Today on the Local Government News Roundup:

• An historic event for one city leads this week’s Victorian mayoral election results
• As two sitting mayors rule themselves out from seeking another term
• A Victorian mayor’s embarrassing parking mistake
• Moree Plains makes a plea for an adviser over suspension
• An embattled councillor gives into pressure and resigns
• The shock passing of a serving mayor
• A date set for Redland’s mayoral election, and the field is taking shape
• A CEO’s call for kindness and respect toward council staff
• and the NZ CEO appointed to run two district councils

plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

Listen now wherever you listen to podcasts.

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 this episode:

Victoria

Mayoral election results:

Hume City Council has re-elected Cr Carly Moore to the mayoralty, unopposed. It marks the fifth term as mayor for Cr Moore since she first held the role in 2018/19. She is the first councillor to hold the city’s top position for five terms.

Cr Sam Misho was elected deputy mayor, unopposed.

At Manningham City Council, Cr Carli Lange has returned to the mayoralty, a position she last held in 2023/24.The new deputy mayor is Cr Andrew Conlon, returning to the role he held in 2024/25.

Cr Julie Shannon has been elected mayor of the City of Melton. She succeeds Cr Lara Carli in the role, and was the only nomination.

Cr Steve Abboushi was elected deputy mayor, unopposed.

Cr Shannon previously served as deputy mayor in 2022/23, while Cr Abboushi served a term as mayor in 2024/25, and deputy mayor in 2023/24.

At Mildura Rural City Council, Cr Helen Healy has been elected Mayor for a second time while Cr Rebecca Crossling was elected Deputy Mayor.

Cr Healy, who was first elected Mayor in 2024, replaces Cr Ali Cupper, who has stepped down from the role after serving a one-year term.

It is Cr Crossling’s first term as Deputy Mayor.

And at West Wimmera Shire Council, a four way contest has resulted in the election of Cr Helen Hobbs as the shire’s new mayor.

Former three term mayor Tim Meyer and councillors Jodie Pretlove and Richard Hicks were also nominated for the position, with councillors Meyer and Hicks eliminated in the first round of voting.

Cr Hobbs steps into the mayoralty after having served as deputy mayor for the past twelve months.

Cr Jodie Pretlove has been elected deputy mayor for a one year term.

A change in mayor at Warrnambool City looks certain, with current mayor Ben Blain ruling out seeking another term.

Cr Blain has held the mayoralty for three consecutive terms. He told The Standard he wants to spend more time with his young family after a big three years.

Former mayors Richard Ziegler and Debbie Arnott have ruled out themselves out of the running. Warrnambool’s mayoral election is set for November 16.

Cardinia Shire Mayor Brett Owen has announced he will step down and not seek re-election at the upcoming statutory meeting on 23 November.

Fellow councillors David Nickell and Trudi Paton have also ruled out running for the top job, leaving the door open for new leadership, according to the Pakenham Berwick Gazette.

Mildura Rural City Council has reappointed Chief Executive Martin Hawson for a further five-year term.

Mr Hawson grew up in Red Cliffs and became the council’s first locally raised CEO in more than two decades when he was appointed in 2022.

The council says its Mildura Future Ready advocacy strategy has helped secure more than 40 million dollars in government investment. Mr Hawson says financial sustainability will be one of the biggest challenges for councils over the next decade.

A new survey commissioned by the Eastern Affordable Housing Alliance has revealed that 65 percent of residents in Melbourne’s east are highly concerned about local housing affordability.

The Alliance represents Manningham, Knox and Yarra Ranges Councils, and its research has shown a collective shortfall of more than 6,800 social and affordable homes.

EAHA spokesperson and Manningham Councillor Peter Bain said the findings demonstrate that cost-of-living pressures are stretching household finances and forcing essential workers out of the region.

An independent investigation is underway into concerns about possible fraudulent activity at Glenelg Shire Council in south-west Victoria.

According to the ABC, external documents prepared for the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office show the auditor had been made aware of possible fraud-related matters.

