Viral resignation, funding feud, and a mayoral blast - #580

Coming up today: 

• A councillor’s dramatic mid-meeting resignation goes viral
• A monitor appointed after a troubling psychosocial investigation report
• Bass Coast picks a new mayoral team
• A funding feud erupts between a Council and a local MP
• Sydney considering a ban on short-stay rentals
• Mudgee stadium lands a naming rights deal
• A mayor blasts water buyback profiteering
• Inside Launceston’s failed four day work week plan
• Plus a new CEO appointment and much more

On Australia's #1 podcast for local government news and information.

Transcript

Today’s Top Three

A Victorian councillor has sensationally resigned mid-meeting, after a vote to adopt a budget with a rate increase.

Mike Noske delivered a letter of resignation to CEO Helen Havercroft about an hour into this week’s Glenelg Shire Council meeting, to a smattering of applause from the public gallery.

The Warrnambool Standard, which has seen Cr Noske’s resignation letter, said he had raised concerns about a 2022 decision about primary producer rate rebates.

He accused the Council of putting short term interests ahead of the wider community.

Cr Noske has been on the Council for seven and a half years, and previously served as mayor for two years.

The Council acknowledged the resignation on its Facebook feed late yesterday, thanking Mr Noske for his contribution. It said it was working with the VEC on next steps.

In NSW: Tenterfield Shire Council is beginning a leadership transition following the resignation of General Manager Hein Basson.

At a recent meeting, Mayor Bronwyn Petrie praised Basson’s two-year tenure, citing his success in securing disaster recovery grants and finalising key tourism and cultural partnerships.

To ensure stability, the Director of Infrastructure Services, Matthew Francisco, has been appointed Acting General Manager effective immediately.

Mr. Basson’s official departure is set for June 5th, while the Council prepares to launch the recruitment process for a permanent replacement.

And in WA, a Local Government Monitor has been appointed to the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, following Council’s request for external support.

Local Government Inspector Tony Brown has appointed Dominique Mecoy OAM as Monitor, starting Monday the fourth of May.

Her role will include supporting the Shire on psychosocial health and safety, improving relationships between Council Members and staff, and helping develop an action plan for any required improvements.

The appointment runs until the third of July, with a final report due to the Inspector by that date.

The Council’s request for support followed receipt of a troubling psychosocial investigation report.

Victorian Report

Now to the rest of today’s Victorian news.

Bass Coast Shire Council has this week elected Cr Brett Tessari as its new mayor, after Cr Rochelle Halstead stepped down.

Cr Halstead has been preselected as the Liberal candidate for the seat of Bass in the upcoming state election. She remains a councillor for the time being, until the campaign begins in earnest in the coming months.

Cr Tessari has previously served three terms as mayor, the last time in 2020/21.

As Cr Tessari was serving as deputy mayor, a new election for that office was also required.

There were two nominations for the position - Crs Ron Bauer and Jon Temby - and Cr Bauer was elected by a vote of six to three.

A local funding feud is heating up in Lang Lang.

Bass MP Jordan Crugnale has slammed Cardinia Shire Council in the press, accusing them of sitting on bypass land and failing to use quarry levies to start construction.

But Cardinia Mayor Brett Owen says the MP is 'misleading' the public. He says the fifty-seven-million-dollar project is too expensive for Council alone, with quarry owners contributing less than two percent of the cost.

Council is now calling for State and Federal cash to get the trucks out of the town centre.

Murrindindi and Strathbogie Shire Councils are demanding the Victorian Government extend a free bushfire waste disposal program, currently set to expire on May 12th.

With only twelve days remaining, mayors from the two councils say the deadline is "unfair," noting that slow state-led clean-ups and strict eligibility rules have left many residents stranded.

Council figures show that while hundreds have registered for state aid, fewer than ten properties have seen any actual activity. Local landfills have already processed a year's worth of waste in just four months.

The Councils warn that without a six-month extension, the region faces a spike in illegal dumping and a mental health crisis for those still struggling to clear debris before winter sets in.

