On the Local Government News Roundup today:

• No end in sight for Wyndham’s mayoral saga
• Councillors slam an MP’s blurring of “fact and fiction”
• Voting fraud claims rock Whittlesea by‑election
• Glen Eira wins higher rates rise
• ICAC’s Parramatta inquiry alleges a fear, surveillance culture
• Council CEO comings and goings in five states
• Redland’s governance advisor term extended
• Launceston slams the AFL’s Hawthorn exit decision
• Major reforms loom as Perth’s council is slammed for its diabolical culture
• Mandurah councillor resignation triggers public war

Plus more news from across the world of local government in 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 #586:

Victorian Report

The Wyndham mayoral saga continues to drag on, with Cr Preet Singh resisting increasing calls for his resignation – those calls now joined by the local federal member Joanne Ryan – and after a fourth community protest demanding he step down.

It has also been revealed that Cr Singh is under investigation by Victoria’s Justice Department over whether he should be dismissed as a Justice of the Peace, over his now infamous character reference for a man later jailed on child sex offences.

This week, the council will trial a new sign-in system for in-person council meetings. Attendees will be required to register by 5pm the day before and show photo ID on entry.

The council also says no placards or banners will be allowed, and disruptive attendees may be asked to leave as part of updated safety measures.

More on the latest developments from the Star Weekly.

And in yet more Wyndham news, Councillors Josh Gilligan and Mia Shaw have hit back at local Member for Werribee John Lister, following critical comments he made in State Parliament recently.

In a fiery joint statement, the Councillors accused the state MP of using parliamentary privilege to “blur the lines between fact and fiction.” They rejected claims of financial mismanagement, stating Wyndham’s budget consistently passes independent audits, and confirmed that community sport infrastructure funding has been completely cleared by the state.

Serious voting fraud allegations have hit the Whittlesea Council Lalor Ward by-election.

The Victorian Electoral Commission has confirmed a significant pattern of multiple ballot returns and intercepted dozens of suspected fraudulent votes before they could affect the count.

Electoral Commissioner Sven Bluemmel stated that while the suspected interference was intercepted quickly, any attempt to subvert the democratic process is a serious crime carrying penalties of up to five years in prison.

The VEC has officially referred the matter to Victoria Police and the Local Government Inspectorate for immediate criminal investigation.

The City of Whittlesea has declared “enough is enough,” slamming the Department of Transport and Planning over the shocking state of local arterial roads.

A council audit revealed over thirteen-hundred maintenance defects—including severe potholes, damaged guardrails, and overgrown hazards.

Mayor Lawrie Cox says despite repeated pleas to the State Government, the roads continue to rapidly decline. The council is urging residents to direct their frustration straight to the Department of Transport.

Pyrenees Shire Council Chief Executive Officer Jim Nolan has announced his resignation, bringing an end to more than 11 and a half years of leadership at the municipality.

His retirement concludes a distinguished 37-year career in local government.

First appointed to the top role at Pyrenees Shire Council in December 2014, Nolan previously built an extensive career spanning two and a half decades working across several Victorian municipalities, including the Glenelg, Southern Grampians, and Northern Grampians shire councils.

Jim will finish at Pyrenees Shire on 10 July, after which he is looking forward to pursuing other interests, including travel and spending time with family.

Details on a transition plan and recruitment process for a new Chief Executive Officer are pending.

Glen Eira City Council residents will see their rates go up by five per cent for the 2026 to 27 financial year.

The Essential Services Commission approved the council’s request to exceed the state’s standard cap by an extra two-point-two-five per cent.

Mayor Simone Zmood acknowledged cost-of-living pressures but said the one-year increase is critical to maintaining local parks, libraries, and ageing infrastructure.

For the average household, it will mean paying about an extra seven dollars a month.

A massive 57-million-dollar capital works underspend will take centre stage at Tuesday night’s Greater Geelong council meeting, according to the Geelong Advertiser.

Agenda reports reveal major community projects are being pushed back into the next financial year—including an 18-million-dollar delay in Armstrong Creek land acquisitions and multi-million-dollar holdups on local waste and sorting facilities.

