Today on the Local Government News Roundup podcast:

• Resignations trigger a quorum crisis in WA
• A Council CEO’s surprise career move
• Chapel Street Traders drop their legal challenge against Stonnington Council
• Peak groups call the Victorian state budget a missed opportunity
• Newcastle’s new Lord Mayor confirmed
• Industrial action to hit the Western Downs
• A mayor targeted by a nasty graffiti attack
• and a councillor’s viral spray against his own council

All of that and more just ahead on Australia’s number one local government podcast.

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 #582:

Today’s Top Three

Six councillors — including the Shire President — have resigned from the Shire of Carnarvon Council over the past few days, leaving the shire without enough elected members to form a quorum.

In a statement, the Council CEO Mandy Dexter confirmed the resignations mean Council cannot currently hold valid meetings or make decisions requiring a formal council resolution.

Just two elected members remain, including the acting Shire President Burke Maslen.

The Shire says it has formally notified the Minister for Local Government and the Department of Local Government, Industry Regulation and Safety, and is now working to confirm the next steps under the Local Government Act.

Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley said yesterday that she has sought advice on the appropriate process and next steps, while Premier Roger Cook is reportedly anticipating the appointment of a commissioner.

Despite the disruption, the Shire insists day-to-day operations will continue as normal — with essential services, customer service, works and community programs to remain running under the leadership of the Chief Executive Officer and staff, under existing delegations.

The Shire says it will not comment on individual reasons for the resignations at this time, and will provide further updates as more information becomes available.

The Local Government Association of South Australia has appointed Victoria MacKirdy as its new Chief Executive Officer.

MacKirdy has led the City of Victor Harbor as CEO since 2018 and has nearly 30 years’ experience in local government, plus time in the private sector.

LGA SA President Mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross says MacKirdy’s leadership and sector knowledge made her a standout choice after a competitive recruitment process.

MacKirdy will start in the role on the 20th of July, with Victor Harbor confirming she will finish up there on the 17th.

The City of Stonnington has welcomed the withdrawal of a legal challenge to its Chapel Street Special Rate Scheme, launched at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal by a small number of Chapel Street traders.

In a statement, the traders say they filed the application in late 2025 without legal advice, but are now withdrawing after considering Council’s response and the tribunal’s observations. They also acknowledge the scheme has been administered appropriately and in line with its declared purpose.

Stonnington Chief Executive Officer Dale Dickson says the move will bring the VCAT proceedings to an end, calling it an affirmation the Council has acted lawfully and prudently.

The Council says it is investing 4.38 million dollars this financial year to revitalise the precinct through its Chapel Street Precinct Improvement Plan, with the Special Rate Scheme contributing 1.1 million.

The Council says more than 7.4 million people visited Chapel Street last year, spending over one billion dollars.

Victorian Report

The Municipal Association of Victoria says the State Government’s 2026–27 budget is a missed opportunity to invest in local communities.

The MAV says while it welcomes extra spending on state-owned roads, councils warn it won’t be enough to improve safety and productivity on major arterial routes.

The association is also questioning whether an eleven-million-dollar investment over two years can deliver the planning reforms being demanded, including upgrades across Victoria’s 79 council planning systems.

The MAV says it will continue pushing for long-term funding for essential infrastructure and core local services.

Rural Councils Victoria says the Victorian Budget’s new $20 million “Future Regions” program is a welcome first step for country communities—supporting housing-enabling infrastructure, upgraded facilities and investment attraction.

But RCV Chair Cr Rob Amos says it’s only a start, urging all major parties ahead of the 2026 election to commit to a much larger, long-term regional productivity and growth fund to deliver sustained support across rural Victoria.

The SouthWest Victoria Alliance said the budget still falls short for the region, despite the new Future Regions program.

The group welcomes funding for enabling infrastructure and community upgrades, but says it doesn’t match rising demand for roads, housing and essential services.

The alliance is calling for a coordinated, long-term investment framework with regional councils, warning one-off announcements won’t close growing gaps.

The Outer Melbourne Councils alliance said the Budget falls short, with only modest new spending despite rapid population growth.

While welcoming bus upgrades, new community hospitals and planning money for the Melton rail line, the OMC alliance says there’s no replacement funding for the axed Growing Suburbs Fund, nor major pool and library upgrades.

Several playgrounds across Hobsons Bay will undergo urgent repairs after inspections found more sites in poor condition than expected.

Council crews will make temporary safety fixes, remove unsafe equipment, and carry out selected repairs, while planning future upgrades.

Burgoyne Reserve in Williamstown is the only urgent site, with the playground already removed and a like-for-like replacement underway.

Other affected sites include reserves in Williamstown, Altona, Altona Meadows, Altona North and Brooklyn.

