Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
- New allegations in the Hepburn Council court saga
- Wyndham’s mayor digs in further
- A Knox councillor benched again
- A red fleet cost win for NSW councils
- Muswellbrook Council wants the Hunter transition paused
- Flights suspended in Orange, and the local mayor is not happy
- Gold Coast council’s wage battle heats up
- A Tasmanian mayor calls out gutter politics
- and new arrests in a UK Council corruption probe
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Symphony 3, and Rath Engineering Development.
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Victorian Report
The private prosecution against senior figures at Hepburn Shire Council has intensified, with new allegations raised in the Ballarat Magistrates’ Court last week.
The Bendigo Advertiser and The Courier have reported that private prosecutor David Penman has lodged fresh charges against Chief Executive Bradley Thomas, accusing him of intercepting and blocking emails intended for elected councillors. The defence has strongly disputed the claims, labelling them as unfounded.
The matter has been adjourned for a full hearing on August 5. Councillor Don Henderson remains stood down from his position while the matter proceeds through the courts.
Meanwhile at Wyndham, where the stalemate centered on Mayor Preet Singh continues.
WyndhamTV reported on the weekend that Cr Singh is preparing a potential Code of Conduct complaint.
The outlet obtained documents that it says show the Mayor has requested access to more than 50 items of internal council correspondence, relating to the days after revelations the Mayor provided a character reference for a convicted sex offender.
The Mayor continues to deny any wrongdoing, as protests and calls for him to step aside continue.
Knox City Councillor Peter Lockwood has been handed a one-month suspension for misconduct following an internal arbitration process.
The sanction, which came into effect last Wednesday, follows allegations that Councillor Lockwood used abusive and intimidating language toward two colleagues during a mayoral election debate last November.
It marks his second suspension this year, following a separate ruling in March over social media conduct. The Knox Leader reported the details.
Stonnington City Council officers have recommended against a councillor-led alternative budget, labelling the proposal as “not credible.”
The “Better Plan” budget—put forward by councillors Tom Humphries and Jamie Bell—has gained significant community backing, making up over 300 of the 440 public submissions received by council.
The Herald Sun reported that council officers have dismissed the plan due to questionable cost estimates and a lack of formal risk assessments.
Stonnington councillors are expected to formally debate and vote on the official 2026/27 budget at its meeting on Monday.
The City of Greater Bendigo is preparing for a major capital works push, drafting a ninety-seven million dollar infrastructure program for the next financial year.
Capital projects include the Bendigo Art Gallery redevelopment and critical road upgrades, partly funded by seven point three million dollars in new borrowings. The Bendigo Advertiser has more detail in today’s edition.
Also making news today:
Chaman Tiwari has been declared the new councillor for the City of Whittlesea’s Thomastown Ward.
The by-election follows the resignation of Nic Brooks in January. Ms Tiwari is currently overseas, and will return to be officially sworn in on the third of July.
Mansfield Shire Council has reappointed its Chief Executive Officer, Kirsten Alexander, signing her on for a further four-year term.
Mayor Cr Steve Rabie said the decision reflected the council’s confidence in her leadership, while Ms Alexander said her focus would remain on strengthening ties between council and community as the shire grows. And she’ll join me for a conversation on an upcoming episode of VLGA Connect.
Frankston City Council has confirmed the Brotherhood of St Laurence will take over Home and Community Care Program for Younger People services from the first of July 2026.
Council says clients will be contacted directly to ensure a smooth transition, with support available for anyone wanting to consider other providers.
NSW Report
New South Wales councils have secured a major fiscal victory, with the state government agreeing to take full ownership and financial responsibility for the Rural Fire Service ‘Red Fleet’ from July 2027.
Local Government NSW welcomed the decision as a great relief for councils, ending a thirty-year policy requiring them to absorb depreciation and maintenance costs for assets they do not control.
The structural shift is expected to significantly improve local government balance sheets across the state.
Tamworth Regional Council mayor Russell Webb told the Northern Daily Leader that the council was “over the moon” that the “sensible” decision had been made.
On Friday, the Independent Commission Against Corruption grilled sacked City of Parramatta Chief Executive Gail Connolly over a controversial organisational restructure.
The inquiry heard Ms Connolly allegedly failed to inform elected councillors about more than five million dollars in staff redundancies, recording them as resignations instead.
Chief Commissioner John Hatzistergos questioned whether councillors were entitled to know where resources were being directed. Ms Connolly disagreed, citing concerns over reputational damage to the outgoing staff.
The Daily Telegraph has the details.
Randwick and Waverley Councils closed all eastern suburbs beaches for at least 24 hours following a serious shark incident at Coogee Beach on Saturday morning.
A woman is in a critical condition in hospital after being bitten within the flagged area by what is believed to be a three-to-four-metre shark.
