Award winners, and a "grossly unfair"situation - #522

Today on the Local Government News Roundup:

• Winners announced in the inaugural Mary Rogers Awards for women in local government
• Hepburn Shire calls for urgent action after an attack on its CEO
• The latest mayoral election results
• A new LGNSW President elected
• Sydney Council's controversial $20 million planter box contract
• Townsville’s former mayor found to have lied about his military service
• A councillor resigns in the wake of a strip club scandal
• UK mayors getting powers to introduce tourist taxes
• And warnings the NZ government's local government restructure threatens Treaty obligations

Plus more news from across the world of local government.

Chapters

• 1:58 Victorian Report
• 8:44 NSW Report
• 13:38 Queensland Report
• 16:01 TAS/SA/WA Report
• 18:33 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Report

Councillor Kylie Spears from Maroondah City Council has won the inaugural Mary Rogers Award for women in local government.

The Victorian Local Governance Association presented the award at Parliament House yesterday, recognising Cr Spears' visionary leadership and work championing gender equality.

Brimbank's Councillor Katharine Nikolic took out the Emerging Woman Leader Award, while Monash City Councilwas named Gender Equality Council Champion.

The awards, named after Victoria's first elected woman councillor in 1920, aim to inspire more women to stand for local government.

The VLGA is targeting 50% women councillors and mayors by the 2028 election.

Hepburn Shire Council has condemned a physical attack on its Chief Executive Officer Bradley Thomas, who had coffee thrown at him outside a Daylesford cafe last week.

The Council passed an urgent motion this week reaffirming zero tolerance for abuse and demanding staff safety protections.

The Mayor, Cr Tony Clark, will seek urgent meetings with state ministers to improve legislation safeguarding councillors and officers.

Victoria Police are investigating the incident.

Mayoral elections update:

Towong Shire Council has elected Cr Peter Tolsher as its new mayor.

Cr Tolsher was deputy mayor for the last 12 months, and is in his first term on the council.

Cr Denise Anderson returns to the deputy mayor position, which she last held in 2023/24.

At the Borough of Queenscliffe, there is a new mayor - Cr Donnie Grigau was elected unopposed to the position, taking over from Di Rule, who will be the deputy for the next 12 months.

And Nillumbik Shire Council has elected an all-female leadership team for the next year, choosing Cr Naomi Joiner as Mayor, and Cr Kate McKay as deputy.

Latrobe City Council has elected Cr Sharon Gibson as Mayor for the forthcoming 12 months. Cr Gibson steps up from deputy mayor, and outgoing mayor Cr Dale Harriman takes on the deputy mayor role.

Strathbogie Shire Council is urging the Australian Energy Regulator to reverse its rejection of two critical power infrastructure projects.

The Council says the proposed express feeder from Benalla to Euroa and upgrades from Seymour to Nagambie were excluded from AusNet's 2026-31 plan despite chronic outages affecting residents and businesses.

The AER cited insufficient demand and cost-benefit ratios, but Mayor Scott Jeffery says this contradicts community experience.

He said the council is advocating strongly to ensure the projects are reconsidered in the final determination, which is due in the new year.

Six Wimmera and southern Mallee councils have united to form a new regional alliance.

The Wimmera Southern Mallee Alliance brings together Buloke, Hindmarsh, Horsham, Northern Grampians, West Wimmera, and Yarriambiack councils.

These small-rate-base councils manage large asset bases and remote communities, increasingly hosting major state and federal projects.

The Alliance aims to deliver a united voice on critical issues including housing, transport, workforce development, and community wellbeing.

Ahead of a state election year, they're calling on government to recognise their distinct challenges and ensure lasting positive outcomes for the region.

Frankston City Mayor Kris Bolam has returned from a successful multi-country goodwill tour spanning Japan, China, Fiji, and the United States.

The delegation included 32 official meetings focused on economic development, cultural exchange, and education partnerships.

The tour cost Council just over $8,000, with the Mayor personally funding more than $8,700 of his own expenses.

The Municipal Association of Victoria has named acclaimed Australian author and historian Don Watson as the speaker for the 2025 Mayors Institute Oration on December 4th.