Also on the agenda, concerning community feedback, accusing elected officials of listening with “closed ears.” Council will vote on a revised community engagement policy that aims to rebuild trust in its consultation processes.

A newly released technical report prepared for Moyne Shire Council, has revealed the Port Fairy Pool facility has suffered significant deterioration.

Experts have ruled out a simple repair job due to high costs and risks.

Councillors will review the findings at this Tuesday’s meeting, though no final decisions on the pool’s future have been made yet.

Banyule Council has launched its “Banyule’s Ready” campaign ahead of the November state election, calling on candidates to back critical local upgrades.

Key priorities include revitalising the Ivanhoe Aquatic centre, fixing Melbourne’s most dangerous roundabout on the Greensborough Bypass, and securing funding for local homelessness outreach services.

Mayor Alison Champion says the council is making its voice clear to ensure the community gets the investment it needs.

Victorian Briefs

Nominations are now open for the 2026 Mary Rogers Awards, recognising women in local government across Victoria.

The awards, run by the Victorian Local Governance Association with the Victorian Government, celebrate the achievements of women councillors and promote gender equality in decision-making.

Councillors and councils can nominate in four categories. Entries close Friday July 3. Details are on the VLGA website.

The Municipal Association of Victoria has won the Technology and Digital Innovation category at the Planning Institute of Australia’s Awards for Planning Excellence.

The award recognises its “Advancing AI Innovation in Local Government” project, exploring how AI and automation could support statutory planning.

The project was delivered with partners including Greater Dandenong and Portable, with Commonwealth Housing Support Program funding.

Cardinia Shire Council is moving ahead with a major digital transformation, appointing PM Partners to manage the rollout of new enterprise business systems.

The project follows the awarding of a software contract to TechnologyOne and will replace outdated systems with an integrated cloud-based platform.

Council says it will improve customer service, efficiency and cybersecurity, delivered in four phases over the next three years.

NSW Report

Sensational details continue to emerge from the corruption watchdog’s inquiry into the City of Parramatta Council.

Recent evidence presented has laid bare an alleged culture of fear and high-tech surveillance under former CEO Gail Connolly.

Former Chief Financial Officer John Angilley told the commission that the email accounts of Councillor Kellie Darley were targeted for electronic extraction after she opposed a million-dollar Parramatta Eels sponsorship deal. He testified that Ms. Connolly routinely kept sensitive directives off the record to avoid public scrutiny.

Meanwhile, internal logs revealed that the council’s anonymous workplace bullying portal was weaponised. Management allegedly used Microsoft Teams chat logs to identify and compile dossiers on staff who criticised the executive.

The inquiry also went into private session last week to protect untested evidence, as the commission probes allegations that roles were systematically tailored for personal allies.

Hearings continue this week.

Lake Macquarie City Council has appointed David Hughes as its new Chief Executive Officer for the next four years.

David has spent the past eight years as Council’s Director of Built and Natural Assets—managing a $4.1 billion asset portfolio—and has previously stepped into the role of acting Deputy CEO.

He will formally assume the CEO role on August 10, following previously planned leave. Current interim CEO Tony Farrell will remain at the helm until that date.

Meanwhile, Justin Fitzpatrick-Barr has resigned as General Manager of Singleton Council.

The Council has commenced the search for an interim replacement, and appointed Mel Curtis as Acting General Manager.

Justin stepped up from the Director of Infrastructure and Planning role at the council in August 2024, and was with the council for nearly six years in total.

Kiama Council will hold an extraordinary meeting this Wednesday at 5pm to consider a proposed change to its NSW Government Performance Improvement Order.

Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has issued a notice to extend the deadline for a balanced budget by 12 months, pushing it to the end of the 2027–28 financial year.

Mayor Cameron McDonald says the extra time will help protect community services and jobs, while council continues budget repair and governance actions.

Jack Franklin has been sworn in as Cessnock City Council’s newest councillor, after the NSW Electoral Commission completed a countback of votes from the 2024 local government election.

