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Local Government News Roundup
Australia’s no.1 podcast for local government news and views, hosted by veteran media presenter and senior executive Chris Eddy. Brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association.
Local Government News Roundup
Assault Charge, Housing Pressures, and Council Reforms
In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:
- Yarra’s Mayor charged with assault
- Anger from Kingston Council over a controversial development approval
- Disappointment as Ballarat loses a major sporting event
- 52 jobs to go as the axe falls at Shoalhaven Council
- The NSW Premier threatens councils over housing
- New reforms announced for local government in Queensland
- A misconduct finding against a South Australian mayor
- and more election outcomes in Western Australia
Plus, an interim CEO’s views on new reforms set to shake up council meeting practices in NSW from next year. Mark Dupe from Berrigan Shire Council joins Chris on Roundup Extra.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.
Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.
Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.
Victorian Roundup:
Yarra City Council Mayor Stephen Jolly, has been charged with assault following an incident at his local government election after-party in November 2024. Police confirmed the charge on Tuesday night after a formal complaint was lodged in August. No injuries were reported from the alleged assault.
The incident occurred when masked gatecrashers allegedly disrupted the celebration. Mayor Jolly has strongly disputed the charge, calling it "nonsense" and vowing to plead not guilty when the matter comes before Melbourne Magistrates' Court in March.
He says he will continue serving in his role as Mayor of Yarra City Council in the meantime.
Cr Jolly has linked the intruders to a separate alleged attack on him at a public housing rally in 2023, suggesting a connection between the incidents.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-21/yarra-mayor-stephen-jolly-to-fight-assault-charge/105918388
The Victorian Government has approved a controversial development of 941 homes on the former Kingswood Golf Course in Dingley Village, despite overwhelming community opposition and environmental concerns.
Kingston City Council says it is outraged by the decision, along with local residents.
The decision was announced late Friday afternoon, and the Council says it prioritises developer interests over community wellbeing and ignores serious flooding risks.
The Council is now demanding binding infrastructure contributions to support the thousands of new residents and mitigate the development's impact on roads, schools, and community services.
https://www.kingston.vic.gov.au/council/news/latest-news/kingswood-approved
The cancellation of the 2026 Jayco Herald Sun Tour has been met with disappointment by the City of Ballarat.
It was to be the first time the cycling event would be based in a single city.
Mayor Tracey Hargreaves cited challenging economic conditions that made securing corporate sponsorship difficult, along with reduced brand awareness following a four-year hiatus since the last tour.
Despite the disappointment, council officials remain confident they can secure another major event for the late January-early February timeframe given Ballarat's strong reputation for hosting cultural and sporting events.
https://www.ballarat.vic.gov.au/news/media-statement-cancellation-jayco-herald-sun-tour
Hobsons Bay City Council is joining forces with other coastal municipalities to lobby the Victorian Government for funding to maintain paid lifeguard services at local beaches this summer.
Life Saving Victoria has requested more than eighty-eight thousand dollars from the council to cover lifeguard costs, a service previously funded through state government grants.
Mayor Daria Kellander says the financial burden shouldn't fall on individual councils, arguing that beaches serve visitors from across the state and water safety is a state responsibility.
Murrindindi Shire Council has admitted to accidentally publishing a confidential tender report on its website over the weekend, exposing commercial pricing and assessment information ahead of a scheduled council meeting.
The document was removed as soon as the error was discovered, with all affected parties notified and an internal review now underway.
The Council insists the integrity of the procurement process remains intact and no personal data was compromised in the breach.
Wyndham Council has reaffirmed its opposition to a developer's plan to build houses on a Truganina site originally designated for a primary school, according to the Star Weekly.
At a planning committee meeting on October 14, councillors voted to maintain their refusal to grant a permit for residential development on the site, arguing the community needs the school despite the state government opening an alternative facility 400 metres away.
Council will inform VCAT it does not have authority to settle the matter at an upcoming compulsory hearing, with councillors warning that approving the permit could set a dangerous precedent for developers.
https://wyndham.starweekly.com.au/news/council-stands-firm-on-school/
The City of Greater Geelong is implementing new safety measures at Eastern Beach following a review that identified the precinct as a drowning blackspot with 50 fatalities in the municipality between 2004 and 2024.
The changes include permanently decommissioning all four diving boards due to ongoing safety risks, strengthening the central pontoon and diving tower structures, and adjusting lifeguard supervision hours throughout the year.