Watson, former speechwriter to Prime Minister Paul Keating, will address Victoria's Mayors on political culture and civic leadership.

Greater Shepparton City Council has renewed its commitment to the Goulburn Region Visitor Economy Partnership.

The council contributed $121,000 this financial year, helping secure $350,000 in Victorian Government funding.

Surf Coast Shire Council has confirmed the Anglesea Landfill will close around 2030 as it reaches capacity.

The facility has served the community since 1974 but is now filling its final cell with no options to extend within the current site.

The Anglesea Transfer Station and Resale Shed will continue operating after closure.

Victorian Briefs

Tammy Smith has been unanimously reappointed as Yarriambiack Shire Council CEO for another five years.

Mayor Andrew McLean says Smith has been a highly effective leader over the past four years, having delivered major projects including affordable housing, recreation facility upgrades, and new kindergarten buildings.

Baw Baw Shire Council has extended the appointment of acting CEO Mick Cummins through the Christmas period, until 2nd January.

Mr Cummins is supporting the organisation while Chief Executive Officer Tilla Buden undergoes treatment and recovery following a recent breast cancer diagnosis.

Surf Coast Shire Council has adopted a new Single-Use Items and Packaging Policy to reduce waste and protect the environment by phasing out single-use items across Council facilities and events over three years.

The policy now discourages all single-use items including compostable ones, and applies to formal use of Council facilities by user groups, hirers, and event organisers.

Support for the Roundup comes from Symphony3.

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Like Ballina Shire Council who recently streamlined and automated their register of payments delivering a beautiful online experience to citizens and getting a positive Return on Investment within 5 weeks.

SmartGlue eliminates 30- 40 minutes of manual labour per payment at Ballina. With over 8,000 payment transactions per annum this new service eliminates over 5,000 hours of manual labour per annum.

Visit www.symphony3.com to learn how SmartGlue can work for you.

NSW Report

The City of Sydney is facing criticism after awarding a nearly $20 million five-year contract for planter boxes in the CBD.

9News reported that the beautification project, managed by Melbourne firm Citywide Service Solutions, covers supply, maintenance, and seasonal displays in high-traffic areas.

Greens councillor Matthew Thompson argues the funds could better support childcare, community services, and free summer pools.

But the council has defended the investment as part of a $96 million annual beautification budget and commitment to 40% urban greenery by 2050.

Further reporting from the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that North Sydney's iconic Olympic Pool is being filled with water for the first time since it was drained in early 2021.

The harbourside facility is expected to open to the public mid-year after construction handover in February, with the cost having ballooned from an estimated 58 million to 122 million dollars.

The redevelopment has sparked debate about local councils managing large-scale projects.

Rate rises of up to 54 percent over three years are being proposed partly to cover the spiralling costs.

Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne has been elected as the new President of Local Government New South Wales, securing 66% of primary votes.

He takes over from Forbes Shire Mayor Phyllis Miller, vowing to ensure councils have a seat at the table with decision-makers.

Mayor Byrne has pledged to address inequities facing regional communities, particularly around infrastructure funding.

The presidency alternates every two years between metropolitan and regional representatives.

Narrandera Shire Council Mayor Neville Kschenka is demanding fairer power prices for the bush, and has received support for his stand at this week’s LGNSW conference.

Mayor Kschenka argues it's "grossly unfair" that regional communities bear the cost of renewable infrastructure while subsidising cheaper power for metropolitan areas.

Despite hosting wind and solar farms that generate electricity for the city, rural households pay significantly more in daily supply charges.

A typical Narrandera residence pays $1.54 per day compared to $1.19 in Sydney's Hunters Hill, which has no renewable projects.

The motion calls for Essential Energy to align rural supply charges with city and coastal rates.

An Auburn-based business has been fined $35,000 for illegally dumping more than 54 tonnes of asbestos-contaminated waste on Bankstown streets.

The waste blocked traffic lanes and car parks across three nights in August 2024.

Investigators for Canterbury Bankstown Council used CCTV footage and covert surveillance to track down the offenders, despite attempts to conceal vehicle plates.

The Council spent nearly $28,000 in ratepayer funds cleaning up the mess.

