Today on the Local Government News Roundup:

• The latest mayoral election results from around Victoria
• A mayor ordered to apologise after a code of conduct ruling
• The VLGA announces its new Chief Executive Officer
• The Liverpool City Council Public Inquiry report released
• Moree Plains Shire Council learns its likely fate
• Moreton Bay to close down its controversial homelessness camp
• Tensions escalate between Adelaide City Council and the South Australian government

Plus, as the ten year anniversary of the first council climate emergency declaration approaches, we hear about Bellingen Shire Council’s extraordinary progress on climate action from General Manager Mark Griffioen.

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

The latest mayoral election results from around Victoria:

Banyule City Council has elected Cr Peter Castaldo as its new Mayor for the 2026/27 term, with Cr Mary O’Kane stepping in as Deputy Mayor. Cr Castaldo previously served as Mayor in 2022/23, and Deputy Mayor in 2024/25.

In an historic first for Bayside City Council, Mayor Debbie Taylor-Haynes has been re-elected for a consecutive mayoral term, with Councillor Geoff Leigh stepping in as the new Deputy Mayor.

Pyrenees Shire Council has elected Cr Rebecca Wardlaw as Mayor for 2026/27, with Cr Tanya Kehoe elected Deputy Mayor. Cr Wardlaw succeeds Cr Damian Ferrari as mayor after a 12 month term, and steps up after a year as Deputy Mayor.

Yarra Ranges Council has elected Cr Richard Higgins as Mayor and Cr Jeff Marriott as Deputy Mayor for the 2026-2027 term. The newly appointed leadership team thanked outgoing Deputy Mayor Cr Gareth Ward for his twelve months of service.

There’s a new mayor at Baw Baw Shire Council, with the election of Cr Brendan Kingwill to the role. Cr Kingwill was the only nomination for the role.

Outgoing Mayor Cr Kate Wilson takes on the Deputy Mayor role for the forthcoming twelve months.

At Yarriambiack Shire Council, Cr Andrew McLean has been re-elected as mayor for a second consecutive 12 month term.

There were two nominations for deputy mayor, Crs Corrine Heintz and Karly Kirk, with Cr Kirk ultimately successful in being elected to the position.

Port Phillip City Council has elected Cr Libby Buckingham as its new Mayor. Outgoing mayor Cr Alex Makin takes on the deputy mayor role for the next 12 months.

At the City of Wyndham, the Council has chosen a new leadership team, with Cr Shannon McGuire to be its mayor for 2026/27, and Cr Maria King to serve as deputy mayor.

WyndhamTV reported that in his acceptance speech, Cr McGuire paid tribute to his late father, Graham McGuire, a former councillor and mayor of Williamstown, who died earlier this year.

Kingston City Council has elected a new mayor in Cr Tony Athanasopoulos, serving his first term on the Council. He is however a former mayor and councillor at the City of Glen Eira. His deputy mayor for the coming term is Cr Chris Howe.

Cr Rob Steane has been elected for a fourth non-consecutive term as Mayor of Maroondah City Council. Cr Chris Jones was elected as a first-time deputy mayor.

Councillor Dan Straub has been re-elected unopposed to serve his fifth term as Mayor of Loddon Shire Council. The shire traditionally does not appoint a deputy mayor.

Councillors at East Gippsland Shire Council have re-elected Jodie Ashworth as Mayor, installed John White as Deputy Mayor for the next 12 months.

That followed multiple rounds of voting, a three-way tie for each position for each position initially.

Councillor Phillip Danh has been elected unopposed as Mayor of Greater Dandenong City Council, and Councillor Alice Phuong Le has been elected Deputy Mayor for the coming year.

A meeting to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor of Whitehorse City Council for 2026–27 was adjourned after Councillors were unable to reach an absolute majority to elect a Mayor.

The meeting will reconvene on Monday 16 November at 6.30pm, when Council will again vote to elect the Mayor and Deputy Mayor.

Cr Kieran Simpson is Acting as Mayor in the interim.

