Mayoral musical chairs, flags, and performance scrutiny - #530

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Councils unite against hatred and anti-semitism
• A second Victorian mayor steps aside, less than a month after being elected
• Sydney’s Lord Mayor hails a huge win for the city
• Scrutiny over a Council’s general manager performance review process
• A controversial oval renaming finally settled
• A CEO hires a private investigator to examine a staff complaint
• and more of the latest news headlines from around the world of local government.

Chapters

• 1:42 Victorian/New South Wales Report
• 7:21 National Roundup
• 9:42 Global Report

Transcript

Local governments up and down the country have condemned in the strongest terms Sunday night’s horrific terror attack on a Jewish gathering in Sydney.

Most councils have issued statements of support and flown flags at half-mast.

In Waverley Council, where the attack took place, Mayor Will Nemesh has shone a light on the acts of selfless couragefrom strangers, putting themselves in harm’s way to help others.

He said those remarkable people who ran towards danger are the shining light amid unspeakable darkness.

In Victoria, the cities of Glen Eira and Port Phillip coordinated a joint statement of Mayors across the state, with the support of the MAV, condemning hatred and anti-semitism.

As of yesterday, 51 of the state’s 79 councils had signed the statement to send a powerful message of compassion, resilience, and support for Jewish communities.

The City of Wollongong yesterday flew the national flag of Israel outside its administration building, after a request earlier this month to do so on one of the eight days of Hannukah, and in light of the events at Bondi.

To other news:

Another Victorian mayor has stepped aside from their role - the second to do so since being elected last month.

Cardinia Shire Council Mayor Cr Brett Owen has been granted a leave of absence due to work requirements, with Deputy Mayor Cr Liz Roberts assuming Mayoral responsibilities during his absence.

The leave was approved at this week’s Council meeting, with the arrangement to be reviewed in February 2026 if needed.

Cr Owen, who is a currently serving police officer, will not receive allowances while on leave.

At Alpine Shire Council, take two of their mayoral election has happened, after the resignation of Cr Gareth Graham from the role 10 days after taking on the position.

This year’s deputy, and last year’s mayor, Cr Sarah Nicholas has regained the mayoralty for another term.

She was one of two councillors nominated, however the second nomination of Jean-Pierre Ronco did not receive a seconder.

Cr Nicholas had been acting as mayor since Cr Graham resigned the position earlier this month.

The Council also confirmed last night that it will deal with an unintentional non-compliance with the rate cap by adjusting next financial year’s rating assessment.

The Herald Sun reports that Mornington Peninsula Council is fast-tracking a review of mapping errors in new landslide risk planning controls after receiving a flood of complaints from property owners.

Many of the property owners say they have flat properties incorrectly flagged as "highly susceptible" to landslides.

The council has agreed to waive permit fees where clear data errors are found, acknowledging that the interim Erosion Management Overlay was rushed through and poorly communicated, causing significant angst among the 33,000 affected property owners.

Greater Geelong Council has reaffirmed its position against the development of an incineration Energy from Waste facility within the municipality, instead choosing to investigate alternative innovative technologies as the Drysdale Landfill approaches closure.

The Council will continue to advocate for stronger legislation to reduce waste at the source while implementing a FOGO green bin service by 2028 to divert more waste from landfills.

Sydney’s Lord Mayor Clover Moore has praised the NSW Government’s decision to transform Wentworth Park greyhound track into public sporting fields and green space when the greyhound lease expires in September 2027.

The Lord Mayor said it is a "huge win" for the city, that will help meet the housing and recreational needs of the growing Ultimo-Pyrmont community.

Maitland City Council has voted to remove the Torres Strait Islander flag from its buildings, choosing instead to align with the NSW Parliament's flag policy which includes only the Australian, NSW, Aboriginal, and City of Maitland flags.

The Maitland Mercury reported that the decision, proposed by councillor Mitchell Griffin, passed 9-4 despite concerns from Labor councillors about the motives behind the change.

Fairfield Council Mayor Frank Carbone is urging the NSW Government to halt the sale of Bonnyrigg House, a 200-year-old State-significant heritage site.

He says the council will fight to keep the site in public hands, and see it restored for future generations.

Clarence Valley Council is facing scrutiny over its general manager performance review process, according to a report from the Northern Rivers Times.

Items on the council’s upcoming meeting agenda include a proposal to engage a new facilitator and develop a fresh performance agreement for GM Laura Black, and a rescission motion to reinstate Cr Cristie Yager as the council’s representative on the General Manager’s Review Panel.

In a unanimous Council decision this week, Michael Slater Oval in Wagga Wagga has been officially renamed Sally Shipard Oval in honour of the former Matilda who represented Australia in two World Cups.

The renaming comes after the original name was removed in May last year due to the former cricketer's legal issues and domestic violence history.

Logan City Council and Griffith University have signed an MoU to explore building a major baseball and softball stadium at the university's Logan campus.

The partners will seek private investment for their aim to position Logan as Queensland's baseball hub.

Hobart City Council has deferred a controversial proposal to ban new car dealerships in the CBD after fierce opposition from business groups who called it "half-baked" and warned of economic harm.

Pulse Tasmania reported the idea will now go to a workshop and proper stakeholder consultation.

The City of Onkaparinga says it is nearing completion of its CEO recruitment process, which has been conducted confidentially with the support of an independent agency to ensure a merit-based selection.

Council is seeking a leader to replace outgoing CEO Phu Nguyen, who is headed to Victoria to take up the top job at Hobsons Bay City Council in the new year.

The District Council of Mount Remarkable has welcomed Don Norton as the new Councillor for the Willochra Ward, following the resignation of the Hon Dan van Holst Pellekaan. Mr Norton, who previously served as a Councillor and Deputy from 2018 to 2022, was sworn in on 10 December 2025.

The Shire of Ravensthorpe has appointed Nicole O'Neill as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective March 25, 2026, bringing nearly 20 years of local government experience to the role.

Nicole, currently Director of Community Experience at the Shire of East Pilbara, will succeed Matthew Bird who is departing in early January 2026.

The CEO of Hastings District Council Nigel Bickle has appointed a private investigator to examine a staff complaint against newly elected councillor Steve Gibson.

1News reported that the complaint stems from alleged conduct by Cr Gibson at the Hastings Art Gallery earlier this month, following controversy over an art installation featuring a New Zealand flag that visitors were invited to walk on.

Gibson opposed the installation and claims he did nothing wrong during his interaction with staff, and that he is the subject of a "witch hunt".

Stuff reports that the executive assistant to to Napier mayor Richard McGrath has resigned her position, citing the mayor’s "disregard for Treaty principles" following a council meeting where he attempted to remove Māori committee members' voting rights.

In her resignation email, Vanessa Smith-Glintenkamp said she could not work for a person or organisation that holds such values.

City of Ottawa says its managers are reviewing hybrid work requests on a case-by-case basis, ahead of a provincial mandate for all employees to return to the office five days a week starting January 1st.

It’s been reported that nearly 11,000 Ontario government employees requested to work from home following news of the mandate.

In California, a San Bernardino Superior Court judge has ordered Montclair City Councilmember Ben Lopez to pay $176,000 in punitive damages on top of $1.35 million in compensatory damages for sexually harassing two city employees through unwanted advances and messages.

The councilman Lopez has denied responsibility, according to the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin. He claims his accounts were fraudulently used, and says he can’t afford to pay the judgment, which equals his entire eight-year council salary.