Latrobe City Mayor Sharon Gibson is calling on state and federal leaders to revisit a decades-old idea to solve the nation's fuel crisis: turning brown coal into oil.

With fuel prices soaring and local power stations nearing closure, Cr Gibson says the region’s vast coal reserves and existing carbon-capture infrastructure make it a natural fit for the project.

While the technology was previously scrapped as "uneconomic," Cr Gibson argues that Australia’s current fuel security risks require "innovative approaches" to achieve energy independence and protect the local economy.

Stonnington Council has knocked back a push to cut rates.

The Herald Sun reported that the Mayor, Melina Sehr, voted down a proposal tied to scrapping a subsidy worth about ten-thousand dollars a day for Prahran Market.

Supporters argued the money could be redirected to ease pressure on household budgets ... while opponents said the market support underpins a key local institution.

The debate comes as Council looks to set its next budget.

Wodonga Council says it is being overruled and slowed down by state government departments, after a bid for a 40-kilometre school zone near Kerribana Primary School was rejected.

The Border Mail reported that Councillors have voted to reapply with 30-kilometre limits to meet transport requirements, while also backing road safety upgrades at Baranduda and Jennings boulevards.

The council is also seeking more information after the state flagged rezoning the Wodonga Golf Club site for housing.

Central Goldfields Shire Council is weighing up closing waste transfer stations at Dunolly, Bealiba, and Talbot ... as it tries to cut debt ahead of the 2026-27 budget.

Locals say it could mean a 94-kilometre round trip to dump rubbish ... and warn it may lead to illegal dumping in the bush.

The Herald Sun reported that petitions against the move have attracted nearly 900 signatures. The draft budget is open for community feedback.

Greater Shepparton City Council says regional communities are missing out as new half-price fares and extra services focus on Melbourne.

According to the Mayor, Councillor Shane Sali, the problem isn’t price ... it’s availability — with limited services and no buses in some areas on Sundays.

Council says the network hasn’t had a full review in about 20 years, despite growth in Shepparton, Toolamba and Tatura.

But the City of Casey is celebrating a win following the announcement of expanded bus routes across Botanic Ridge and Clyde, and extended operating hours between Berwick and Pakenham.

Mayor Stefan Koomen says the upgrades are a direct result of council advocacy and will provide vital connections for the state's fastest-growing municipality.

Regional Cities Victoria says the State’s new $100 million bus funding adds just one new route across Victoria’s ten regional cities ... in Geelong.

The group says many local networks haven’t been reviewed in more than 15 years ... leaving people without reliable access to jobs, study and services.

With growth continuing, it’s calling for a broader plan ... including a $3 billion investment package ahead of November’s state election.

Rural Councils Victoria has welcomed the Victorian Government’s $1.04 billion package to rebuild and resurface roads ... with 70 per cent earmarked for regional areas.

Chair Rob Amos says it’s a good first step ... but warns the task is far bigger, and is urging all parties to lift roads maintenance funding by an extra $500 million a year for four years - an extra $2B over the life of the next Parliament.

The package also includes a $36.9 million freeway clean-up blitz.

The Rural City of Wangaratta has paid tribute to two former councillors, John Kevin Howard and Kieran Klemm, recognising their service at the latest Council meeting.

Mayor Irene Grant offered condolences to their families and loved ones.

Mr Howard served with the former City of Wangaratta and was Mayor in the 1970s, while Cr Klemm represented the Rural City from 2000 to 2005.

Victorian Briefs

Stonnington Council has adopted a new Significant Community Benefit Policy for the Chapel Street precinct ... setting clearer rules for when taller developments might be approved in exchange for community benefits.

Developers can contribute cash to a new local fund ... or offer in-kind benefits like land, affordable housing, or public spaces.

Port Phillip Council has welcomed a thirty-thousand-dollar grant from the Victorian Government to restore the Jewish War Memorial in Ripponlea.

