Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
- Wyndham’s mayor finally succumbs to pressure and resigns
- Critical votes loom at two councils on the future of childcare and family day care services
- Liverpool calls for a rethink of a 1.4 billion dollar road upgrade project
- Town centre masterplans spark backlash across three Sydney region councils
- Council CCTV systems helping police find wanted vehicles
- Pushback on Hobart’s short stay rental ban proposal
- And a new CEO appointed at WA’s City of Nedlands
Listen now:
Victoria
Wyndham City‘s mayor, Cr Preet Singh, has resigned, ending months of pressure over a character reference he wrote in 2024 for a man later convicted of child sex offences.
Cr Singh announced his decision in a video posted to social media on Tuesday morning.
He faced a unanimous no-confidence vote from fellow councillors in April, and calls to resign from residents, local MPs and the state government’s appointed municipal monitors.
Cr Singh remains a councillor.
A special meeting has been scheduled for Thursday at 5pm to elect a mayor for the remainder of the term, which concludes in November.
Former Greater Shepparton mayor, and state member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe has announced she will not be re-contesting the seat in November.
In a statement, the Nationals MP said the time has come to slow down, spend more time with family and focus on some much needed self-care.
Bayside City Council has welcomed opposition commitments to scrap Victoria’s proposed fourth kerbside bin for glass recycling.
Bayside Mayor Cr Debbie Taylor-Haynes said it was exactly what Bayside and councils across Victoria had been advocating for.
The Council says it has consistently advocated for practical recycling reforms that reduce waste without adding unnecessary costs, complexity, truck movements or emissions for households.
A controversial childcare proposal in Leopold is heading to a critical vote this Thursday evening.
City of Greater Geelong planning officers have recommended approving the two-storey facility planned for 127 Christies Road, despite receiving around 60 resident objections over traffic, safety, and property values.
If greenlit, the 72-place centre will replace an existing residential home. Councillors will make their decision at Thursday night’s committee meeting.
The City of Ballarat could stop providing family day care from the thirtieth of September, under a recommendation before the council.
Officers say the number of contracted educators has fallen from eight to three in recent months, with the service now running at a net cost of $31K per year.
A community consultation drew thirty-two submissions, most in favour of keeping the council-run scheme, but officers say two private Ballarat-based providers have capacity to take on affected families and educators.
The matter is listed on the agenda for tonight’s council.
Greater Dandenong Council has voted to proceed with the demolition of six local squash courts as part of its $122 million Oasis redevelopment.
The Leader reported that a motion to retain the facilities was defeated by the Deputy Mayor’s casting vote on Monday night, breaking a deadlocked vote.
Seven mayors from Victoria’s Murray-Darling Basin irrigation communities are calling for an urgent meeting with state ministers over buyback compensation.
The Murray River Group of Councils and Greater Shepparton say the Victorian Government should pause current negotiations on the Basin Sustainable Communities Fund and work with local councils to co-design tailored plans for each municipality.
They say the region covers more than a fifth of the state, produces over ten billion dollars in food annually, and has already lost nearly two thousand jobs from water buybacks.
The councils say they’ve requested a meeting with Ministers Shing and Settle, and are hoping for a response by the end of the week.
Mornington Peninsula Shire has welcomed two point one million dollars in Victorian Government funding to establish a dedicated assertive outreach team to tackle local homelessness.
The four-year initiative will fund two outreach workers to assist rough sleepers across the region.
Mayor Stephen Batty described the support as progress while continuing advocacy for sustained investment in social housing ahead of the November state election.
New South Wales
Liverpool City Council is urging the New South Wales government to rethink a one-point-four billion dollar upgrade of Fifteenth Avenue in Sydney’s south-west, calling the current design flawed and short-sighted.
ABC News reported that the state plans to widen the congested road to two lanes each way as part of a longer-term corridor linking Liverpool to Western Sydney International Airport and Bradfield — with construction expected to begin later this year.
But the council says the plan would demolish around 90 homes and fails to include dedicated bus or bike lanes, arguing its alternative would slow traffic, narrow lanes, and create space for bus lanes from the outset.
Transport for NSW says property acquisitions may still be needed in future stages and insists the project supports growth in an area where homes are forecast to triple by 2036.
The Sydney Morning Herald reported on how Sydney councils are pushing ahead with major “town centre” masterplans that would add thousands of new homes — and they’re sparking fierce local backlash.
Plans for Bondi Junction in Waverley Council; Brookvale in Northern Beaches; and Gladesville town centre in Hunters Hill would deliver more than 6,400 apartments, plus upgraded public spaces and retail precincts.
But residents say proposed building heights are too high, warning of more traffic congestion and growing pressure on infrastructure.
North Sydney Council has brought together neighbouring local government areas, NSW Police, and Transport for NSW to establish a coordinated strategy targeting hoon driving and excessive vehicle noise.
