Today on the Local Government News Roundup:

• A council CEO set to depart for the UK
• Greater Shepparton Mayor Shane Sali declares his state election intentions
• A shake-up of allowances for Victorian councillors
• Opening prayers to return to Shoalhaven Council meetings,
• as the mayor extends her leave of absence for health reasons
• A 44 year council career comes to an end in Muswellbrook
• Gold Coast set to privatise its aquatic centres
• and New Zealand’s new rates cap draws a swift sector response
• Plus, a South Australian council prompts debate after commissioning mayoral portraits

and yet more local government news from around Australia and beyond.

Listen now wherever you listen to podcasts.

The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by LG Innovate 2026: the national AI summit for local government, hosted by Davidson, in partnership with Amazon Web Services.

*FINAL DAYS* Purchase your tickets now at davidsonwp.com/lg-innovate-2026

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 – simple, connected customer experiences; and Rath Engineering Development – smarter local government systems built from real on-the-ground experience.

In today’s episode:

Victoria

Knox City Council chief executive Bruce Dobson will leave the organisation in January twenty twenty-seven, after five years in the role, the council has confirmed.

Mister Dobson is relocating overseas with his family to live and work in the United Kingdom.

Mayor Cr Paige Kennett thanked him for his contribution, saying Council looks forward to working closely with him over coming months to ensure a smooth transition, and the appointment of a new CEO.

Greater Shepparton mayor Shane Sali has confirmed he’s seeking National Party pre-selection for the state seat of Shepparton, ahead of the Victorian election in November.

It follows sitting member Kim O’Keeffe’s announcement in July that she won’t recontest the seat.

Cr Sali will face a pre-selection contest on September the fifth against prosecutor Alexander Lew, and says he’ll remain as mayor throughout the process, handing duties to deputy mayor Geoff Akers where conflicts of interest arise.

Mr Lew told the Shepparton News that he welcomed Cr Sali’s announcement, and called on him to match his commitment not to run as an independent or for another party if unsuccessful in the preselection battle.

Victoria’s Independent Remuneration Tribunal has handed down a new pay determination for Mayors, Deputy Mayors and Councillors, effective from the first of July this year.

The shake-up creates a new “Category D” tier for six fast-growing councils, including Casey, Wyndham and Whittlesea; lifts the minimum Councillor allowance to thirty-eight thousand, five hundred dollars for a Category B council; and de-couples the Deputy Mayor allowance from the Mayoral rate.

Melbourne City Council remains in its own category. More details and figures are on our website.

The Victorian Local Governance Association says the increase to councillor allowances better reflects the growing complexity and demands of the job, after its sustained advocacy on the issue.

It says councillors now average 39 hours a week, and the change is a step toward recognising their work and helping attract and retain people from diverse backgrounds.

But the association says the push isn’t over, and it will keep campaigning for further reforms to keep pay in line with expectations.

VLGA leaders have met with Victoria’s new Local Government Minister, Tim Richardson, to press for urgent reforms to better protect councillors and council CEOs.

The Victorian Local Governance Association said the talks focused on the Strengthening Communities Bill 2026, a proposed Councillor Assistance Program to support health and wellbeing, and growing concerns about rising incivility toward elected representatives.

Other issues raised included councillor pay, expanding inclusive civic leadership through the Mary Rogers Awards for Women in Local Government, and the upcoming 2026 Victorian Councillor Census, aimed at capturing the experiences and challenges facing councillors statewide.

Wangaratta Council has voted not to adopt a proposed Reconciliation Action Plan, instead backing an alternative motion to continue its current reconciliation approach through ongoing projects and community engagement.

The Council says the decision is about the RAP framework, not its commitment, pointing to existing work including cultural awareness training, NAIDOC and National Reconciliation Week activities, and a First Nations Engagement Framework.

The draft plan was consulted on from December 2025 to February 2026, drawing 73 submissions, and Mayor Irene Grant says reconciliation efforts will continue despite the plan not being adopted.