Mayor Cr Karen Stephens confirmed at a recent council meeting that an investigation is underway, but said it would be inappropriate to comment further. No details about the nature or scale of the concerns have been made public.

The City of Greater Geelong is claiming to be the first Victorian council to use artificial intelligence to detect and measure potholes.

Cameras on two street sweepers have flagged about 1,600 potholes since August last year, sending photos and measurements to road crews. Mayor Stretch Kontelj says the $7,000 program means repairs can happen while holes are still small. The council hopes to extend it to other fleet vehicles.

The technology is being used by a growing number of councils for pothole detection. In NSW, Shoalhaven Council placed cameras on recycling trucks to monitor road conditions in 2024. Canterbury Bankstown Council has partnered with Transport NSW on an Asset AI system that uses dash mounted cameras and AI to detect and classify road defects. Last week, Parramatta Council in Sydney endorsed a 12-month trial of similar technology.

And in early 2025, Surrey County Council became the first UK council to move away from manual inspections and solely use video and AI technology to log pothole repairs.

The City of Whittlesea has welcomed an election commitment from the Victorian Labor Party to fund critical upgrades for two major transport corridors in the municipality.

Mayor Lawrie Cox said the proposed works on Donnybrook Road and Craigieburn Road East address long-standing advocacy priorities, though he noted that further investment is ultimately required to deliver the projects in full.

The infrastructure improvements form part of a broader $893 million package aimed at enhancing local road safety and managing growing traffic congestion across Victoria.

Greater Dandenong Council has kept the councillor observer role on the boards of Dandenong Market and South East Leisure, after a push to scrap it was rebuffed.

Council officers had recommended replacing the role with enhanced shareholder reporting, including quarterly reports and an annual presentation to councillors.

According to the Dandenong Star Journal, Deputy Mayor Cr Phillip Danh argued councillors should exercise their own judgement in the role. Cr Rhonda Garad, who supported the change, said councillors in the role are, quote, “damned if you do and damned if you don’t.”

Mildura Rural City Council has placed a 2.37 million dollar skate park redevelopment in Merbein on hold after a state government grant application was unsuccessful, reports the Herald Sun.

Local community leaders and councillors said the decision has blindsided residents, leaving the existing facility taped off and unusable for months.

The Merbein Development Association plans to engage upcoming state election candidates to secure alternative funding commitments.

Frankston City Council has won the Community Engagement Success of the Year award at the 2026 Waste Innovation and Recycling Awards for its successful FOGO rollout in multi-unit developments.

The local initiative saw food waste in red bins drop by 20%, contributing to high resident satisfaction scores across the municipality.

Maribyrnong mayor Mohamed Semra has admitted to illegally parking his electric council vehicle in a disabled bay on Barkly Street in West Footscray on Wednesday afternoon.

Cr Semra told the Herald Sun that said he made a split-second decision to pull into the handicap spot because the vehicle’s battery was running low.

Police say that if he had no other option due to a breakdown, he may have a reasonable excuse against any potential parking charge.

VLGA Annual General MeetingYou’re invited to join the Victorian Local Governance Association for its 2026 Annual General Meeting,taking place online via Zoom on Thursday 19 November at 4:30pm.

This year, I will be joining the meeting for an online discussion sharing insights andobservations on the year that was, the key issues shaping local government, and what wecan expect in 2027.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reflect on the year and look ahead to what’s next for oursector.

Register now via the VLGA website.

VLGA – connecting, supporting and strengthening local government.

New South Wales

Moree Plains Shire Council has unanimously endorsed its response to the NSW Minister for Local Government, after Minister Ron Hoenig said he was considering suspending the council for up to three months.

At an extraordinary meeting on Monday, the Council backed an improvement plan, including facilitated mediation and training, and asked the Minister to appoint a temporary adviser instead of suspending the council.

All councillors have committed to signing a good conduct undertaking. Deputy Mayor Wayne Tighe was absent from the meeting, due to being overseas on an approved leave of absence.