The funding will be used to repair structural deterioration and conserve the heritage fabric of the obelisk located in Burnett Gray Gardens. The memorial is a vital site of remembrance for Victorian Jewish servicemen who died during the First and Second World Wars.

Glen Eira City Council will move its Ordinary Council Meetings to a monthly schedule from August.

Meetings will be held on the first Tuesday of each month at 7:30pm, with no meeting in January.

Ballarat City Council says a spike in diesel prices linked to the Iran war is adding about $150,000 a month to its fuel bill ... with the total hit tipped to reach around $500,000 by 30 June.

CEO Evan King says Council may need to push some capital works back ... like road reconstruction ... but says essential services won’t be cut. Waste collection, in particular, will not change.

ABC News has spoken to others in the sector about the impact, including CEO Jim Nolan at Pyrenees Shire Council. Check out their latest report on the crisis from the link in the transcript.

And tune in to this week’s VLGA Connect when one our guests is Evan King, the Ballarat CEO, discussing this very topic, including the implications of that recent FWC ruling on contracts. Look out for that new episode later today on YouTube and podcast.

NSW Report

ABC News reports that the City of Sydney will investigate banning short-term rentals like Airbnb and Stayz ... targeting suburbs where holiday lets outnumber long-term homes, or where vacancy drops below three per cent.

Greens councillors say the current 180-day cap is too hard to police ... and Deputy Mayor Jess Miller says councils need better state data to act.

But the Stayz platform argues bans won’t fix housing supply and could hurt tourism.

Mid-Western Regional Council has announced that Glen Willow’s main stadium will now be known as Club Mudgee Stadium ... after signing its first naming rights deal.

Council says the partnership will help promote Mudgee as a sporting hub, with the venue hosting major events and drawing visitors to the region.

Mayor Des Kennedy says Glen Willow has generated more than $80 million in economic value since opening in 2012.

Balranald Shire Mayor Cr Louie Zaffina has condemned Murray-Darling water buyback “profiteering.”

He claims Basin towns like Balranald are paying the price as big entitlement holders pocket millions through Federal water buybacks.

Cr Zaffina says water is being treated like a financial asset ... instead of supporting jobs, food production and local businesses.

The Council wants the Basin Plan review to balance healthy rivers with healthy communities ... and stop rewarding speculative holdings.

Murray River Council says it’s backing a national push to restore Federal Financial Assistance Grants for councils ... warning years of cost rises and funding cuts are putting pressure on local services.

Mayor Cr John Harvie says councils are calling for grants to return to at least one per cent of Commonwealth tax revenue ... instead of forcing big rate hikes.

He says, for Murray River Council, replacing the shortfall could mean finding about $11 million a year ... and rates rising by 60 to 70 per cent over three years.

Tamworth Regional Council says proposed raw water price rises could leave locals effectively paying to run WaterNSW’s Chaffey Dam ... with costs flagged to climb by up to 36 per cent by 2029.

Council will vote on sending feedback to IPART ... calling for statewide “postage-stamp” pricing and warning higher prices could push other licence holders out of the Peel Valley, shifting costs onto ratepayers. More from the Northern Daily Leader.

Northern Beaches Council inspected 97 building sites in March as part of the ‘Get the Site Right’ campaign ... targeting erosion, sediment and waste controls to stop pollution reaching local waterways.

Council found 46 sites were compliant, but 51 had issues like uncovered stockpiles, missing sediment fencing and waste not contained.

It issued three verbal warnings and 40 written warnings, with stronger action for repeat offenders. The next blitz is planned for August.

Tweed Shire Council is rolling out new surveillance cameras at public place bins ... to deter illegal dumping of things like mattresses and broken furniture.

Council says it’s dealing with more than 200 incidents a year ... costing the community over $200,000, and putting staff at risk when they’re cleaning up unknown hazards.

Cootamundra-Gundagai Regional Council has appointed a new three-person panel to help resolve any disputes during the demerger transition ... if issues are formally referred.

