Coming up today on the Local Government News Roundup:

• Victorian Councils press their advocacy priorities – with hooning, road conditions and police numbers among the demands
• A governance emergency in New South Wales has councils scrambling to roll back new meeting rules
• A NSW MP accused of undue influence on council operations
• A new CEO appointed to run two Tasmanian councils
• In WA, a commissioner appointed to Carnarvon Shire, and a Council CEO calls time
• A $400M housing incentive fund for NZ Councils
• and another Canadian council looks to unwind climate emergency actions

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 #588:

Victorian Report

Boroondara Council has called on the state government to urgently fund enforcement-based deterrents to curb persistent hooning along Yarra Boulevard.

Despite seven million dollars in federal funding for safety infrastructure, councillors have unanimously voted to demand the immediate deployment of speed and noise-detecting acoustic cameras.

The Herald Sun reported that the council has lobbied for over a year to be included in the state’s current roadside acoustic camera trial, as nighttime closures remain strongly opposed by the local community.

The City of Whittlesea has called for urgent, long-term funding for Donnybrook Road, warning that a recent state and federal investment fails to address critical bottlenecks in Melbourne’s rapidly growing outer north.

The council says daily traffic volumes on the corridor have already reached 37,000—nearly double its designed capacity—and are projected to hit 70,000 by 2030.

It is advocating for a complete upgrade from the Hume Freeway to Merriang Road to support essential transport links and regional employment growth.

Ballarat City Council has endorsed a notice of motion calling for more police on the ground.

Councillor Ted Lapkin wants Council to write to the Victorian Premier and Police Minister, seeking an extra 21 officers to match Ballarat’s population growth — taking the total to 163.

The motion also highlighted rising demand driven by family violence and pushes for more specialist family violence and sexual assault units. A letter will now be sent to the State Government.

Loddon Shire Council is calling on the state government for nine-point-five million dollars in emergency funding.

The council warns that flood damage to the Skinners Flat Reservoir is threatening the structural integrity of the dam and risking the safety of the nearby Wedderburn township.

As reported by the Herald Sun, councillors are voting on a funding priority list, highlighting the mounting pressure rural councils face from inflation and cost-shifting.

Latrobe City Council is calling out major delays to two long-promised road safety upgrades in Gippsland, saying regional communities are being left behind.

Mayor Sharon Gibson says the Lloyd Street–Waterloo Road rail crossing in Moe and the Princes Highway–Bank Street intersection in Traralgon were announced more than six years ago and are still unfinished.

The Mayor warns the longer the works drag on, the greater the risk of serious accidents.

The City of Casey has voted to extend and vary its recycling and glass-collection contract with Cleanaway for a further two years, as it also endorsed a new Kerbside Waste Collection Policy aligned with state reforms.

But the Cranbourne Star News says the decision has brought scrutiny, after the council reportedly declined to publicly disclose the contract’s value, citing commercial confidentiality.

Documents show payments can rise quarterly with CPI and fuel prices, prompting calls from local ratepayer advocates for greater transparency.

Moorabool Shire Council says its long-awaited indoor aquatic centre is now “all systems go” after the Federal Government signed a funding agreement worth $25 million.

The project also includes $10 million from the Victorian Government and a $15 million Council contribution, with Council’s share included in the draft 2026/27 budget now out for community consultation.

The centre is expected to deliver a year-round, inclusive facility and become a major community hub.

Ararat Rural City Council is urging the community to adopt cats as the pound reaches full capacity, offering a variety of vet-checked cats ready for new homes.

Mayor Cr Bob Sanders highlighted the success of a recent adoption event and encouraged residents to consider adoption as a means to support animal welfare and manage the pound’s capacity.

NSW Report

A governance emergency is unfolding for local councils across New South Wales after a surprise vote in State Parliament this week.

The Legislative Council has formally disallowed the controversial 2025 Model Code of Meeting Practice. The state government claims the move by the Coalition and the Greens unwinds critical transparency and anti-corruption measures.

However, critics argue the code had weaponised meeting procedures and restricted public participation.

The decision has thrown municipal governance into chaos. Councils must now urgently rescind their current rules and revert to the older 2021 framework to ensure their upcoming votes remain legally binding.

Tweed Shire has already called an extraordinary meeting for next Tuesday to manage the rollback, with scores of other councils expected to follow suit this week.

The NSW Country Mayors Association says forcing councils to dismantle the recently implemented measures will be a costly and time-consuming exercise.

CMA Chairman Rick Firman said regional and remote councillors desperately need the reinstated option to attend meetings via audio-visual link, as long-distance travel to council chambers is often disrupted by factors beyond their control.

Senior New South Wales Liberal MP Alister Henskens is facing allegations of undue influence over local government operations.

