Monitor IBAC referral, critical copper losses, and the end of an era – #623

Today on the Local Government News Roundup:

Kingston City Council refers monitor invoices to IBAC
Backlash as Shoalhaven approves $14m sale of 20 properties
Greater Bendigo to hand maternal & child health services back to the state government
A win for Woolworths; Wingecarribee Council’s supermarket refusal overturned
Cairns Regional Council hit by major copper cable theft affecting critical water infrastructure
Peterborough District Council adopts 12% rate rise after wastewater fund diversion revelations
Wanneroo shelves proposed council split
Clarence City Council reveals the cost of Neil the elephant seal’s recent visit

and much more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Council Town Hall in Broadmeadows, running alongside the NGAA National Congress. Registration is open now to all local governments — head to the NGAA website – ngaa.org.au – to secure your place.

Listen now:

Victoria

Kingston City Council has voted unanimously to refer invoices submitted by state-appointed municipal monitors John Tanner and John Watson to Victoria’s anti-corruption body, IBAC, and the Local Government Inspectorate.

According to reporting from the Herald Sun, the decision follows revelations that billing records included charges for non-existent dates, such as February 30 and 31, as well as work prior to formal appointment.

Council has also directed the billing discrepancies to its internal audit and risk committee for further review to maintain financial oversight and accountability.

While the vote to refer the matter was unanimous, not all councillors took part. Three of the councillors reportedly dropped out of the online meeting prior to the vote being taken.

Yarra City Council Mayor Stephen Jolly has fronted the Melbourne Magistrates’ Court as a contested hearing continues into an unlawful assault charge stemming from his 2024 election night celebration.

Defence lawyers told the court that Cr Jolly acted in self-defence during a confrontation with masked protesters who disrupted the event at a Collingwood venue.

The Herald Sun is reporting on the multi-day hearing, which will examine evidence from 14 witnesses before a decision is reached.

The Rural City of Wangaratta has voted to end its direct delivery of aged care services following an independent review into the long-term sustainability of its operating model.

Councillors endorsed a staged transition that will see Support at Home services wrap up by late September, with other Commonwealth and state-funded programs continuing until alternative providers are appointed.

The Council cited increasing regulatory requirements, clinical compliance risks, and broader national reforms as key factors making ongoing direct service provision unviable.

Greater Bendigo City Council will hand Victoria’s maternal and child health service back to the state, ending council funding by year’s end, according to an ABC News report.

The transition to a new provider is expected before the end of 2026.

The council says the move will better support families with complex needs through the public health system, but nurses warn it could weaken the local community connections parents rely on.

The City of Greater Geelong Council has voted to transition its fifteen local libraries to a Company Limited by Guarantee model, maintaining its ongoing partnership within the Geelong Regional Library Corporation network.

The decision ensures compliance with enterprise structure requirements under the Local Government Act 2020 ahead of the July 2031 deadline, guaranteeing continuity of service without shifting to an in-house model.

The Council has also renewed calls for the Victorian Government to address cost shifting and increase public library funding, with local councils currently bearing roughly 80 per cent of operational costs.

The Star Weekly reported that dozens of local government employees have rallied outside Hobsons Bay Civic Centre as part of an ongoing multi-employer industrial campaign by the Australian Services Union across eight Melbourne councils.

The union is seeking a 10 per cent wage increase in the first year of a new enterprise agreement following extended bargaining delays.

More than 1,000 council staff were expected to strike and gather outside State Parliament on Thursday.

Murrindindi Shire Council has welcomed the release of the Victorian Parliament’s inquiry report into the 2026 summer bushfires.

As the state’s most severely affected municipality, the council has highlighted recommendations supporting an impact-based disaster recovery funding model and greater financial backing for local government’s expanded operational responsibilities.

Mayor Damien Gallagher urged the State Government to move swiftly from parliamentary findings to practical, on-the-ground support for fire-impacted regional communities.