Scott Phillips is the Chair ... joined by Tony Donoghue and mediator Michelle McFadyen. Council says the panel is expected to meet rarely ... but is in place to support a fair, orderly process.

Twenty NSW regional councils will share $3.8 million to fast-track planning work for more housing ... helping unlock capacity for more than 68,000 new homes.

The Regional Housing Strategic Planning Fund will pay for local housing strategies, infrastructure servicing plans and other frameworks ... so growth is better matched to services and demand.

Councils are co-contributing $1.1 million.

NSW Briefs:

City of Parramatta Council has taken out Website of the Year at the Granicus Digital Government Awards ... after rebuilding its site to be faster, more accessible and easier to use on mobile.

Council says the project took eight months and moved more than 1,000 pages, with key information rewritten in plain English.

Yass Valley Council is moving into the new Crago Mill Precinct... with its new administration building opening from Monday 4 May.

To help the move, Council is running reduced services on Friday 1 May … and the library will shut for a week from Monday, reopening at the community opening day on Saturday 9 May.

Muswellbrook Shire Council will get $145,000 to trial new ways to handle hard-to-recycle waste ... under the NSW EPA’s Local Government Waste Solutions Fund.

98.1 Power Fm reported the project will explore local reuse options for organic material and HDPE plastics ... helping cut reliance on landfill and support a more circular economy.

Queensland Report

Southern Downs Regional Council says it’s disappointed the State will build the Toowoomba-to-Warwick raw water pipeline in two stages ... delaying the final 64 kilometres until it’s “needed”.

The pipeline is meant to strengthen drought supply, but the Queensland Government says staging it will avoid unnecessary upkeep costs for ratepayers.

Mayor Melissa Hamilton said the Council will push for key sections to be included in stage one, according to a report from Warwick Today.

Noosaville is set to get one of Queensland’s first community batteries ... with a 360 kilowatt-hour unit being installed at MacGregor Park.

Noosa Council will store excess rooftop solar during the day, then feed that clean power back to the neighbourhood at night ... easing peak demand.

The battery connects to the grid, so locals won’t need to opt in. Council expects it to be operating by early May.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council will temporarily close part of the William Kemp RV Park in Gatton.

The Lockyer and Somerset Independent reported that the move will create a buffer zone near Gatton Kindy after concerns about inappropriate behaviour by some campers.

Council says people in the affected area will need to move elsewhere in the park, with a temporary fence marking the exclusion zone for up to six months.

In the meantime, it is asking the Queensland Government for more help to connect people to secure housing.

Cairns Regional Council is rolling out “Pay by Plate” paid parking ... with new signage appearing across Cairns North and the CBD.

From 5 May, 191 parking meters will be upgraded, building on a 2024 trial. Drivers will enter their rego at the meter and pay by coin or card ... or use the EasyPark app.

Council says it should make parking simpler and more reliable, including around the Esplanade.

City of Moreton Bay has appointed Andy Davison as its new Chief Economic Development Officer ... after a national recruitment process drew more than 150 applications.

Council says Davison brings more than 25 years’ international experience, including as a diplomat and economic leader ... and will help guide long-term planning to attract investment and jobs.

Ipswich is aiming to make a big noise in July ... with a Guinness World Record attempt for the world’s largest trombone ensemble.

Council is calling for 400 players of all ages and abilities ... to beat the current record of 368 set in Washington DC.

It’s part of the SPARK Ipswich Arts Festival… registrations are open now online.

Tasmania

ABC News has gone inside the ill-fated attempt to introduce a four-day work week at the City of Launceston earlier this year.

The ABC’s investigation revealed that there was no stand-alone business case, and it claims files show a messaging strategy that was tightly controlled by CEO Sam Johnson.

It also gained access to emails to Councillors urging them to stay out of the public debate.

The proposal was dropped in the face of polarised debate and “unacceptable vitriol”, with some of the blame put at the feet of Mayor Matthew Garwood for conducting an informal emoji poll on social media.