The heritage-listed children's pool will return to year-round access with enhanced safety equipment including defibrillators, additional signage and rescue equipment when unsupervised.
https://www.geelongaustralia.com.au/news/item/8de0fc4f7b00201.aspx
Victorian Briefs:
East Gippsland Shire Council has dramatically improved its planning approval times, cutting the median processing period from 84 days to just 43 days in the September quarter.
The council now approves 81 percent of permits within the legislated 60-day timeframe, up from 52 percent last year, placing it ahead of both state and regional averages.
https://www.eastgippsland.vic.gov.au/media-releases/faster-planning-approvals-for-east-gippsland
Manningham has reached a significant environmental milestone, with one in four homes now fitted with rooftop solar panels, powering more than eleven thousand five hundred households with renewable energy.
The uptake has been strongest in suburbs like Templestowe Lower and Park Orchards, which saw installation rates surge by nearly sixty percent last year.
https://www.manningham.vic.gov.au/news/manningham-hits-25-rooftop-solar-milestone
Yarra City Council has unanimously adopted a new Collection Policy for 2025 to 2029 to guide the management of its art and heritage collection of over 1,030 items.
The policy outlines principles for acquisition, conservation and accessibility of the collection which includes civic, art and public art items reflecting the cultural and historical context of the City of Yarra.
National Roundup:
NSW:
Shoalhaven City Council has confirmed a major staff restructure will proceed from Monday, October 27th, with 52 positions to be disestablished as part of cost-cutting measures.
CEO Andrew Constance described the decision as tough but necessary for the council's long-term financial stability, following earlier changes in December 2024 that reduced directorates from six to four.
Mayor Patricia White said the restructure was essential to get the council's finances back in the black, despite the difficult impact on dedicated staff members.
New South Wales Premier Chris Minns says the state's housing crisis is at the heart of nearly every major policy problem, from industrial relations and skilled labour shortages to cost of living pressures, according to the Daily Telegraph.
In his strongest comments on the issue to date, the Premier has reminded councils that local government is merely an act of state parliament and the government will override opposition to housing developments, citing plans to proceed with 10,000 homes in Woollahra despite unanimous council opposition.
The state completed just 42,411 homes in the 2024-25 financial year, down 33 per cent from 2019-20, as it struggles to meet its target of 377,000 new homes by 2029.
Hills Shire Council is calling on the NSW Government to visit the region and provide urgent infrastructure funding as it faces a target of building 23,300 new homes within five years.
The council says this represents a 35 percent increase in housing stock that is unfeasible without investment in essential infrastructure, with the area already experiencing what Mayor Michelle Byrne describes as an infrastructure deficit.
The Daily Telegraph reported that a petition signed by more than 20,000 residents has triggered a Legislative Assembly debate, with local MPs arguing the Hills has done more than its fair share of housing delivery over 30 years.
City of Sydney Council and Lord Mayor Clover Moore has come under fire after fifty childcare workers missed out on a federal pay increase worth $160 per week because the council failed to apply for the available grant funding.
The workers, who operate ten centres across Sydney and are among the council's lowest-paid staff despite requiring formal qualifications, were left behind while 51 other NSW councils accepted the funding.
Sydney, Ku-ring-gai and Bayside are reportedly the only councils that declined to apply for the wage boost.
A City of Sydney spokesperson told the Daily Telegraph that the council had decided not to apply for the grant because the workers were already earning “well above the proposed increases flagged by the Federal government”.
Parramatta Council has spent 11.7 million dollars in legal fees since 2022, according to information tabled in the council's business papers and reported by the Daily Telegraph.
The highest expenditure was in the 2022-23 financial year at 4.9 million dollars, with costs including employee salaries, contractors and consultants.
A portion of the expenses were used in the council's legal battle against Councillor Kellie Darley, who won a Supreme Court case in August after her censure for criticising the council's 1.1 million dollar deal with the Parramatta Eels was quashed.
Eurobodalla Council has appointed Mark Ferguson as its new general manager following a six-month acting stint in the role.
Mr Ferguson, who previously led councils including Coffs Harbour and Northern Beaches, was selected after a recruitment process involving all nine councillors.
The Mayor praised Mr Ferguson for bringing the council together and delivering a clear path for achieving its goals.
https://www.esc.nsw.gov.au/news-and-events/latest-news/2025/councils-new-general-manager-announced
Walgett Shire Council has reduced operating hours at the town's swimming pool following a physical assault on a lifeguard and verbal abuse of other staff members.
