Transparency challenge, a legal threat, and contentious travel plans – #603

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Victoria Bayside City Council is taking its fight for transparency over new planning rules to the Supreme Court. The council is seeking to compel Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny to hand over ministerial briefs and advice used to approve a controversial planning amendment affecting […]

Continue Reading

Suspended, resigned, and elected – and the mental health of elected members – #602

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: 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 […]

Continue Reading

Urgent boost, unfair funding, and a mayoral showdown – #599

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Victorian Report Mount Alexander Shire Council has appointed Michael Annear as its new Chief Executive Officer. Mr Annear currently serves as Director Infrastructure and Development, a role he’s held since 2021, and has more than 30 years of leadership experience spanning local government […]

Continue Reading

Deadlock broken, budget showdown, and an affront to local democracy – #598

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode now: Stories in this episode: Victorian Report A major disruption for Victorian local government today as an estimated 1,500 council workers march on State Parliament. The 24-hour strike, organised by the Australian Services Union, impacts eight Melbourne councils—including Darebin, Hume, and Greater Dandenong. Frontline […]

Continue Reading

Benched again, red fleet win, and gutter politics – #596

Today on the Local Government News Roundup: 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: Stories in this episode: Victorian Report The private prosecution against senior figures at Hepburn Shire Council has intensified, with new allegations […]

Continue Reading

Rubbish move, ICAC grilling, and a failed transparency push – #595

On the Local Government News Roundup today: 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: Stories in this episode: Victorian Report Merri-bek City Council has voted to transition from weekly to fortnightly general rubbish […]

Continue Reading

An ineffective taskforce, waiver rejected, and Operation Navarra continues – #594

On the podcast today: 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: Stories in this episode: Victorian Report Glen Eira City Council says […]

Continue Reading

Honours, disputes, tree vandalism and an election twist – #592

On the latest episode of the Local Government News Roundup: 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 #592 The 2026 […]

Continue Reading

A forged signature, a cyber attack, and an atrocious price tag – #591

In today’s episode: and much more local government news from across 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 #591: Victorian Report Frankston City Council leaders will sleep […]

Continue Reading

A stark warning, a biased decision, and a call for clarity – #589

Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup: plus Balranald Shire Council CEO Terry Dodds sounds the alarm on the financial sustainability of rural and regional councils. And much more local government news from across Australia and beyond. The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, with […]

Continue Reading