In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• a landslide win for Newcastle’s new Lord Mayor
• councillors plan a motion of no-confidence in Wyndham’s mayor
• a $3B election call from a group of regional councils
• a mayor calls for a lowering of the temperature after a family car is firebombed
• a councillor sensationally resigns, branding her colleagues as dysfunctional
• a last minute settlement of an unfair dismissal claim at a Tasmanian council, and
• a first of its kind deepfake detection pilot launched in England ahead of local elections

Plus the Roundup Flashback machine takes us back 12 months to see what was making news this time last year

plus 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 on your preferred podcast platform, or by clicking here.

Transcript for Episode #576:

Today’s Top Three

Newcastle has chosen a new lord mayor … with independent Gavin Morris winning in a landslide, according to the Newcastle Herald.

Morris, a former NBN News presenter, told supporters the result isn’t about one person … it’s about the city and the volunteers behind the campaign.

Early counting had him on around half the vote … well ahead of Greens candidate Charlotte McCabe and Labor’s Declan Clausen.

Cr Clausen called Morris to concede, and Morris says he’s looking forward to working with all councillors.

For voters, his first message was a simple thank you … and a promise of what he called a whole new future for Newcastle.

To Sydney’s south west … where Labor is claiming victory in the Liverpool City Council by-election … after Liberal candidate Azam Dabbagh conceded defeat, according to news dot com dot au.

The vote was triggered by the resignation of Labor councillor Betty Green … and thousands turned out in the South Ward on Saturday.

Early figures show Labor’s Zeli Munjiza leading by more than six thousand votes … with nearly fifty thousand ballots counted.

Dabbagh posted online saying he’d called Munjiza to congratulate her.

The NSW Electoral Commission says counting will continue this week … including postal votes … but the result would be a blow for Liverpool Mayor Ned Mannoun … who backed the Liberal challenger.

Three Wyndham City Councillors have called an unscheduled Council meeting for Monday 27th April at 6pm to consider a motion of no confidence in Mayor Cr Preet Singh.

Cr Singh is still refusing to resign despite calls from his fellow councillors, many community members, and the former local government minister Nick Staikos.

It follows revelations that Cr Singh provided a character reference to a person ultimately convicted of child sex offences in 2024 – prior to Cr Singh being elected to the Council.

Cr Robert Szatkowski says he has joined with Crs Peter Maynard and Cr Susan McIntyre to call the meeting under the Council’s Governance Rules.

In a statement, he said it was not a step being taken lightly, and that it was disappointing that the matter had reached this point.

Even if the Council passes the no confidence motion, it cannot force Cr Singh to resign the mayoralty.

Victorian Report

Regional Cities Victoria is calling for a $1 billion regional fund … and a $2 billion roads package … arguing population growth is outpacing infrastructure.

A roads roundtable in Geelong brought together freight, farming, tourism and local government groups to back the push. Warrnambool Mayor Councillor Ben Blain says potholes and ageing assets are risking lives … and undermining the industries that rely on reliable transport.

In the north east, Wangaratta Mayor Irene Grant says local roads are vital links to jobs, schools and health care … and many of the most complained about roads are state managed.

The council is backing the funding push for regional Victoria ahead of the state election, and is also seeking support for projects like a cycling trail expansion … a new creative precinct … and aerodrome runway resealing.

Greater Geelong Council has decided to close all four creche services at its Swim, Sport and Leisure centres … from May 1.

The Geelong Independent reports that new childcare regulations have made the services more complex and expensive to run … with staffing requirements that don’t change even when attendance is low.

The Council’s Executive director of City Life Anthony Basford says the decision wasn’t taken lightly … and other childcare options have become more accessible.

Families will get three months free access to pools and programs … and staff will be offered other roles.

Moorabool Shire residents have dodged a new fee after debate in the chamber last week.

In a six-to-three vote, Councillors officially rejected the introduction of a “municipal charge” to the local rating system. While supporters argued the flat fee would make rates fairer for farmers, the move was ultimately defeated after a recent community survey showed overwhelming public opposition.

In a separate split decision, Council also voted to pull four-hundred-and-twenty-eight-thousand dollars from the Landfill Reserve to fund the state-mandated green waste bin rollout.

In Campaspe Shire … the council is warning its waste services are being squeezed by fuel prices and inflation … and it’s proposing a rise in kerbside bin fees next financial year.

The draft 2026-27 fees schedule includes a 9.6 per cent lift to kerbside waste charges … plus temporary increases for tip gate fees and quarry services while the fuel crunch continues.