There was a two-way contest for Mayor of Moorabool Shire Council, with Crs John Keogh and Moira Berry nominated for the position. Due to a tied vote that was unable to broken, the Council went into a confidential session for further discussions. Councillors failed to reach agreement and the meeting was adjourned to Thursday, 12 November at 6.00pm.

The Council resumed its adjourned meeting last night, and conducted a further election between Cr John Keogh and Cr Moira Berry for Mayor. Once more, the vote was tied. Having been unable to achieve an absolute majority, the Council will reconvene for another attempt at a date yet to be determined.

Monash City Council has elected Cr Rebecca Patterson as its mayor for 2026/27. It is the second time in the role for Cr Patterson. Former mayor Cr Paul Klisaris was selected to be deputy mayor. Both positions were filled unanimously.

At Northern Grampians Shire Council, Cr Justine Hide has made the step up from deputy mayor last year to the mayoralty for 2026/27. This year, the council has resolved not to have a deputy mayor.

Cr Shirley Cornish has been elected unopposed as the new mayor of Hepburn Shire Council, stepping up from the role of deputy mayor.

Golden Plains Shire Council has elected Cr Emma Robbins as its new mayor. Cr Robbins takes on the position after serving the last term as deputy mayor. Outgoing mayor Cr Owen Sharkey was elected deputy mayor, in a two way contest with Cr Helena Kirby.

Cr Bob Sanders has been re-elected as mayor of Ararat Rural City Council, alongside Cr Teli Kaur as deputy mayor for a second consecutive term.

Strathbogie Shire Council has re-elected Cr Scott Jeffery as mayor for a second consecutive term. The election was unopposed.The deputy mayor position was filled by Cr Clark Holloway, in a two way contest with Cr Fiona Stevens.

An independent arbiter has ordered Colac Otway Shire Council Mayor Jason Schram to apologise and withdraw claims that colleagues misled the public.

The Herald Sun reported that the finding follows complaints lodged after a dispute regarding management of the Colac Otway Performing Arts and Cultural Centre.

The Mayor said he was fulfilling his statutory duty, though the arbiter ruled he breached the code of conduct. An apology has been ordered for the next Council meeting.

The Victorian Local Governance Association has appointed Samantha Stanton as its new C-E-O.

Ms Stanton starts on December the seventh. She brings more than twenty-five years of experience across local and state government in Victoria, including recent executive roles at the City of Casey and Mornington Peninsula Shire.

V-L-G-A president Cr Jane Karslake says the Board is delighted with the appointment. Ms Stanton says she is “honoured to be joining the V-L-G-A as its Chief Executive”.

The City of Whittlesea has identified an error in its 2026-27 general rates calculation, which saw the levy exceed the Victorian Government’s 2.75 per cent rate cap by 0.04 percentage points.

Rates were calculated using a 2.79 per cent increase. The average impact per property was about 74 cents.

Council says its internal checks picked up the error, but only after rates notices had been issued. Affected properties will be credited on their next instalment or annual reminder notice, and accounts already paid in full will have the credit applied to next year’s rates.

Council has added further internal checks and will report the non-compliance to the Essential Services Commission through its annual rate cap compliance reporting.

After strong local advocacy, the Victorian Electoral Commission has reinstated a local polling place at the Kaniva Senior Citizens Club for the upcoming state election.

West Wimmera Shire Council mayor Helen Hobbs said having a polling venue in town is essential for older residents and those without transport options.

The provision of the venue by council means local voters can avoid lengthy round trips to cast their ballots on November 28, according to The Weekly Times.

The Victorian Electoral Commission has announced that a postal by-election for Knox City Council‘s Baird Ward will take place on Saturday, 6 February 2027, following the resignation of former Councillor Peter Lockwood.

Local residents have until 25 November 2026 to check their electoral details, while prospective candidates looking to represent Bayswater, Boronia, and Ferntree Gully must submit their nominations by 22 December 2026.

Greater Geelong councillor Chris Burson has chosen to continue his council duties while campaigning for the state parliament, despite guidelines encouraging leave upon nomination, according to the Surf Coast Times.

