Rate cap set, 'insensitive' move, appointments and transitions - #532

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Victoria's rate cap set for next year
• Darebin Council defers a controversial flag debate
• A mayor urgently calls for state government support as coastal areas deal with increasing rates of homelessness
• Snowy Valleys Council seeks executives to lead its demerger
• Border Mayors step up advocacy for a new single-site hospital
• CEO appointments in three states
• A UK government plan allowing councils to postpone local elections comes under fire
• and an English Council calls for all primary schools to be smartphone-free

Chapters

• 1:43 Victoria/NSW Report
• 7:30 National Report
• 10:51 UK Report

Transcript

Victoria’s rate cap for next year has been set.

While there’s been no official announcement yet, a cap of 2.75 per cent for the 2026/27 financial year was revealed yesterday in the Government Gazette.

That’s a reduction on this year’s cap of 3.0 per cent.

A special meeting of Darebin City Council yesterday saw a contentious debate on flag policy deferred to next yearafter less than 20 minutes.

The Palestinian flag has been flown at the Preston City Hall since December 2023 in accordance with a Council resolution, and in that time, CEO Anne Howard confirmed there had been a number of incidents directed at staff, with increasing anger in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

A flag policy item was withdrawn from the Council’s meeting agenda last week, after which a special meeting was called for Monday morning to consider a recommendation to replace the Palestinian flag with an international peace flag.

But that recommendation was never debated. An alternative motion from Cr Angela Villela lapsed for want of a seconder, after which a deferral motion was put and passed by 5 votes to 4.

The matter will return to the Council chamber in February.

Merri-bek Councillor Sue Bolton has been criticised for wearing a Palestinian keffiyeh during a special council meeting, that included a solidarity statement for Bondi Beach terror attack victims.

In her defence, Cr Bolton says she has worn the keffiyeh since "the current genocide began" and that she can advocate for Palestinians while also supporting Jewish victims.

Colleague Oscar Yildiz called the decision “deeply disrespectful” and insensitive.

(Source: Herald Sun)

Macedon Ranges Shire Council has reappointed CEO Bernie O'Sullivan for another three-and-a-half years.

Mayor Kate Kendall said the reappointment provides continuity and stability as the organisation advances into the next Council term.

She said Mr O'Sullivan's local connection to the region and his track record in fostering organisational cultural change and strong partnerships were key factors in the decision.

Mornington Peninsula Shire mayor Anthony Marsh has urgently called on the Victorian state government to provide support and direction as the area faces the highest number of rough sleepers in Victoria.

In a letter to Housing and Building Minister Harriet Shing, Cr Marsh says the issue is creating challenges at foreshore camping grounds during peak holiday season.

He told the Mornington News that dealing with homelessness is a responsibility of the state government, which has “turned its back on the peninsula.”

The Daily Telegraph reports on moves by Central Coast Council to clear homeless individuals from Picnic Point prior to Christmas.

Excavators, garbage trucks, and police have been deployed to remove illegal campers and clean up the area.

While some people have been provided temporary accommodation through Homes NSW services, former residents say these solutions are not permanent and they continue to struggle finding stable housing.

The Mayors of Wodonga and Albury [published an opinion piece reaffirming](https://www.linkedin.com/posts/economic-development-wodonga_over-the-weekend-wodonga-mayor-cr-michael-activity-7408669786630500352-p3-Y?) The Alliance of Councils' commitment to advocating for a new single-site hospital on a new location for the region, arguing that regional communities deserve equitable care.

The Mayors have called on the government to restore the 2021 Clinical Services Plan, bring all levels of government to the table, and commit to a purpose-built hospital that supports both residents and frontline healthcare staff.

Mayors and councillors from across NSW have gathered at Bondi Pavilion to show solidarity with the Waverley community following the terrorist attack at Bondi Beach.

Led by Waverley Mayor Will Nemesh and LGNSW President Mayor Darcy Byrne, they laid tributes and delivered messages of love, support, and unity in response to the antisemitic violence that targeted the Jewish community.

Mayor Nemesh thanked the mayors for their demonstration of support, and clear, moral leadership.

Allison Bryant has formally resigned as a Clarence Valley councillor, with Mayor Ray Smith expressing regret at her departure and praising her advocacy for the timber industry and community services.

The General Manager will now notify the NSW Electoral Commission to commence a countback election to fill the vacant position.

Snowy Valleys Council is recruiting a permanent general manager and a transition officer to oversee its demerger into Tumbarumba and Tumut shires, following an 86% referendum vote in favour of the split.