The pool will now open only from 6am to 8am and 11am to 3pm daily, with new rules requiring children under 14 to be accompanied by an adult and lifetime bans introduced for anyone who physically assaults staff.
The Council says the decision was made to protect workers while they review safety measures, including the possibility of hiring on-site security.
https://www.walgett.nsw.gov.au/News-Media/Temporary-Changes-to-Walgett-Pool-Operations
Glen Innes Severn Council has adopted a Councillor Psychosocial Safety and Wellbeing Framework to protect elected representatives from workplace risks including violence, aggression and harassment.
The framework establishes preventative measures and support systems including mental health support, conflict management training, and clear reporting procedures.
Mayor Margot Davis says the initiative promotes respectful communication and strengthens trust in local civic life while fulfilling Council's legal obligations under Work Health and Safety laws.
Clarence Valley Council has moved to strengthen enforcement of overnight parking and camping restrictions at a number of coastal locations.
The council will trial the use of trail cameras at select sites and increase daytime education and enforcement, while staff will continue to balance compliance with sensitivity to people experiencing homelessness.
The decision followed a report showing overnight camping complaints account for just two to three percent of all regulatory service requests each year.
Queanbeyan-Palerang Council is proposing to ban artificial grass on nature strips due to environmental concerns about microplastics and PFAS contamination.
The move follows growing awareness of the environmental impact of synthetic turf products.
If approved, property owners would be required to use natural grass or alternative landscaping materials.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-16/queanbeyan-council-artifical-grass-ban/105894880
Tamworth Regional Council has voted against including a question on the upcoming council election ballot about whether residents want a directly elected mayor.
The decision came despite a community petition with over one thousand signatures calling for the referendum.
Councillors who opposed the motion argued that the current system of councillor-elected mayors is working well and that the change could politicise local government.
The People might be wrong: Tamworth council votes against asking about directly elected mayor
NSW Briefs:
Bland Shire Council has joined the national BINS4Blokes program, installing incontinence product disposal bins in male public toilets at 20 sites across the shire at a cost of approximately seven thousand dollars per year.
Mayor Brian Monaghan says the move ensures public facilities are inclusive and accessible for all members of the community.
https://www.blandshire.nsw.gov.au/Home/Bland-Shire-Council-Joins-BINS-4-Blokes-Program
Cabonne Council has secured two million dollars in funding to address critical housing needs in the region.
The financial boost will support the development of essential housing infrastructure for the local community.
Kiama Council has secured two hundred thousand dollars in NSW Government funding to develop a Night Time Economy Strategy and trial a Special Entertainment Precinct.
The council has also unanimously voted to proceed with three sporting facilities upgrades, including netball courts at Kiama Sports complex and lighting upgrades at Bonaira Oval and Gerry Emery Reserve, with grants totalling over nine hundred thousand dollars.
https://www.kiama.nsw.gov.au/Council/News/October-2025-Extraordinary-Meeting-outcomes
Blue Mountains City Council has taken out top honours at the 2025 NSW Aquatic and Recreation Institute Awards of Excellence, winning the Environmental and Sustainability Award for its leadership in sustainable community recreation.
Blackheath Swim Centre was named joint winner of the A.H. Pierce Memorial Facility of the Year for its balance of tradition and innovation, with the heritage-listed venue described as a living piece of Blue Mountains history.
https://www.bmcc.nsw.gov.au/media-centre/council-aquatic-centres-recognised-for-excellence
QLD:
More than 800 mayors, councillors, and local government officials have gathered on the Gold Coast for the Local Government Association of Queensland's 129th Annual Conference.
The three-day event will address critical issues including fairer funding for councils, Olympic preparations, infrastructure gaps, and the rising costs of local service delivery.
Premier David Crisafulli has announced sweeping local government reforms at the Conference, giving Queensland's mayors and councillors greater freedom to speak publicly about community matters without fear of repercussions.
The changes will wind back the powers of the Office of the Independent Assessor, limiting its jurisdiction to serious misconduct and corruption complaints, while also removing red tape requirements such as notifying the Local Government Minister when councils miss monthly meetings.
LGAQ President Matt Burnett welcomed the reforms, saying they would allow councils to focus on delivering for their communities without unnecessary restrictions.
https://www.lgaq.asn.au/News-and-Media/News-articles/Premier-announces-local-government-reforms
https://www.lgaq.asn.au/News-and-Media/News-articles/Councils-come-together-for-communities
Noosa Councillors are divided over how transparent the council should be about an AI-powered fraud incident that resulted in a loss of nearly $2M.
