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Date: 25 June 2026 Updated: This story has been updated to include a response from the City of Greater Geelong. The City of Greater Geelong has rejected the Victorian Government’s characterisation of its housing planning performance, after the state announced it would bypass the council to fast-track four Precinct Structure Plans in Geelong’s north and […]
Continue ReadingDate: 25 June 2026 Two regional Victorian councils have adopted their 2026–27 budgets this week, both landing on a 2.75 per cent rate rise after divided chamber votes that laid bare the tensions councils are navigating between financial sustainability and ratepayer affordability. At the City of Ballarat, the budget passed only on the casting vote […]
Continue ReadingDate: 25 June 2026 South Australia’s local government elections will be held in April 2027 rather than November this year, after urgent legislation passed both houses of state parliament today. The upper house passed the bill with ten members in favour and seven against. Labor and the Greens supported the delay; the Liberal Party and […]
Continue ReadingDate: 25 June 2026 Murrindindi Shire Council is calling on the Victorian Government to extend free bushfire waste disposal at council sites until 30 June 2027, warning that ending the current arrangement on 30 June 2026 would shift recovery costs directly onto fire-affected residents still working through the aftermath of January’s bushfires. Council expects to […]
Continue ReadingToday on the Local Government News Roundup: And much more local government news from around Australia. Listen to this episode now. Victoria Wyndham City councillor Josh Gilligan has been suspended for the second time in four months after an independent arbiter found he misrepresented the council’s position on the proposed redevelopment of RAAF Base Point […]
Continue ReadingDate: 24 June 2026 Two councillors in Melbourne’s west have been suspended from their duties this week following separate internal arbitration processes — with both findings citing breaches of the Model Councillor Code of Conduct. Melton: Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg — two months Melton Councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg has been suspended for two months and ordered to […]
Continue ReadingDate: 24th June 2026 David Neeves has resigned as General Manager of Gilgandra Shire Council after ten years in the role, with Mid-Western Regional Council announcing his appointment as its new General Manager on the same day. Gilgandra Mayor Doug Batten acknowledged Mr Neeves’s contribution across a period of significant growth and challenge for the […]
Continue ReadingLower Eyre Council has announced the appointment of Marnie Lock as its new Chief Executive Officer. Lock brings over 30 years of local government experience to the role, having most recently served as the General Manager of Community and Business and Acting CEO at the City of Holdfast Bay. Ms Lock will oversee key regional […]
Continue ReadingDate: 24th June 2026 A growing chorus of local government voices is demanding the Federal Government halt further Murray-Darling Basin water buybacks, following the Commonwealth’s purchase of almost 86 gigalitres of water in June 2026 at a reported cost of $430 million. The Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) has condemned the purchase, with RAMJO […]
Continue ReadingToday 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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