The submission is due on Friday. It’s unclear when the Minister will make his decision.

Experienced senior executive Steve McGrath has been appointed as interim general manager of Clarence Valley Council.

Mr McGrath brings four decades of sector expertise to the role, including a recent stint as interim CEO at AlburyCity.

Interim Administrator John Rayner said the appointment will provide stability while a four to five month recruitment process is undertaken to find a permanent replacement.

Kempsey Shire Councillor Noel Selby has resigned his position this week with immediate effect.

Council’s CEO received written notice from Cr Selby on Wednesday. It follows Council’s consideration of a Code of Conduct investigation at its October meeting, in the wake of controversial comments made on his Facebook account.

Council’s resolution of October the twentieth referred the matter to the Office of Local Government, and asked Cr Selby to resign.

Cr Selby has maintained that his account was hacked and that he hadn’t made the comments in question.

A petition circulating in the community, calling for his resignation, had reportedly collected 700 signatures.

With the countback period now closed, the vacancy will be filled through a by-election, which must be held on a Saturday within three months.

There’s been some public backlash following MidCoast Council’s decision to euthanise a local dingo known as Ernie.

The Council announced the action last week, after what it described as a series of escalating safety incidents in Forster.

It said the animal posed an unacceptable risk to community safety because it had lost its fear of humans, and that all alternatives, including rehoming, were investigated before lethal control was authorised.

The Daily Telegraph reported that some locals are upset about the decision, and a long time advocate for the animals said Ernie had lost his life due to human ignorance and miseducation.

North Sydney Council has unanimously passed a motion calling for the New South Wales government to remove personal home addresses from public registers, reports the Daily Telegraph.

Mayor Zoe Baker said rising safety concerns and abuse directed at elected representatives necessitated urgent action to protect local government officials.

The state government has confirmed that legislation is already being introduced to address privacy and security protections for councillors

Transport for New South Wales has apologised for major traffic delays following extensive road damage on Chifley Road at Clarence.

But the Mayor of Lithgow City Council, Cassandra Coleman, said “sorry isn’t enough.” She said the community is carrying an unfair burden from prolonged detours and is calling for a multi-million-dollar compensation fund.

Cr Coleman said the State Government must negotiate a substantial funding agreement to support local infrastructure and businesses.

The LG8 group of councils has welcomed the NSW Government’s commitment of 6.8 billion dollars to the South Coast Rail Plan.

The funding would electrify the Kiama to Bomaderry service and double the track at key bottlenecks.

LG8 Chair and Wollongong Lord Mayor Tania Brown said the investment would improve connectivity with Sydney and strengthen access to jobs, education and health services.

Wollondilly Mayor Matt Gould said the LG8 now wants a similar commitment to the Macarthur to Illawarra rail link, an electrified line from Campbelltown to the Illawarra via Wilton.

Lismore City Council has completed all 45 projects in its Flood Restoration Portfolio, a major milestone in the city’s recovery from the 2022 floods.

The 112 million dollar program, funded mainly by the Federal and NSW governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, covers civic, cultural and sporting facilities. They include the regional gallery, the library, the Albert Park baseball complex and the basketball stadium.

Lismore City Hall was the most ambitious project. It was stripped back to its shell and rebuilt, with layouts reconfigured to improve resilience against future flooding. It is due to reopen in early 2027.

Nambucca Valley Council has elected Councillor David Jones as its new Deputy Mayor for a one-year term.

Cr Jones, who marks his tenth year as a councillor, succeeds Cr Susan Jenvey and aims to focus on growing tourism and supporting Mayor Gary Lee.

Canterbury-Bankstown Council has launched a “Dangerous Waste” campaign, urging residents to keep hazardous items out of household bins.

The council says around one hundred and thirty thousand kilograms of combustible material, about nine waste trucks’ worth, goes into household waste across the city each year. Fire and Rescue N-S-W has responded to sixty-six battery-related fires in the area since twenty twenty-two.