The scheme was carried out by international crime gangs over the Christmas period last year.
The Cairns Post put a series of questions about the incidents to all councillors, with some demanding greater accountability while others defended the need for confidentiality during the active police investigation.
Councillor Amelia Lorentson has moved successfully for a publicly accessible follow-up report to be presented by December, a move that was opposed by Mayor Frank Wilkie and Deputy Mayor Brian Stockwell.
Gold Coast and Sunshine Coast councils are pushing for new laws to restrict caravan street parking, according to ABC News.
Sunshine Coast has received over 700 complaints annually about congestion and visibility issues.
The councils will present a joint motion at this week's Local Government Association of Queensland conference, calling on the state government to classify recreational vehicles differently under transport legislation.
Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg says the government is open to working with councils on the issue, while local residents remain divided over the proposal.
TAS:
Hobart City Council is proposing a new team of uniformed "Safer Hobart Officers" to patrol the CBD in response to concerns about anti-social behaviour and public safety.
Pulse Tasmania reported the officers would maintain a visible presence, engage with businesses and vulnerable people, and work alongside Tasmania Police, but would not issue fines.
The program mirrors similar initiatives in other Australian cities and would be funded by repurposing existing vacant positions and reallocating current budgets.
Latrobe Council is calling for urgent financial support from the Federal Government to address a childcare crisis following the closure of St Patrick's Long Day Care Centre in December.
The closure will leave up to 55 local families without childcare until at least July 2026, with many parents working in essential services like the Mersey Community Hospital.
The Council has secured a 200-thousand-dollar contribution from the state government and identified a property and operator for a replacement facility, but needs an additional 450-thousand dollars from the Federal Government to proceed.
SA:
Southern Mallee District Council Mayor Ron Valentine has been found to have engaged in misconduct by the South Australian Ombudsman after improperly using his position during a CEO recruitment process in 2023, according to ABC News.
The ombudsman determined Cr Valentine applied for the CEO role after chairing the selection panel and accessing information about other candidates, despite warnings from fellow councillors about the conflict of interest.
Cr Valentine has publicly apologised and accepted all findings, and will undergo training while remaining in his position as mayor with the support of the council.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-17/southern-mallee-mayor-misconduct-apology/105898854
WA:
The Shire of Murray has elected its new council. Nine councillors were sworn in at a special meeting, with Cr David Bolt elected as Shire President and Cr Kelsie Tremlett as Deputy Shire President. The new council will serve the community for the next four years.
https://www.murray.wa.gov.au/news-media/news/2024/10/shire-of-murray-council-elected
The Town of East Fremantle has welcomed its newly elected council members. Mayor Michelle Yard was re-elected along with several returning and new councillors who will represent the community.
https://www.eastfremantle.wa.gov.au/news-media/news/eastfremantle-localgovernment
The City of Stirling has announced the results of its local government elections. Mayor David Boothman was re-elected to lead the council alongside returning and newly elected councillors representing various wards across Stirling.
https://www.stirling.wa.gov.au/news
Two new councillors, Mitch Harvey and Tania Jackson, will join Harvey Shire Council, with Harvey securing the most votes and Jackson winning a countback. They will serve alongside eight re-elected councillors including Shire President Paul Gillett, who was returned unopposed. The new council will be sworn in at a special meeting on October 24th.
Amber Kearns has been elected as Mandurah's new mayor, defeating incumbent Rhys Williams. Kearns secured victory with a significant margin, promising to bring fresh leadership and new perspectives to the coastal city.
https://www.973coastfm.com.au/news/local-news/amber-kearns-announced-as-mandurahs-new-mayor/
Lorna Buchan has been elected as the new mayor of the City of Rockingham. She will be sworn in alongside the newly elected council at an upcoming ceremony.
https://www.973coastfm.com.au/news/local-news/lorna-buchan-becomes-city-of-rockingham-mayor/
Daniel Kingston has been elected as the Mayor of Joondalup. He will be joined by two new councillors, Sophie Dwyer and Tom McLean.
https://www.joondalup.wa.gov.au/news/daniel-kingston-elected-mayor-of-joondalup
There are two new faces and four re-elected councillors at the City of Melville. They were being sworn-in yesterday, and the council was expected also to elect a deputy mayor.
Three candidates have been elected to the Shire of Katanning council, including shire president Kristy D'Aprile, who retained her seat by a landslide with 761 first preference votes, according to the Great Southern Herald.