The countback was triggered by the resignation of Ward C councillor Mark Mason in March, creating a casual vacancy.

Franklin took the oath of office on Wednesday, May 20, and attended his first council meeting the same day.

A builder has been fined $30,000 after concrete runoff polluted stormwater in Canterbury-Bankstown.

Council inspectors found slurry flowing from a construction site into a gutter and travelling about 120 metres to an exposed stormwater pit, with no erosion or sediment controls in place.

The builder was later convicted for water pollution in Bankstown Local Court.

The Council says it won’t tolerate contractors who cut corners, and is urging residents to report pollution incidents.

The City of Newcastle says residents affected by the New Lambton landslip remain the top priority as the one‑year anniversary approaches.

Council is working with the NSW Reconstruction Authority on a funding package to demolish damaged homes and compensate landowners, but says demolition is unlikely to begin until early 2027.

Sixteen properties remain under an evacuation notice, with a new 12‑month government‑funded relocation package to begin soon.

NSW Briefs:

Waverley Council has launched a massive draft Master Plan aiming to transform Bondi Junction into a world-class civic and cultural hub.

The blueprint features three-thousand new homes, a major revamp of the Oxford Street Mall into an 18-hour day-to-night destination, and a brand-new civic precinct with an expanded park and state-of-the-art community facilities.

Blue Mountains Mayor Mark Greenhill is renewing calls for urgent NSW Government action over dangerous heavy truck movements on Old Bathurst Road at Blaxland.

He says years of inaction and weak enforcement have left locals reporting repeated near-misses, with trucks crossing onto the wrong side on tight bends.

Warren Shire Council is demanding stronger regional water security guarantees in its latest submission to the Murray-Darling Basin Plan Review.

Mayor Greg Whiteley says protecting critical human needs must remain a top priority to safeguard towns across the Macquarie Valley from future severe droughts.

Among the key recommendations is a proposal to strategically utilise up to 20% of Burrendong Dam’s flood mitigation capacity to boost long-term water resilience for regional communities

Queensland Report

The Queensland State Government has extended the appointment of an external governance advisor at Redland City Council until June 30, according to a report from Redland Bayside News.

Correspondence shows the extension is partly to ensure staff currently on leave have returned before findings and recommendations are formally delivered.

The advisor was appointed amid escalating governance concerns. The extension comes as Mayor Jos Mitchell remains on medical leave until mid-June, with Deputy Mayor Julie Talty acting as mayor.

In more Redland news, the council has received and noted an independent Deloitte review into council services and organisational efficiency.

The report, commissioned after a Mayoral Minute in March last year, found council isn’t in distress but is at a crossroads as the city grows.

Acting Mayor Julie Talty sees it as a chance to rethink what services are needed and how they’re delivered.

Louise Rusan, the Council’s CEO, says the review highlights both challenges and a valued service record, with recommendations now set to be considered in coming months.

Livingstone Shire Council has announced the appointment of Tom Upton as its new Chief Executive Officer following a comprehensive nationwide recruitment search.

Mayor Adam Belot said the appointment of Mr Upton is a strategic move to provide long-term stability and leadership for one of Queensland’s fastest-growing regions outside of the southeast corner.

Tom comes to Livingstone after a recent seven-year tenure at Banana Shire Council.

He is scheduled to officially relocate and commence his duties with the Council on June 29.

The City of Moreton Bay is set to become a global tech powerhouse.

Silicon Valley-based quantum computing giant PsiQuantum has announced it will build its Asia-Pacific headquarters and a massive utility-scale quantum computer at Moreton Bay Central in Petrie.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the landmark project will supercharge the local innovation ecosystem and bring thousands of highly skilled jobs to the region.

Tasmania

Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood has slammed the AFL’s decision to end Hawthorn home games in Tasmania after 2027.

The Mayor warns the eviction will strip Northern Tasmania of a proven eighty-million-dollar economic boost without a clear transition plan for the incoming Tasmania Devils.