Mayor Bilal El-Hayek has warned potential dumpers that they will be caught and face criminal charges.

Northern Beaches Council has confirmed it is preparing a planning proposal that will update requirements for developers to contribute to affordable housing.

Most new residential developments in nine town centres will need to contribute 3%, while higher density housing elsewhere will have a lower 2% rate with a delayed start.

As previously reported, Frenchs Forest's rate will drop from 10% to 3% to align with other centres.

Public consultation on the proposal is expected to occur in 2026.

NSW Briefs:

Blue Mountains City Council has unanimously approved fast-tracked actions to protect the increasingly popular Lincolns Rock area in Wentworth Falls, including increased ranger patrols, parking restrictions, and bus access limitations.

Lake Macquarie City Council has been recognised as one of only two local government organisations in Australia on the Diversity Council of Australia's 2025-2026 list of inclusive employers.

The recognition is based on exceeding national benchmarks for workplace diversity and inclusion.

Port Stephens Council has published its Housing Strategy Annual Report 2024/2025, showing that it has exceeded its development approval target with over 660 applications approved in the past year.

Queensland Report

Queensland's Crime and Corruption Commission has found former Townsville mayor Troy Thompson lied about serving with the SAS regiment and spending five years in the military.

The CCC released its reported yesterday, revealing that records show he was only in the army reserves for two and a half years, completed basic training and a cook's course, and last served in February 1992.

He also falsely claimed to have university degrees, survived cancer, and suffered from epilepsy.

Thompson resigned the mayoralty in September, and came fifth in the subsequent by-election with less than five percent of the vote.

He won't face any criminal charges, despite the damning findings.

Source: The Australian

Queensland councils are slamming the Federal Government after the Bureau of Meteorology announced it will switch off its free Enviromon flood and weather system.

Councils warn the replacement will cost ratepayers between $10,000 and $600,000 annually depending on location.

The LGAQ says councils face an impossible choice: pay for real-time disaster information or rely on 15-minute delayed updates.

Local mayors argue that in disaster situations, every second counts and could mean the difference between life and death.

Construction has commenced on a major roads upgrade in one of Queensland’s fastest growing areas.

City of Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the sod turning for first stage of the Ripley Road and Fischer Road Upgrade is an important milestone in the project providing the Ripley Valley with the road infrastructure required to support its growing population.

She said the booming area is absorbing much of the growth of South East Queensland, as a State Government-identified Priority Development Area.

The City of Moreton Bay has been recognised with a planning excellence award for its Australian-first Changing Places Network Plan.

Changing Places facilities provide specialised equipment to ensure safe and dignified access to public toilets for people with higher support needs.

Moreton Bay’s plan is the first dedicated Changing Places Network Plan at the local government level in Australia, and Mayor Peter Flannery says the award is worthy recognition for the work Council is doing to improve accessibility.

Tasmania

A single word in Glenorchy City Council's updated gambling harm reduction policy has triggered what the mayor called an "embarrassing" debate.

The Mercury reported that the dispute centred on the term "partnering" with community organisations, which some councillors feared could impose financial burdens on ratepayers.

Glenorchy remains Tasmania's poker machine capital, with nearly $5 million in losses recorded in the first quarter of this year.

The council ultimately voted to adopt the revised statement, which aims to reflect the evolving gambling landscape including online betting.

ABC News reports on a Launceston councillor’s warning that the $30 million Princess Theatre redevelopment is tracking well over budget.

Councillor Tim Walker is calling for greater transparency, citing the Albert Hall project which came in $20 million over its original estimate.

The council’s CEO Sam Johnson refused to confirm final costs but acknowledged estimates are being refined through detailed design work.

The project is backed by a $12.7 million federal grant and is currently in advanced design stages.

South Australia

Burnside Council has axed its popular Carols in the Park event, just days before it was due to take place, according to Adelaide Now.

The decision came after forecasts predicted wild winds, heavy rain and thunderstorms that could bring down trees on the expected crowd of up to 4,000 people.

Event organiser Darren Baines said the council couldn't risk public safety with large trees at Hazelwood Park and severe weather on the way.