Latrobe City Council has appointed Yarra Drones to design and establish an Advanced Air Mobility command centre at Latrobe Regional Airport, backed by Victorian Government funding.

The new facility—part of the Latrobe Aerospace Technology Precinct—will give drone operators a dedicated place to research, test and evaluate uncrewed aircraft systems in a controlled environment.

The project aims to support safer, scalable trials of low-to-no emissions aviation technologies, as the national drone sector is forecast to add billions to the economy and create thousands of jobs each year.

Greater Shepparton City Council is calling for ongoing, region-specific management of Queensland Fruit Fly in the Goulburn Murray Valley, after an independent report found the area faces a high risk and can’t rely on approaches used elsewhere in Australia.

Mayor Shane Sali says under-resourcing could threaten jobs, markets and the regional economy.

Partner councils and industry groups are advocating for one million dollars a year for a high-intensity program, with current funding at four hundred and sixty-nine thousand and future funding still unconfirmed.

Loddon Shire Council will pause any move to add extra kerbside bins, citing uncertainty around proposed Victorian Government service standards.

The council says it will write to the Local Government Minister, urging the State to finalise long-delayed regulations and consider alternative collection options, warning the current draft model could drive up costs and put pressure on council budgets and household rates.

All Victorian households are due to shift to a four-stream kerbside system by July 2027, but Loddon says it won’t proceed until the rules are clear.

Macedon Ranges Shire Council is backing community calls for urgent upgrades to a dangerous pedestrian crossing on Romsey Road in Woodend, near Woodend Primary School.

The Council wants the Department of Transport and Planning to assess conditions and consider a range of safety treatments, including interim measures, after two serious incidents.

New pedestrian crossing signs have been installed, and a community petition is expected to be tabled at this month’s Council meeting.

Greater Geelong Council is calling for new mobile food vendors, tourist attractions and water-based activity operators to help revitalise the city’s waterfront.

The City of Greater Geelong says expressions of interest are now open, seeking “innovative, high-quality experiences” to complement existing operators like the Giant Sky Wheel and Eastern Beach train.

The EOI process closes May 31 at 5pm.

Victorian local government corruption fears are resurfacing, with integrity experts warning a Casey-style scandal could happen again.

The Age reports this week that despite IBAC recommendations to cap — or even ban — property developer donations to councillors, the Victorian government’s new planning law stopped short, adding only extra disclosure rules.

Former IBAC commissioner Robert Redlich says without tighter limits, Victoria remains an outlier and councils stay exposed to conflicts of interest — and public distrust.

The government says it’s improving transparency, but critics argue key reforms are still sitting on the shelf.

Victorian Briefs

Works are underway to remove parking meters across Horsham’s CBD, after Council voted in June 2025 to discontinue their use.

The move completes the transition to free, time-limited parking. Council says minor footpath disruptions are possible, with two-hour free parking and other signed limits remaining enforced.

Sarsfield in East Gippsland Shire has officially opened its upgraded Recreation Reserve and Community Hall, marking the completion of a $3.8 million redevelopment more than four years in the making.

The modern multipurpose facility replaces the former hall and includes upgraded amenities, recreation spaces, landscaping and improved access. Funding came from all levels of government, with local community groups also contributing.

Port Phillip Mayor Alex Makin and Deputy Mayor Bryan Mears have hosted an international delegation from Ya’an in China’s Sichuan Province.

The visit focused on cultural exchange, local governance, and strengthening ties between the two communities.

Discussions covered tourism in Port Phillip and how decision-making works across local, state and federal government in Australia.

NSW Report

Gavin Morris has been confirmed as Newcastle’s new Lord Mayor, after the NSW Electoral Commission declared the result of the by-election yesterday.

The poll was triggered by the resignation of former Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge in February, after 17 months in the role.

Morris will take the affirmation of office on next Tuesday, before chairing a Development Application Committee meeting — the first formal meeting of his term.

The final cost of the by-election is just over one-point-one million dollars, and will be added to the 2025–26 budget review later this month.

Sydney’s lord mayor Clover Moore has blocked a pro‑Palestine forum titled “Why it is right to globalise the intifada” from being held in a City of Sydney council venue, citing public safety and community cohesion, according to The Guardian.

That’s despite the council receiving advice that it had no legal grounds to do so, according to a report from the Sydney Morning Herald.

Organisers say the event will go ahead in a nearby park, while Jewish community leaders welcomed the cancellation. New South Wales Premier Chris Minns has also backed the decision.

Kyogle Council says it’s “disheartened, disappointed and disillusioned” after a break-in at the newly opened Mallanganee Lookout Observatory.

IndryNR dot com reported that equipment and electrical infrastructure worth around $20,000 was stolen, including power for site lighting and toilet water pumps.