Derwent Valley Council has been told to tighten up confidentiality ... after alleged leaks and concerns about handling commercial agreements.

The Department has praised the Council for completing its required improvement plan ... but is warning further breaches could bring serious consequences, including possible suspension or dismissal of councillors.

More details from The Mercury.

From The Advocate, a report that Waratah-Wynyard Council has voted down a move to approach governments about trialling a universal basic income in the municipality.

It describes a debate on the issue at Council this week as “fiery”.

Councillor Andrea Courtney argued the area’s high poverty rates and changing job mix make it a strong candidate ... but the motion failed 5–2, with only Cr Courtney and one other supporting it.

Meander Valley Council Mayor Wayne Johnston has announced he won’t recontest the local government elections in October ... ending an eight-year term as Mayor.

Johnston says it’s been a privilege to serve since being elected in 2018.

South Australia

Copper Coast Council says the planned new swimming jetty at Wallaroo is facing a big cost blowout ... putting its $2.12 million federal grant in doubt.

Residents have been left “gutted” ... with fears the project may never be built unless extra funding is found or the scope is changed.

More details in a report from Adelaide Now.

South Australia’s Local Government Association has launched a statewide campaign calling for urgent investment to save South Australia’s historic jetties following decades of neglect and recent storm damage.

The LGA is urging the State Government to double annual funding for council-leased jetties to 10 million dollars and adopt a fairer cost-sharing model for repairs. Adelaide Now reported that currently, many regional councils are struggling to maintain the state-owned assets under long-term lease agreements.

The push comes as several jetties, including those at Robe and Kingston, remain closed or destroyed following a series of wild storms in 2025.

Western Australia

The Shire of Narrogin has found its new leader. Shire President Leigh Ballard announced this week that Andrew Campbell will take over as Chief Executive Officer starting July 1st.

Campbell brings over 30 years of experience to the role, including previous CEO stints in Northampton and Manjimup. President Ballard says the Council is "delighted" to secure someone of Campbell’s calibre to drive the town’s strategic goals.

For his part, Campbell says he’s eager to move to town with his partner and start working with the community to build on Narrogin’s "strong foundation."

His appointment follows the resignation of Dale Stewart in February, ahead of taking up the CEO role at the Town of Port Hedland.

The Town of Victoria Park Council has voted down a push to look at bringing back weekly red-bin collections ... just months after rolling out FOGO.

PerthNow reported that new councillor Scott Ingram wanted costings and a feasibility report, but most councillors argued it would undermine the new system while it’s still being reviewed, and could add cost and landfill.

The town’s waste contract is also up for renewal later this year.

Dog owners in the City of Bayswater could face a $200 on-the-spot fine if they ignore a written direction to build a suitable enclosure ... under a new enforcement change approved unanimously by Council.

It targets residents who don’t comply within the timeframe set by an authorised officer.

Council says it replaces a court-only option with a more practical tool for rangers ... and brings the rule into line with other dog containment offences. The amendment now goes to public advertising for feedback, according to PerthNow.

Bunbury is set to see more than $134 million in WA Government investment ... including the return of the Australind train service on 29 June 2026 ... reconnecting Bunbury and Perth.

The City says the funding also backs the next stage of the Transforming Bunbury’s Waterfront project at Casuarina Boat Harbour ... with new accessible recreation spaces, more boat pens and upgraded seawalls.

Global Report

UK:

Birmingham City Council’s leader says a year-long bin strike could soon end ... with an improved offer now being put to refuse workers.

The dispute has left thousands of tonnes of rubbish uncollected ... and prompted the Council to declare a major incident.

Unite says the move vindicates workers’ campaign for a fair deal ... and details will go to a member vote once a formal offer is lodged, according to a report from The Guardian.

Central Bedfordshire Council says no tenant or landlord has been left out of pocket ... after a former senior housing officer, Kanyin Jolaosho admitted to nearly forty-thousand pounds in housing fraud.

