Today on the Local Government News Roundup:

• Wyndham selects a new mayor
• More calls for the private prosecution loophole to be closed in Victoria
• Whittlesea’s new CEO revealed
• Two Queensland Council CEOs announce their departures
• An interim GM appointed in NSW
• Wagga Council under fire for its approach to rough sleepers
• One of Tasmania’s longest serving mayors set to retire
• Calls for a Hobart councillor’s behaviour to be investigated
• Conduct dispute expenses on the agenda at Northern Midlands

and much more of this week’s local government news.

Listen now:

Victoria

In breaking news, Wyndham City Council has elected a new mayor after the resignation from the role of Cr Preet Singh earlier this week.

Former mayor, and VLGA board member, Cr Mia Shaw has been returned to the mayoralty – a position she held last year. Cr Jasmine Hill remains in the deputy mayor position.

Cr Shaw will serve out the remainder of the current mayoral term, which expires in November.

The Victorian Greens have added their voice to those calling on the Allan Government to urgently change Victoria’s Local Government Act, warning a loophole has left thousands of Hepburn Shire residents without elected representation.

Five councillors were automatically stood down after a private prosecution, leaving the council unable to function.

Greens leader Ellen Sandell and deputy leader Dr Sarah Mansfield have written to Premier Jacinta Allan and Local Government Minister Paul Hamer, urging standalone legislation next sitting week to restore democratic decision-making.

They also want the Director of Public Prosecutions to urgently review whether the private prosecutions should proceed, and warn the same loophole could impact other Victorian councils.

The City of Whittlesea is getting a new Chief Executive Officer.

Councillors endorsed the appointment of Dan Hogan at the July council meeting, with Mr Hogan to commence on the first of September.

He brings more than twenty years in local government, including senior roles at the City of Melton, Brimbank City Council and the City of Kingston.

Mayor Lawrie Cox said councillors were united in their view he had the right skills and experience to lead the organisation forward, after the recent departure of Craig Lloyd for Western Australia.

Mayor Cox thanked Debbie Wood, Director of Infrastructure and Environment, for her leadership as Acting CEO during the transition period.

Campaspe Shire Council has narrowly defeated a motion requesting a ten-year historical report detailing township-by-township rates and capital expenditure.

Cr Jessica Mitchell argued the analysis would bring transparency to infrastructure equity across the municipality, but others felt the breakdown would stoke division between communities.

The Riverine Herald reported that motion was lost on a five-to-four vote.

Brimbank City Council has voted to monitor rather than formally join ongoing Native Title proceedings as a respondent, according to Brimbank & North West Star Weekly.

The legal process follows an application by the Wurundjeri Woi-Wurrung people seeking recognition of pre-existing land rights across parts of Melbourne and surrounding municipalities.

Council officers advised that taking an active monitoring role rather than becoming a party to the proceedings would deliver the best outcome for local residents while maintaining respectful engagement with Traditional Owners.

Cardinia Shire Council has voted to keep the creche at the Cardinia Life recreation centre open following strong community feedback.

Despite declining attendance and rising compliance costs across the sector, council resolved to maintain the service while reviewing its ongoing operation.

Officers will now explore external grants and funding partnerships to help offset costs and ensure long-term sustainability.

Commuters in Melbourne’s outer west are facing a daily struggle to find train station parking, as local leaders push transport infrastructure to the top of the state election agenda.

Melton City Council is calling on both sides of politics to commit to three new train stations—including Mt Atkinson and Thornhill Park—to keep pace with rapid population growth.

With local car parks filling up before 7:30 AM, council data reveals eighty-six per cent of the local workforce must travel outside the area for work every day. Read more on that advocacy push from ABC News.

Wellington Shire Council leadership has met with Victorian state opposition leaders to advocate for key regional infrastructure, transport, and agricultural priorities.

Mayor Cindy Madeley and Chief Executive Officer David Morcom raised urgent concerns regarding deteriorating regional roads, Gippsland rail upgrades, and funding for the Sale College redevelopment.

The council also reiterated its opposition to local governments collecting the state’s Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, highlighting its disproportionate burden on rural communities.

Maribyrnong City Council has endorsed formal submissions advocating for key design modifications across two major Victorian Government transport infrastructure projects.

Councillors voted to oppose the proposed pedestrian underpass at Yarraville’s Anderson Street level crossing, calling instead for ground-level access to preserve the village’s heritage character and local business precinct.

