motions opposing major state government projects, despite warnings about making significant decisions during caretaker period.

WA Today reported that the decisions included formally opposing a Metronet ferry terminal at Matilda Bay and the Perth Entertainment and Sporting Precinct at Burswood.

Councillors cited urgency in making the decisions, despite local government elections being just weeks away.

NT:

22-year-old Patrik Ralph has made history as the City of Darwin's likely youngest deputy lord mayor, being elected to the position within a month of joining the council.

The new councillor said he felt honoured and responsible in his new role, which he will serve for the next four months.

The NT News reported that the city’s policy allows for each councillor to spend four months in the deputy position during the four year term of Council.

While the city’s youngest deputy gets to know his new role, Darwin’s new Lord Mayor Peter Styles will become its oldest Lord Mayor within months, when he passes the record of 72 years and five months held by George Brown who died in office in 2002.

Global Roundup:

UK:

Reform UK-led Nottinghamshire County Council has reversed a controversial ban on journalists from the area's largest local newspaper, the Nottingham Post and its website, Nottinghamshire Live.

The Guardian reported today that the ban, which had been in place for over a month, was lifted after the media outlet threatened legal action.

Council leader Mick Barton had imposed the restrictions after objecting to a story about divisions within his party over local government reorganisation plans. The newspaper's parent company argued the ban violated both local government regulations and Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects freedom of expression.

In a letter from the council, officials claimed the restrictions resulted from "miscommunication or misunderstanding" and confirmed journalists would again be invited to public events and receive press releases.The ban had drawn criticism from various quarters including Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

The Duchess of York could lose her honorary freedom of the City of York after an email surfaced from 2011 in which she called sex offender Jeffrey Epstein her "supreme friend" and apologised for publicly criticising him.

Several charities have already cut ties with Sarah Ferguson over the revelation.

BBC News reported that York's council leader is considering tabling a motion to remove her honorary freedom ahead of November's council meeting.

Newcastle councillors have expressed unease about being asked to approve a bullying investigation report they had not read.

The report cleared former council leader Nick Kemp of breaching a code of conduct despite noting his behaviour was not always acceptable.

BBC News reported that the audit and standards committee's independent chairman has agreed to arrange a further meeting to discuss potential improvements to the investigation process, while the council's monitoring officer has maintained that the procedure followed the established protocol.

USA:

The city administrator at the City of Ladysmith in Wisconsin has appeared in court, charged with intercepting oral communications.

Alan Christianson and his sister Stephanie are each accused of conspiring to record a closed county board session in August.

WQOW News reported that Stephanie was captured on video outside the closed door of the meeting, using her phone to record audio, and there were 103 messages exchanged between her and her brother on that evening.

They could each face up to six years in prison and a $10,000 fine if found guilty of the charges.

In New Mexico, the City of Albuquerque is working to install 42 rapidly deployable Boxabl modular casitas on long-vacant city-owned lots, offering one- and two-bedroom units that can be set up in days.

The homes will be reserved for households at or below 60% of area median income.

The proposal moving through the approvals stage, with installation targeted for next year, according to KRQE News.

CANADA:

A postal strike in Canada has prompted the City of Edmonton's elections office to create a contingency plan to provide alternate ways for voters to access voting information and special ballots for an upcoming municipal election.

CTV News reported that the office is increasing communications efforts through digital ads, social media, and billboards.

It is also providing online tools and in-person options to ensure citizens can participate in the October 20 ballot, despite mail delivery disruptions.

NZ:

And from New Zealand, Wellington City Council has revealed a privacy breach when sensitive documents from the old Town Hall were accidentally sold with furniture.

Affected individuals are currently unidentified, and the council has made a public call to those who believe they may be affected to make contact.

The Council has responded by requesting containment of the documents, and nondisclosure of identifying information about those who are the subjects of the documents.

The Privacy Commissioner has also been notified of the breach.