Council guidelines for state election candidates are voluntary and require them to keep their roles separate.

Cr Burson said that voters can easily distinguish between his roles based on his attire, noting he wears council apparel for local government business and campaign-specific clothing when acting as a candidate.

Two north-west Victorian councils say the VNI West transmission project will deliver few jobs locally. The Environment Effects Statement shows more than 700 construction jobs across the state, but just 30 full-time-equivalent jobs a year shared across the four host council areas.

Buloke Shire Mayor Graeme Milne says the project risks pulling workers from farms and local businesses in a region with almost no rental vacancies. Buloke and Northern Grampians Shires want local employment targets and early housing and workforce planning.

Public review of the EES closes on Monday 16 November.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council is calling on the Commonwealth Government to protect approximately 1,164 hectares of land surrounding HMAS Cerberus in Crib Point from commercial divestment.

Mayor Stephen Batty said community consultation revealed an overwhelming 89 per cent support for preserving the site for long-term conservation and ecological values.

The Council’s position follows recent federal decisions to safeguard other historic defence properties across Victoria and New South Wales.

Greater Shepparton City Council has welcomed a $4 million Coalition election commitment over four years to protect the Goulburn Murray Valley’s horticultural industry from the Queensland Fruit Fly threat.

Mayor Geoff Akers said ongoing, coordinated region-wide management is vital for safeguarding local jobs and northern Victoria’s agricultural economy.

The Coalition has also pledged $12 million toward the Council‘s number one advocacy project, the Shepparton Sports and Events Centre, matching council’s funding requests for the 37 million dollar regional redevelopment.

City of Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj has welcomed a funding commitment from the Liberal Party for the proposed Geelong Regional Tennis Centre in Armstrong Creek.

Council has already pledged $13 million to the project, which aims to support community participation as well as high-performance and international competition.

Ararat Rural City Council and Grampians Community Health have unveiled a $15.8 million concept design to transform the historic A & J McDonald Centre into an accessible community health hub.

The proposed redevelopment aims to expand essential local services, though both organisations are calling on election candidates to commit funding to bring the project to life.

New South Wales

The public inquiry into Liverpool City Council has found no widespread or systemic failures by the council or its governing body.

Commissioner Ross Glover’s five-hundred-and-eighteen-page report was published on Tuesday. The inquiry was established in July twenty twenty-four. It examined councillor conduct, finances, property purchases, and the handling of more than one hundred and fifty million dollars in state infrastructure grants. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, it cost at least four million dollars.

The Commissioner said the council was not entirely free from error, but recommended relatively modest changes. These include audio-visual recording of parts of closed meetings, training for councillors on conflicts of interest and respectful debate, and mediation between Mayor Cr Ned Mannoun and Cr Peter Ristevski. He also suggested the Minister consider a performance improvement order and temporary advisers, ahead of any step such as suspension.

Mayor Cr Mannoun welcomed the report, and said the council will consider the recommendations carefully. Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig says the government is closely considering them.

Moree Plains Shire Council, in north-western N-S-W, has been offered an alternative to suspension.

Local Government Minister Ron Hoenig has written to council proposing a draft Performance Improvement Order, rather than the three-month suspension he was considering last month.

The draft order would run for six months. It includes a temporary adviser appointed by the Minister, further training for councillors, and three compliance reports to the Office of Local Government.

Mayor Cr Susannah Pearse said the requirements largely reflect good governance. Council will consider its response on November the nineteenth.

Newcastle City Council has voted to bar Rising Tide from using community-owned land for its events, now and into the future.

The Lord Mayoral Minute, adopted this week, confirms that council will not license or authorise council-controlled land for Rising Tide protests, including the People’s Blockade, or for its associates and affiliated groups.

Lord Mayor Gavin Morris pointed to safety concerns around the working port and the shipping channel, noting that NSW Police had applied to the Supreme Court over Rising Tide’s proposed Paddle for the Planet event on 14 November.