Wyndham City Council has narrowly adopted an interim policy allowing councillors to advocate on fast-moving issues before an official position is formally established.

Wyndham TV reported the decision followed a split vote settled by Mayor Mia Shaw’s casting vote.

Cr Josh Gilligan argued for closing a governance gap in the Council’s media guidelines, exposed when he spoke to the media while mayor earlier this year about government plans to sell off the Point Cook RAAF base – leading to a conduct complaint and his eventual suspension.

Darebin Council has voted to scrap its six-month Lime e-scooter and e-bike trial following safety concerns and poor financial returns, reports Neos Kosmos.

Mayor Emily Dimitriadis highlighted in debate that the council spent $50,000 administering the scheme while recovering only $18,000 from the operator.

The decision comes after strong pushback from local senior groups, joining a growing number of Victorian councils moving to wind shared micromobility programs.

A deadlocked council vote has forced City of Greater Geelong mayor Stretch Kontelj to cast the deciding vote to adopt the Creamery Road precinct structure plan.

The Geelong Advertiser reports that developer Villawood Properties has threatened to walk away from the 4500-home housing project, labelling the strategic plan unfeasible due to high development contribution levies and reduced developable land ratios.

The matter now moves to Victorian Planning Minister Sonya Kilkenny for a final decision on the 350-hectare site northwest of central Geelong.

Kingston City Council has launched a bid to purchase state-owned land at Mentone station to block a proposed six-storey apartment tower, according to the Herald Sun.

Councillors voted unanimously to make an in-principle offer of up to 2.5 million dollars to acquire or lease the site for open space, following community backlash over heritage concerns and loss of ocean views.

The proposal by developer Hallmarc would build across 45 per cent of the heritage precinct. Heritage Victoria is expected to hand down a decision on the developer’s application soon.

City of Melbourne councillors have unanimously voted to press ahead with a $185.7 million civic precinct renewal to overhaul their aging town hall offices and relocate the City Library.

The project will see $13 million drawn directly from existing local capital works budgets,.

The Herald Sun reports it has sparked some criticism as it emerges alongside a hidden $37 million budget blowout in the Queen Victoria Market redevelopment.

The City of Greater Geelong has delayed a decision on a proposed naming policy that would prioritise First Nations, female, and gender-diverse names for local landmarks.

Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the deferral would allow further internal discussions before bringing the matter back for consideration next month.

Greater Shepparton City Council will receive a feasibility report into returning household red bin rubbish collections to a weekly schedule, after a motion put forward by Cr Kieron Eddy

The Shepparton News reported that the move follows concerns about potential changes in the event of a change of government in November, with the Council expected to receive its completed report by then.

Candidate nominations have closed for three Victorian council by-elections, all to be decided by postal vote.

Two candidates are contesting Mornington Peninsula Shire‘s Briars Ward, following the resignation of Councillor Anthony Marsh.

Eight are running in Banyule‘s Beale Ward, vacated by Councillor Elizabeth Nealy.

And six have nominated in Greater Bendigo’s Lockwood Ward, for the ward’s second by-election this year after the death of Councillor Donna Nicholas.

Ballot packs go out in September, with results declared by the twenty-third of October.

New South Wales

Shoalhaven City Council Mayor Patricia White has requested an extended leave of absence to undergo treatment for breast cancer, requesting privacy for her family during her recovery.

In a statement read to Council by CEO Andrew Constance this week, Mayor White called on current and former councillors to cease commentary surrounding her health and focus on serving the community.

Her period of leave will run through to late September.

In more Shoalhaven news, the council has voted to reinstate opening prayers at its meetings following a heated debate that required the deputy mayor to break three separate deadlocked votes.

The South Coast Register reported the controversial decision follows public consultation that saw 47 submissions in favour of returning to prayer, while opposing councillors argued the move was exclusive rather than inclusive for all community members.

