Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
- New data centre rules hailed as a win for communities
- Winners and losers speak up about proposed grant funding changes in NSW
- Gold Coast Council begins its search for an Olympic-era CEO
- Revelations of a vehicle fleet rort uncovered at Redland Council
- The surprising numbers from the candidate pool for Tasmania’s council elections
- A CEO and three councillors gone from a WA Council in one week
Later in the episode: Australia’s smart communities movement, “Leave No One Behind,” and what to expect at Australian Smart Communities Summit 2026. James Sankar, President of the Australian Smart Communities Association, tells us why technology should serve outcomes, not the other way round. Find out more about the summit here.
Listen now wherever you listen to podcasts.
The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 – simple, connected customer experiences; and Rath Engineering Development – smarter local government systems built from real on-the-ground experience.
Featured in today’s episode:
Victoria
City of Greater Geelong CEO Ali Wastie says new state government rules for data centre developments are a win for the community.
Under the new rules announced this week, new projects must supply their own power, use non-drinking water only, be set back from homes, and contribute to local communities.
Ms Wastie said the city had been lobbying government ministers for greater protections, and that the re-set should help bring much needed calm to the debate.
The MAV and the Council Alliance for a Sustainable Built Environment said the announcements were welcome, but they are seeking clarity on how the new measures would apply to applications already in the approvals pipeline. They’ve called on Premier Ben Carroll to apply robust guardrails to the significant developments that are already in place.
Boroondara Council has secured more than $50 million in compensation from the Victorian government after winning a two-year Supreme Court battle over land acquired for the North East Link project.
The ruling awards the council nearly $20 million more than the initial offer for the 3.7-hectare Balwyn North tennis centre site, reports the Herald Sun.
Moonee Valley City Council Mayor Rose Iser has used her casting vote to break a deadlock, and pass a $647,000 traffic management plan for Ascot Vale’s Union precinct.
The controversial overhaul will introduce 30 km/h speed limits near schools, shopping strips, and the railway station, alongside 40 km/h zones across surrounding residential streets, according to the Herald Sun.
Mansfield Shire Council has voiced strong concerns after being notified of ten new ministerial planning amendments in less than two weeks, with just 28 days’ notice before they take effect.
Mayor Steve Rabie says the changes shift costs and workload onto councils and could force some current planning applications back to the start.
The council warns the reforms may speed up higher-density development while reducing scrutiny and community input.
The Greater Bendigo City Council has voted to maintain the Bendigo Cup as its official local public holiday, applying to keep the tradition in place for five years starting in 2027.
The decision, described by Mayor Thomas Prince as ‘delicately balanced,’ leaves Melbourne Cup Day as the public holiday for residents east of the Campaspe River. It follows a community survey where overall sentiment favoured preserving the local race day event.
Bass Coast Shire Council is seeking community feedback on a proposed new waste service charge that would apply to all rateable properties — separate from kerbside bin collection fees.
Council says it’s about transparency and sharing costs more fairly, not raising more money or changing bin services.
Consultation is open until 21 October, with information sessions running across wards and online.
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New South Wales
Four local councils—Lake Macquarie City Council, City of Newcastle, Central Coast Council, and MidCoast Council—have united to urge the NSW Government to halt proposed grant cuts that could strip nearly half a billion dollars from their regions over the next decade.
The councils warn the changes would redirect more than $41 million from these growing communities next year alone, threatening vital local services, infrastructure, and flood recovery efforts.
Not all councils are losing out under the new formula however. Upper Hunter Shire Mayor Maurice Collison says his council is set to receive an additional $2 million under the proposed changes. He says that would make a real difference and help the council reach financial sustainability sooner.
WAGGA WAGGA CITY COUNCIL has voted to withdraw from membership of Regional Capitals Australia after 15 years, effective at the end of the current financial year.
Councillors have chosen to streamline advocacy efforts, and focus on direct lobbying with state and federal governments.
NSW councillors face tougher disqualification rules and new court proceedings under proposed changes to the Local Government Act in that state.
New legislation shifts misconduct oversight to the Land and Environment Court, and introduces civil penalties of up to $49,940 for breaches. Megan Taylor at Lindsay Taylor Lawyers has published more detailed analysis of the implications of the bill.
Councillor Todd Carney has been re-elected Mayor of Penrith for a third consecutive two year term. Hollie McLean was chosen as Deputy Mayor. Cr Carney says the focus remains on housing, jobs and key transport links, including the proposed north–south metro line.
Councillor David Brown has been elected Deputy Lord Mayor of Wollongong City Council for a 12-month term. He takes over the role from outgoing Deputy Lord Mayor Linda Campbell, after winning the position in a contest with Cr Jess Whittaker.