The move also follows a warning from Premier Chris Minns that the Council would be complicit in any illegal activities that occurred at the group’s protests.

It also cites 141 arrests during the 2025 blockade weekend, and says another People’s Blockade is proposed for early 2027.

The council says it supports the right to peaceful, lawful protest, but that the safety of residents, port workers and police must come first.

Parramatta City Council has approved funding deals totaling one million dollars for the Parramatta Eels and the Western Sydney Wanderers following legal reviews, as reported by the Daily Telegraph.

But some councillors raised governance concerns because initial contracts omitted public tendering processes required under the Local Government Act, with Cr Kellie Darley questioning why councillors had not been told about the legal advice.

Council staff say the clubs are unique brands capable of driving the local economy and community participation.

Nambucca Valley Council has appointed Robert Hunt as its Interim General Manager following an Extraordinary Council Meeting this week.

Mr Hunt has previously acted as the council’s GM.

Mayor Gary Lee said the appointment ensures full executive leadership ahead of the summer holiday period and the Christmas closedown.

Recruitment for a permanent General Manager is continuing through Local Government NSW.

A move to change the name of Central Coast Council has been deferred and will come back before the council next week.

A Notice of Motion was lodged by Cr Doug Eaton calling for a report on the benefits and disadvantages of becoming a City Council or similar.

Cr Eaton argues that a name change would improve the image of the council nationally and internationally, and avoid being confused with the Tasmanian council of the same name.

The Council’s CEO had suggested delaying consideration of the proposal until a place brand strategy is brought before the council, due some time this financial year.

The matter will be back on the agenda for the council’s November 17 meeting.

The Central NSW Joint Organisation has elected Forbes Shire Council Mayor Phyllis Miller OAM as its new chairperson, alongside Orange City Council Mayor Tony Mileto as deputy chairperson for a two-year term.

Both were elected unopposed to the positions. The joint organisation represents 11 councils across the central NSW region.

Narrandera Shire Council has successfully sold land in Narrandera to Cedar Grove to pave the way for a new 33-lot residential estate aimed at boosting local housing supply. The sale price was not disclosed in the council’s announcement.

Mayor Neville Kschenka said the multi-stage project will provide crucial workforce and family accommodation to support the region’s expanding industrial and renewable energy sectors.

Oberon Council has entered an enforceable undertaking with the NSW EPA after discharging untreated sewage into the Fish River due to inadequate infrastructure.

As part of the agreement, Oberon Council will contribute $60,000 toward stream health projects and pay $15,000 in EPA costs.

Mosman Council is in talks with e-bike provider Lime about introducing a shared electric bike service to the area.

Under the proposed plan, bikes could only be parked at specific designated sites across Mosman to protect footpaths and public spaces.

No final decision has been made. Council says any proposed parking map will go to community consultation before a service is approved.

Queensland

The City of Moreton Bay has agreed to close its designated homeless camp at Wyllie Park following legal threats from state authorities.

Economic Development Queensland issued a show cause notice over the site, prompting mayor Peter Flannery to state that fighting the directive would be a waste of ratepayer funds.

Campers will be evicted once their trial registrations expire, and the council must monitor the area to prevent future camping.

The Change Commission will independently assess a formal proposal for Ipswich City Council to transition from its current multi-councillor layout back to ten single-member divisions.

The review follows a unanimous council vote and community consultation showing majority support for the structural overhaul. It was confirmed by the Minister Ann Leahy in an ABC Radio interview.

Mayor Teresa Harding said the existing model creates administrative duplication and confusion for residents regarding local representation.

South Burnett Regional Council has reported over thirty incidents of vandalism across regional parks within the past six weeks, resulting in more than fourteen thousand dollars in repair and cleaning costs.

Mayor Kathy Duff said the damage to the historic tribute rotunda at Memorial Park in Kingaroy conveyed serious disrespect to service men and women, expressing ‘profound dismay and heartbreak.’

Council is now installing additional security cameras, lighting, and robust fixtures while urging the community to report suspicious behaviour to local authorities.