Convened by Mayor Zoë Baker following a roundtable with the City of Sydney and Bayside Council, the cross-border initiative focuses on targeted enforcement, shared traffic management, and piloting noise-detection technology alongside the Environment Protection Authority.
Participating authorities aim to align policy and operational responses to address anti-social driving across council boundaries.
Kiama Municipal Council has closed the Black Beach foreshore toilet facility near Kiama Harbour following extensive damage caused by vandals early Monday morning.
Fire and Rescue NSW extinguished a fire set inside the block, which caused severe damage to the toilets, walls, and ceiling.
Kiama Mayor Cameron McDonald expressed disgust over the incident and announced plans to discuss solutions for rising late-night antisocial behaviour with state MP Katelin McInerney.
Gunnedah Shire Council is calling on health authorities for direct engagement over the Gunnedah Hospital helipad.
The council wants the hospital site reinstated as the primary aeromedical landing zone to ensure direct access to emergency care.
To prevent cost-shifting to local ratepayers, council has placed a proposed landing fee for heavy emergency aircraft on public exhibition while requiring formal safety audits for continued off-site landings.
Lake Macquarie City Council has officially opened the new $2.8 million Belmont Wharf, replacing a 50-year-old jetty with a modernised 71-metre structure.
Jointly funded with $1.4 million from the New South Wales Government’s Boating Infrastructure for Communities Program, the upgrade features driven steel piles, fibre-reinforced panel decking, and a new marine waste pump-out facility.
Council highlighted the project as a critical piece of maritime infrastructure designed to service more than 20,000 locally registered vessels.
Queensland
Balonne Shire Council has appointed David Burges as its interim Chief Executive Officer following the resignation of Michelle Clarke.
Mr Burges brings over 28 years of regional local government experience to the role, having previously served as CEO for Quilpie Shire Council and Southern Downs Regional Council.
He will officially step into the position on August 4th to allow a short handover period before Ms Clarke’s departure on August 7th.
The City of Moreton Bay has partnered with property developers to fund and expand its CCTV and licence plate recognition network in new housing estates.
The Courier Mail reported that under a co-funding arrangement, developers supply site infrastructure while council handles camera installation and network management, aiming to support community safety alongside rapid regional growth.
The system is sending more than 200 alerts each week to police when a wanted vehicle is spotted.
Police have confirmed that several councils are part of the arrangement. It wouldn’t confirm to the Courier Mail which councils, but apparently Brisbane is not one of them.
Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council has accused the Queensland Government of ignoring funding concerns over Indigenous employment and local infrastructure, according to the Cairns Post.
Mayor Daryl Sexton claims shifts in state Closing the Gap priorities risk critical projects like a town retail centre.
Minister Fiona Simpson maintains the government remains engaged and committed to regional support.
Scenic Rim Councillor Jennifer Sanders has defended the council’s budget adoption, with an average 10.3 per cent increase to rates, fees, and charges for minimum rates properties.
Speaking to the Beaudesert Times, Councillor Sanders cautioned that failing to pass an initial budget could trigger state government intervention.
Mayor Tom Sharp has rejected suggestions that reviewing the draft before the August deadline posed any such risk.
Also from the Beaudesert Times this week, a group of Logan ratepayers have called for a public inquiry into the Council over past flood mapping decisions.
They allege proper governance processes were bypassed during project board meetings, though Council has strongly rejected the claims.
Tasmania
West Coast Council in Tasmania is preparing for an organisational renewal following an independent review into recent operational and governance challenges.
According to a report from The Advocate, Mayor Shane Pitt says the focus will shift to stabilising operations and rebuilding workplace trust.
Councillors will formally consider the report’s four-year implementation plan at their August meeting, while the Australian Services Union has urged for the findings to be made public.
Hobart City Council’s proposal to ban new whole-home short-stay rentals faces pushback, with Airbnb and the Housing Industry Association lodging formal objections, according to Pulse Tasmania.
They argue the restriction fails to address underlying housing supply issues, but the Council maintains the measure is necessary to tackle a local rental vacancy rate below one per cent.
South Australia
Former Adelaide City Councillor Henry Davis was facing a three-month suspension and public reprimand prior to his resignation last week, according to a leaked report seen by InDaily.
The state’s independent Behavioural Standards Panel found Mr Davis breached standards on three counts of serious misbehaviour following an investigation into his filming and posting of council colleagues to social media without consent.
Mr Davis, who announced his resignation on Friday to run for Lord Mayor against Jane Lomax-Smith, has rejected the findings. He called the process absurd, and has defended his actions as fulfilling his duties as an elected member.
The confidential 38-page report recommended his suspension after concluding his actions failed to meet workplace health and safety duties under the Local Government Act.
