Australia's No. 1 podcast for local government news and views
Strathbogie Shire Council has been hit by another councillor resignation. Sevens Creek Ward councillor Kristy Hourigan is stepping away, citing an in-house political bureaucracy and a gender bias that has taken its toll. In a statement published on the Council’s website, Ms Hourigan describes the role of councillor as a “thankless task” but says she […]
Continue ReadingThe report from IBAC’s Operation Sandon has finally been released, and makes sweeping recommendations that would shake-up local government planning laws. Details of the 34 recommendations have been reported by various media outlets this morning. The recommendations include: A taskforce to oversee the implementation of the recommendations; Development of an independent planning panels model to […]
Continue ReadingVictorian councils will share in a $25M support package to cover Commonwealth Games related costs, including the salaries of executives employed specifically for the now cancelled regional Victorian games. The Age reports that the package was announced today, and comprises $5M each for Greater Geelong, Greater Bendigo, Ballarat and Latrobe, and $3M for Greater Shepparton. […]
Continue ReadingTasmania’s Local Government Minister Nic Street says he is actively considering suspending the councillors at Dorset Council while an inquiry is conducted into alleged governance failings. A Board of Inquiry has been appointed to investigate allegations that have been uncovered in an initial investigation conducted by the Director of Local Government. The investigation, triggered by […]
Continue ReadingA councillor at Golden Plains Shire has been suspended for one month after being found by an arbiter to have engaged in misconduct. Cr Les Rowe was the subject of a complaint lodged by the Mayor Brett Cunningham, after comments from Cr Rowe were published in a local newspaper criticising the standard of road grading […]
Continue ReadingCouncillors at Surf Coast Shire have voted to make bathrooms in the shire gender neutral through amendments to its Community Amenity Local Law. The local law has been updated to allow people over six years of age to enter a Council toilet or facility that is signed for use by persons of a different gender. […]
Continue ReadingA long running case against Greater Dandenong City Council has been dropped, after being dismissed by a court following mediation. Council CEO Jacqui Weatherill said today that I Cook Foods had dropped its case, confirming that there was no substance to any of the claims made against the Council and its officers. Both parties have […]
Continue ReadingOn the midweek update from the Roundup for 26th July 2023, A developer loses his latest bid to stop the release of IBAC’s Operation Sandon report, as reports emerge of a plan to strip decision making powers from councils; Two councils reject proposals for overseas delegations; A council apologises for distressing ‘eviction’ letters; A council […]
Continue ReadingIn the NT, West Arnhem Regional Council has terminated its CEO’s employment contract after allegations emerged that he and other staff had taken alcohol into a dry community. Mayor Matthew Ryan has confirmed that Paul Hockings was removed from his position at a special meeting of the Council, and appointed governance and risk advisor Jessie […]
Continue ReadingGreater Geelong City Council has rejected a proposed overseas delegation, after a lengthy and at times heated debate. The proposal was reported by the Geelong Advertiser on the weekend, prompting community opposition after a tough budget process, and including comments from an inside source that described the proposal as a bad look. The trip, estimated […]
Continue Reading