Former councillor Danny McGrath and newcomer Gemma Lee Trolove will join her on the council, which saw a 42 percent voter turnout. The newly elected councillors will be sworn in at a special meeting on today, where the positions of shire president and deputy will be determined.
At Kalgoorlie, five councillors have been sworn-in - three re-elected councillors and two new to the Council. Terrence Winner was elected as Deputy Mayor, taking over from Cr Kirsty Dellar.
The Council will have its first ordinary meeting next Monday.
Roundup:
NZ:
In a nail-biting finish to the Hawke's Bay Regional Council elections, Tony Kuklinski has secured the final councillor position. After special votes were counted, Kuklinski defeated Tim Aitken by just eight votes. This was the closest councillor race across the entire Hawke's Bay region.
Three councillors have been appointed as deputy mayors in Hawke's Bay following the 2025 local elections. Sally Crown will serve as deputy mayor of Napier, Michael Fowler takes the role in Hastings, and Benita Cairns has been chosen for Wairoa. All three are experienced councillors who will be sworn in at their respective councils' first meetings in late October and early November.
The NZ Herald reported voter turnout for the region’s council between around 46 and 56 per cent, compared to the national turnout figure of 39 per cent.
Sam Broughton, the ousted mayor of Selwyn District, has announced his resignation as president of Local Government New Zealand.
Broughton lost his bid for a fourth term as mayor in a landslide defeat to councillor Lydia Gliddon, receiving just 5,277 votes compared to her 19,129.
His tenure as LGNZ president will officially end at the organisation's national council meeting in early December.
https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/10/20/ousted-mayor-sam-broughton-resigns-as-lgnz-president/
UK:
The Guardian reports that Reform UK has suspended four councillors on Kent County Council following the publication of a leaked video showing bitter internal divisions within the party's flagship local authority.
The footage revealed councillors complaining about being ignored by their leader Linden Kemkaran, who told them to "suck it up" if they disagreed with her decisions.
The suspensions mean Reform now has just 50 councillors with the whip on the council where they won 57 seats in May, with opposition parties warning the chaos is directly impacting local services including delays to school transport decisions.
Conwy County Council has admitted to editing footage of a special meeting after a technical error revealed a secret ballot vote live on stream.
The meeting, held to elect a new leader, was supposed to keep the vote confidential, but an on-screen display showed the voting in real time before being stopped and restarted.
This is not the first time the authority has retrospectively edited meeting recordings, raising questions about transparency and accountability, according to Nation Cymru.
https://nation.cymru/news/council-admits-editing-footage-of-special-meeting/
Katherine Kerswell has resigned as chief executive of Croydon Council after five years leading the authority through severe financial difficulties, according to the Local Government Chronicle.
The government recently appointed commissioners to oversee the council after ministers said finances were "deteriorating rapidly", despite the council's insistence its transformation plan was fully funded.
Mayor Jason Perry praised Kerswell's professionalism and confirmed there would be no payoff beyond her contractual notice period as she steps down to support family overseas.
https://www.lgcplus.com/politics/workforce/croydon-chief-resigns-20-10-2025/
USA:
From the Las Vegas Review Journal, a report that Former North Las Vegas City Manager Qiong Liu has agreed to pay two hundred ninety thousand dollars to settle a lawsuit that alleged a conspiracy to remove her before her termination in twenty eighteen.
The lawsuit named former Mayor John Lee and former City Manager Ryann Juden, with the City Council approving the settlement agreement last week.
Liu's attorney says additional wrongful termination claims against the city remain pending in arbitration.
CANADA:
A Cambridge city councillor has been formally reprimanded and ordered to complete sensitivity training after posting a controversial meme about pronouns on social media in January.
An integrity commissioner investigation found that Councillor Adam Cooper's Facebook post demeaned people who use pronouns other than he/him or she/her, violating the city's Code of Conduct.
Council voted against suspending Cooper's pay but required him to undergo sensitivity training within three months.
Roundup Extra:
Mark Dupe, former CEO of Baw Baw Shire Council in Victoria, talks to Chris about his transition to the role of interim CEO at Berrigan Shire Council, highlighting the unique challenges faced by rural councils in attracting talent.
He compares the governance structures and practices between New South Wales and Victoria, particularly in light of upcoming changes to meeting practices and the introduction of a new code aimed at enhancing transparency and addressing disorder in council meetings.
Mark shares insights on the implications of these changes for local governance and community engagement.