Randwick Mayor Dylan Parker praised council lifeguards and emergency services for their swift, extraordinary response to the emergency.
Muswellbrook Shire Council is calling for an immediate halt to Hunter region workforce transition planning, saying it’s been shut out of key decisions by the Federal Government.
The council says proper governance must be agreed with impacted councils before work continues on the Regional Workforce Transition Plan and Transition Fund.
The Hunter Workforce Transition Advisory Group was set up to support communities ahead of major coal closures — including BHP’s Mt Arthur mine in 2030, expected to directly cut about 2,400 local jobs.
Muswellbrook’s mayor, Jeff Drayton, says councils should be leading the transition on behalf of their communities, not treated as stakeholders.
Rex Airlines has temporarily suspended flights between Orange and Sydney, raising concerns for regional travellers and local business.
The Mayor of Orange, Tony Mileto, told 7News that the decision was, in his opinion, unacceptable. Rex Airlines has refuted his contention that the cuts were due to aircraft availability, and more about challenging winter conditions at the council-run airport.
Regional Cities NSW says reliable, affordable air services are essential infrastructure, supporting access to healthcare, education, tourism and investment.
The group says it will continue to advocate for sustainable regional aviation links to keep communities connected and competitive.
Bathurst Regional Council has announced the cancellation of six major community events, including the popular Bathurst Winter Festival, as part of an urgent financial recovery plan.
Council management says systemic funding challenges and ongoing cost-shifting have led to the cuts, expected to leave an 18-million-dollar gap in the local visitor economy, according to the Dubbo News.
Consultants have been engaged to undertake a comprehensive organisational sustainability review, while the festival will continue this year under an independent, non-council delivery model.
Federation Council has secured a $7.8 million grant from the Federal and State Governments to upgrade its aging water infrastructure in Howlong.
Combined with a $2 million council contribution, the $9.8 million project will replace the existing water reservoir to nearly double its capacity to 7 megalitres.
The upgrade is designed to resolve long-standing water pressure issues and unlock critical land for housing. Construction is scheduled to begin in early 2027.
Queensland Report
Enterprise bargaining negotiations have stalled at the City of Gold Coast, with more than one thousand indoor council workers facing a potential fourteen per cent pay cut.
The Gold Coast Bulletin reported the dispute centres on a council proposal to remove the ten-day fortnight to standardise working hours.
Management argues union claims would cost ratepayers two hundred million dollars annually, while the Services Union warns the cuts will severely impact staff retention.
Queensland councils and farm groups are urging the Federal Government to reinstate a restocking allowance for flood-affected producers, warning its cancellation will slow recovery in regional communities.
The Local Government Association of Queensland says councils are facing a “triple whammy” of reduced support, including proposed changes to disaster recovery funding that would shift more costs to the state and councils.
Industry leaders say the cuts leave communities more vulnerable ahead of future floods and cyclones.
Queensland’s Audit Office has flagged a fresh weakness in Redland City Council procurement, according to the Redland Bayside News.
It says the audio office has warned that poor monitoring of declared conflicts of interest could undermine confidence and damage reputation.
Auditors found no evidence the council tracked compliance with a probity plan during a major 2023 tender involving an external specialist who declared a conflict.
Council says it will tighten procedures, introduce a formal register, and roll out a new probity plan by 30 September 2026.
Tasmania
The CEO of Waratah Wynyard Council in Tasmania is moving on. The Advocate reported that Vanessa Adams will retire for personal reasons in August
Ms Adams has served as the Council’s CEO since February 2025. Her arrival from Circular Head Council coincided with a title change, with the council dumping the General Manager title that was previously used for the organisation’s most senior officer.
Mayor Mary Duniam told the Advocate the council would be focussed on ensuring a stable transition, with an interim chief to be appointed until a new council can commence recruitment for a permanent replacement.
City of Clarence mayor Brendan Blomeley has confirmed he will re-contest his position in October, despite an anonymous petition circulating by email calling for his resignation.
The online campaign, which calls for a vote of no confidence ahead of the October council elections, accuses Mayor Blomeley of code of conduct breaches. Chief Executive Ian Nelson has confirmed the City of Clarence is not involved and no data breach has occurred, as many recipients are questioning how the anonymous campaign obtained their email addresses.
Pulse Tasmania reported that Mayor Blomeley has dismissed the petition as “gutter politics,” confirming he will re-contest his position.
A proposal by Burnie Mayor Teeny Brumby to paint the Emu River bridge bright yellow or aqua for the city’s 2027 bicentenary has met resistance from residents and councillors, according to Pulse Tasmania.
Deputy Mayor Giovanna Simpson has instead suggested a colour-changing light installation, pointing out that because the asset is owned by the Department of State Growth, council’s direct control is limited.