Mayor Cr Bilal El-Hayek called the items “ticking time-bombs”. Residents can use the council’s free Chemical CleanOut events or community recycling centres.

Georges River Council has extended the community consultation period for its Draft Playspace Strategy to give residents more time to review the 20-year framework, and in light of what it calls strong community interest.

The strategy has attracted media attention and community consternation for its proposed replacement of nearly 30 old playgrounds with two upgraded facilities. Local MP Mark Coure (coo-ray) is leading a chorus of voices in opposition to the plans.

The Daily Telegraph has reported that no Greater Sydney council has lodged an application for a share of a six-point-six million dollar state government grant aimed at funding dedicated e-bike parking bays.

Transport Minister John Graham said councils must focus on the issue before summer, noting that funding for two hundred thousand dollar bays remains available.

Port Macquarie Hastings Council has won a national award at the 2026 Prime Minister’s National Veteran Employment Awards for its program helping former Australian Defence Force personnel transition into civilian careers.

General Manager Robert Fish welcomed the recognition, and said the Council is proud to support veterans and ensure they feel valued in the workplace.

Randwick City Council has launched a new free SMS reminder service to help residents stop guessing which bins to put out each week. Local homeowners can now sign up online to receive a text message the day before collection, taking the guesswork out of bin night.

Queensland

The Redland City Council mayoral race has expanded, and prompted a proposal by former state MP Don Brown to reduce the number of councillors from ten to six.

Mr Brown estimates the proposed reduction would save ratepayers two point four million dollars over a four-year term, according to the Brisbane Times.

Local Government Minister Ann Leahy said that while she is open to reviewing governance structures, any reform must be approached constructively.

The Minister has approved the council’s request for a postal vote, with election day set for 12 December.

Mr Brown is one of five candidates known to be contesting the mayoralty, including acting mayor Julie Talty. The vacancy was created by the recent resignation of Jos Mitchell after months of medical leave.

North Burnett Regional Council has appointed Kelvin Tytherleigh as its new CEO. He starts on Monday, December the fourteenth.

Mr Tytherleigh has previously led Boulia, Moree and Hinchinbrook councils. Mayor Cr Les Hotz said Mr Tytherleigh understands the opportunities and challenges facing regional communities.

He succeeds Mr Craig Matheson, whose resignation takes effect on Friday, December the eleventh. He has held the position since late 2024.

Freedom of information requests have revealed that Gold Coast City Council officers cannot locate a key invoice linked to the mayor’s recent trip to the United States.

Council administration said the physical receipt was removed from the office by the mayor himself and no duplicate copies were retained, according to ABC News.

Officials say the council holds no practical ability to compel production of the privately held document.

Brisbane City Council is facing replacement costs exceeding one hundred thousand dollars after a storage shed break-in damaged key festive installations.

The Brisbane Times reported that vandals used a crowbar to smash displays intended for Fortitude Valley pedestrian malls, including a walk-through Santa and a gingerbread chair.

The council has reported the incident to police and requested upgraded security measures at the Tingalpa facility.

Noosa Shire Council CEO Larry Sengstock has called for community respect following a noticeable rise in reported incidents of abusive and aggressive behaviour towards staff since 2024.

Mr Sengstock said that while most local interactions remain positive, council employees working in the community deserve to feel safe and must not face verbal abuse or threats of violence.

He added that respectful conversations are essential to help council better identify local issues and solutions.

Townsville City Council has voted to reject an e-petition seeking to ban smart glasses from council-owned facilities like gyms and pools, with the mayor arguing that society is already heavily recorded in public.

The e-petition had attracted just 12 signatures, according to the Townsville Bulletin.

The City of Moreton Bay has signed historic trade agreements with the Auckland Business Chamber and WellingtonNZ during a six-day delegation to strengthen Trans-Tasman investment ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

The strategic move aims to boost local business exports and position the city as a premier Australian landing point for New Zealand enterprises.

