Alleged assault, housing feud, and mayor reprimanded - #520

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• A Council CEO allegedly assaulted in a dispute over planning applications
• A legal review prompts a tender process overhaul for a regional council
• Victorian mayoral elections heading into the home stretch
• The Sydney Lord Mayor’s housing feud with the Premier escalates
• A contentious vote on flags in the chamber at Federation Council
• A proposal to merge two Tasmanian councils on Hobart’s agenda this week
• A mayor reprimanded over treatment of the council’s general manager
• And bullying claims put the spotlight back on Adelaide City Council

All of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.

Chapters

• 2:04 Victorian Report
• 9:13 NSW Report
• 13:55 QLD News
• 15:13 Tasmania News
• 17:04 South Australia News
• 18:06 Western Australia News
• 20:33 Global Report

Transcript

Victoria

The CEO of Hepburn Shire Council was assaulted outside a Daylesford coffee shop last week, after a heated dispute over planning permit delays, according to the Herald Sun.

Bradley Thomas was reportedly approached by an angry resident at Muffin and More cafe on Wednesday afternoon.

The two argued about planning applications, and as Mr Thomas turned to leave, it is alleged that the resident threw coffee at his back.

Mr Thomas confirmed the incident, and said Victoria Police have been notified.

Greater Shepparton City Council has overhauled its tender processes following a legal review into a controversial engineering contract.

The Shepparton News reported that the multimillion-dollar contract was awarded to Pamecs Pty Ltd, a company formed just two months earlier by a former council employee with limited experience.

While the review found no wrongdoing in the procurement process, councillors will now be informed of tenderers' names at internal briefings to prevent similar concerns.

The contract, believed to be worth over $2.4 million, remains valid with council citing projected service efficiencies and cost savings.

Most Victorian councils yet to elect a mayor for the next 12 months will do so this week.

Cardinia and Wodonga Councils hold their votes tonight, with speculation whether recently returned councillor Ron Mildren could end up back in the mayoralty in Wodonga.

He’s told the Border Mail that he won’t nominate himself for the position, but would consider it if someone else did.

Another nine councils will hold elections on Tuesday, including Wangaratta, where current mayor and former administrator Irene Grant told the Border Mail she would be putting her hand up to continue in the position.

The council is also set to consider its position on cat containment, with an officer recommendation to maintain current policy and not bring in more stringent restrictions.

Yarra Ranges Shire Council has again written to the Victorian government expressing disappointment that the region remains part of the Commercial Kangaroo Harvesting Program.

The inclusion is despite community opposition and concerns about the program's humanity and sustainability.

The council argues that alternative wildlife management strategies should be explored, noting that the Mornington Peninsula was successfully excluded from the program in 2021 following a similar community backlash.

Mayor Richard Higgins said resources would be better spent on reducing wildlife road toll rather than continuing kangaroo harvesting in the only metropolitan area included in the program.

Indigo Shire Council has identified concerns with the state government’s planning reforms that go beyond the broader issues already raised by peak bodies.

Mayor Sophie Price says the five-day window to catch incorrectly categorised applications is unworkable for rural councils with limited planning staff.

She also argues that fast-tracked processes that will switch off protections for contaminated land, flood, fire, and landslip risks where overlays haven't been applied will compromise safety, especially with one in four regional properties projected to be uninsurable by 2030.

The reforms also require IT system overhauls but provide no funding, leaving small councils to bear implementation costs for changes they weren't consulted on.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has also expressed concerns with the bill currently before the Parliament, pointing the finger at the government for inaction on structure plans that are ready to go but waiting approval for more than 12 months.

Deputy Mayor Kate Kendall said timely State action is essential to build trust and deliver the housing her Shire urgently requires.

Moyne Shire Council has supported Belfast Aquatic's decision to voluntarily close the Port Fairy pool and fitness centre after expert reports identified mould and algae throughout the facility.

The closure, made in consultation with health authorities and environmental officers, prioritises community health and safety while further testing and remediation works are undertaken.

The Victorian Parliamentary Inquiry into regional housing supply has confirmed that regional Victoria has the capacity to meet housing needs if critical infrastructure is properly funded, according to Regional Cities Victoria.

The alliance is calling for Commonwealth-State co-investment in enabling infrastructure like water, sewerage, and roads to unlock housing development and create jobs.