Crs John Harvie and Neil Gorey have been returned as mayor and deputy mayor respectively at Murray River Council. Cr Gary Pappin was nominated in an ultimately unsuccessful bid to bring about a change of leadership.
Queensland
City of Gold Coast has appointed recruitment firm KordaMentha to spearhead the search for its next chief executive ahead of the 2032 Olympic season, reports the Courier Mail.
The decision comes with current CEO Tim Baker on leave until December, and not expected to return to the organisation, with senior executive Paul Callander acting in the role.
Details of a vehicle fleet rort have come to light at REDLAND CITY COUNCIL – a situation that apparently allowed staff members to improperly claim both company cars and monetary allowances.
Internal audits from 2021 and 2025 revealed years of ineffective management across the council’s $20 million fleet, with procurement failures and poor oversight leading to undeclared pay bumps for several employees. More from the Brisbane Times.
SUNSHINE COAST COUNCIL has approved its first budget review for 2026-27, increasing its capital works program to $340 million and raising planned borrowings by $20 million.
The Sunshine Valley Gazette reported that decision passed despite opposition from two councillors, who expressed strong concern over taking on extra debt while several local projects face delays or cancellation.
Tasmania
A candidate shortfall in Tasmania’s upcoming local elections has left two councils unable to fill their seats.
King Island and Tasman councils both failed to reach the seven required nominations, resulting in all candidates being elected unopposed.
The Electoral Commissioner will call for fresh nominations this week to fill the remaining vacant positions – two at King Island, and one at Tasman. (Source: Pulse Tasmania)
Across the state, 430 people have nominated for council positions – 283 men, 144 women, and three who are non-binary.
They’ll be contesting for 213 positions on the state’s 29 councils.
South Australia
Adelaide’s next Lord Mayor is set for a pay rise, with new Remuneration Tribunal documents showing the annual allowance will lift to $233,506 from 2027 — about $20,000 more than this year.
Despite the increase, Adelaide’s mayoral pay still trails Sydney and Melbourne, according to InDaily SA.
Western Australia
Three councillors have resigned from the Shire of Coorow in WA after the council voted to sack its CEO, Mia Maxfield, in a closed meeting.
Ms Maxfield told ABC News that she was given no warning, told her services were no longer required, and had her work laptop taken and building access revoked immediately.
The departing councillors, including a former shire president and the deputy shire president, say they’ve lost confidence in the remaining council and claim proper processes weren’t followed.
International
UK:
Scottish ministers have unveiled plans to overhaul local government in the country, replacing 32 councils with as few as six to ten regional authorities and up to 160 community bodies.
LGIU CEO Jonathan Carr-West said the proposal has arrived with little warning or detail, and is concerned it could be costly and distract from frontline services.
The Scottish Government says the changes would strengthen local democracy — but there are unanswered questions about boundaries, education oversight and social care.
Ashfield District Council leader Jason Zadrozny has been found guilty of 13 criminal counts after setting up a fake heritage group to defraud Nottinghamshire County Council out of thousands of dollars and evading taxes on rental properties.
The BBC reported that a judge at Northampton Crown Court warned the 46-year-old politician he faces an immediate prison sentence when he returns to court for sentencing on November 27th.
NZ:
The Post reports that Upper Hutt City Council is picking up the legal tab for high-profile barrister Linda Clark to assist Mayor Peri Zee in an ongoing court dispute.
The legal action has been brought under the Harmful Digital Communications Act by ratepayer advocates Paul and Kate Fabian, who have frequently challenged the council ****on rates and council transparency.
Building stronger communities starts with supporting dads.
Australian tech leader Symphony3 has officially welcomed Dadfit as its first Community Partner!
Founded by former pro cricketer Ryan Carters and gender equality advocate Sarah Darmody, Dadfit offers free five-week community programs combining group workouts, real conversations, and practical challenges to boost dads’ physical and mental wellbeing.
Together, Symphony3 and Dadfit are using local government technology to bring these life-changing programs to councils across Australia.
To learn more or find a program near you, visit dadfit.au.
Roundup Extra:
Ahead of next month’s ASCS twenty-twenty-six Summit in the City of Casey, we’re joined by James Sankar, President of the Australian Smart Communities Association.
James has spent close to a decade working across government, industry and academia on the standards and partnerships that underpin Australia’s smart communities movement. Today we’re talking about ASCA’s twenty-thirty “Leave No One Behind” vision, why technology should be a means and not an end, and what delegates can expect from this year’s summit.
Find out more about the Summit, and register your place here.