Investigators say rent, deposits and a fake landlord incentive payment were diverted.

Jolaosho has been given a sixteen-month sentence, suspended for eighteen months, plus costs ... and the Council is now working to recover the funds, according to BBC News.

Homeowners on Doncaster Grove in Long Eaton say they were shocked to learn parts of their backyards may be public land behind their properties.

The council says residents can buy the land, rent it, or face fencing to reclaim the area. Locals argue it wasn’t flagged when they bought their homes, and some have spent big on improvements.

The council says it must manage public assets properly. More details are on realestate.com.au.

ISRAEL:

Israeli police have arrested the head of a northern local council and five others ... over alleged bribery and fraud linked to municipal IT contracts.

Investigators from the major crimes unit say contractors offered benefits in exchange for council tenders ... and police suspect public money was also siphoned off.

The Times of Israel reported that five more people were questioned, with searches across several councils.

USA:

Maine Governor Janet Mills has vetoed a first-in-the-nation bill that would have placed a moratorium on new data centres.

The legislation, which was passed with bipartisan support, sought to halt large-scale construction until 2027 to study the impact on Maine’s power grid and environment.

While Governor Mills says she supports the idea of a temporary pause, she vetoed the bill because it failed to exempt a major project in the town of Jay.

Mills says that specific project will bring hundreds of jobs to a community struggling with mill closures.

NBC News reported that the Governor plans to issue an executive order to study the industry's impact instead.

Changes are coming to the Washington City Council in North Carolina.

ABC News 12 is reporting that Mayor Pro Tem Richard Brooks has officially stepped down, citing deep-seated concerns regarding the current direction of the city government.

Brooks pointed to a lack of transparency and a "toxic" environment within the administration as his primary reasons for leaving the post he’s held for over a decade.

The resignation comes amidst ongoing local debate over the recent appointment of a city manager, which raised legal and procedural questions.

Former City Manager Jonathan Russell resigned late last year amid reported "tensions" with incoming council members.

For now, the council has not announced a timeline for filling the vacant seat.

CANADA:

Pickering Council’s integrity commissioner is investigating Councillor Lisa Robinson again ... after she posted a video questioning the search for unmarked graves at the former Kamloops residential school site.

Mayor Kevin Ashe says the comments were deeply hurtful and have no place in public discourse ... and another councillor has filed a formal complaint.

CBC News reported that Robinson says she welcomes the review and stands by calling for evidence. She has previously been sanctioned eight times for code of conduct violations.

Police in Ontario say they won’t lay criminal charges against North Bay Mayor Peter Chirico ... after an investigation into his use of the city’s corporate credit card.

The mayor had faced criticism over more than sixteen-thousand dollars in personal spending ... which has been repaid.

An integrity commissioner previously found some claims breached the code of conduct, and Council suspended the mayor’s pay for 60 days, according to CTV News.

NZ:

Hutt City Council has apologised after a “malicious” phishing attack ... led to unauthorised access to several email accounts.

Council says five people had identity information compromised ... and 732 may have had financial details exposed through email correspondence.

Everyone affected has been contacted directly, and Council says it’s strengthening safeguards and security systems ... urging people to stay vigilant. More details are on Stuff.

Meanwhile, its neighbour Upper Hutt City Council has farewelled its chief executive Geoff Swainson this week ... after he decided not to renew his three-year contract.

1News reported that his final day was Thursday, and recruitment is already under way for a replacement.

Auckland’s Devonport-Takapuna Local Board has rejected a proposal to install a “comfort women” statue ... honouring women forced into sexual slavery by Japanese troops in World War Two.

Reuters reported that the board voted against the application after Japan’s ambassador warned it could harm diplomatic ties.

Western Bay of Plenty District Council has appointed a new chief executive from within ... promoting corporate services GM Matt Potton.

The Mayor says he brings strong leadership and a deep understanding of Council’s financial and operational challenges. Mr Potton takes up the role on 11 May.