And Transport NSW is set to compulsorily acquire three Shoalhaven council-owned land parcels to progress the major $940 million Milton Ulladulla bypass along the Princes Highway.

South Coast News reported that the Council passed a motion on Tuesday to hand over the sites, which include a disused sanitary depot, a public reserve, and vacant operational land.

Muswellbrook Shire Council has recognised the contribution and career of General Manager Derek Finnigan, whose resignation was accepted at Tuesday’s Ordinary Meeting.

The resignation caps more than four decades with the Council.

Mr Finnigan began as a plant operator before rising through infrastructure and senior leadership roles, becoming Deputy General Manager in July twenty-twenty and General Manager in March twenty-twenty-three.

Director of Economic Investment Shaelee Richards has been appointed acting General Manager while Council recruits permanently.

Legal advice has been sought by Mid-Western Regional Council after a portion of an archived meeting recording was removed due to an outburst by Councillor Peter Shelley.

The Mudgee Guardian reported that Councillor Shelley apologised on social media for his reaction, which he stated was prompted by a fabricated attack on his family during the live broadcast.

The General Manager exercised discretionary powers permitted by the Office of Local Government to redact material deemed unsuitable for public broadcast or potentially subject to legal liability.

The New South Wales Government has announced a package of poker machine harm minimisation measures, introducing a statewide self-exclusion register, facial recognition technology, and a ban on gambling advertising across government assets.

However, Inner West Council Mayor Darcy Byrne has criticised the policy, saying that the reforms do not go far enough to significantly reduce the state’s 87,000 gaming machines or address venue operating hours.

Mayor Byrne pressure would continue to be applied to the state government for meaningful reduction targets ahead of the next election.

Woollahra Council has put forward an alternative proposal to the New South Wales Government’s housing rezoning strategy for Woollahra and Edgecliff, offering to build 3,600 new homes instead of the state’s proposed 10,000.

The Mayor Sarah Dixson warned that the government’s current scheme would bring gridlock, overflowing schools, and up to eighty 25-storey towers to the area, whereas Woollahra Council’s counter-plan aims to protect local heritage, tree canopy, and quality of life.

Representatives from Murray River Council are heading to Sydney to meet with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and state leaders at a Country Mayors Association event focusing on regional housing.

The Riverine Herald reports that Mayor John Harvie and Councillor Gary Pappin plan to use the opportunity to raise regional concerns, including historical cuts to federal assistance grants and new state regulations restricting councillor communications.

The Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council, Josh Black, is using this week’s National Bush Summit in Dubbo to urge state and federal leaders to fund critical housing, health, and local infrastructure projects.

Mayor Black says urgent investment is needed for regional roads, hospital upgrades, and a Medicare Urgent Care Clinic to support the region’s rapidly growing population.

Griffith City Council has voted to roll back a controversial 32 per cent increase in commercial waste tip fees down to 10 per cent following widespread backlash from local businesses and residents.

The compromise move, which reduces the per-tonne rate at Tharbogang Landfill from $276 to $229.90, will now undergo a 28-day public exhibition period before taking effect. More from Region Riverina.

Tweed Shire Council has rejected a Notice to Alter that sought to deliver the proposed Tweed Regional Indoor Sports and Aquatic Centre as a single integrated project.

The motion, brought forward by three councillors, failed to gain support at an extraordinary meeting, preserving Council’s original decision to adopt a staged delivery model instead.

The decision locks in the initial focus on concept design and business case development for indoor court facilities, while aquatic facilities will be pursued separately through third-party funding and operational models.

Kiama Municipal Council has announced the return of its iconic New Year’s Harbour fireworks after local businesses and the community helped raise the required $100,000 funding target.

Following a cancellation of the event last year due to financial constraints, the council contributed $20,000 to jump-start the campaign to ensure the popular celebrations return on 31 December.