Police are investigating.

Muswellbrook Shire Council has self-reported to the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption and the Office of Local Government following an independent investigation into issues linked to the Richard Gill School.

Mayor Jeff Drayton says the move follows findings about the original deal to gift land to the school, with formal complaints lodged late last week.

Drayton says the council’s own inquiry faced limits where some people declined to take part, and ICAC’s wider powers may allow a fuller investigation.

The council is now waiting to see if either agency takes further action.

Bellingen Shire Council has unanimously backed a new affordable housing plan for Urunga … moving to negotiate with the Waterfall Way Community Land Trust.

News of the Area reported that the model keeps the land in community ownership, while eligible locals buy the homes … helping keep prices down long term.

The Council says there are still safeguards to work through … including valuation, probity checks, and the development approval process.

Armidale Regional Council is consulting the community on the New England Rail Trail Framework.

The proposal would turn the disused Great Northern Rail corridor between Armidale and Glen Innes into an off‑road walking and cycling route … and Council says the feedback will shape the formal proposal to the NSW Government.

Drop‑in sessions are planned in Armidale and Guyra, with submissions also online.

Kiama Council is urging locals to sign up for the NSW Government’s first Community Cabinet of 2026 … with Premier Chris Minns and Ministers hosting a Q&A forum at The Pavilion on Tuesday 19 May.

The Mayor says it’s a chance to raise priorities like Council finances, planning and housing, and major local projects. Registrations are free and close Friday 15 May. Details are online.

NSW Briefs:

Parramatta City Council has unveiled a plan to turn the southern CBD into a new Chinatown and night-time precinct … with a civic square, laneways and arcades, plus public art, light and more places to eat and shop.

It’s the first phase of the CBD South Parramatta Master Plan … the draft will go on public exhibition with submissions open from next Monday.

MidCoast Council is leading regional New South Wales in development activity, processing 646 development applications this financial year—worth more than 307 million dollars in local investment.

Average assessment time is 77 days, meeting state expectations, with council aiming to cut it further as growth across the MidCoast continues.

Blue Mountains City Council has released its formal submission opposing the proposed Narrow Neck Road development at Katoomba, warning of serious concerns over scale, bushfire risk, environmental impacts and local character.

Public submissions have been extended to 7 May, with residents urged to have their say.

Queensland Report

Western Downs Regional Council says it’s preparing for protected industrial action that could begin today, Wednesday May 6, as enterprise bargaining negotiations continue.

Council has been notified unions may take work stoppages, and says any employees who participate will be locked out until the start of their next shift, in a move aimed at limiting disruption to services.

CEO Jodie Taylor says staff taking part won’t be paid for time not worked,.

She argues the Council’s pay offer—four per cent in year one, four per cent in year two, and three per cent in year three with a possible CPI uplift—is fair.

Cairns Regional Council’s secret recordings row is being pushed to state integrity watchdogs, according to the Cairns Post.

Local Government Minister Ann Leahy says concerns about recordings and council unrest should be referred to bodies like the Office of the Independent Assessor and the Crime and Corruption Commission.

Mayor Amy Eden has declined to answer questions about allegedly recording meetings with councillors and staff without consent, after a councillor called for an apology.

Central Highlands Regional Council says it will hold a special meeting on May 11 to appoint an acting CEO, extending on the interim leadership of adviser Gary Stevenson who originally committed to help out until May 18.

Mayor Janice Moriarty says the move will keep the recruitment process transparent, thorough, and not rushed. It follows the recent resignation of Aaron Johannson from the CEO position.

Mount Isa City Council has begun legal action against 48 properties with rates unpaid for three years or more — with more than one million dollars in debt across the sites.

Mayor Tim Rose told ABC News that selling homes would be a last resort, after notices, debt collection and court steps — but warns forced sales could depress the local market if too many properties go to auction at once.

The move comes as the city adjusts to major change following the closure of Glencore’s underground copper operation last year.

Douglas Shire Council iis defending a crackdown on boats, trailers and caravans being left on roadsides and council land, with fines of $333 now being issued.

Mayor Lisa Scomazzon says the move follows growing complaints about congestion, lost parking and safety concerns — including reduced sightlines and garbage trucks struggling to access bins.

But Yahoo! News reports that at least one resident argues councils can’t override state road rules without specific signage, claiming smaller registered trailers can legally park on residential streets if they don’t obstruct traffic.

The council says its enforcement approach is based on risk, not location.

Moreton Bay City Council has signed a new trade-focused Memorandum of Understanding with Shizuoka City in Japan, strengthening ties ahead of the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the deal will boost opportunities in trade, tourism, education and sport, and open new export pathways for local businesses.