The department will review the bridge’s condition closer to the anniversary, though structural maintenance is unlikely before 2027.
South Australia
Adelaide Hills Council is taking a major swipe at the Tour Down Under’s premier sponsor, according to the Advertiser.
In a draft letter to Premier Peter Malinauskas, the council has deeply criticised fossil fuel giant Santos holding the event’s naming rights, comparing the partnership to unethical, apartheid-era sponsorships.
Mayor Nathan Daniell says the climate crisis jeopardises the race’s future, urging the State Government to seek alternative, sustainable sponsors.
Santos has responded, highlighting its major carbon capture projects and ongoing commitment to South Australian events.
Whyalla City Council is introducing entry fees for its iconic giant cuttlefish dive site to shift maintenance costs from local ratepayers to visitors, according to a report from the Advertiser.
Following recent infrastructure upgrades, the council plans to charge cars five dollars and commercial tour coaches up to 100 dollars.
A council report estimates the QR-code-managed fees will generate approximately 20,000 dollars annually for ongoing operations.
A formal review of the pricing structure will be conducted next year based on community and visitor feedback.
Western Australia
Armadale Council is moving to lift rates by 4.8 per cent, a rise it says will help cover surging costs for essentials like fuel, fertiliser and road materials.
The increase is being advertised for public feedback after a close vote, with some councillors pushing for either 3 per cent to ease pressure on households, or as high as 5.5 per cent to protect services.
PerthNow reported that neighbouring councils have flagged higher rises — including Canning (5.75%), Gosnells (5.5%), Melville (5%) and Cockburn (6.75%).
Postal voting is underway for extraordinary council elections in four Western Australian local government areas – Brookton, Chittering, Coolgardie and Upper Gascoyne – with ballots due back by Thursday the 25th of June.
The elections fill mid-term vacancies, with winners serving out the remainder of the original term.
Two other councils, the Shires of Dowerin and Merredin, won’t be holding a vote after receiving no candidate nominations.
Global Report
UK:
An ongoing corruption probe involving Leeds City Council has escalated.
West Yorkshire Police have arrested two former members of the council’s planning staff on suspicion of bribery, misconduct in a public office, and money laundering.
A council spokesperson confirmed to the BBC that no current employees are involved in the investigation, which has seen fourteen people arrested to date.
The complex inquiry is being led by the Economic Crime Unit.
Bradford Council has launched a targeted campaign against anti-social firework use, specifically focusing on local wedding venues that permit excessive displays.
BBC News reported the initiative, named “Bang Out of Order,” involves Trading Standards and calls for tighter national legislation, including lowering permitted noise limits.
While the council aims to curb ongoing community disruption and sleep deprivation, several local venues have already welcomed the move, reporting strict no-firework policies of their own.
USA:
Lyft and Uber are suing New York City to block a new driver-retention law they say would make it harder to remove unsafe drivers, according to a report from CTV News.
The companies argue the measure violates constitutional rights and could force them to keep or even reinstate drivers without “just cause” standards being met.
The city says it’s reviewing the cases, while council leaders defend the law as due-process protection for drivers. The law is set to take effect July 28.
With Washington D.C.’s Democratic mayoral primary just days away, President Donald Trump says the federal government could “take back” control of the nation’s capital if a progressive candidate wins.
Trump spoke to reporters in the Oval Office, citing concerns about crime, homelessness and public safety in the city, according to USA Today.
Washington votes June 16 to choose a successor to outgoing Mayor Muriel Bowser.
CANADA:
Calgary Mayor Jeromy Farkas says he’s preparing a motion to create a municipal lobbyist registry, aiming to track who’s trying to influence decisions at city hall.
The push comes as an RCMP investigation into alleged corruption at city hall continues, involving current and former councillors.
Critics argue the registry could be premature and potentially redundant with existing disclosure rules, according to a report from CBC News.
A new transit bylaw under consideration in Saskatoon could give police and transit staff expanded powers to address safety concerns and fare evasion.
According to a report by CTV News, the proposed framework would allow officers to fine, remove, or ban riders for unacceptable behaviour, following a drop of one million rides last year.
Local authorities say the measures are designed to establish clear regulatory expectations on public transport, with a council vote scheduled for July.
NZ:
Taranaki’s mayors are demanding urgent changes to the government’s proposed disability support laws.
Mayoral Forum Chairman Craig Williamson told RNZ News that the changes will place an unfair, disproportionate burden on the region.
Because Taranaki has a higher-than-average number of disabled residents and unpaid carers, leaders argue the local community simply cannot absorb the fallout.
Dunedin City Council has appointed former Hamilton City Council chief executive Richard Briggs as its next CEO.
He’ll replace Sandy Graham, whose term ends in October.
The move marks a return to Dunedin for Briggs, where he previously lived and worked for Audit New Zealand.