Rescheduling wasn't possible due to the scale of the event and the dozens of contractors involved.

Western Australia

City of Joondalup councillor Nige Jones has resigned, citing personal reasons, after being found to have breached conduct standards.

Jones claimed a beer he bought at Adelaide's Crazy Horse Revue strip club on a city-funded trip, calling it a "genuine mistake" due to tiredness and unfamiliarity with the CBD.

He was censured and ordered to complete ethics training, according to ABC News.

WA Premier Roger Cook called the expense claim "completely unacceptable," questioning how anyone would think using ratepayer funds for "strippers and booze" was appropriate.

The resignation takes effect in February next year.

Global Report

UK:

Reform UK claims to have saved £331 million at ten English councils it controls, but the party has refused to provide evidence backing the figure.

The Guardian reported that analysis shows many of the supposed savings are questionable, with credit claimed for initiatives already started by predecessors.

Examples include cancelled electric vehicle projects and IT contracts that were already in the pipeline.

Local government experts say councils have already made most easy savings, and Reform faces the same austerity legacy as previous administrations.

London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan and many other mayors in England will soon be able to introduce a tourist tax on overnight visitors under new government plans.

Mayor Khan says the levy will raise money to improve the tourist experience and tackle over-tourism.

BBC News reported that new levy will apply to hotels, holiday lets, and guesthouses, with rates to be set by the mayor.

UK Hospitality warns the tax will damage the sector and push up holiday prices for Britons.

Special education needs costs will be moving from local to central government, under new arrangements confirmed by the Treasury.

The change will take effect in 2027-28, creating a £6 billion pressure on government budgets.

The Local Government Chronicle reported that currently councils face deficits reaching £14 billion by 2027-28 under a statutory override that ends that year.

The Office for Budget Responsibility has warned that many councils will be unable to balance their budgets.

Owners of properties worth over £2 million in England will face an annual surcharge from 2028.

BBC News reports the surcharge has already been dubbed a mansion tax.

The charge ranges from £2,500 for homes valued between £2 million and £2.5 million, up to £7,500 for properties over £5 million.

The Office for Budget Responsibility expects it to raise £400 million a year by 2029-30.

Most affected properties are in London.

USA:

Salem City Council has voted to move forward with declaring a state of emergency following a surge in immigration enforcement activity, according to USA Today.

The decision came after hours of public testimony, with residents describing widespread fear and disruption caused by recent ICE arrests in the region.

Salem joins neighbouring cities Hillsboro and Woodburn in taking emergency action.

The council also voted to reaffirm Salem's status as an inclusive city and will host community forums on immigrant rights.

In New Orleans, WDSU News reports ****Mayor-elect Helena Moreno has announced sweeping job cuts and furloughs to address a massive budget shortfall.

The city faces a projected deficit of over 222 million dollars for 2026, which Moreno attributes to mismanagement by the previous administration.

Nearly 100 positions will be eliminated, and more than 700 employees will face unpaid furlough days twice a month.

The mayor-elect is also slashing travel budgets and consolidating departments to restore fiscal stability.

CANADA:

NZ:

Wellington Mayor Andrew Little says the coalition government's plan to restructure local government represents a "pretty serious attack" on Treaty of Waitangi obligations, according to Radio New Zealand.

The proposal would see city and district mayors take over regional council duties, eliminating regional Māori constituencies in the process.

Mayor Little argues this undermines Māori representation on environmental regulation, while the government claims it has considered impacts on Māori rights and designed the proposal not to affect Treaty settlements.

Meanwhile, Gisborne Mayor Rehette Stoltz says any discussion about restructuring local government must include reviewing the Resource Management Act.

Stoltz notes that while Gisborne has successfully operated as a unitary authority since 1989, what works for one region won't necessarily work for others.

She emphasises this is a once-in-a-lifetime review after 36 years, and the devil will be in the detail.

Invercargill City Council's Play Strategy has won the Outstanding Research, Policy and Planning award at awards ceremony in Christchurch, recognising the city's innovative approach to incorporating play into urban design and community wellbeing.

The strategy, adopted earlier this year, is New Zealand's first play-specific strategy and provides a practical framework that other councils can adapt to their own contexts.