Breaking news today on the Local Government News Roundup:
- A mayor’s suspension ruled invalid by the Supreme Court
- A six month delay for South Australia’s local government elections under consideration
- A Western Australian council takes issue with press reporting of CEO salaries
- Kingston’s new governance improvement plan
- A fresh protection order issued for a NSW mayor against a former councillor
- and LA’s mayoral runoff contenders confirmed
plus much more local government news from around Australia and beyond.
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:
Transcript for Episode #593
Victorian Report
Victoria’s Supreme Court has ruled that the 2025 suspension of Whittlesea Mayor Aidan McLindon was invalid.
The court found that the municipal monitors failed to provide him with the specific details of alleged misconduct before delivering their report, in a breach of procedural fairness.
Justice Steven Moore found the Local Government Act does not allow a minister to remedy that deficiency through a second round of consultation, as then-Minister Nick Staikos’s legal representatives had argued in court.
Justice Moore dismissed Cr McLindon’s allegations of bias as being without foundation and lacking logical connection, and also said he was only interested in the legality of the decision, not the merits of the underlying allegations.
The ruling raises substantive questions about the procedural obligations of monitors operating under Victoria’s local government oversight framework.
In a statement issued following the judgement, Mr McLindon said the ruling raised serious questions about whether elected councillors and mayors were being afforded the procedural fairness, transparency, and accountability they were entitled to expect.
He indicated he would consider further steps to pursue accountability and reform, and called for legislative change to the local government oversight framework in Victoria.
According to the ABC, Cr McLindon is now considering further legal options against the state government, and has not ruled out running in this year’s Victorian state election as an independent.
Read more about the decision from the Herald Sun.
The City of Kingston has adopted a Governance and Cultural Improvement Action Plan, developed through a councillor working group with input from elected members, council officers, and Municipal Monitors.
The plan sets out practical initiatives to strengthen governance, improve organisational culture, and support better decision-making.
Mayor Georgina Oxley described the plan as a clear blueprint for the remainder of the current council term.
Progress will be reported biannually to both the council and the Minister for Local Government.
John Tanner and John Watson are in place as municipal monitors at Kingston until the end of this month. Their term was extended late last year, with a final report due to the minister around mid-year.
Wyndham City Council has launched a massive campaign demanding the state government fast-track vital projects to keep pace with its booming population.
Currently home to 340,000 residents—making it larger than Geelong—the council warns the region faces “dire straits” without urgent investment.
Top priorities ahead of November’s election include funding for the 100-kilometre Outer Metropolitan Ring Road, a new 30-million-dollar indoor sports centre in Tarneit, and three new railway stations—starting with Truganina. Reporting from the Herald Sun.
Cardinia Shire Council‘s proposal to rename the Pakenham East precinct to ‘Honora Fields’ has hit a procedural hurdle, with Geographic Names Victoria requesting further consultation before the name can be formally registered.
GNV confirmed the name itself is compliant and has reserved it, but identified minor departures from the Naming Rules in the previous consultation process around voting and objections.
Council says further details on next steps will be available shortly.
South Australia
South Australia’s local government elections, scheduled for November, may be pushed back to mid-2027, according to InDaily.
Acting Election Commissioner Leah McLay has formally asked Special Minister of State Kyam Maher to approve a delay. She has cited concerns that the Electoral Commission lacks sufficient time to implement lessons from an independent review of the troubled 2026 State Election — and fears it may struggle to recruit the temporary workforce needed to run the poll.
McLay says she has advised the Local Government Association and all 67 affected councils.
Mr Maher said the request had been referred to cabinet, and a decision could be expected within days. He described the situation as “exceptionally disappointing”.
The Local Government Association of South Australia has acknowledged the immense pressure facing the Electoral Commission and respects the request to delay council elections to mid-2027 to protect democratic integrity.
While the LGA has previously raised concerns about holding state and local elections in the same year, it is now actively assessing the practical implications of a change—particularly regarding council budget processes, legislative alignment, and the impacted terms of elected officials.
South Australian local government is facing fresh scrutiny following One Nation’s launch of an independent inquiry into the sector.
MLC Carlos Quaremba has announced a four-person panel, including former Local Government Minister Mark Brindal, to review council efficiencies and administrative structures.
The inquiry, first reported by The Advertiser yesterday, will accept public submissions through the MP’s office ahead of proposed legislative reforms to the Local Government Act.
NSW Report
An environmental activist and former Coffs Harbour councillor has been found guilty of multiple charges in the Coffs Harbour Local Court.
Mark Stewart Graham was convicted of offences including breaching an AVO and assaulting police, following what prosecutors described as the targeted harassment of public officials.