Rounding up more Victorian council news:

Hume City Council is calling on community members to support its campaign to duplicate Mickleham Road between Craigieburn Road and Donnybrook Road to help ease traffic congestion and improve road safety.

Wyndham City Council is calling on the Victorian State Government to commit $50 million toward a full redevelopment of the Werribee Railway Station to address long-standing issues with parking, bus interchange facilities, and accessibility.

Swan Hill Rural City Council is surveying the community as it prepares to roll out a mandatory food-and-garden organics (FOGO) green-bin service, required under Victoria’s waste reforms before July 2027. The council says feedback will shape the education and transition support program.

And Brimbank City Council has welcomed EPA Victoria’s permanent revocation of the Kealba landfill licence after years of advocacy following 2019 underground fires. Operator Barro Group remains legally required to extinguish the remaining hotspot and fully remediate the site.

New South Wales

Bathurst Regional Council‘s long-serving General Manager, David Sherley, has announced his retirement, effective the 29th of January, 2027.

Mr Sherley has held the top job since 2004, and joined Council back in 1998 as Director of Corporate Services.

Earlier this year he received a Public Service Medal for thirty-seven years in NSW local government.

Mayor Cr Robert Taylor says his retirement marks, quote, “the end of an era” for the Council. He has flagged a mayoral minute at the August meeting to outline the process for recruiting Mr Sherley’s replacement.

Central Coast Council has confirmed its leadership transition, appointing Director of Water and Sewer Jamie Loader as acting Chief Executive from the second of September.

The move follows the retirement of long-serving CEO David Farmer, who is stepping down after five and a half years in the role and a forty-five year career in local government.

Mayor Lawrie McKinna says the search for a permanent CEO is now underway, following the Office of Local Government’s recruitment framework, with an appointment expected to take several months.

Woolworths has won a court battle to build a new supermarket in Moss Vale.

The Southern Wire reported that the NSW Land and Environment Court overturned Wingecarribee Shire Council’s refusal, approving a two-storey shopping centre with specialty stores, commercial space and a 242-space car park.

The court found the project would deliver a net economic benefit, retain local spending and improve choice, with traffic concerns addressed through road upgrades and new lights.

Construction is subject to final access arrangements.

The South Coast News reports that Shoalhaven City Council has voted to approve the sale of 20 properties in a 14-million-dollar deal aimed at boosting council revenue and easing rate pressures.

The decision requires the reclassification and rezoning of operational and community land currently occupied by several local non-profit organisations, including an emergency shelter.

Council CEO Andrew Constance has apologised for failing to consult affected tenants prior to the meeting and pledged to engage with key service providers to source alternative premises.

Local MPs have condemned the decision, and are calling on the local government minister to intervene.

Tenterfield Shire Council has issued a statement clarifying its decision to handle Audit, Risk and Improvement Committee meeting minutes within confidential business at its July ordinary meeting.

The Council highlighted that committee business frequently involves sensitive financial, governance, and operational risk matters, including exposure to AI-driven cyber threats.

Citing state local government guidelines, council affirmed that decisions regarding the public release of committee papers remain at the discretion of council.

Griffith Council has narrowly voted down a proposed banner policy for its main street, after debate sparked by unannounced Pride Month rainbow banners in June.

Region Riverina reports that Councillor Jenny Ellis pushed for a transparent approval process and guidelines, saying it would help council make fair decisions on contentious displays.

The vote was tied four-all, with the mayor using a casting vote to defeat the motion. Decisions on banner displays will continue to be handled internally by council staff.

Upper Hunter Shire Council is urging the NSW Government to review new rules limiting councillor briefings with staff before meetings.

The council says the changes hurt informed decision-making on complex issues like planning and infrastructure.

Mayor Maurice Collison supports transparency measures like livestreaming, but says councillors must still be able to conduct briefings, workshops and site inspections.

2NM reported that the concerns are being sent to the Local Government Minister and the Premier.