A new direct Cairns Regional Council airport bus service is set to launch later this month to streamline travel from the terminals to Fogarty Park in the CBD.

Funded following advocacy from the council and industry stakeholders, the service will feature stops at the Cairns Base Hospital, private hospital, and Esplanade Lagoon to help reduce airport road congestion.

Tasmania

Launceston City Council is cutting ten full-time equivalent management roles to save nearly two million dollars annually.

ABC News reported the restructure, which includes positions at the Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery, will take effect early next year.

Chief executive Sam Johnson said the changes would deliver operational savings without compromising community service delivery.

South Australia

South Australia’s Mid North region is mourning the sudden passing of Northern Areas Mayor Keith Pluckrose, who has died unexpectedly.

Mr Pluckrose was elected mayor of the Northern Areas Council in November last year and was widely recognised for his active involvement in local community groups and events throughout the district. He was first elected to the council in March 2023.

Acting Mayor Tom Malone said Mr Pluckrose’s commitment to serving the region would be remembered with gratitude, respect, and appreciation.

Flags at the council’s Jamestown offices were flown at half-mast as a mark of respect following his passing.

Adelaide City Council has withdrawn hundreds of automated parking fines following a quality assurance review into its mobile enforcement program.

According to Adelaide Now, roughly one in four reviewed notices issued through the technology have been scrapped since mid-2024.

The council said human oversight remains a fundamental component of the process as operational updates continue.

An independent investigation into a councillor clash at the Campbelltown City Council has cost ratepayers thirty thousand dollars, according to the Advertiser.

Mayoral candidate Cr Yassir Ajrish was found to have breached behavioural standards following an altercation with the mayor’s husband.

The councillor said he categorically rejects allegations of inappropriate conduct.

Marion Council has discontinued its annual community satisfaction survey following a two percentage point decline in its latest approval rating.

Mayor Kris Hanna has defended the decision to shift to a biennial framework, saying it will provide the local authority with sufficient time to properly review feedback and implement operational improvements.

The Advertiser reported that the move aligns the council’s reporting schedule with wider South Australian benchmarks.

A new infrastructure alliance between the City of Marion, the City of Port Adelaide Enfield, and the City of Charles Sturt aims to streamline community projects and cut construction delays.

Partnering with Kennett Builders, the coordinated approach will give contractors better pipeline visibility to manage costs and deliver improved value for ratepayers.

Submissions to the Northern Territory Local Government Representation Review have revealed significant local authority overhauls, including controversial boundary expansion proposals and cost-cutting measures.

Seven submissions opposed a bid by the City of Palmerston incorporate East Arm and Holtze, while Barkly Regional Council proposed cutting four elected members to reduce governance costs.

Meanwhile, the West Arnhem local authority called for the establishment of a new ward. The NT News has more on that story.

Western Australia

Ratepayers in the Shire of Carnarvon are footing a roughly $65,000 bill to get their local council back on track.

It comes after the entire council was dissolved back in May, when the Shire President and five councillors all resigned at once, leaving the local government without a legal quorum.

Since then, the Hon. Martin Aldridge has been stepping in as appointed Commissioner to manage day-to-day governance. But that temporary fix is coming to an end.

A special postal election is officially locked in to conclude on Thursday, December 3, 2026, giving reisdents a chance to rebuild their elected leadership team from the ground up.

The Shire of Ashburton has confirmed that former AFL star Ben Cousins will still headline as guest speaker at the upcoming Ashburton Excellence Awards.

The Shire released a statement addressing weeks of public feedback and debate regarding his appearance.

Organisers weighed whether his invitation aligned with community values, but ultimately decided to push ahead, noting strong local interest in hearing Cousins speak about accountability, personal responsibility, and the lessons learned from his past.

The council says the awards will move forward as planned to honor individuals and groups going above and beyond across the shire.

The City of Perth has launched a new $100,000 CCTV reimbursement scheme offering local residents and businesses up to $500 to help install or upgrade security systems. Applications for the trial are open until June 2027 or until funding is exhausted to help keep public spaces safer.