Mayor Garwood claims both the AFL and the State Government have met the council’s calls for dialogue with absolute silence.

Councillor Christian Street has been elected Deputy Mayor of Kingborough Council, chosen by ballot at a council meeting last week.

Outgoing Mayor Paula Wriedt congratulated Street, saying the experienced councillor—first elected in 2018—will provide calm, thoughtful leadership through to the October elections.

The change follows former Deputy Mayor Clare Glade-Wright’s recent election to Tasmania’s Legislative Council.

Cr Street will also step in as Acting Mayor when Cr Wriedt officially steps down this week.

Pulse Tasmania reported that Cr Wriedt has used her final council meeting to call for a kinder community and apologise to council staff for the abuse they have copped on social media.

Tasmania’s under-fire West Coast Council has commissioned an independent external review of its operations following intense local criticism.

The Advocate reported that the move follows a string of controversies, including a heavily opposed waterfront concrete wall, a recently settled unfair dismissal claim, and union backlash over high staff turnover.

General Manager Scott Riley said the review is designed to provide a clear pathway forward for the isolated municipality.

A major housing boom is coming to Greater Hobart.

Glenorchy City Council has welcomed a joint State and Federal plan to transform the 30-hectare Derwent Barracks site at Dowsing Point into a brand-new suburb.

Mayor Sue Hickey says the project will deliver around 1,000 much-needed homes alongside green spaces, while putting a spotlight on the urgent need for local transport upgrades.

South Australia

The District Council of Tumby Bay is getting a new leader.

Luke Moane has been appointed as the council’s new Chief Executive Officer, officially stepping into the role on Tuesday, June 9th.

Luke will move from the District Council of Elliston, where he has served as the Director of Essential Services and Assets.

Mayor Geoff Churchett said Luke’s extensive background in regional local government will be a major asset for the coastal community.

The City of Onkaparinga says it has no immediate plans to raise council rates on short-term rentals like Airbnbs to fix local housing pressures.

Mayor Moira Were said that while affordable housing remains a massive challenge, a direct link to short-stay rentals isn’t yet clear.

The council is calling for a statewide registration database to better track the data, balancing the local tourism economy with the desperate need for long-term rentals.

Western Australia

Western Australia’s Local Government Minister says the **City of Perth’**s “diabolical” culture should trigger serious reform — with some even suggesting that it merge with the neighbouring City of Vincent.

Inspector Tony Brown has formally put the council on notice over allegations of a toxic work environment and poor communication between councillors and staff, warning stronger action could follow.

Perth MP John Carey, a former local government minister, says the “pettiness, infighting and immaturity” is “galling” and has left ratepayers fed up.

WA Today reported that the inspector is investigating more than a dozen complaints about chief executive, Michelle Reynolds.

The concerns were detailed to councillors in a closed-door briefing, after which they voted to place Reynolds on leave, pending a legal review.

Current local government minister Hannah Beazley has flagged broader shake-ups across that state’s local government sector, saying amalgamations are absolutely “back on the table.”

The City of Vincent says it’s open to talks on a merger — but is wary of joining with a dysfunctional council. More on that from ABC Perth.

A war of words has erupted after long-time Mandurah councillor Peter Rogers abruptly resigned, with immediate effect earlier this month.

Mr Rogers walked away citing a lack of strategic direction and leadership under Mayor Amber Kearns.

But Mayor Kearns wasted no time firing back, saying that she’s disappointed Rogers is walking away with two years left on his term, sparking a public dispute over council involvement and a photoshopped Facebook image.

PerthNow reported the early exit will trigger an unexpected and costly extraordinary election for Mandurah ratepayers.

The City of Busselton has appointed Annie Riordan as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing 24th August.

Annie has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Shire of Harvey for the past eight years. Prior to that, she held executive roles with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River for eight years and has also worked in senior local government positions in South Australia.

Mayor Phill Cronin said Ms Riordan’s strong knowledge of the South West community and industry places her in a unique position to quickly transition into the CEO role at the City of Busselton.

