On the podcast today:

• Glen Eira looks at transferring ownership of residential aged care facility
• A call for greater Victorian government investment to tackle illegal dumping
• Gail Connolly back in front of ICAC today
• Bega Valley Council rejects a request to waive a million dollar debt
• Sunshine Coast Council’s CEO defends a plan to slash jobs
• Tensions flare at a Tasmanian council meeting
• and the South Australian councils that might have to carry vacant seats for up to a year

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 it’s exploring transferring ownership and operation of its 90-bed Warrawee Community residential aged care facility in Bentleigh East to an external provider.

Mayor Simone Zmood says the facility is not closing, with no immediate changes to care, staffing or day-to-day operations.

Council says the service is forecast to run at an annual loss of around five-and-a-half million dollars in 2025–26, with increasing regulatory and compliance requirements.

An expression of interest and tender process will now begin, with any transfer requiring a further council decision and approval from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

The Municipal Association of Victoria is calling for greater state government collaboration on illegal dumping, calling a $21M task force ‘ineffective’.

The peak body’s president Jennifer Anderson told ABC News that councils are facing tightening financial constraints as reports of dumping surge across Melbourne.

Local councils are urging the state to shift its focus from public education to boosting waste infrastructure and service funding.

The City of Greater Geelong has thrown its support behind Wyndham City Council’s call for major infrastructure investment, as the November state election approaches.

The councils are co-submitting major infrastructure proposals to the state government, including three new railway stations and a dedicated freeway link to the Metropolitan Ring Road.

Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj said the two councils are on the same page about rail service between Geelong, Werribee and Melbourne, according to Bay 93.9.”

The City of Frankston is drawing attention to its “front door”.

The Council is urging the Victorian Government to invest in state-managed gateways and key road corridors, as a key priority of its Frankston City First advocacy campaign ahead of the state election.

It is citing a range of concerns about maintenance, graffiti, signage and safer walking and cycling links.

Council estimates around 1.3 million dollars is needed to replace glass panels on the Frankston Freeway near Beach Street, plus about 700-thousand for lighting and landscaping upgrades.

Local CFA brigades in Victoria’s Macedon Ranges say they’ve lost a long-running fire equipment maintenance contract with the shire council, after the tender was awarded to a private Bendigo firm.

The Kyneton brigade says the work helped fund equipment and services, and warns the loss will hit future truck replacement plans.

Council says the CFA bid didn’t meet the expanded contract scope. Read more in the Midland Express.

NSW Report

ICAC’s Operation Navarra – examining allegations against former CEO Gail Connolly and two other senior executives – is back on today, with Ms Connolly back on the stand for further testimony.

Proceedings adjourned last Friday, with some of Ms Connolly’s testimony redacted from the record by order of the commissioner.

The Daily Telegraph has details of what has occurred to this point, and live reporting of today’s developments.

Bega Valley Shire Council has unanimously rejected a NSW State Government request to waive a $1.1 million debt.

The bill, incurred by NSW Police for using public land during the construction of the new Bega Police Station, was contested after the project ran over budget.

2EC reported that Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick successfully blocked a staff recommendation to approve the waiver, stating it was unfair to burden local ratepayers with State Government costs.

Local policing services will not be impacted by the decision.

Albury Council has defended its $36M Entertainment Centre redevelopment, despite brewing community concern over projected rate rises.

Construction commenced on the convention wing expansion this week, backed by twenty-five million dollars in state and federal grants. Albury Council will cover the remaining eleven million dollars.

Addressing backlash over the local investment during a tight economic climate, Mayor Kevin Mack told the Border Mail that the community would ultimately be understanding, emphasising that councillors will maintain strict oversight to prevent budget overruns.

The project has been planned for a decade and is expected to act as a vital economic generator for local businesses upon completion in 2028.

Kiama Municipal Council has leveraged a historic Community Cabinet meeting to pitch major infrastructure overhauls directly to the New South Wales Government.

Mayor Cameron McDonald pressed Premier Chris Minns to lift a restrictive 30-year covenant on council-owned land at Spring Creek, a move aimed at boosting the local economy and unlocking critical employment lands.

Council executives also advocated for the urgent inclusion of the Bombo Waste Treatment Plant upgrade into Sydney Water’s ten-year capital plan to support future housing growth.

Bourke Shire Council has responded to criticism about a #5.5k countback election and a confidential $408k truck contract, with General Manager Leonie Brown confirming both decisions complied fully with New South Wales law.

The countback replaced a departing councillor at a fraction of the cost of a by-election, while the heavy vehicle tender was discussed in a closed session to protect commercial confidentiality.

According to the Dubbo News, the standardisation of the council’s fleet is part of its long-planned operational schedule.

Tenterfield Shire Council has extended the appointment of Matthew Francisco as Acting General Manager through to 29 March 2027, or until a permanent General Manager is appointed.

Francisco has been balancing the role alongside his duties as Director of Infrastructure Services.

Mayor Bronwyn Petrie acknowledged his stability and operational leadership during the transition as Hein Basson departs the council after two years.

Council will recruit a temporary Director of Infrastructure Services and expects to begin the permanent General Manager search towards the end of the year.

Queensland Report

The CEO of Sunshine Coast Council has addressed proposed job cuts, as the council moves to tackle ongoing budget deficits.

John Baker told Sunshine Coast News that around 130 roles are flagged for removal, with about 40 per cent currently vacant, and final numbers subject to consultation.