The council is also urging state planners to integrate a multi-modal bus interchange and improved pedestrian safety features into early designs for the new Tottenham Station, as part of Melbourne Airport Rail stage 1.

The City of Greater Geelong has secured a five-year agreement to host the Spilt Milk music festival at Kardinia Park, establishing the municipality as the event’s Victorian home.

Delivered in partnership with Geelong Major Events and Visit Victoria, the initiative is projected to generate fifteen point five million dollars for the local economy in its first year.

Council expects the multi-year deal to deliver over ninety-four million dollars in economic impact while advancing the region’s broader major events strategy.

New South Wales

Wagga Wagga City Council has issued compliance notices to rough sleepers at Wilks Park, warning that failure to vacate the site by July 28 could result in fines exceeding $1,100.

According to ABC News, executive management indicated the regulatory action is intended to incentivise individuals to engage with state-backed housing support services.

However, local advocates and legal representatives have raised concerns, arguing that punitive measures risk displacing vulnerable residents without resolving broader regional housing shortages.

The NSW government has agreed to an early lease termination with greyhound racing authorities, paving the way for the demolition of the Wentworth Park track by the end of the year, according to a report by The Sydney Morning Herald.

The 14-hectare site will be handed over to the City of Sydney to be redeveloped into 125,000 square metres of public parkland, sporting fields, and open community space.

Planning Minister Paul Scully stated the urban renewal project will integrate with surrounding precincts to create a major green spine and support thousands of new homes.

Narrabri Shire Council is calling on the New South Wales Government to address regional police shortages through targeted recruitment and housing incentives.

The Narrabri Courier reported that Mayor Darrell Tiemens will write to state ministers advocating for urgent action on local vacancies and housing barriers across the shire.

The Council noted that while policing remains a state responsibility, adequate regional resourcing and accommodation support are vital to ensuring officer retention and community safety.

Gilgandra Shire Council has appointed Kathryn Larkin as interim General Manager, following the resignation of former General Manager David Neeves.

Mayor Doug Batten says Ms Larkin, a council staff member since 2017, was selected through an internal expression of interest process.

She begins the role on the thirty first of July.

Council has engaged recruitment firm Leading Roles to run the search for a permanent General Manager, a process expected to take several months.

The official order for the two candidates contesting the upcoming Kiama Municipal Council by-election has been determined following Thursday morning’s ballot draw.

Stanley Jarrett has been listed first ahead of Michael Bowden.

Pre-poll voting for the single-seat election will open on Saturday, 15 August, before residents head to seven local polling places on election day, Saturday, 22 August.

The by-election is proceeding after the New South Wales Office of Local Government rejected the Council’s request to temporarily reduce councillor numbers to save the $200,000 in running costs.

Queensland

Gold Coast City Council CEO Tim Baker is set to step down ahead of schedule following months of scrutiny over his leadership and administration.

Mr Baker announced the news on Wednesday.

Mayor Tom Tate has thanked Mr. Baker for his service since 2021, highlighting key achievements in financial sustainability and infrastructure delivery.

The announcement follows recent controversy surrounding overseas travel expenses and questions raised by councillors regarding senior staff appointments and executive performance.

Mr. Baker will take leave starting July 29th before officially exiting in December. An acting CEO will be appointed shortly while the council begins its search for a successor.

North Burnett Regional Council‘s chief executive officer, Craig Matheson, has resigned, effective Friday the twenty-seventh of November.

Mayor Les Hotz says Mr Matheson gave more than four months’ notice — well beyond the one month required — to support a smooth handover while Council recruits his successor.

Mr Matheson has led the council for two years, and the Mayor says his departure will be a significant loss to the organisation and the region.

Recruitment for a new CEO is expected to begin in coming weeks.

A delegation of Queensland mayors has travelled to Melbourne to protest proposed cuts to federal disaster recovery funding.

Under proposed reforms to the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, the Commonwealth’s contribution would drop from 64 per cent to 50 per cent.

The mayors, from Douglas Shire, Lockyer Valley, Hinchinbrook, Murweh, Etheridge and Whitsunday local government areas, warn the reduction will leave disaster-prone communities facing substantial financial shortfalls during recovery efforts.

Townsville City Council is pushing for a full postal ballot in the upcoming Division 1 by-election in a bid to save ratepayers more than 120-thousand dollars.