Julian Murphy is stepping down as Chief Executive of the Shire of Plantagenet, finishing in late July, after a serious health scare prompted a rethink of priorities.

Murphy, a local government veteran of 30 years — including 25 as a CEO — says he plans to focus on recovery and spend more time with family, and doubts he’ll return to another full-time role.

Shire President Len Handasyde praised Murphy for bringing “order” and driving progress on key programs during his time in the role, saying he will be missed.

Global Report

Breaking news from Poland. An exit poll shows residents in Krakow have overwhelmingly voted to oust both the Mayor Aleksander Miszalski and the city council in a local referendum.

With a projected turnout of over 33%, the vote clears the legal threshold to be binding, according to TVP World.

Voters have cited frustration over the city’s planned low-emission transport zone and rising debt. If official results confirm the poll, Poland’s second-largest city will be heading to early elections.

NZ:

Whanganui, Ruapehu and Rangitīkei councils are taking local government reform to the people, scheduling public meetings over a fast-tracked amalgamation “head start” process.

Rangitīkei’s mayor Andy Watson told the NZ Herald that the deadline is too tight for a change this big, calling for more time and open discussion.

Whanganui mayor Andrew Tripe agrees the process must be structured, not rushed, while Ruapehu says it needs a strong voice as options are assessed.

Kaipara District Council has named Jazz Singh as its new chief executive.

The experienced local government solicitor and former chief of staff to Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown will step into the role on June 8th.

Mayor Jonathan Larsen said Singh’s expertise across policy and fiscal management makes him the right person to lead the district through upcoming local government reforms.

UK:

Post-election gridlock is gripping local town halls, with a record 158 English councils left under no overall control.

While Birmingham and Cambridge scramble to form coalitions, Reform UK has successfully secured a minority administration to lead East Sussex County Council.

Meanwhile, the Local Government Chronicle reports that Labour’s devolution plans are in question after Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham confirmed his bid to return to Westminster via the Makerfield by-election.

Derby City Council has defended playing the intro to a Dr Dre track at the city’s annual Mayor Making ceremony, after a councillor called it “highly inappropriate.”

Outgoing mayor Ajit Atwal chose the clip, with the council stressing only a short instrumental section was used — and it doesn’t endorse the song’s lyrics.

The incoming mayor, Conservative councillor Jonathan Smale, opted for the hymn “Jerusalem” for his induction, according to BBC News.

A long-serving Worcestershire councillor says death threats against both him and his dog have pushed him to quit politics.

According to BBC News, Richard Udall told a county council meeting he won’t stand again after 35 years in office, citing rising abuse and intimidation.

Colleagues say threats against councillors and staff are becoming alarmingly common.

USA:

Across the United States, municipal leaders are sounding the alarm over a proposed overhaul of FEMA – the federal emergency management authority.

A federal task force recommendation suggests pulling back federal disaster intervention for everything except catastrophic events.

Local officials warn the shift will push immense financial and operational burdens onto city budgets already strained by soaring insurance costs.

Meanwhile, as Infrastructure Week wraps up, local governments are turning up the pressure on Washington.

With mega-funding set to expire in September, advocates are lobbying heavily for the new bipartisan Build America 250 draft bill.

Councils are pushing to make sure they can use federal grants to lock down cybersecurity on vulnerable local water and transit networks.

CANADA:

Stratford City Council is taking the Ontario government to court.

CBC News reported that the city is launching a legal challenge against the province’s ‘strong mayor’ legislation, arguing it violates the Charter of Rights by stripping elected councillors of their authority.

Stratford Mayor Martin Ritsma says he supports the move, but is publicly raising concerns over the unknown cost to local taxpayers.

The British Columbia provincial government is introducing new legislative amendments aimed at cutting upfront costs for homebuilders.

Housing Minister Christine Boyle announced that the province will give local municipalities more flexibility to waive or reduce development charges on multi-unit housing.

Officials say the changes are designed to speed up home construction and ensure B.C. communities qualify for billions in upcoming federal infrastructure funding.