The council has already paused recruitment and is streamlining teams, as rates are set to rise nearly 10 per cent.

Fraser Coast Regional Council has announced a ten-million-dollar investment to refurbish the historic Maryborough City Hall over the next two financial years.

The project focuses on upgrading community accessibility, modernising customer service areas, and executing essential structural repairs while preserving the building’s heritage character.

Crucially for local economic activity, the completion of the works will see more than 50 council staff return to the civic hub to help revitalise the Maryborough central business district.

Townsville City Council has introduced seven new side-loader waste trucks equipped with an innovative AI pedestrian detection system, marking an Australian first for local government fleets.

Manufactured by Australian company Superior Pak, the fully integrated control system alerts drivers to nearby pedestrians and warns individuals if they enter a vehicle’s danger zone.

Mayor Nick Dametto says the technology improves community safety while standardising the fleet to streamline maintenance and reduce service disruptions.

Council plans to roll out the AI hazard reduction technology to an additional five trucks in the near future.

A delegation from Taiwan’s southern city of Kaohsiung has visited Redland City Council to explore new economic and innovation partnerships.

Organised through Trade and Investment Queensland, the visit focused on collaborative opportunities in sustainability, the visitor economy, and smart city technology.

Redland City Acting Mayor Julie Talty highlighted the region as an ideal hub for upcoming pilot projects.

Tasmania

Tensions have flared at Clarence City Council following emotional disclosures from Deputy Mayor Allison Ritchie.

Speaking during a Code of Conduct debate regarding Councillor Tony Mulder, Ms Ritchie detailed past targeting of her home, including arson and property damage, highlighting the impacts of toxic public discourse.

The Mercury reported that Councillor Mulder has formally accepted the conduct panel’s reprimand for bullying but has since criticised the local government code of conduct process.

The City of Hobart’s free e-bike library is set to continue after a successful first year, with the council saying the program is fully funded.

The scheme lets Tasmanians borrow an e-bike for two weeks with a refundable bond, and more than 140 people have taken part.

ABC News reports that some retailers say the trial is helping drive new e-bike sales.

South Australia

As South Australian councils are facing uncertainty after the Acting Electoral Commissioner requested a six-month delay to the November council elections, potentially pushing them to mid-2027.

As InDaily reports, five councils — including Mount Gambier, Adelaide Plains, Alexandrina, Port Adelaide Enfield, and Victor Harbor — already have vacant seats following the March state election, and a delay could leave those positions unfilled for close to a year.

The Local Government Association says the late call has drawn strong and mixed reactions, with questions remaining about how extended terms would affect caretaker periods, budget cycles, and vacancy management.

Special Minister of State Kyam Maher says the government will decide in the coming days.

Western Australia

The City of Stirling has unanimously knocked back a proposal to expand public access to its electric vehicle charging network and reduce fees.

A council review found the existing infrastructure is currently under-utilised, with a key site averaging just 20 per cent capacity during business hours.

Officers confirmed the current rate of 44 cents per kilowatt-hour operates on a strict break-even basis. Council will review access arrangements if demand increases, according to PerthNow.

Jemma Scott has been sworn in as a new elected member on the Town of Port Hedland Council.

The seat was declared vacant after councillor-elect Adrian McRae didn’t complete the required declaration of office within two months.

Mayor Jacinta Behrend says the council looks forward to working collaboratively with Cr Scott. Her term runs until October 2029.

Global Report

UK:

Conflicts are brewing over the UK government’s proposed overnight visitor levy, sometimes called a tourist tax.

The plan would give mayors powers to charge the levy, but some councils and tourism groups want more local control — including veto rights and ring-fencing the money to the areas where it’s raised.

Support is mixed: some Labour-led authorities back it, while others warn the income could be diverted into wider regional projects. Local Government Chronicle

A former mayor has resigned from Oswestry Town Council, citing a “toxic” workplace culture and raising concerns over behaviour.

Jay Moore, who served as an independent after recently leaving the Liberal Democrats, announced his departure following what he described as a period marked by bias and bullying.

In a report by the Border Counties Advertizer, Moore also criticised recent council decisions to increase parking charges and local precepts.

Oswestry’s Town Clerk has confirmed that any code of conduct complaints have been referred to the Shropshire Council monitoring officer, and a vacancy has been declared.

USA:

In Oregon, the mayor of Portland Keith Wilson has warned the city’s affordable housing system could face collapse within six months without urgent intervention.

According to a report by Seattle Red, the city’s public housing authority, Home Forward, is battling a 35-million-dollar deficit alongside severe vacancy and operational challenges.

Mayor Wilson is urging the council to back a holistic financial recovery plan, alongside streamlined eviction processes for criminal activity.

CANADA:

Calgary city officials are calling for $342 million over the next four years to tackle leaking water pipes.

CBC News reported that the city lost 23 per cent of treated water last year—about 120 million litres a day—and want to cut losses to 15 per cent by 2030 through new meters, leak detection and pipe replacement.

Council is expected to debate the funding request in the coming months.

NZ:

Gore District Council will seek public feedback on five options for local government reform across the south, as it considers joining the Government’s fast-track “Head Start” process.

Mayor Ben Bell says no decision has been made to amalgamate, but councillors want a say before a 9th August deadline.

Options range from no proposal to one or two unitary authorities.