The District Council of Robe has voted to increase daily boat ramp fees from $18.50 to $30, alongside a 10 per cent rise across most other council fees and charges.
Mayor Lisa Ruffell has defended the budget adjustments, according to the Advertiser, citing the need to reduce the council’s financial deficit and cover ongoing maintenance at the local marina.
Light Regional Council has announced the election of Martin Kennedy as the new Councillor for Mudla Wirra Ward.
A former police Senior Sergeant with 40 years of public service, Mr Kennedy brings extensive community governance experience to the role as Council progresses its regional priorities.
Western Australia
The City of Nedlands has named Paul Martin as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Martin joins Nedlands after seven years at the helm of the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, bringing over two decades of local government leadership to the role.
Mayor Leonie Browner welcomed the appointment, highlighting Martin’s strong background in governance and financial management as key to advancing the city’s long-term improvement plan.
Martin officially takes over the top job on August 24th, succeeding Interim CEO Arthur Kyron.
Mindarie Regional Council has rejected claims that proposed “piggyback” liner and leachate works at Perth’s Tamala Park landfill could extend the site’s life or expand its footprint.
The City of Wanneroo says it will oppose any approval that might delay closure, and has withdrawn support for the council’s waste-to-energy procurement process. Joondalup has backed an earlier shutdown as well.
But PerthNow reported that the regional council insists the works are environmental protection measures needed to support a responsible closure by 2029, while keeping recycling and disposal services operating.
An energy security win for the City of Greater Geraldton – it has completed a six-million-dollar microgrid project at Geraldton Airport, securing off-grid renewable power for the regional precinct.
Supported by two million dollars in federal disaster resilience funding, the solar and battery system ensures uninterrupted operation for essential aviation and emergency services.
Mayor Jerry Clune said the completion of the project is a significant achievement for the City demonstrating its commitment to delivering sustainable and resilient services.
International
USA:
The new city manager of Sausalito, California, has been arrested after authorities say she tried to steal a boat from a marina dock, according to ABC7 News.
The Marin County Sheriff’s Office says Elaine Forbes was taken into custody Saturday morning on suspicion of felony burglary after witnesses reported unusual activity on multiple boats, including attempts to start one by manipulating levers and switches.
Deputies also say alcohol on the vessels appeared to have been consumed or poured out.
In a statement, Forbes’ family says she is experiencing a mental health crisis and is urging compassion as the investigation continues. City officials say the council recently approved a leave of absence and will not comment further while the case is active.
UK:
A UK county councillor has defected from Reform UK to the Conservatives following a dispute over municipal property damage.
Former transport cabinet member Karl Perks resigned after urging prosecutions over the vandalising of council roundabouts, according to BBC News.
The move alters seat distribution on Worcestershire County Council, currently led by a joint coalition.
The UK’s new Prime Minister Andy Burnham has unveiled a 340-million-pound funding package to tackle rough sleeping, emphasises direct partnership between national and local government.
BBC News reported the program aims to secure 1,200 homes and deliver intensive support for 3,000 people through municipal housing acquisition and local council delivery networks.
North Northamptonshire Council has rejected a request to fly the Ukrainian flag to mark the nation’s independence day on 24 August, reports BBC News.
The Reform UK-led administration refused to make an exception to its policy introduced last year, which restricts civic flagpoles exclusively to British national flags.
In Scotland, Labour MP Gordon McKee has called for Glasgow to introduce a directly elected mayor to address decades of fragmented regional governance and transport issues.
Writing for The Herald, McKee has outlined a push to mirror Manchester’s metro model.
But local authority leaders have expressed caution over the proposal, with Glasgow City Council leadership warning that creating a metro mayor would introduce an unnecessary extra tier of government between local councils and Holyrood.
NZ:
Lower Hutt Mayor Ken Laban has backed a major proposal to merge up to nine local authorities across the Wellington region into a single unitary council.
RNZ reported that the plan, prepared by a consultancy firm, suggests combining Wellington City, Porirua, Kāpiti, Hutt Valley, and Wairarapa councils alongside the Greater Wellington Regional Council.
To safeguard grass-roots decision-making, the model incorporates five elected community councils to manage local assets such as libraries and swimming pools.
Whanganui District Council is set to miss the August deadline for the New Zealand Government’s local government reform proposal.
According to the NZ Herald, Mayor Andrew Tripe has confirmed the council will not be ready in time for the Head Start amalgamation pathway.
He has proposed that the region’s mayors write a joint letter to government ministers, confirming a commitment to reform but seeking an opportunity to proposed a hybrid response to the government’s proposal.
Christchurch City Council has installed nearly 500 solar panels on the Christchurch Art Gallery as part of its ongoing electrification programme.
The system will meet 20 per cent of the facility’s annual power needs, saving $32,000 per year while enhancing Council’s emergency energy resilience.