Following the resignation of councillor Paul Jacob, council voted unanimously to request the postal-only format from the Electoral Commission to ease voter fatigue and cut election costs.

Mayor Nick Dametto says a local returning office will also be requested to assist residents with any potential mail delays.

Cassowary Coast Regional Council is pushing to amend Queensland’s Animal Management Act to give local governments the flexibility to offer lifetime pet registrations for cats and dogs.

According to a report by the Cairns Post, council argues the change would reduce annual administrative processing and free up animal management resources for higher-value compliance activities.

Council was due to vote today on endorsing the motion for the upcoming Local Government Association of Queensland conference.

Fraser Coast Regional Council has launched an investigation alongside police following the illegal clearing of around 70 native trees at the Fay Smith Wetlands reserve in Maryborough.

The damage, caused by the unauthorised construction of a makeshift shelter, has left the council facing an estimated $70,000 restoration bill.

Offenders face potential fines exceeding $11,600 in addition to remediation costs, with local authorities appealing to the public for information.

Tasmania

West Tamar Mayor Christina Holmdahl has announced she will not recontest her seat in October’s local government elections, bringing an end to sixteen years of council service.

A former president of the Local Government Association of Tasmania, Mayor Holmdahl was first elected in 2009 before stepping into the mayoral role in 2014.

In recognition of her contributions to the local government sector and the broader community, Mayor Holmdahl was inducted into the Tasmanian Honour Roll of Women in 2023.

Hobart City Council will debate a motion behind closed doors next week seeking an independent state investigation into Deputy Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock.

As reported by ABC News, four councillors are calling on the Director of Local Government to intervene over disputes surrounding the use of council-supplied drinks and snacks.

The councillors are said to be furious after the Integrity Commission dismissed the matter, finding it did not constitute misconduct.

Northern Midlands Council has voted to index its capped $3,000 contribution towards dispute resolution in line with annual Consumer Price Index increases.

The Examiner reported the decision follows councillor scrutiny over $6,000 spent on mediation consultants across two recent code of conduct matters.

Under the policy, council covers mediation fees up to the capped threshold, leaving the involved parties to fund any additional costs.

Meanwhile, Northern Midlands councillor Andrew McCullagh has appealed to the Supreme Court seeking a stay on his six-week suspension for code of conduct breaches.

According to The Examiner, counsel for the Attorney-General argued granting a stay would subvert regulations under the Local Government Act, while Cr McCullagh expressed concern over the penalty’s impact on his upcoming re-election campaign.

Supreme Court Justice Michael Brett has adjourned the matter and is scheduled to deliver a decision on Friday.

Former Kingborough Council General Manager Gary Arnold has commenced as Interim Chief Executive Officer at Waratah-Wynyard Council following the retirement of Vanessa Adams.

Bringing a decade of senior sector experience, Mr Arnold is set to head the administration until late February 2027.

He will oversee daily operations and support preparations for October’s local government elections before the recruitment of a permanent chief executive begins.

South Australia

The City of Mount Gambier has approved a trial installing twelve dedicated container collection units on public bins across high foot-traffic areas in its central business district.

Costing less than two thousand dollars, the initiative aims to increase resource recovery under South Australia’s Container Deposit Scheme while providing safer, more dignified access to eligible ten-cent refund containers.

Council staff will monitor maintenance and community usage ahead of a formal evaluation report scheduled for the first half of 2027.

Western Australia

Plans to divide Western Australia’s second-largest local government area look set to be shelved following advice from council officers.

According to PerthNow, a preliminary report into carving out a new local government from the City of Wanneroo warned the boundary review would be too resource-intensive, costing up to $850,000 annually in staffing alone.

Elected members are scheduled to vote on the recommendation to halt the proposal at their July 28 meeting.

The City of Wanneroo council is set to consider parking management strategies, with officers recommending against introducing paid parking across the municipality.

PerthNow reported that the council’s administration noted localised demand pressures are better managed through expanded timed parking and monitoring technology.

While the revenue review committee voted 5–1 to endorse the advice, some have highlighted the absence of long-term financial modelling as the final decision moves to full council.

International

UK:

Harlow Council has joined legal action challenging the UK government’s plan to replace fifteen Essex authorities with five unitary councils.

Council leader Dan Swords says the government’s timetable is undeliverable and threatens town centre redevelopment projects alongside core service delivery.