Rounding up more NSW council news:

Blue Mountains City Council is demanding an exemption for its entire local government area from NSW fast-tracked residential development pathways due to extreme bushfire risks and concerns over high-density projects bypassed through State Significant Development processes.

Shoalhaven City Council is urging motorists traveling through Milton to exercise caution and cap their speed at 60 km/h following the vandalism and removal of 20 speed and directional signs across local roads.

Lake Macquarie City Council has spent five thousand dollars removing traffic cones placed atop pine trees across the region, warning that the dangerous pranks pose severe safety and environmental risks.

And NBN News reported that Tamworth Regional Council has approved spending up to $30,000 on a delegation trip to Japan and Singapore to strengthen sister city relations, drawing backlash from some local residents.

Queensland

Cairns Regional Council is assessing hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages following the theft of approximately 160 metres of copper cable from its critical water infrastructure.

According to The Cairns Post, council chief executive Ken Gouldthorp confirmed the Crystal Cascades intake facility is currently operating on backup generator power while engineers determine a complex repair strategy.

Queensland Police are investigating the incidents, which involved cutting live electrical wiring at the site earlier this month.

The Queensland Government has declared a drought across the Balonne, Goondiwindi, Southern Downs, and Maranoa local government areas following prolonged below-average rainfall.

According to Balonne Shire Council, the status reinstates interest-free loans of up to $250,000 via state drought finance schemes for eligible primary producers.

Mayor Samantha O’Toole welcomed the support, noting that despite earlier river flooding, patchy winter rainfall has left local pastures severely depleted.

Sunshine Coast Council and UniSC have signed a Regional Partnership Agreement worth up to $1 million to advance shared sustainability goals.

The partnership will work on joint initiatives in education, research, innovation, workforce development and regional projects including smart cities and Brisbane 2032 legacy planning.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council is urging landholders to clear potential pest harbourage sites following warnings from the Darling Downs–Moreton Rabbit Board.

Environment Portfolio Councillor Cheryl Steinhardt says unmaintained shipping containers, timber stockpiles, and undisturbed hay offer ideal shelter for wild rabbits.

Somerset Regional Council has launched its new Experience Somerset Visitor Guide following Toogoolawah’s recognition as Queensland’s Top Tiny Tourism Town for 2026.

The guide highlights the region’s growing small-batch food scene, historic villages, and country lifestyle to boost local economic growth.

Mayor Jason Wendt said that the new visitor guide would put Somerset front-of-mind for holidaymakers in a competitive tourism industry.

Tasmania

Hobart Deputy Lord Mayor Zelinda Sherlock has issued a public apology for taking food and drinks from the council’s elected members’ lounge.

Speaking to ABC Radio, Councillor Sherlock confirmed a list of missing items was provided to the Integrity Commission, while describing the ongoing fallout as a political assassination.

Pulse Tasmania reported that the Director of Local Government has since requested information on the matter, as fellow elected members remain divided over whether the issue represents political targeting or official accountability.

Hobart City Councillor and CyclingSouth chair Ryan Posselt has publicly raised safety concerns over concrete barriers installed along the Collins Street bike lane trial.

Speaking to Pulse Tasmania, Cr Posselt accused council staff of ignoring ongoing feedback regarding the rigid bollards, which he says contributed to a recent cyclist injury.

While supporting the continuation of the two-year trial, he called on council administration to better address feedback from elected members and the public.

Launceston Mayor Matthew Garwood has lost a fifteen-thousand-dollar defamation action in the Launceston Magistrates Court against an 80-year-old resident.

Deputy Magistrate Ken Stanton ruled that an email and social media post concerning alleged illegal parking failed to demonstrate serious reputational harm.

As reported by Pulse Tasmania, the court deemed the communication inappropriate but not defamatory, with an application for legal costs currently adjourned.

Clarence City Council has incurred more than $31,000 in costs managing crowd control and property damage caused by Neil, a visiting elephant seal during its recent stay at Seven Mile Beach.

According to SBS News, staff and security spent over 275 hours directing traffic and repairing damaged council bollards, fencing, and street signage.