Mayor Cr Daniel Mackrell says more than half the waste budget is locked into contracts linked to fuel and the CPI … and council can’t absorb the full hit.

Councils in the News: The Guardian has reported on a campaign by a coalition of 35 councils for a rethink of the state’s push for a fourth household bin … just for glass.

A group is urging the government to pause the mid-2027 deadline … arguing the extra collection trucks and the cost … could end up on rates … without much benefit.

Manningham Mayor Jim Grivas says councils support better glass recycling … but wants more options … including expanding Victoria’s container deposit scheme.

Waste experts say separate glass can cut contamination … but deposit schemes return cleaner material.

A Herald Sun report on the same issue estimates that the four bin rollout could cost households as much as 150 dollars extra per year.

From 9News, a report on claims that a proposal to cut rubbish collection frequency in Merri-bek is dividing the community.

The Council is considering cutting red-lid rubbish collection from weekly to fortnightly from July 2027.

A six-month trial in parts of Hadfield and Brunswick reduced landfill waste by nearly 20 per cent … and the council says it could save more than a million dollars.

But residents are split … with warnings of overflowing, smelly bins … especially for families with nappies.

The council says it would issue larger red bins … and offer concessions for households with extra waste needs. A final decision is due in June.

The Age reports on a new council-backed data set is challenging claims local governments are holding up housing.

The Municipal Association of Victoria says thousands of homes have been approved … but many still haven’t begun construction … pointing instead to weak market conditions and developers sitting on land.

The report highlights areas like Maribyrnong … where just nine of more than eleven hundred approved dwellings were completed over 18 months.

Port Phillip Mayor Councillor Alex Makin says the state should “look in the mirror” before blaming councils … as the government ramps up its election pitch of “builders versus blockers.”

Victorian Briefs

Murrindindi Shire Council is extending its free firewood program to support residents and renters recovering from the January 2026 bushfires.

Following a successful initial rollout for those most directly impacted, Mayor Damien Gallagher confirmed the initiative will continue on a staged basis to help manage supplies safely.

Greater Shepparton City Council has secured two rounds of the UCI BMX Racing World Cup … in February 2028 … just months before the Los Angeles Olympics.

The Victorian Government and AusCycling say the event will bring the world’s best riders to the upgraded Shepparton BMX Track … and inject visitors and spending into the Goulburn Valley.

Hume City Council is asking residents and local groups to join a new push for investment … as the city’s population surges.

Council has launched an advocacy framework mapping priority projects to 2030 … focused on transport, infrastructure, safety and liveability.

The council says the plan will guide a consistent campaign over the next five years … and it wants the community’s stories to strengthen the case.

NSW Report

A car belonging to the partner of a western Sydney mayor has been destroyed in an early-morning firebombing … with two nearby vehicles also damaged.

Police were called to a Merrylands street just after three am on Saturday … and found a Mercedes fully alight outside the home of Cumberland Council mayor Ola Hamed.

Cr Hamed told the Daily Telegraph that she was shocked by the incident, unsure it it was “because I’m a woman or because I’m a Muslim”… or potentially a case of mistaken identity.

She has called for the temperature to be lowered in political debate.

A crime scene has been set up … and the vehicle taken for forensic examination.

Police say an investigation is under way to find those responsible … and to determine if it was politically or racially motivated.

Waverley Council is moving to host a national summit on social cohesion and antisemitism … in the lead up to the first anniversary of the Bondi Beach terror attack.

Mayor Will Nemesh will ask councillors to back the plan at this week’s meeting … partnering with the New South Wales and Commonwealth governments.

The conference, convened by the Combat Antisemitism Movement, is slated for November 26 and 27 in Bondi … bringing mayors, councillors and community leaders together to share practical strategies councils can use locally.

Glen Innes Severn Council says a joint police and health operation has sent a message to illegal tobacco and vaping sellers.

Mayor Margot Davis has welcomed raids by New England Police and NSW Health … with about 84 thousand dollars’ worth of illicit products seized.

Three businesses in Armidale and Glen Innes were issued three month closure notices under NSW tobacco laws.

Cr Davis says council has been lobbying for tougher regulation and better resourcing … warning the trade harms health … hits legitimate businesses … and is linked to organised crime.

Snowy Monaro Regional Council is taking direct control of long delayed upgrade works at the Bombala and Cooma pools … after voting to terminate its contract with the principal contractor.

Council says it wants work back underway as soon as possible … with around four months of construction still needed at each site.

It is meeting with subcontractors and suppliers in Cooma… to work through outstanding issues … and what the change means for them.