RCV is advocating for reinstating a dedicated regional infrastructure program to secure federal funding partnerships and enable regional growth.

Campaspe Shire Council is warning residents after five waste truck fires in 18 months were caused by batteries improperly disposed of in kerbside bins.

Mayor Daniel Mackrell says electronic waste is growing three times faster than standard waste and must be taken to Resource Recovery Centres, not placed in any kerbside bin.

Baw Baw Shire Council has secured a $173,000 Victorian Government grant to launch an annual truffle festival in Noojee starting in 2026.

The three-week event will run during July and August, featuring truffle hunts, cooking demonstrations, farm tours, and artisan markets showcasing the region's locally grown black truffles.

The festival is part of the Forestry Transition Program, helping the community create new economic opportunities in sustainable industries.

Victorian Briefs

The City of Greater Bendigo has awarded a new five-year kerbside recycling contract to JJ's Waste & Recycling, whose trucks feature on-board cameras to monitor collection times, bin placement, and contamination.

The council says collection times may change under the new contractor.

Brimbank Council has endorsed a draft Statement of Commitment for community consultation that outlines their approach to community safety through prevention, focusing on social inclusion, safer public spaces, and preventing gender-based violence.

Cardinia Shire Council has relaunched its Gardens for Wildlife program in partnership with the Cardinia Environment Coalition, offering residents free indigenous plants and gardening resources to create wildlife-friendly gardens that support local biodiversity.

NSW

Sydney's Lord Mayor Clover Moore has reignited her housing feud with Premier Chris Minns, presenting urgent recommendations for rental reform, according to Sky News.

The Lord Mayor insists that housing supply alone won't solve affordability, with 20,000 local households spending over 30% of income on rent.

She's calling for stronger renter protections, limits on rent hikes, and an end to no-fault evictions.

The Premier has previously accused Ms Moore of being "too timid" on development, saying her council isn't pulling its weight.

Federation Council has voted narrowly to remove Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags from its chambers, displaying only the Australian flag during official sessions, according to the Border Mail.

Mayor Cheryl Cook says the move ensures "civic neutrality" after strong community feedback, with the Indigenous flags only to be flown during NAIDOC and Reconciliation weeks.

Councillor David Harrison was one of four councillors to oppose the change, calling it "not a very nice message" and noting the 30,000-year Indigenous history in the area.

The council is now seeking public opinion on the draft protocols.

David Sherley will continue as Bathurst Regional Council's general manager after securing an 18-month contract extension.

The Western Advocate reported that the council voted five to four in favour of reappointing Mr Sherley, who has held the position for 20 years.

Mayor Robert Taylor was among the five voting in favour of the extension.

The extension means he will remain in the role until at least mid-January 2028.

Bogan Shire Council and NSW Police Force have conducted a major enforcement operation in Nyngan targeting illegal tobacco and vape sales at a Pangee Street premises.

Following a vehicle intercept that uncovered prohibited tobacco and nicotine vapes, authorities issued an Emergency Stop Use Order and sealed the premises, with prosecution action under review for serious offences.

The Council says it will continue working with NSW Police and NSW Health to eliminate illegal tobacco and vape trading.

Bathurst Regional Council has approved a new policy requiring developers of major renewable energy projects to provide detailed impact assessments before receiving council support.

The policy covers transport routes, accommodation pressures, water and sewer supply, decommissioning plans, and cumulative effects on the community.

The Council says renewable energy developments outside designated zones are gathering momentum, leaving communities feeling disenfranchised by poor planning.

Edward River Council has agreed to explore a peppercorn lease with Riverina Region Early Education to develop a 110-place childcare centre at Perrin Park in Deniliquin, addressing the urgent shortage affecting over 300 children on waitlists.

The project has secured $1 million from Origin Energy so far, and the council is pursuing additional funding.

It will retain land ownership while RREE constructs and operates the facility.

The NSW Government has allocated an additional $2 million to help 18 regional councils secure reliable town drinking water, providing technical training and hands-on assistance to optimise water treatment plants and extend their lifespan.

The program, part of the $52.8 million Town Water Risk Reduction Program, offers grants of up to $150,000 for upgrades including monitoring equipment, filtration systems, and automated technology to improve water quality management.

