Today on the Local Government News Roundup:
- A two month suspension for a Melton councillor
- Three councillor resignations in three days at a WA Council
- Tasmania’s local government minister slaps down criticism of new sector reforms
- VLGA board election results are in
- Bass Coast Shire calls for government help as it loses another major event
- Deamalgamation moves forward at Snowy Valleys Council
- Plus insights into a new study of the mental health and wellbeing of Australian politicians, with Emma Broomfield
Listen to this episode now:
Victorian Report
Melton City Councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg has been suspended for two months, following an independent arbiter’s report into misconduct.
The finding, which was tabled at last night’s council meeting, follows a complaint lodged by eight of her fellow councillors.
The Age reported on the arbiter’s ruling that Councillor Vandenberg brought the council into disrepute and misled residents through social media posts that accused the administration of using artificial intelligence to monitor the community.
Councillor Vandenberg has vowed to seek a judicial review of the suspension in the Supreme Court. She has also announced plans to contest the state seat of Sydenham as an independent at the upcoming November election.
Cardinia Shire Councillor Collin Ross and Mildura Mayor Ali Cupper have been elected to the Victorian Local Governance Association board.
There were eight nominations for the two positions.
Crs Ross and Cupper will serve a three year term, commencing 1st July.
Current President, Monash Councillor Dr Josh Fergeus, will conclude his term at that time.
Bass Coast Shire Council is demanding urgent state government intervention following the loss of the Superbike World Championship from Phillip Island.
Coming just months after MotoGP’s exit, the council warns the latest departure is a severe blow to the regional economy.
Mayor Brett Tessari has called for immediate ministerial consultation to deliver a genuine transition plan and secure new major events for the area.
The City of Greater Geelong is reportedly set to axe its free two-hour CBD parking scheme in a bid to counter a projected fourteen-point-two million dollar operating deficit.
The Geelong Advertiser reported the decision comes as the council deals with escalating costs under the state’s two-point-seven-five per cent rate cap, forcing councillors to reconsider the initiative as part of its upcoming budget.
It is set to be voted on at a council meeting tonight.
NSW Report
Snowy Valleys Council says its de-amalgamation program is moving into the next phase, with a new 20-member Community Panel now open for expressions of interest.
The panel will include ten representatives from the former Tumut Shire area and ten from the former Tumbarumba Shire, aimed at reflecting the diversity of the region.
Council says members will take part in forums and workshops and provide feedback on issues like service delivery, financial sustainability and community identity.
Participation is voluntary, with around six to eight sessions expected.
Muswellbrook Mayor Jeff Drayton says he’ll vote against a national push for a Climate Compensation Fund when council leaders meet in Canberra this week, according to 98.1 Power FM.
The motion—backed by the City of Sydney—calls for an inquiry into levies on coal, oil and gas companies to help pay for climate-disaster costs.
Mayor Drayton says the proposal lacks detail and argues mining remains vital to Muswellbrook’s economy. He says voting no won’t derail renewable energy projects in the region.
Tweed Shire Council has formally backed calls for statewide poker machine reform, citing local losses exceeding thirty million dollars in the first quarter of this year.
Wesley Mission has welcomed the council’s leadership on the issue, and says its evidence that momentum for poker machine reform is building in New South Wales.
The council will lobby the state government for evidence-based harm minimisation, including greater community consultation on electronic gaming machine density.
Queensland Report
Queensland councils are facing intense pressure as they attempt to balance mounting infrastructure costs with the financial strain on ratepayers.
ABC News reported that regional municipalities—including Bundaberg and the Fraser Coast—are managing significant budget challenges driven by skyrocketing material costs, with asphalt and earthworks prices doubling since 2019.
While councils like the Sunshine Coast and Townsville have introduced rate increases to cover essential asset renewals, community support services warn that households have limited capacity to absorb further increases.
In response, the Local Government Association is intensifying its lobbying efforts ahead of federal public hearings this week. The association is calling for untied Financial Assistance Grants to be restored to one per cent of federal taxation revenue to ensure long-term fiscal sustainability for local communities.
Logan City Council has overhauled its standing committee structure to align directly with its fifty-year vision, Logan 2075.
Announced by Mayor Jon Raven, the four newly structured committees will focus on governance, economic transformation, infrastructure, and community thriving.
The strategy aims to streamline long-term planning into actionable ten-year blocks, subject to funding in the upcoming budget.
Tasmania
Tasmanian Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent has defended proposed sector reforms, rejecting claims of inadequate public consultation.