In Wingecarribee … the mayor is pushing back against claims the council is planning a 70 per cent rates hike.

Mayor Jesse Fitzpatrick says general rates for 2026-27 will rise by the IPART rate peg … 3 point 3 per cent. But the statement flags higher proposed water and sewer charges … including a 15 per cent access charge … a 26 per cent rise in water usage … and an 8 point 5 per cent lift for sewer … to recover rising costs and fund renewals.

Cr Fitzpatrick said any move to seek rates above the peg would come to council in June.

In Griffith … a push for tougher rules on barking dogs and crowing roosters has been voted down at council, according to Region Riverina.

Councillor Mark Dal Bon told the meeting residents are losing sleep … and want animal noise treated like any other late night disturbance.

But Mayor Doug Curran said council cannot expand its powers … and enforcement is hard without staff hearing the noise firsthand.

The council says people should start with a friendly chat with neighbours … then keep a noise log and seek support from other nearby residents if the problem continues.

Only one other councillor backed Cr Dal Bon’s motion.

A former Central Coast Council building will be converted into student accommodation … in partnership with the University of Newcastle.

Mayor Lawrie McKinna says the plan will deliver studio and shared apartments … alongside student services, study spaces and event areas … helping attract students from Australia and overseas.

He says more people living and studying in the CBD should lift local businesses … and support a stronger night time economy.

NSW Briefs:

Murrumbidgee Council says it’s moving to take over the management of Coleambally Preschool … after the service’s association committee asked for help.

The council has signed a memorandum of understanding … and says the handover should be finalised in May … pending regulatory approval … with no disruption to families.

Campbell Construction Co Pty Ltd has been awarded a contract by Clarence Valley Council to repair the Grafton Library roof following extensive storm damage sustained last August.

The insurance-funded project will restore the building’s structural integrity and critical systems, reopening sections of the library currently deemed unusable.

Woollahra Council has added a major new name to its Historical Plaque scheme.

It has unveiled its 52nd marker … outside the Bellevue Hill home once lived in by former prime minister William McMahon.

McMahon led Australia from 1971 to 1972 … after two decades in senior cabinet roles.

Council is also inviting residents to nominate future honourees.

Queensland Report

Central Highlands residents will soon choose a new councillor … after the resignation of Gai Sypher, who has accused the council of being dysfunctional.

The Morning Bulletin reported that Ms Sypher accused councillors of driving personal agendas, and said she could not work productively alongside five of the elected members.

Ms Sypher served on the council since 2012.

A by-election has been set for Saturday May 16.

Brisbane City Council has signed a new sister city partnership with Los Angeles … as it gears up for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said working with the next host city will help Brisbane learn what it takes to deliver a lasting legacy … from transport and planning to tourism and innovation.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass says the deal also strengthens global ties … and points to shared work on sustainability, housing and economic development.

The two leaders have signed a letter of intent … with a formal agreement to follow.

In south-west Queensland … six councils say they may have to become insurers themselves … after some flood-prone towns saw premiums jump by as much as 500 per cent.

The Southwest Regional Organisation of Councils, led by Balonne Mayor and chair Samantha O’Toole, is working on a community insurance mutual … designed to spread risk and offer more affordable cover for locals and small businesses.

ABC News reported that residents in St George say quotes can run from 23 thousand dollars to more than 60 thousand a year.

A feasibility study is due soon … but experts warn mutuals can struggle without a wider pool to diversify risk.

Whitsunday Coast Airport is proving just how quickly the region is growing … with new figures showing the strongest year on year passenger jump of any Australian airport in November.

The airport’s numbers were up 14 point 6 per cent … well ahead of the national average of 1 point 9. Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Ry Collins says the lift reflects both tourism demand … and the airport’s role as a gateway for workers travelling to and from Bowen Basin mining operations.

In Moreton Bay … researchers are digging into a fault that may have shifted the landscape thousands of years ago.

The City has funded a joint study to map evidence of a powerful ancient quake … by analysing buried sediments and the shape of the ground.

Early findings point to a major event in the region’s distant past … information Council says will help refine how it plans for future hazards.

The team will use the data to better understand where stress builds in the earth … and what that could mean for local infrastructure and emergency planning.

A local caravan park in Einsvold is set to close from this week… as North Burnett Regional Council steps back from running caravan parks.

The council says it resigned as trustee of the site last year … and will auction on site assets in early May.

It says there are no permanent residents affected … and the closure does not stop another operator applying to the state to lease the site.

Tasmania

West Coast Council has reached a last-minute settlement with former planning manager Alison Shea over an unfair dismissal claim.