International

NZ:

Waikato District Council has appointed Susan Law as Acting Chief Executive in a shared executive leadership role spanning two authorities.

Ms Law, who serves as the incumbent Chief Executive at South Waikato District Council, stepped into the role at Waikato District Council this week for a six month period, following the departure of Craig Hobbs.

Waikato District Council Mayor Aksel Bech said the arrangement represents a practical approach to regional collaboration and efficiency. He said the model delivers immediate cost savings to ratepayers by sharing the Chief Executive salary without impacting services or facilities.

South Waikato District Council Mayor Gary Petley said he has full confidence in Ms Law to manage the dual responsibilities across both districts.

The fixed-term arrangement allows both authorities to explore shared service opportunities and operational efficiencies. Ms Law will report back to both councils by 31 March 2027, ahead of long-term leadership decisions and the recruitment of a permanent Chief Executive.

Both organisations will remain fully independent, retaining their own elected members, budgets, and governance structures.

A long standing mayor says her current term is likely her last, according to the NZ Herald.

Rotorua Lakes Council Mayor Tania Tapsell is unlikely to seek another term at the next local government elections, telling local media she will have achieved her core policy objectives.

She has described the last 12 months as a whirlwind, and being in a storm of political, financial and community challenges.

UK:

The Reform UK-led Leicestershire County Council in England has a new acting leader, after Dan Harrison resigned on Monday. Mr Harrison quit following leaked recordings in which he said 76 council solicitors would be made redundant and described them as incompetent. BBC News reports that he has apologised for the leak, saying the remarks were made in confidence and taken out of context.

His successor, Kevin Crook, says his priority is stability and continuity. He will lead until early December, when all councillors vote on a permanent leader. Reform holds 23 of the council’s seats, and without a majority it will need support from outside the party to keep control.

Following questions in Parliament regarding a controversial appointment process, the local government minister has raised concerns over conduct standards at Norfolk County Council.

The Eastern Daily Press reported that MPs questioned the recruitment of the new chief executive following a hospitality declaration.

It’s claimed that he had laid on a £100 meal for two senior Reform councillors just days before applications opened.

Minister Jim McMahon said he was concerned about a pattern of conduct and behaviour at Reform councils that should not be allowed to become normalised.

Meanwhile, Labour has ended cooperation agreements this week with Green groups across eleven English local authorities, following a refusal by local branches to disown a controversial party conference motion.

According to The Guardian, the policy disputes have disrupted power-sharing arrangements in councils including Sheffield and Warwick.

It comes after a motion stating that “Zionism is racism” was passed at the conference, along with a call for a single Palestinian state in place of Israel.

Formal complaints have been filed with the monitoring officer at Suffolk County Council regarding the social media activity of a recently sacked cabinet member.

According to the BBC, the investigation follows the removal of councillor Chris Hudson over a sexualised artificial intelligence image posted online.

Opposition groups said the conduct brings the authority into disrepute, while Hudson said he has no knowledge of the wider online interactions under scrutiny.

USA:

Local government elections across the United States this week brought massive shifts, proving once again that hyper-local issues drive big political changes.

In Minnesota, a major voter backlash against tech infrastructure shook up municipal races. In Pine Island, an anti-Google data center advocate unseated the incumbent mayor with a staggering two-thirds of the vote. Hermantown saw a similar shakeup, where two anti-data center political newcomers ousted an incumbent city council member.

Out West, a massive shift is underway in America’s second-largest city. Urban planner Nithya Raman is projected to defeat incumbent Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, handing her the reins ahead of the 2028 Olympics.

Meanwhile, in Philadelphia, voters heavily approved new charter changes. One key measure now allows City Hall to prioritise local, small businesses for city contracts—even if they aren’t the lowest bidder.

And in Texas, Harris County Democrats swept key races, with County Treasurer Carla Wyatt successfully securing a second term despite ongoing Republican efforts to eliminate her office entirely.