NSW Briefs:

Camden Council has been awarded the prestigious AR Bluett Award, local government's highest honour, recognising its commitment to excellence, innovation and community leadership during a period of rapid growth.

Penrith City Council has endorsed its 24-Hour Economy Strategy for 2025-2029, aimed at making the city centres vibrant, safe, and connected beyond traditional business hours.

The strategy includes six priorities to foster a thriving local economy and will be implemented over the next four years.

And Oberon Council’s new sports complex is set to open later this week, described as one of the best small town facilities in the bush by the Central Western Daily.

Mayor Andrew McKibbon said the town will receive a major boost from the facility, which will feature new full-sized rugby league fields and netball courts, with plans for a turf hockey field.

Queensland

ABC News reports on how two Queensland councils have lost over $5 million combined to AI-enhanced scams targeting their financial systems.

Gold Coast City Council was hit first in November 2023, losing $2.78 million when fraudsters successfully changed a legitimate supplier's bank details through phone calls and written requests.

Almost a year later, Noosa Council lost $2.3 million in December 2024 to deepfake technology to impersonate council personalities, with only $400,000 recovered.

Despite the Queensland Audit Office issuing recommendations to all councils in March 2024 after the Gold Coast incident, Noosa Mayor Frank Wilkie says he was never informed of the earlier scam or the security findings.

The Queensland Government is rolling out a two-million-dollar battery collection program to make safe disposal easier for residents.

Fourteen councils will share over one million dollars to set up more than 100 new collection points across the state.

The program targets lithium-ion batteries found in vapes, e-scooters, and household items that pose fire risks in landfills.

Tasmania

A Hobart councillor is proposing merging the Hobart and Glenorchy councils into a new "City of Clark" to cut bureaucracy and improve efficiency, according to a report from The Mercury.

Alderman Marti Zucco argues Tasmania's 29-council system is outdated and wasteful, with too many highly-paid general managers.

The motion to be put forward at Monday’s Hobart Council meeting will have opposition from Councillor Louise Bloomfield who says the two councils have different priorities and characteristics.

Glenorchy Mayor Sue Hickey supports starting conversations about amalgamation to remove barriers to efficiency.

The state government has ruled out forced mergers but accepted recommendations to explore voluntary amalgamations.

Derwent Valley mayor Michelle Dracoulis has been reprimanded for unfair treatment of general manager Ron Sanderson following a code of conduct complaint, according to New Norfolk News.

A panel found she excluded Mr Sanderson from discussions about his future after an independent council review and sought to terminate his contract without proper consultation.

Mr Sanderson says he wasn't given adequate time to respond to the 73-recommendation report and was left out of key meetings.

Mayor Dracoulis has rejected the finding, calling the code of conduct system "fundamentally flawed" and insisting she acted on professional advice.

Huon Valley Council is trialling environmentally friendly weed control methods in Cygnet and Franklin this summer, responding to community concerns about synthetic herbicide use on residential verges.

The trials will test organic herbicides, high-pressure water treatments, and innovative paving materials as alternatives to glyphosate-based methods currently used to maintain public footpaths and roadside areas.

Council will evaluate the cost, effectiveness, and environmental impact of these new approaches to help inform future vegetation management decisions across the region.

South Australia

An Adelaide City Council meeting descended into chaos last week when Councillor Henry Davis was ejected after calling fellow councillor Phillip Martin a "bully" and "rude".

The Adelaide Advertiser reported the outburst is the latest episode in ongoing dysfunction that has cost ratepayers $73,000 in complaint investigations this financial year.

Newly-elected councillors have slammed the constant fighting, with one saying it's why the council has "such a bad name".

Councillor Davis defended his comments, claiming Cr Martin constantly interrupts his speeches with intimidating tactics.

The incident highlights continuing tensions within the council despite hopes that new members elected in August would improve the culture.

Port Lincoln Council is calling for expressions of interest from First Nations artists to design artwork for its upcoming Innovate Reconciliation Action Plan.

The Council is developing its second RAP to strengthen relationships with Elders and First Nations peoples.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists with a connection to Port Lincoln can submit design concepts reflecting reconciliation and the local area.

Western Australia

A new online resource is helping Western Australian councils strengthen relationships with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Kolbang Yanginy, meaning 'going forward, sharing' in Noongar, was developed by Reconciliation WA with government and community partners.