Redland City Council has launched a new concierge trial at its Cleveland Customer Service Centre to help visitors navigate forms, digital tools, and enquiries more efficiently.

Early reporting indicates the initiative has successfully managed nearly 40 percent of customer queries on the spot, significantly reducing wait times and queues ahead of the trial’s conclusion around Christmas.

Tasmania

West Tamar Council has paid tribute to Beaconsfield survivor and long-serving volunteer firefighter Todd Russell following his passing.

Mayor Rick Shegog said the community is deeply saddened by the loss of a man whose strength and resilience left a lasting mark on the region.

Russell dedicated more than thirty years to the local volunteer fire brigade and was widely respected in local sporting circles.

South Australia

Tensions have escalated between the South Australian government and the Adelaide City Council following a vote regarding event restrictions at Adelaide Oval Number 2, also known as the Village Green, according to ABC News.

The Council voted to amend the community land management plan for the precinct, permitting events for a maximum of six days each year, excluding days when Adelaide Oval is in active use. The plan limits individual events to a maximum of three consecutive days and retains a 15,000-person attendance cap, subject to council review.

Premier Peter Malinauskas criticised the decision, and said council was stifling activity and repelling opportunities.

Lord Mayor Jane Lomax-Smith said the Council has approved everything requested by the Stadium Management Authority.

Meanwhile, the council has rescinded its recently adopted ban on fossil fuel advertising on council assets, following concerns regarding potential impacts on the Tour Down Under.

Councillors voted eight to two to revoke the policy after administration highlighted unresolved legal and implementation issues.

Mid Murray Mayor Simone Bailey will take over as the next president of the Local Government Association of South Australia on December 4, following a four-way contest, according Radio 5MU.

Mayor Bailey, who is stepping down from her Mid Murray Council leadership role, said her immediate priority as president will be tackling cost-shifting from state and federal tiers.

She will succeed outgoing president Heather Holmes-Ross.

Former Light MP Tony Piccolo is running for mayor of Gawler at the upcoming local government elections after losing his state seat earlier this year.

Mr Piccolo, who previously served as the town’s mayor from 2000 to 2006, says he wants to use his decades of political experience to manage urban growth and keep council rates down, according to InDaily SA.

The Town of Walkerville has officially appointed Muhammad Jawad as its new Chief Executive Officer following a competitive external recruitment process.

Mayor Melissa Jones said Council was confident in his leadership after he served successfully in the acting role since April 2026.

Mr Jawad came to Walkerville council in 2023, after six years at Wakefield Regional Council.

Barunga West Council has announced the appointment of Ian Hart as its new Chief Executive Officer, commencing on Monday, 23 November 2026.

Mr Hart brings extensive executive leadership experience across local and state government, having most recently served as Chief Executive Officer of the Kingston District Council.

Mayor Leonie Kerley said Mr Hart’s background in regional communities and strategic leadership will be invaluable as the council continues planning for the future.

Western Australia

The City of Nedlands has shelved discussions regarding potential western suburbs council amalgamations for at least the next two years, according to a report by PerthNow.

Mayor Leonie Browner said the council must focus on the immediate practical needs of its residents and address financial strain following the dissolution of the council last July. While the city remains open to future resource-sharing and discussions, rebuilding the organisation is the immediate priority.

Other regional councils are currently adopting varying approaches to the amalgamation debate:

Town of Claremont: Mayor Peter Telford said discussions are continuing with neighbouring local governments, and the town remains open to further talks.

Town of Cottesloe: Chief Executive Officer Mark Newman is preparing a formal report for a council meeting on November 24 to debate the implications publicly.

Town of Mosman Park: Mayor Paul Shaw said there is no compelling evidence that an amalgamation would benefit the town yet, adding that ratepayers should not be expected to fund a business case.

An external performance review of Shire of Wiluna chief executive Matt McIntyre was received behind closed doors at the October council meeting following an impasse with councillors.

According to the Kalgoorlie Miner, the council approved contract variations including a regional allowance of fifty thousand dollars.

