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Date: 19th June 2026 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 scandal. While Local Government Minister Paul Hamer stated the […]
Continue ReadingGolden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey has joined a coalition of western Victorian councils calling on the state government to reinstate a dedicated Country Roads and Bridges Program, warning that without additional funding support some bridges in the shire may have to be closed. Cr Sharkey is one of six mayors from the Greater […]
Continue ReadingToday 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 […]
Continue ReadingToday 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 […]
Continue ReadingDate: 18th June 2026 Mount Alexander Shire Council has appointed Michael Annear as its new Chief Executive Officer, promoting from within its senior leadership team. Mr Annear has served as Council’s Director Infrastructure and Development since 2021, where he oversaw strategic planning and policy work, secured additional external funding, and led improvements in capital works […]
Continue ReadingDate: 17th June 2026 The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption has concluded its Operation Navarra public inquiry into the City of Parramatta Council, after 24 days of hearings examining the conduct of former chief executive Gail Connolly and a group of senior staff referred to in evidence as the “Pink Ladies”. The inquiry examined allegations […]
Continue ReadingToday 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 […]
Continue ReadingCouncillor Stephen Batty is the new Mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire, after the council reconvened last night to ultimately break a voting deadlock from last week. The election followed the resignation of Anthony Marsh, who recently transitioned to state politics as the Member for Nepean. Mayor Batty pledged to focus on community advocacy and service […]
Continue ReadingDate: 16 June 2026 Elections deferred by 5 months; Electoral Commissioner to resign The South Australian Government has announced it will introduce urgent legislation this week to defer the 2026 periodic local government elections by five months, following formal concerns raised by the Acting Electoral Commissioner about the Electoral Commission of South Australia’s (ECSA) capacity […]
Continue ReadingOn 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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