The council must now prepare a transition plan to distribute assets and liabilities. The Border Mail reported that the new general manager is expected to be in place by February and the transition officer by March.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council spent over $47,000 managing code-of-conduct complaints during a one-year period, with five complaints received and two progressing to full investigation, according the News of the Area.

One investigation found a breach of the code of conduct by a councillor resulting in formal censure, while most complaints were resolved within six to nine months and all were finalised within 12 months.

Edward River Council has adopted a policy allowing it to sell surplus town water on the temporary water trade market starting early next year, potentially generating more than $500,000 annually based on current prices.

The Deni Pastoral Times reported that the decision follows investigations into income-generating measures to combat growing cost pressures, with council planning to sell about 1,500 megalitres while keeping reserves to ensure community water supply is not impacted.

Narrabri Shire Council has endorsed a submission to a Review of Local Government Remuneration, recommending that Deputy Mayors receive additional remuneration beyond standard councillor fees.

The submission recognises the time demands on councillors, concerns about limits in diversity of candidates due to low remuneration, and argues that higher pay would attract a broader range of candidates and foster more representative councils.

City of Hobart Deputy Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock has announced she is joining the Tasmanian Greens ahead of the 2026 local government elections.

Dr Sherlock previously ran as a Labor candidate in 2018 and later as an independent.

The Mercury reported that she felt compelled to join a party committed to bringing people together rather than driving them apart in an increasingly divisive political climate.

The City of Launceston Council's backing of a $15 million redevelopment of an old building into mixed-use space with 21 apartments has sparked concerns it could become short-stay accommodation rather than help housing affordability.

With 312 short-stay properties in inner Launceston compared to just eight long-term rental listings, the Tenants Union Tasmania argues these properties are having a significant detrimental effect, though council says further investigation is needed on whether to implement differential rates. (Source: The Mercury)

The City of Onkaparinga’s new chief executive has been revealed.

Sharon Mason, current chief executive of Selwyn District Council in New Zealand has resigned to make the move to South Australia.

She has also held the chief executive position at Buller District Council, and began her career as a British Army officer.

She says her departure is due to the new opportunity rather than any issues with the newly elected council, according to The Post.

Onkaparinga Council announced the appointment yesterday but has not said when Ms Mason will commence.

A spokesman confirmed to the Advertiser that the Council would provide relocation assistance to Ms Mason, up to twenty thousand dollars.

Jaison Midzi, a former mayoral candidate in the City of Marion, has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of dishonestly exercising a vote in the 2022 council election. His counsel argued that he was motivated to "save face" from a low vote count rather than to win.

Prosecutors are seeking jail time despite defence arguments that Midzi has already suffered consequences including losing his nursing job and public humiliation. Sentencing is scheduled for February, as reported by Adelaide Now.

The popular Reef Eye Ferris Wheel will keep turning on the Cairns Esplanade after council approved a 12-month extension with operator Westshell.

The attraction has drawn 475,000 riders since June 2022 and generated over 557,000 dollars in council revenue.

The new agreement runs from February 2026, while council also seeks ministerial exemption to explore a longer-term arrangement.

The Shire of Coolgardie has appointed Sabine Taylor as temporary chief executive for three months starting January 1 after being informed that acting CEO Aaron Cook cannot extend his contract beyond 12 months under the Local Government Act.

The council selected Taylor, who has been with the shire for four months as executive manager, to maintain continuity while they seek legal advice on potentially reappointing Cook in the future.

The Kalgoorlie Miner reported that a permanent chief executive is unlikely to be appointed until late August 2026.

The Shire of Wyalkatchem has appointed Tom Kettle, currently Manager of Governance at the Town of Port Hedland, as their new Chief Executive Officer, commencing in February 2026.

Tom has 14 years of local government experience, a law degree, and board experience.

The UK Electoral Commission has criticised the government's plan to allow councils to postpone local elections scheduled for May 2025 until 2027, warning it risks damaging public confidence and creates a conflict of interest when existing councils decide how long before they face voters.

Ministers say some councils are concerned about capacity and costs of running elections for authorities that will soon be abolished as part of a local government reorganisation, but opposition parties claim Labour is trying to avoid electoral losses. (Source: BBC News)

Employees at Westminster City Council have been warned to exercise caution in their use of Microsoft Teams after a major cyber attack at three London councils last month using social engineering methods.

UC Today reports the incident has demonstrated how attackers are weaponising trusted collaboration platforms to expand access beyond initial breaches.

West Sussex County Council has called on the UK Government to make all primary schools smartphone-free, following concerns about the impact of social media and mobile phones on children's wellbeing and learning.

The council's Cabinet Members will write to Education Secretary Bridget Phillipson MP after a motion was passed, requesting reconsideration of a school phone ban that was previously removed from proposed legislation.