Transparency challenge, a legal threat, and contentious travel plans – #603

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Victoria Bayside City Council is taking its fight for transparency over new planning rules to the Supreme Court. The council is seeking to compel Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to hand over ministerial briefs and advice used to approve a controversial planning amendment affecting […]

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Suspended, resigned, and elected – and the mental health of elected members – #602

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Victorian Report Melton City Councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg has been suspended for two months, following an independent arbiter’s report into misconduct. The finding, which was tabled at last night’s council meeting, follows a complaint lodged by eight of her fellow councillors. The Age reported […]

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Donation fail, misconduct finding, and an accidental release – #601

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode: Victorian Report The Victorian Government’s new legislation aimed at strengthening council governance has drawn sharp criticism for failing to crack down on political donations. The bill follows years of integrity warnings, most notably from the anti-corruption watchdog’s Operation Sandon report into the Casey Council […]

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Standoff solution, vexatious complaint dismissed, and a costly compliance failure – #600

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Victorian Report A bill before the Victorian Parliament would make it easier for councils to remove a sitting mayor. Right now, councillors can only force a vote to declare the mayoralty vacant if that mayor was elected for a two-year term. The Local […]

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Urgent boost, unfair funding, and a mayoral showdown – #599

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Victorian Report Mount Alexander Shire Council has appointed Michael Annear as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr Annear currently serves as Director Infrastructure and Development, a role he’s held since 2021, and has more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning local government […]

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Deadlock broken, budget showdown, and an affront to local democracy – #598

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Stories in this episode: Victorian Report A major disruption for Victorian local government today as an estimated 1,500 council workers march on State Parliament. The 24-hour strike, organised by the Australian Services Union, impacts eight Melbourne councils—including Darebin, Hume, and Greater Dandenong. Frontline […]

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Broken funding model, bin-top basket spread, and a mayor ghosted – #597

On the Local Government News Roundup today: The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Symphony 3, and Rath Engineering Development. Listen to this episode now: Stories in this episode: Victorian Report From ABC News, calls are growing for a major reform to Victoria’s public […]

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Benched again, red fleet win, and gutter politics – #596

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Symphony 3, and Rath Engineering Development. Listen to this episode now: Stories in this episode: Victorian Report The private prosecution against senior figures at Hepburn Shire Council has intensified, with new allegations […]

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Rubbish move, ICAC grilling, and a failed transparency push – #595

On the Local Government News Roundup today: The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Symphony 3, and Rath Engineering Development. Listen to this episode now: Stories in this episode: Victorian Report Merri-bek City Council has voted to transition from weekly to fortnightly general rubbish […]

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An ineffective taskforce, waiver rejected, and Operation Navarra continues – #594

On the podcast today: plus much more local government news from around Australia and beyond. The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with support from Symphony 3, and Rath Engineering Development. Listen to this episode now: Stories in this episode: Victorian Report Glen Eira City Council says […]

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