Suspended, cleared, nominated and investigated - #551

Local Government News Roundup

Local Government News Roundup
Suspended, cleared, nominated and investigated - #551
Feb 15, 2026 Season 6 Episode 551
Chris Eddy

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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

  • A one month suspension for a Southern Grampians councillor
  • Predictions Mornington Peninsula Shire’s mayor will enter the race for a seat in State Parliament
  • Victorian councils push back on state planning moves
  • A Tamworth councillor cleared of vandalism charges
  • Contenders emerging for Newcastle’s vacant Lord Mayor position
  • A Queensland mayor calls for an investigation into cost overruns
  • and Auckland’s mayor pours cold water on a merger proposal

plus more news from across the world of local government in Australia and beyond.

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The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

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Episode Artwork Suspended, cleared, nominated and investigated - #551 23:12 Episode Artwork Misconduct, oversight, disruption and scrutiny - #550 25:06 Episode Artwork “Field of Dreams”, mooted merger, and mayor conduct breaches - #549 25:00 Episode Artwork “Dismissive and out of touch”, IBAC complaint, and suspended CEO - #548 25:57 Episode Artwork Sell-off pushback, rail frustration, and a blast from Batman - #547 27:07 Episode Artwork Data centre warning, CEOs depart, and councillors reprimanded - ft. Greg McDonald #546 43:04 Episode Artwork Re-election bids, cash flow problems, and procedural errors - #545 22:29 Episode Artwork "Game of chicken", concerning trend, and 4 day week first - ft. Jonathon Marsden #544 46:33 Episode Artwork Australia Day controversies, merger ambush, and councillor suspensions - #543 25:48 Episode Artwork Media ban, governance breakdown, and elections postponed - #542 26:03 Episode Artwork New leadership era, medical emergency, and a sudden resignation - #541 21:18 Episode Artwork Misinformation refuted, bridge decision deferred, defamation win - #540 16:34 Episode Artwork Special Edition: Jim's View, ft. Jim Magee - #539 29:01 Episode Artwork Special Edition: Municipal Monitors, ft. Tony Raunic - #538 41:52 Episode Artwork State of disaster, Elvis controversy, and an outrageous wall - #537 21:41 Episode Artwork Emergency funding, council overruled, and wind farm dismay - #536 18:46 Episode Artwork Cool councils, sinkhole shock, and representative resignations - #535 17:17 Episode Artwork An ego-bruising loss, and a bizarre public health warning - #534 16:17 Episode Artwork Monitors appointed, a perplexing extension, and a prayer hall shutdown - #533 9:29 Episode Artwork Rate cap set, 'insensitive' move, appointments and transitions - #532 13:07 Episode Artwork Emergency meeting, name change deferred, and "bombshell admission" - #531 14:48 Episode Artwork Mayoral musical chairs, flags, and performance scrutiny - #530 11:57 Episode Artwork Bondi attack, misconduct, CEO appointments, and travel bills - #529 12:40 Episode Artwork Unplanned leave, historic leadership team, and escalating dysfunction - #528 28:37 Episode Artwork Beach security, bulldozing defence, and a distressing mistake - #527 27:42