Hepburn crisis deepens, green wedge alarm, and demeaning conduct warning – #615

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Victoria Hepburn Shire Council Mayor, Cr Tony Clark, has been automatically stood down after being served with alleged criminal charges in a private prosecution. The Council says the matter has not involved an investigation by Victoria Police or any public prosecutorial authority – […]

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Hepburn Shire Mayor stood down as third council figure hit by private prosecution

Date: 11 July 2026 Hepburn Shire Council‘s Mayor, Cr Tony Clark, has been automatically stood down after being served with alleged criminal charges initiated by a private individual, council confirmed on Friday. The matter is proceeding as a private prosecution and has not involved an investigation, fact-finding process, or assessment by Victoria Police or any […]

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Hume council spends $5 million a year on illegal dumping, receives just $6,000 in state support

Illegal dumping is costing Hume City Council millions of dollars annually, with the outer-growth council among the hardest hit in Victoria. Hume has spent $4.2 million responding to dumping incidents in the past financial year, and infringement notices have risen by more than 70 per cent over four years. “We don’t have all the answers, […]

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Fraud investigation, WFH ruling, and the body-worn cameras for council officers – #613

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Victoria Detectives have interviewed seven men as part of an ongoing fraud investigation involving Greater Shepparton City Council and a local business. ABC News reported that the council identified the financial and governance irregularities internally before referring the matter to police. The men, […]

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Council CEO warns disaster funding trigger change could “cripple” small councils

Date: 6th July 2026 South Burnett Regional Council has formally opposed proposed changes to Queensland’s disaster recovery funding arrangements, with CEO Mark Pitt warning that a little-noticed change to the activation trigger poses a greater risk to councils than the widely reported shift to a fifty-fifty funding split. Council adopted its position on the changes […]

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