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Woollahra Municipal Council in Sydney’s eastern suburbs is bringing in new greening rules that will require property owners to have a tree canopy of 30% and set landscaping controls to prevent overdevelopment. The aim of the new rules is to boost the tree canopy on private property, minimise urban heat, and mitigate climate change, after […]
Continue ReadingGreater Geelong councillor and former Mayor Stephanie Asher has reportedly resigned from the council with immediate effect. The Geelong Times reports that Ms Asher notified the Mayor and Acting CEO yesterday (Saturday 29th July) of her impending move out of the municipality. She said her work obligations as a Melbourne-based project director have led to […]
Continue ReadingDebate about revised wording for a Council’s Acknowledgement of Country has become controversial, with some councillors’ comments labelled as offensive. ABC News has reported on the events at Bunbury City Council in Western Australia, where new wording was ultimately approved but with three councillors voting against. The contention centered on the insertion of words that […]
Continue ReadingOn the Roundup for 29th July 2023, The Operation Sandon report is out and it makes sweeping recommendations for major reforms to local government planning and governance; A long running lawsuit against Greater Dandenong is dropped; A councillor suspended for one month for misconduct; Another councillor resignation at Strathbogie Shire; A Tasmanian council on the […]
Continue ReadingIsaac Regional Council has appointed Ken Gouldthorp as its interim Chief Executive Officer for a period of 12 months. Mr Gouldthorp recently served as interim CEO at Snowy Valleys Council, is a former general manager at Newcastle City Council, and has previous experience in central Queensland with roles at Mackay and Emerald. He’ll take up […]
Continue ReadingStrathbogie 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 […]
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