In an exceptionally tight contest for Kiama Municipal Council’s by-election, independent candidate Uncle Stan Jarrett currently leads Michael Bowden by just 196 votes.

With postal votes still being accepted until 4 September, the official winner will not be formally declared until Tuesday, 8 September.

Warrumbungle Shire Council and New South Wales Police have shut down an illegal tobacco shop disguised as a giftware store in Coonabarabran following community reports.

Two individuals were arrested, facing multiple charges after officers seized illicit tobacco, nicotine vapes, cash, and a live-streaming surveillance system.

Newcastle Lord Mayor Gavin Morris will participate in the inaugural Hunter Region Singapore Trade and Connectivity Mission next month, hosted by Newcastle Airport.

In related news, the airport was named Airport of the Year at the 2026 Australian Aviation Awards, recognising its transformation, growth in connectivity, commitment to passenger experience and sustainability, and contribution to the regional economy.

Queensland

Gold Coast City Council has voted to privatise all eight of its local aquatic centres, and is facing severe pushback from unions who warn the move could halve staff wages.

Union officials have also raised concerns over proposed reductions to redeployment rights, while the council defends the transition as a necessary measure to forecast tens of millions of dollars in savings. More from the Gold Coast Bulletin.

Also from the Bulletin, City of Gold Coast acting chief executive Paul Callander has secured an extended term in the top job following unanimous support from councillors and high praise from Mayor Tom Tate.

Mr Callander will remain in the interim role until a permanent successor is appointed to replace former chief executive Tim Baker, with the formal recruitment process set to be outlined next month.

Quilpie Shire’s CEO, Justin Hancock, has announced his resignation, with his final day set for Friday the sixteenth of October. After a short break, he will take up the top job at Banana Shire Council in early November.

Quilpie Mayor Ben Hall thanked Mister Hancock for more than five and a half years of leadership, saying he strengthened Council’s operations and supported major projects during his tenure.

Banana Shire Mayor Nev Ferrier said Council was pleased to appoint a leader with a strong understanding of regional Queensland and a proven record of delivering outcomes for communities.

Recruitment for a new Quilpie CEO will begin shortly.

Rockhampton Regional Council has voted to wipe out $430,000 in overdue library fines after discovering historical debts spanning more than 20 years.

The Courier Mail reported the unrecoverable debts on 5,000 inactive accounts had accumulated unnoticed outside standard financial systems, and clearing them will allow previously barred members to access library services once again.

Cairns Regional Council has launched a search for its third planning boss in just 15 months following the sudden resignation of executive Dr Mark Davey.

The leadership vacancy comes at a critical juncture for the council, with the incoming director expected to oversee the final stages of the city’s major $472 million water security project and tackle housing shortages.

Noosa Council has voted to request urgent state government approval to reopen Lions Park for temporary overflow parking during the 2026 Christmas period, seeking to reverse its previous decision to scrap the program.

Sunshine Coast News says the proposal would allow parking for approximately 21 days to ease holiday congestion and support local community projects. The decision was not unanimous, passing on a 5-2 vote.

Fraser Coast Regional Council has expanded its green targets after successfully hitting its previous milestone four years ahead of schedule, setting a new goal to plant 250,000 trees across the region by July 2032.

The initiative aims to boost local biodiversity and improve canopy cover while leaving a lasting environmental legacy in the lead-up to the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Logan City Council has unanimously rejected Football Queensland’s proposed seventy-six million dollar redevelopment of the Meakin Park sporting complex.

As reported by Soccerscene, councillors held concerns about local community access, funding certainty, and ongoing costs associated with granting a requested fifty-year lease expansion.

The decision leaves current lease arrangements in place while council initiates a formal review of Football Queensland’s performance at the Slacks Creek site.

Mount Isa City Council is set to hold a public auction at the Civic Centre on 8 and 9 September to sell properties with overdue rates and charges.