According to The Sydney Morning Herald, leaked text messages from 2021 reveal Mr Henskens advised the then-incoming Ku-ring-gai Council mayor, Cedric Spencer, to dismiss the council’s long-serving general manager, John McKee, and another senior director.

Mr Henskens has rejected claims of improper conduct, stating his messages simply referenced a pre-existing plan held by the mayor.

The plan was ultimately unsuccessful – councillor boycotts for eight consecutive meetings meant a quorum could not be achieved and the vote did not go ahead, before elections in December of 2021.

Georges River Council has voted unanimously to resist acting as a “debt collector” for the New South Wales government.

The St. George and Sutherland Shire Leader reported that the council is opposing any funding model that forces councils to collect the reformed Emergency Services Levy through local rate notices.

It argues that administrative and collection responsibilities should remain solely with Revenue NSW to prevent cost-shifting and maintain transparency for ratepayers.

The Council has also unanimously backed a push for a fairer funding split with the New South Wales government to manage the local impact of shared e-bikes.

It’s calling for a more equitable share of a proposed 80-cent per trip levy.

Under early state proposals, councils would receive just 20 per cent of the revenue, despite being solely responsible for infrastructure and parking compliance.

Kiama Municipal Council has voted unanimously to accept a varied Performance Improvement Order from New South Wales Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig.

The new order grants a one-year extension, requiring the council to achieve a balanced budget by the end of the 2027–28 financial year.

Under the revised terms, the council must sequence budget repairs before considering staffing cuts, asset sales, or outsourcing, and is expressly prohibited from outsourcing its domestic waste management service.

A major milestone for the Central Coast Council, with the Minister for Local Government officially closing its Performance Improvement Order.

The order, originally issued in 2024 over financial and governance concerns, was lifted on May 12th after the council successfully met all compliance requirements.

The announcement coincides with the council celebrating ten years since its amalgamation.

Goulburn Mulwaree Council has accepted all recommendations of an independent fraud control audit, following the arrest of a former employee accused of a 700,000-dollar deception.

The Goulburn Post reported that while internal frameworks were deemed generally fit for purpose, the local authority will now introduce dedicated e-learning modules and formalised internal investigation procedures to strengthen oversight and protect public funds.

The New South Wales Government has expanded its Welcome Experience program to address acute workforce shortages in regional councils.

More than 90% of local authorities currently report critical skills gaps, with many confirming that project delivery has been directly impacted.

The initiative, which has already assisted over 3,000 frontline workers, will now provide relocation and community integration support to essential local government staff—including town planners, engineers, and childcare workers—across 88 regional areas.

The program will connect relocating staff with dedicated local connectors to secure housing and schooling.

City of Newcastle CEO Jeremy Bath has received a vote of confidence from councillors.

The Newcastle Herald reported that the Council approved a 3% pay increase in a confidential session this week, citing performance that was “above reasonable expectations.”

The outcome was announced by new Lord Mayor Gavin Morris, fresh from chairing his first ordinary council meeting since being elected last month in a by-election.

Councillors from across the political spectrum—including his former Labor opponent Declan Clausen—pledged to move past political differences and work collaboratively in good faith for the future of the city.

Debate continues over the future of Newcastle’s two-dollar pool entry scheme, with the council deferring a final decision until after a public briefing in June.

The Herald reported that while the trial boosted attendance by forty-six per cent, council staff warn that continuing it would require over half a million dollars in subsidies, significantly reducing the city’s forecast operating surplus.

Bega Valley Shire Council has cleared a major step toward greener waste management, with planning approval granted for a new organics processing facility at the Central Waste Facility in Wolumla.

The plant is expected to handle up to 15,000 tonnes of food and garden waste a year.

Construction is due to begin soon, with operations slated for the second half of 2027.

Queensland Report

Somerset Regional Council has announced it will formally contest elements of Seqwater’s proposed multi-billion-dollar Somerset Dam upgrade.

The council is demanding a formal Community Benefits Agreement to mitigate a decade of projected construction disruption.

Mayor Jason Wendt said the council is seeking binding infrastructure agreements to safeguard local road networks, waste facilities, and community liveability throughout the ten-year project.

Outdoor dining fees for hospitality venues are set to be slashed in Bundaberg, with the council cutting the per-chair charge from 57 dollars to 15 in the new schedule.

Mayor Helen Blackburn says the reduction aims to boost small businesses and help create more vibrant CBD spaces.

The reduced fees take effect from the 2026 outdoor dining and food licence renewal period.

Tasmania

Tasmania’s Kentish and Latrobe Councils have appointed Jeff Morgan as their new joint Chief Executive Officer following a nationwide recruitment search.

Mr Morgan, who brings extensive local government experience from Victoria and New South Wales, will begin a five-year contract in July.

He joins the shared leadership role from the University of Tasmania, replacing Jason Browne, who resigned earlier this year.