According to The Mercury, the minister says two groups that have criticised plans to reduce councillor numbers – Planning Matters Alliance Tasmania, and the Tasmanian Conservation Trust – simply failed to participate during the formal eight-week feedback window.
He said feedback from nearly fifty submissions had been incorporated into the final bill.
Northern Midlands Councillor Andrew McCullagh has announced he will contest the mayoral office.
First elected in 2022 following a high-profile, stayed lawsuit brought against him by the sitting mayor and general manager over social media posts, Councillor McCullagh intends to continue his campaign for structural reform and transparency.
The Examiner reported that his broader platform includes introducing a special administrative zone to drive regional economic growth.
South Australia
Adelaide City Council is investigating a one-hundred-and-fifty-thousand-dollar pop-up cycling trial that could lower speed limits and remove traffic lanes on busy CBD roads.
The Advertiser reports that the proposed network changes aim to encourage alternative transport options, but will require navigating significant infrastructure and parking challenges.
A further report will be presented to councillors later this year.
Northern Areas Council has secured convictions against two individuals following an illegal entry at the Jamestown Waste Transfer Station last November.
The offenders were identified by council staff, leading to a police investigation. One individual received a six-month good behaviour bond and a fine, while the second was ordered to pay compensation for damages alongside court costs.
The council has thanked local police and reminded residents to remain vigilant against illegal dumping.
Western Australia
Three City of South Perth councillors have resigned over three days, deepening turmoil at the WA council as the state government weighs forced amalgamations.
Hayley Prendiville quit on Friday, with Bronwyn Waugh and Tim Houweling resigning on Sunday according to ABC News – all citing concerns over the latest budget, including a 5.95 per cent rate rise.
The resignations follow what WA Today described as a ‘tumultous five-hour meeting’ on Thursday. The three resigning councillors were part of a block of four to vote against the budget, which was carried by a one vote majority.
Houweling says the increase isn’t justified as families struggle, while Waugh pointed to broader dysfunction, including disputes, staff turnover and ongoing instability.
The City says rate rises are necessary to maintain services and deliver infrastructure, after seven years of keeping increases at or below inflation.
The resignations come after state-appointed monitor Gail McGowan was installed in February, with the council resolving last week to seek an extension to her appointment until August.
Global Report
NZ:
Whanganui District Council has voted to join the Government’s Head Start pathway for local government reform, despite strong concerns over transition costs.
Councils have until the ninth of August to submit joint merger proposals, but Whanagnui councillors are concerned that a lack of central funding creates an unfunded mandate already impacting day-to-day operations. More from the Whanganui Chronicle.
CANADA:
A Canadian municipality has become the first in the country to grant legal rights to trees.
CBC News reported that the Quebec town of Terrasse-Vaudreuil passed a unanimous council resolution recognising trees as living entities with a right to life and integrity.
Local government officials say the declaration will prompt a comprehensive review of urban planning and environmental bylaws to combat heat islands.
UK:
A mayoral by-election has been triggered in Greater Manchester following the election of Andy Burnham to the UK Parliament.
Burnham, who has led the combined authority since 2017, secured the parliamentary seat of Makerfield on June 18. Under statutory devolution rules, he is disqualified from serving in both roles concurrently due to the mayor’s integrated police and crime commissioner powers.
Deputy Mayor Kate Green will step in to lead the administration during the interim period. Local voters will head to the polls to elect a successor on July 30.
USA:
Los Angeles City Council has approved a ballot measure for November that could allow non-citizens to vote in local municipal elections.
CBS News Los Angeles reports the initiative aims to enfranchise legal residents, including asylum seekers and DACA recipients. However some councillors have raised concerns over implementation and separate election financing.
Interview: Emma Broomfield
I’m speaking with Emma Broomfield, founder and lead facilitator of Locale Learning, about the upcoming Political Wellbeing Lab 2026 — a live online session for Australian councillors happening on Thursday, 2 July.
The Lab comes at a pointed moment: it will feature the first public insights from the Better Politics Study Australia, the largest-ever study into the mental health and wellbeing of Australian politicians, with 289 elected representatives surveyed across local, state and federal government.
Early findings are striking — including that seventy percent of respondents say public office has hurt their mental wellbeing, and one in five have thought about self-harm because of the pressures of the job.
Tickets for the Lab are priced at $250 + GST, with an end-of-financial-year discount of 50 per cent available until 30 June, bringing the price to $125 + GST. Group discounts are also available for councils registering multiple councillors. Further details and registration are available at the Locale Learning website.