Bidders must register from 9:00am, though property inspections will not be available prior to the sale. There are 45 individual properties listed for sale, including 11 in Pioneer, 7 in Townview, and 6 at Soldiers Hill.

City of Moreton Bay has launched a new “Spread Kindness” campaign after revealing one in seven staff members have suffered occupational violence, aggression, or abuse on the job.

Mayor Peter Flannery warned that unacceptable behaviour towards frontline workers will not be tolerated, urging residents to treat council staff with patience and respect.

Tasmania

Hobart City Councillor Mike Dutta has officially launched his bid for Lord Mayor ahead of October’s local government elections, pledging to base decisions on evidence rather than political division.

Standing as an independent, the former educator aims to deliver fair rates, support local traders, and protect the capital’s heritage while scrutinising major infrastructure projects across the city, reports Pulse Tasmania.

Hobart City Council has voted to send a proposal restricting new whole-home short-stay rentals to the Tasmanian Planning Commission for final approval, reports ABC News.

The draft amendment aims to prevent roughly 20,000 residential homes from being converted into visitor accommodation to help ease the city’s ongoing long-term rental crisis.

George Town Council approval of a controversial AI data centre at Long Reach has sparked a political dispute, according to The Examiner.

Councillors claimed that Planning Minister Kerry Vincent informally ruled out treating the development as a major project in informal discussions at a recent conference. But a government spokesperson has denied the claims.

Burnie City Council has officially endorsed its first stand-alone, five-year LGBTIQA+ Action Plan, marking a major milestone for inclusion across North West Tasmania.

Developed alongside a community advisory group, the initiative aims to build a safer, more welcoming city following survey results showing nearly 60 per cent of respondents altered their daily activities out of fear of discrimination or violence.

South Australia

Naracoorte Lucindale Council has voted to commission oil portraits of each serving mayor, at a cost of up to seven thousand dollars per term.

The proposal, from Councillor Tom Dennis, was passed six votes to two on Tuesday night.

The Advertiser reported that Mayor Cr Patrick Ross didn’t vote under council rules. He said the expense worked out to about one thousand dollars a year, comparable to councillors’ post-meeting meals.

The decision has drawn mixed community feedback. Tell us what you think by voting in our current web poll.

Barunga West Council has appointed local government veteran Andrew Aitken as its Interim Chief Executive Officer, taking over from Mark McDonald following his resignation earlier this month.

Mr Aitken, who previously spent a decade leading Adelaide Hills Council, will commence in the role on Monday to guide the organisation while the council undertakes recruitment for a permanent successor.

Five regional local government associations—representing Limestone Coast, Northern & Yorke, Murraylands and Riverland, Eyre Peninsula, and Southern & Hills local councils—have united to demand urgent federal funding reform ahead of national parliamentary hearings in Adelaide and Port Lincoln.

They are calling on the Commonwealth to restore Financial Assistance Grants to at least one per cent of taxation revenue and replace competitive grant processes with fairer, formula-based funding models to sustain essential regional infrastructure.

Adelaide’s Campbelltown City Council has backflipped on plans to build private padel courts at Foxfield Oval following community backlash over high fees and loud, “gunshot-like” noise.

Adelaide Now reported that over 400 residents petitioned against the project, prompting councillors to protect the free public space and focus on restoring the existing tennis courts instead.

Western Australia

City of Perth councillors have voted to defer a motion aimed at reinstating suspended Chief Executive Michelle Reynolds, choosing to keep her on leave while an ongoing workplace investigation concludes.

WAtoday reports that Reynolds was originally stood down in May following a confidential meeting with the Local Government Inspector.

Lord Mayor Bruce Reynolds said the council has opted to postpone any decision on her return until full options are presented after the conclusion of a workplace investigation.

The deferral coincides with recent scrutiny over advice emailed by Reynolds from her work account shortly before a committee meeting earlier this month.