Mayor Brendan Blomeley defended the expenditure, stating the proactive oversight was essential to maintain public safety and protect the protected marine mammal.

South Australia

Former Adelaide City Councillor Henry Davis has attended a council meeting in the public gallery following a Behavioural Standards Panel finding of serious misbehaviour, reports InDaily.

The panel recommended a three-month suspension over allegations he secretly filmed colleagues at a city venue, though Mr Davis resigned prior to the report’s release and announced he will contest the mayoral election.

Deputy Lord Mayor Carmel Noon addressed the chamber on workplace safety concerns arising from the incident, while Mr Davis maintains his innocence.

The District Council of Peterborough has adopted a 12 per cent rate increase, keeping its rates the highest in South Australia for a second consecutive year.

ABC News reported that it follows revelations that 2.5 million dollars was redirected from a restricted wastewater management fund to cover operational expenses.

The council still forecasts a 240,000 dollar operating deficit for the 2026–27 financial year as it seeks to establish a repayment schedule to restore the account.

In other SA Council news:

The Adelaide Hills Council is closing and removing the community-built dirt bike jumps at Brockhoff Park in Balhannah during the first week of August 2026 due to safety risks identified in a recent safety assessment.

The City of Burnside issued a media statement explaining that its ongoing media monitoring service contract is up for renewal via a standard, confidential state government tender process. The council says the service helps to efficiently track relevant community issues, news, and public discussions.

And the City of Holdfast Bay has asked the Local Government Association of South Australia to advocate for updates to national road rules governing long-term street parking.

The council is seeking increased authority to manage caravans, boats, and trailers stored on suburban roads following growing community concerns regarding safety and neighbourhood amenity.

Western Australia

In Perth, the Metro Inner Development Assessment Panel has approved an eight-storey mixed-use development, exceeding the City of Vincent’s local height limit.

State planners voted four to one in favour of the ten-million-dollar William Street proposal, accepting streetscape upgrades in exchange for the additional building height.

PerthNow reported the decision was made despite local government objections about legal zoning interpretations and the adequacy of the proposed community benefits.

The City of South Perth Council has updated its mayoral vehicle policy to allow the mayor to use a city-funded car for electoral and political party purposes.

Under the revised framework, electioneering is classified as private travel, requiring Mayor Greg Milner to maintain an Australian Taxation Office-compliant logbook and reimburse the council for variable costs and depreciation.

PerthNow reported that an amendment proposing a complete ban on political usage lapsed without a seconder, with elected members agreeing to review the policy again in December 2026.

Also making news from WA councils this week:

The City of Wanneroo has shelved plans to split its local government and create a new “City of Yanchep” due to high financial costs, heavy resource demands, and potential strategic disruptions during a period of rapid population growth.

The City of Mandurah has called for candidate nominations between August 4 and August 11, 2026, to fill a Councillor vacancy in the Town Ward for an extraordinary postal election scheduled for September 24, 2026.

Northern Territory

Alice Springs Town Council Mayor Asta Hill is set to meet with a Qantas regional manager following the airline’s decision to cut its direct route between Melbourne and Alice Springs.

The council has invited Qantas to discuss the economic and social impact of losing the service, which is scheduled to cease operations in November.

International

NZ:

Rangitīkei District Council has unanimously voted against participating in the New Zealand Government’s Head Start pathway, rejecting requirements to submit council amalgamation plans.

According to the Whanganui Chronicle, elected members will instead sign a memorandum of understanding with neighbouring councils to establish a collaborative, locally led response to sector reforms.

Mayor Andy Watson will also join regional leaders in sending a joint letter to Local Government Minister Simon Watts outlining their position.

Meanwhile, the minister says the government has not softened its stance on local body amalgamation, rejecting claims from Tararua Mayor Scott Gilmore.

Watts says there’s been no change in policy, as councils face a 9 August deadline to submit boundary reform proposals — or risk the government stepping in with a “back-stop” plan.