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Date: 24th June 2026 A growing chorus of local government voices is demanding the Federal Government halt further Murray-Darling Basin water buybacks, following the Commonwealth’s purchase of almost 86 gigalitres of water in June 2026 at a reported cost of $430 million. The Riverina and Murray Joint Organisation (RAMJO) has condemned the purchase, with RAMJO […]
Continue ReadingDate: 22nd June 2026 Loddon Shire Mayor Dan Straub has called for a fundamental shift in how the Murray-Darling Basin Plan is implemented. Speaking to Chris Eddy for an upcoming episode of VLGA Connect, Cr Straub said the current review process has become a political exercise that is ignoring both scientific evidence and the communities […]
Continue ReadingToday on the Local Government News Roundup: Listen to this episode: Victorian Report The Victorian Government’s new legislation aimed at strengthening council governance has drawn sharp criticism for failing to crack down on political donations. The bill follows years of integrity warnings, most notably from the anti-corruption watchdog’s Operation Sandon report into the Casey Council […]
Continue ReadingDate: 20th June 2026 Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden has been found to have committed misconduct on two separate occasions, after the Queensland Councillor Conduct Tribunal ruled she released confidential council information to a journalist while serving as a first-term councillor in 2023. In a decision published this week, Independent Assessor v Eden [2026] […]
Continue ReadingGolden Plains Shire Mayor Cr Owen Sharkey has joined a coalition of western Victorian councils calling on the state government to reinstate a dedicated Country Roads and Bridges Program, warning that without additional funding support some bridges in the shire may have to be closed. Cr Sharkey is one of six mayors from the Greater […]
Continue ReadingToday 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 ReadingToday 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 ReadingCouncillor Stephen Batty is the new Mayor of Mornington Peninsula Shire, after the council reconvened last night to ultimately break a voting deadlock from last week. The election followed the resignation of Anthony Marsh, who recently transitioned to state politics as the Member for Nepean. Mayor Batty pledged to focus on community advocacy and service […]
Continue ReadingToday 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 ReadingOn 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 […]
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