The platform features an interactive map of reconciliation stories, case studies, and practical tools for working respectfully with Aboriginal communities.

It provides guidance on cultural protocols, heritage protection, and partnership building.

The Narrogin Regional Leisure Centre will receive more than half a million dollars in federal funding for a major clean-energy upgrade.

The five hundred and thirty-five thousand dollar grant will fund replacement of the aging gas boiler with a high-efficiency heat pump and a two-hundred-kilowatt solar installation.

The Shire says the upgrade will slash annual energy costs by three hundred and seventy-nine thousand dollars and reduce emissions by five hundred and twenty-three tonnes each year.

The Shire of Merredin has been recognised with a statewide award for its outstanding support of emergency service volunteers.

The shire's employees make up more than one third of the local volunteer fire and rescue service, with 17 incidents attended during working hours in the past year.

Chief Executive Craig Watts accepted the Volunteer Employer Recognition Award at a ceremony in Perth.

The Shire of Augusta Margaret River has launched a new collaborative approach to tackle illegal camping and peak season pressures, working directly with local residents to develop practical solutions.

Council has approved $30,000 for immediate actions this summer, including increased fines of $200, improved signage, enhanced Ranger patrols, and potential gate installations at problem sites like Barrett Street weir.

A community working group will continue to advise on the issue, with a full evaluation planned for early 2026 to refine the three-year roadmap.

Global Report

UK:

Councils in the north of England and Midlands are set to receive increased funding under a government shake-up aimed at helping areas hardest hit by austerity.

The changes will redirect money from affluent areas to deprived councils with weaker tax-raising powers, according to a report from The Guardian.

Ministers say the reforms create a fairer system that recognises the extra needs of "left behind" communities, but rural councils have criticised the move, warning that county taxpayers will foot the bill.

Barrow Town Council has passed a motion calling for survivors' voices to be at the centre of the national grooming gangs inquiry.

The motion follows the jailing of three brothers earlier this year for abusing girls as young as six in the Cumbrian town between 1996 and 2012.

The council has pledged to write to the independent commission offering full support and cooperation, according to BBC News.

Which also reports on division among Hertfordshire's eleven councils over plans to reorganise local government in the county.

Six councils favour creating four unitary authorities, three prefer a three-council model, and two want just two authorities.

Councils have until 28 November to submit a joint proposal to the government, with a decision expected next summer.

CANADA:

A motion to ban foreign national flags at Calgary city hall failed to reach debate at a Council meeting last week.

Councillor Dan McLean's urgent notice of motion didn't get enough votes to be added to the agenda.

The proposal came days after the Palestinian flag was raised at city hall for the first time in Calgary's history. McLean and Mayor Jeromy Farkas plan to bring the motion back through the proper channels in the coming months, according to CTV News.

Under current policy, flags from Bosnia and Herzegovina and Albania are scheduled to fly at city hall later this month.

Meanwhile in Ontario, Orillia City Council has approved a new fee structure for short-term rental accommodationsstarting next year.

The updated system charges operators 680 dollars per bedroom, with a maximum fee of 2,040 dollars per property.

Officials say the per-bedroom approach is more equitable than the current flat fee, as it reflects the scale of operation and earning potential.

The change aims to fairly distribute costs while recognizing that larger properties require more enforcement resources.

USA:

Melbourne City Council has scheduled a formal hearing to consider removing former Councilwoman Yvonne Minus from city-appointed boards following alleged death threats against Vice Mayor David Neuman.

Florida Voice reported that the threats allegedly occurred in September after a vote to rename a street in honour of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

Minus reportedly told Neuman "I'm going to kill you" three times in front of witnesses, though prosecutors declined to file charges due to conflicting statements.

The council responded to public outcry demanding accountability, with residents saying threats cannot be normalised in public service.

The State Attorney's Office says no political considerations influenced their decision not to prosecute.

The House of Representatives has unanimously passed the PILLAR Act, extending federal cybersecurity grants to state and local governments for seven more years.

Governing dot com reported that the program helps cash-strapped localities defend against sophisticated cyber attacks from nation-states and criminal gangs.

The updated legislation now covers operational technology and AI systems, not just traditional IT infrastructure.

However, the bill doesn't specify funding amounts, and recipients will need to cover a higher share of costs than before.

The act requires Senate approval otherwise the current grant program will expire on January 30th.