Shire president Jenna Siddall said she would seek a legal review of the outlined contract variations before they are presented to Mr McIntyre for signing.

Perth Lord Mayor, Bruce Reynolds, has been elected President of the World Energy Cities Partnership, the first time in 15 years an Australian city has led the international network.

The partnership represents 17 major energy cities and connects civic and industry leaders to share expertise and collaborate on shared energy challenges. The presidency was announced at the group’s annual meeting and conference, which Perth is hosting from 9 to 12 November.

Cr Reynolds says he wants to turn international relationships into commercial opportunities for Western Australian businesses and researchers. He takes over for a two-year term from Esbjerg Mayor Jesper Frost Rasmussen, who led the partnership for the past four years.

Perth is Australia’s only member city and a founding member of the partnership, with a history of involvement spanning three decades.

The Shire of Ashburton is mourning the passing of current councillor and former Shire President Kerry White.

The shire said Mrs White provided strong and steady leadership as shire president for twelve years, guiding the community through a period of significant growth and change.

Her nineteen total years of service left a lasting legacy across the region’s infrastructure and partnerships.

A centenarian resident of Albany has achieved a rare milestone by officially becoming an Australian citizen at the age of 100, following nearly fifty-three years in the country.

City of Albany Mayor Greg Stocks said the milestone is a fitting recognition of a life dedicated to family, community, and service. Mr Nunn’s community contribution includes supporting Aboriginal communities and helping remote Indigenous children access educational opportunities.

International

NZ:

Rotorua Lakes Council Mayor Tania Tapsell has rejected allegations of a conflict of interest regarding an iwi trust, following public questioning by a fellow councillor.

The dispute arose after the council voted to transfer administration of a Crown-owned reserve to the Pukeroa Oruawhata Trust, according to the NZ Herald.

Mayor Tapsell said she had no connections or personal benefits linked to the trust.

Auckland Council has released new data estimating that traffic congestion costs the region 2.6 billion dollars annually, prompting the local body to initiate public consultation on time-of-use charging options.

It found that the average commuter spends approximately 66 hours each year stuck in traffic. Councillor Andy Baker said that a mechanism is needed to manage demand and improve traffic flows during peak periods.

Three specific options ranging from a smaller city-centre charging zone to broader motorway corridors are currently open for feedback until December 11, 2026, ahead of a formal scheme initiation scheduled for March 2027.

Rachael Bailey has been appointed as the interim Chief Executive of the Napier City Council, effective from the third of December.

Mayor Richard McGrath said the unanimous decision recognises her extensive public service experience and proven leadership under pressure.

Bailey succeeds Louise Miller, who is departing to lead Water Hawke’s Bay.

CANADA:

The mayors of the City of Yellowknife, the City of Iqaluit, and the City of Whitehorse have signed a joint memorandum of understanding to coordinate federal defence lobbying, saying that Canada’s Arctic security plans will rise or stall on municipal readiness.

The civic leaders said that municipal readiness must keep pace with national security investments to prevent local infrastructure strains.

Furthermore, the councils said northern capitals require a direct seat at federal planning tables. More from Municipal World.

London, Ontario, Mayor Josh Morgan has proposed splitting the deputy mayor position into two distinct portfolios for the upcoming term, aiming to improve municipal execution without increasing costs.

According to a report by CBC News, councillors Shawn Lewis and Corrine Rahman have been tapped for the roles to handle intergovernmental advocacy and local community partnerships respectively.

Mayor Morgan said the restructuring will require council approval, though incoming members have already agreed to reduced stipends to offset expenses.

JAPAN:

In Japan, the mayor of Yawata, in Kyoto Prefecture, is back at work after four months of maternity leave. She is believed to be the first local government leader in the country to take it.

Mayor Shoko Kawata, 36, left her deputy as acting mayor but joined online meetings 23 times, including during a heavy rain response.

She says Japan’s Local Autonomy Law has no maternity provisions for local leaders. She wants a clearer system for those who follow.