According to The Advocate, Ms. Shea described the payout as a “total declaration” of her innocence, claiming her suspension was retaliation for a formal complaint filed against the general manager.

While the settlement amount remains undisclosed, council general manager Scott Riley expressed disappointment over the public comments, citing a non-disparagement agreement and defending the council’s recent staff turnover as normal for the region.

Western Australia

In Geraldton … a former WA Nationals MP says the City of Greater Geraldton has given a kind of tacit endorsement to an evangelical festival … by approving it on public land.

Paul Brown says flyers for the free Revive Festival … run by Potters House … invite people to “experience your miracle” … with claims of healing asthma, arthritis and deafness.

A complaint has reportedly been made to Consumer Protection WA, according to WA Today.

Potters House says the language reflects Christian belief … offers no commercial guarantee … and rejects claims it targets vulnerable people. The council says the event met its usual approval process.

Global Report

News today from the US, New Zealand, but first up the UK…

UK:

… with a digital crackdown on election interference, high stakes for the nation’s road budgets, and a rare victory for local high streets.

With less than three weeks until the May local elections, the Electoral Commission has officially launched a first-of-its-kind deepfake detection pilot. The scheme is monitoring online platforms for AI-generated audio and video designed to mislead voters. It comes as new data suggests this year’s ballots will be some of the most crowded in decades, with an average of five candidates vying for every seat.

The Department for Transport is putting councils on notice over the state of their roads. Under a new “traffic light” rating system, thirteen “red-rated” authorities have been warned they could lose up to a third of their maintenance funding if they fail to improve pothole repairs. While these struggling councils will receive three hundred thousand pounds in expert planning support, ministers say the days of “blank cheque” road funding are over.

The Local Government Association has confirmed Jenny Rowlands as its new Interim Chief Executive. The former Camden boss takes the helm at a pivotal moment, as the organisation navigates a major internal transformation alongside the upcoming election cycle.

And a community milestone in Nottingham. After years of redevelopment, the Sherwood Library [officially reopened its doors on the weekend](https://www.mynottinghamnews.co.uk/sherwood-library-reopens-after-major-redevelopment/#:~:text=Residents in Sherwood can now,milestone for the local community.). The site is being hailed as a flagship for modern urban renewal, featuring sustainable design and new digital hubs. It coincides with the city’s plans to expand its pioneering low-carbon district heating network through new private partnerships.

USA:

From the Big Apple to the Big Easy..

In New York City, Mayor Zohran Mamdani made a dramatic statement this past Thursday, revoking every executive order signed by former Mayor Eric Adams following his federal indictment last September.

According to CNN, Mamdani framed the move as a restoration of city integrity, though the “clean slate” comes with a catch: the Mayor immediately reinstated nearly half of those policies to bridge a daunting $5 billion budget gap.

Down south, New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno is finding success with a “do more with less” strategy.

The city has unveiled a new Overtime Monitoring Dashboard that has successfully stabilised city finances without slashing essential services—a benchmark mid-sized cities across the U.S. are watching closely.

In other news:

A cohort of U.S. mayors has wrapped up the Medal of Honor Institute in Arlington, Texas, where they came together to focus on crisis leadership.

The City Council in Palm Coast, Florida is fast-tracking housing with a new Vertical Development Incentive Program, encouraging new multi-story projects to tackle local shortages before key redevelopment deadlines expire.

NZ:

Selwyn District Council has scrapped plans for a dedicated emergency operations centre in Rolleston due to rising costs and funding constraints.

According to reporting by RNZ, the project’s budget had ballooned from an initial 1.8 million dollars to over 5 million, leading councillors to vote against the proposal. Instead of a purpose-built hub, the council will continue to manage emergency responses from its existing headquarters.

Hundreds of residents in the Southland region have been issued “red warnings” as the council-run WasteNet service cracks down on contaminated recycling bins.

RNZ reports that over 400 households in the Southland, Invercargill and Gore District areas received the notices after inspectors found non-recyclable items, such as nappies and soft plastics, in yellow wheelie bins.

Repeat offenders face having their bin collection services suspended, as high contamination rates drive up processing costs for the entire community.

In Ashburton … councillors are warning the district’s annual plan may need a rethink … as costs keep rising.

At a Three Waters committee meeting … officials revealed bigger-than-expected overspends … including a possible one million dollars over budget for drinking water by year’s end.

According to The Press, Chief executive Hamish Riach says the council is weighing whether to reopen the draft plan … especially after the fuel crisis pushed prices up across council services.