As reported by BBC News, the district authority will join Essex County Council in seeking a High Court judicial review over the proposed reforms.

In June, the council had called on the government to pause the reorganisation process, vowing to use “every mechanism available” to challenge plans to abolish Harlow Council.

Liverpool City Council has applied to courts to dismiss a legal challenge against its decision to extend city centre parking fees until 11:00 pm.

Local businesses launched the action after the council removed free late-night parking to standardise enforcement, despite initial public consultation showing significant opposition.

According to the BBC, council officials argue the claimants failed to comply with procedural requirements when serving the claim.

A candidate in the upcoming Greater Manchester mayoral by-election has been suspended by his professional body over social media comments.

BBC News reported that mental health nurse Marlon West was handed an 18-month suspension by the Nursing and Midwifery Council over posts regarding grooming gangs.

The ruling arrives just ahead of the 30 July vote to elect a new mayor for the region.

In other news, BBC research has found that half of all councils in England actively allow or encourage pavement parking despite strong opposition from disability charities due to accessibility issues.

Warrington Borough Council‘s planned sale of its £30m stake in Redwood Bank has collapsed due to macroeconomic conditions, though the authority has received a new offer from an unlinked third party.

and London’s Mayor Sadiq Khan has announced £18 million in funding and accepted taskforce recommendations to help young Londoners and the local workforce adapt to AI-driven shifts in the job market.

MEXICO:

Authorities in central Mexico have launched an investigation following the death of Mayor Valentín Lavín, who was shot inside local government facilities in Temoac, Morelos.

According to CBS News, Lavín had previously survived an armed attack in January.

Police and forensic teams are continuing operations to identify and locate those responsible.

USA:

Newly appointed Sausalito City Manager Elaine Forbes is being released from jail to undergo a court-ordered psychiatric evaluation. That follows her arrest for allegedly attempting to steal a yacht while experiencing a mental health crisis, according to USA Today.

The Post and Courier reports that all four members of Chapin Town Council in South Carolina have unanimously passed a resolution of no confidence in Mayor Bill Mitchell, formally requesting his resignation.

The motion follows ongoing governance friction, including allegations of a hostile work environment, widespread staff resignations, and communication blockades between the administration and elected officials.

The mayor immediately rejected the call for him to step down.

CANADA:

The City of Medicine Hat and Mayor Linnsie Clark have denied all allegations of wrongdoing in statements of defence filed against former Chief Administrative Officer Ann Mitchell.

Mitchell is suing for wrongful dismissal following her termination late last year, while the municipality alleges serious misconduct.

CBC News reported that both the city and Mayor Clark have requested that the legal actions be dismissed with costs as the matter awaits further court proceedings.

A Saskatoon City Council committee has backed a multi-agency homelessness action plan featuring 50 proposed actions, though officials and community leaders expressed concerns over the accuracy and completeness of the data used to measure its success.

Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe denied plans to encourage public servants to stay downtown after work to stagger commute times, clarifying that the city’s $29 million fall transportation campaign will focus solely on informing residents about 48 measures aimed at smoothing traffic flow. More on those stories from CTV News.

NZ:

Labour’s deputy leader Carmel Sepuloni has accused the government of passing the buck over cost-of-living pressures, according to RNZ News.

It comes after new StatsNZ figures revealed annual inflation has risen to 4.1 percent—driven by soaring fuel prices and a 9 percent jump in council rates.

More than 18,600 people have signed a petition urging the Christchurch City Council to reverse its conditional $15 million funding commitment toward the Christ Church Cathedral rebuild, citing concerns over public consultation and rising ratepayer costs. RNZ news has more on that story.

The Mayor of Timaru has urged councillors to distribute duties more evenly across the table following a resignation from a key regional water committee.

As reported by The Press, the leadership reshuffle has put the spotlight on elected member workloads and representation across joint local government bodies.

Manawatū District Council has unanimously voted not to submit a proposal under the central government’s Head Start local government reform pathway, reaffirming its firm opposition to compulsory amalgamation.

The council will instead continue direct engagement with neighbouring authorities ahead of the government’s upcoming Backstop reform phase.

South Taranaki and Stratford District Councils have formally voted to support a joint proposal to merge into a single unitary authority.

The proposed model would combine district and regional council responsibilities for central and southern Taranaki, leaving regional functions for the rest of the area under ongoing discussion.