The court has issued a fresh two-year apprehended violence order to protect Coffs Harbour Mayor Nikki Williams and her mother.
Sentencing has been adjourned until August. For more details on this story, visit the Daily Telegraph.
Bega Valley Shire Council will vote today on whether to write off two major debts totalling over 1.2 million dollars, according to 2EC.
Council staff have recommended waiving a 1.1-million-dollar public land use fee billed to NSW Police during the delayed construction of the Bega Police Station.
Councillors are also expected to wipe a 145,000-dollar airport user fee owed by the former REX Airlines.
Camden Council has installed 24/7 surveillance cameras at known illegal dumping hotspots in Leppington, funded through the NSW EPA’s Illegal Dumping Prevention Program.
Cameras are operating at three locations — Ingleburn Road, Park Road, and the corner of Anthony and Alma Roads.
Council is also working with the Western Sydney Regional Illegal Dumping Squad to investigate reports and pursue fines against offenders.
Queensland Report
Bundaberg Regional Council has passed its 2026–2027 budget in a tight six-five vote following a one-week adjournment.
The Cairns Post reported the meeting was marked by public protests over a ten per cent rate increase for non-principal places of residence, alongside heated procedural debates inside the chambers.
The budget includes an eight point two-eight per cent general rate increase, a projected eight point four million dollar surplus, and a new Community Wellbeing and Environment Charge
The Sunshine Coast hinterland has officially been declared Queensland’s first internationally recognised Dark Sky Reserve.
The designation by DarkSky International covers approximately 870 square kilometres, including the townships of Maleny, Mapleton, and Kenilworth.
Following a community-led push and a comprehensive application by the Sunshine Coast Council, the region has adopted a thorough lighting management plan.
Local authorities will continue working alongside state agencies and utility providers to reduce light pollution, preserve the nocturnal environment, and promote sustainable eco-tourism.
Tasmania
The City of Clarence in Tasmania is calling on the community to report suspicious activity in its bushland reserves, after illegal wood-cutting felled a Tasmanian Blue Gum estimated to be between 200 and 400 years old at Pilcher’s Hill Reserve near Geilston Bay.
The tree was listed as habitat for the critically endangered Swift Parrot.
Council says the activity is affecting almost all of its 18 bushland reserves and is urging anyone who witnesses tree cutting or timber removal to contact Tasmania Police.
Western Australia
Shire of Derby–West Kimberley has issued a statement rejecting a WA Today report claiming its Chief Executive Officer was paid 417 thousand dollars.
The Shire says its audited 2024–25 annual report shows CEO Tamara Clarkson received 297 thousand, with a further 120 thousand paid to a former CEO who left during the year.
It says it strongly refutes any suggestion that it has provided a CEO remuneration package exceeding the limits set by the Salaries and Allowances Tribunal, and wants WA Today to correct the record.
Global Report
UK:
UK ministers are considering a ban on London councils relocating homeless families to distant local government areas.
An investigation by The Guardian reveals official figures for these out-of-area placements have doubled in the past two years.
Federal homelessness ministers are now reviewing a potential distance limit on relocations to reduce the social and financial strain on regional councils.
UK Local government minister Alison McGovern says the government is sticking to its timetable for local government reorganisation — aiming to have new unitary authorities in place by 2028.
Giving evidence to a Commons committee, McGovern acknowledged concerns the process could be rushed, but said extending the schedule risks holding affected councils back from other priorities, despite ongoing cost pressures and the prospect of legal challenges. More from the Local Government Chronicle.
USA:
Los Angeles voters are definitely headed for a November mayoral runoff.
NBC News projects Mayor Karen Bass will face City Council member Nithya Raman after neither topped 50 percent in the all-party primary.
Raman, a Democrat and member of the Democratic Socialists of America, moved into the top two as later-counted ballots leaned more Democratic, pushing past Republican candidate and reality TV figure Spencer Pratt.
NZ:
Nelson City Council will debate behind closed doors on Thursday whether councillor Lisa Austin is disqualified from office. TopSouthNow reports the move follows advice from the Audit Office that she is ineligible to stand due to her business interests.
Austin denies wrongdoing and says her company has no direct council contracts. The council is expected to consider legal risk and whether a costly by-election is needed.
JAPAN:
A historic milestone in local government, with Japan’s youngest female city mayor announcing plans to take maternity leave.
Thirty-five-year-old Shoko Kawata, the mayor of Yawata city, will take sixteen weeks of leave around the birth of her first child in September.
According to a report by CNN, the move highlights a significant grey area in Japan’s political system, which currently lacks a legal framework guaranteeing parental leave for elected officials.
A deputy will oversee council operations during her absence.