Perth City Council has announced that the seven-metre Boonji Spaceman sculpture will touch down in its permanent waterfront home at Elizabeth Quay in mid-2027.

Until the relocation, space enthusiasts can still view the artwork at its temporary site in Stirling Gardens.

The Shire of Derby/West Kimberley has issued a plea for public respect following a surge in offensive social media commentary aimed at local rangers and municipal staff.

While welcoming constructive feedback on services such as animal control, the shire says employees deserve a safe, abuse-free environment while carrying out their essential duties.

International

NZ:

Reaction to the New Zealand government’s announcement that it will cap council rates across the country at four per cent has drawn a swift response from across the local government sector.

Local Government New Zealand issued a stern warning that the cap will severely cripple District Councils and City Councils in their ability to maintain essential public services and infrastructure.

LGNZ President Rehette Stoltz argued that the arbitrary cap is a “blunt tool” that provides a negligible saving of just $34 per household while forcing severe maintenance shortfalls across every regional council nationwide.

Global ratings agency S&P has warned the proposed cap could backfire by driving up borrowing costs, according to The Post.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown echoed those concerns. He says the cap risks lowering Auckland Council’s credit rating and ultimately burdening local ratepayers with higher interest costs for planned projects.

Waikato local authority leaders have also sharply criticised the proposed cap, warning it could severely compromise core local services and infrastructure.

RNZ News reported that Hauraki District Council mayor Toby Adams and Matamata-Piako District Council mayor Ash Tanner have accused central government of over-regulating local affairs while wasting millions on unwanted amalgamation schemes.

UK:

Union members in the UK have “reluctantly” agreed a 3.3% pay rise for council staff, reports Local Gov. The deal covers pay rates and allowances from 1 April 2026 through to 31 March 2027.

UNISON says the deal was accepted to avoid strike action after a ballot of around 200,000 workers, but warns years of below-inflation awards have eroded pay, and that it will push for a stronger settlement in 2027.

A young man has died following a stabbing incident at the Brent Civic Centre in north-west London.

Scotland Yard has launched a murder investigation into the incident at the Brent Council headquarters, confirming it is not currently being treated as terror-related.

Durham County Council chief executive John Hewitt has warned councillors that “unacceptable” emails sent using an authority-wide mailing list pose significant legal risks.

Speaking following reports of personal allegations and assumptions being presented as fact, Mr Hewitt reminded members of their duty to maintain high standards of behaviour and treat staff with respect. More from Local Government Lawyer dot com dot uk.

North Yorkshire Council Chief Executive Richard Flinton has announced he will retire in March after nearly forty years of local government service across the county – including sixteen as chief executive.

He leaves the role having successfully overseen the merger of eight local authorities into the unified North Yorkshire Council and helping to secure a major regional devolution deal.

Former Mid and East Antrim Borough Council chief executive Anne Donaghy has been fined £1,500 after being convicted of two charges related to deleting an email to prevent its disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act, according to BBC News.

The court heard she instructed her PA to delete correspondence sent to former First Minister Arlene Foster, though her solicitors have confirmed she maintains her innocence and intends to appeal the decision.

FRANCE:

French locals in Brittany have launched a “Parisians get out” campaign amid a surge of summer visitors, with reports of Paris-registered cars being scratched and anti-tourist graffiti appearing on signs and walls.

Local Mayors have condemned the hostility, but they say overcrowded roads, parking shortages and housing pressure from second homes are fuelling tensions as heatwaves drive more holidaymakers north for “coolcations”, reports GB News.

SOUTH AFRICA:

The African National Congress has introduced stricter selection criteria for its candidate representatives ahead of the 2026 Local Government Elections.

Voice of the Cape reports that the party is mandating a matric certificate for prospective councillors and tertiary qualifications for mayoral candidates in major metros and secondary cities.

Former President and ANC Electoral Committee Chair Kgalema Motlanthe says the changes are about professionalising municipal governance and boosting public confidence.