In Tasmania, the Meander Valley Council is calling for urgent community consultation following a state government decision to repurpose the Ashley Youth Detention Centre.

The site is slated to become a minimum-security adult prison focused on agricultural training.

While the council welcomed the potential for local job creation, it expressed disappointment that promised consultation with local government and residents did not take place prior to the announcement.

Council is now seeking formal meetings to address community concerns and worker transitions.

West Tamar Council has become the first local government in the state to utilise artificial intelligence to shape its long-term strategic planning.

As Pulse Tasmania reported, the technology was deployed as a ‘second brain’ to scan and synthesise vast volumes of community feedback and government planning documents for the draft 10-year roadmap.

Council officials have emphasised that whilst AI performed the data analysis, all final decision-making and strategic drafting remained entirely in human hands.

Western Australia

Western Australia’s Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley has appointed former upper house MP Martin Aldridge as Commissioner for the Shire of Carnarvon.

He’ll take over the role of council after the shire lost quorum, following the resignation of the shire president and five councillors.

Mr Aldridge has more than 20 years’ leadership experience, most recently in Port Hedland.

He’ll remain commissioner until a new council is elected in December.

The Shire has welcomed the appointment. Chief Executive Officer Amanda Dexter said it represents a critical opportunity to reset and refocus, ensuring stability and continuity for major community and tourism projects in Carnarvon and Coral Bay.

The Shire of Cranbrook is searching for a new chief executive after Linda Gray announced she’ll step down, finishing in September.

A recruitment panel led by Shire President Perin Mulcahy has been formed, with LO-GO Appointments assisting the process.

The successful candidate is expected to be named by late July.

The City of Perth council has voted down proposed policy changes that would have granted elected members additional travel and accommodation perks.

WAtoday reported that the decision follows a formal intervention by the Local Government Inspector, who recently placed the council on notice during an ongoing probe into more than a dozen governance complaints.

Council administration had strongly advised against the extra entitlements, warning they represented poor governance and introduced unnecessary financial risk.

The Shire of Harvey, south west of Perth, is officially making a bid to become Western Australia’s newest city.

Councillors this week agreed to apply to the Minister for Local Government for official city status.

Officers confirmed the region easily meets all the criteria—exceeding the required population threshold by more than ten thousand.

If approved, the region will officially be renamed the City of Harvey.

Global Report

NZ:

A new four hundred million dollar incentive fund has been unveiled to reward New Zealand councils that fast-track housing growth.

Announced in the federal budget, the contingency fund will pay cash bonuses directly to local authorities as they issue residential building consents.

The tiered system allows councils to unlock higher payments if they expand their local housing stock by more than two per cent in a year.

Local Government New Zealand has welcomed the move, saying it helps offset the massive infrastructure costs of roads and community spaces that usually stall local development.

UK:

The UK central government has launched a strict crackdown on risky council investments, activating tough new early-warning powers to block local authorities from racking up excessive debt.

Local Government Lawyer reported the move is in response to high-profile financial collapses in councils like Woking and Thurrock.

Ministers say the oversight comes alongside a promised multi-year funding settlement designed to restore long-term stability across the sector.

Meanwhile, independent legal advice has revealed that a judicial review into Hampshire’s local government reorganisation would fail.

Local Government Lawyer reported that New Forest District Council was advised the Secretary of State’s decision to split the district into two unitaries contains no material errors of law.

Despite a 14,000-signature petition opposing the split, the cabinet has been recommended to focus on transition arrangements rather than pursuing a formal challenge.

However, Hampshire County Council still intends to move forward with its own legal action.

USA:

The Mayor of New York City, Zohran Kwame Mamdani, has announced the appointment of a new Charter Revision Commission.

The Commission on Government Efficiency will be chaired by a former diplomat, and has been tasked with reviewing the city’s entire charter to modernise services, stream-line infrastructure delivery, and reform budgetary practices.

Ten public hearings will be held across the five boroughs before final proposals are placed on the ballot for voters in November.

CANADA:

Calgary City Council is debating whether to rescind its 2021 climate emergency declaration.

Two motions brought forward by councillors argue the policy is largely symbolic and lacks measurable benefits, while committing the municipality to significant long-term expenditures.

If approved, the city will remove all references to the declaration from its official communication and launch an audit into climate-related spending across all departments.

CTV News reported that Calgary’s broader environmental spending is projected to exceed 214 million dollars this year.

Ontario’s legislature has passed Bill 9, the Municipal Accountability Act, by an overwhelming vote of 110 to one.

CBC News reported that the new legislation standardises codes of conduct for councillors and establishes a mechanism to remove councillors for serious misconduct.

However, critics have flagged concerns over a clause requiring a unanimous council vote to finalise any disqualification. The law is expected to take effect ahead of October’s municipal elections.