Tasmania

Graffiti has been sprayed on the road into Bushy Park in Tasmania, targeting Derwent Valley Mayor Michelle Dracoulis, after the council confirmed the Bushy Park War Memorial Swimming Pool will not reopen.

The council says the pool can’t legally operate, citing multiple compliance issues including lost parking, non-compliant wastewater infrastructure and the inability to secure an EPA discharge permit.

Mayor Dracoulis says the issues have existed for decades but were only recently assessed against current standards, and has condemned the vandalism, saying frustration must be “grounded in facts.”

Pulse Tasmania reported that the council has also apologised for earlier assurances the pool would reopen.

Kingborough Council’s CEO Dave Stewart has admitted a data breach that exposed thousands of residents’ names and property addresses was caused by human error, not a cyber attack.

The council says some records may also include email addresses, and concedes it has no formally adopted data governance policy.

Pulse Tasmania reported an external firm is now monitoring the open internet and dark web, with affected residents to be contacted once the investigation is complete.

Glenorchy City Council has expanded its CBD CCTV network, with 58 cameras now operating and linked directly to Tasmania Police.

Mayor Sue Hickey says the cameras help deter antisocial behaviour and reduce vandalism, including at playgrounds. Police say the live access is a key preventative and investigative tool.

King Island Council has been honoured at the 2026 APRA Music Awards … for holding Australia’s longest-running public music licence.

The licence was first issued in 1926 for a community hall on the island … and it’s still active today.

Mayor Marcus Blackie says it reflects a long-standing respect for music makers … and a love of community events.

South Australia

Adelaide’s largest council, Onkaparinga, is backing a growing push for new laws to tackle cars left on suburban streets for long periods.

The Weekly Times reported that the council received 730 reports of abandoned vehicles in the past year, but says its hands are tied unless a car is unregistered, genuinely abandoned, or causing a safety hazard.

Mayor Moira Were says legally parked vehicles can stay put for months with little the council can do, despite impacts on parking availability, neighbourhood amenity, and, in some cases, safety and access.

Several SA mayors have written to the Local Government Minister calling for reforms modelled on New South Wales, where councils can issue notices and then move or fine vehicles if owners don’t act within set time frames.

Western Australia

The City of Rockingham’s controversial red bin policy has sparked a major community backlash, with more than 400 residents turning out to a special council meeting and many turned away due to capacity limits.

A local petitioner told 6PR that the surge reflects frustration with council representation, with five motions passing aimed at boosting transparency.

City of Bayswater Mayor Filomena Piffaretti says a viral social media spray by newly elected councillor and Big Don Smoked Meats owner Donovan MacDonald is damaging the city’s reputation and undermining staff.

PerthNow reported that Cr MacDonald claimed local government is “lazy,” and raised concerns after an internal audit found serious food-safety compliance issues. The mayor says the problems were administrative and improvements are underway.

There’s been a councillor resignation at the Shire of Wagin – Greg Ball announced he was stepping down on Friday, after serving multiple terms since 2007.

His position has already been filled. The first unelected candidate from the 2025 elections, Wade Longmuir, has been elected to serve the remainder of the term through to 2029.

A much-loved “Big Tree” in Greenfields is getting specialist support … after the City of Mandurah found a major crack in the 200-year-old tuart, a type of eucalpytus.

PerthNow reported that arborists and engineers have designed a certified cable-and-strap system to improve stability … building on earlier pruning work in 2022.

The install starts this month, with only minor footpath changes and minimal disruption.

Town of Victoria Park has been named a Tree City of the World for a sixth year … the longest run in WA.

Council says the award recognises its urban forest strategy, tree-retention rules and community programmes, including grants and free plants for residents.

The Town is working towards a 20 per cent canopy target, and says it planted almost six thousand climate-tolerant native trees last year.

Global Report

NZ:

New Zealand councils are weighing up a government ultimatum on local government reform, with ministers giving mayors three months to propose amalgamation plans — or have changes imposed ahead of the 2028 local elections.

Some leaders say bigger councils with stronger community boards could improve local decision-making, while others warn mergers won’t necessarily save money and could dilute local identity, especially in rural areas.

And some are concerned that three months is not a lot of time, according to RNZ reporting.

Cabinet is expected to decide on final reforms next year.

Auckland Mayor Wayne Brown has labelled Auckland’s newly signed city deal with the Government “quite underwhelming,” just three weeks after signing the deal with the Prime Minister.

1News reported that Mayor Brown now says it commits no new central government capital funding and is heavy on language about “exploring” and “considering” future plans.

Brown also says his proposed bed tax is now off the table until at least 2027.

He’s also criticised the Government’s planned rates caps for councils—calling them a “dumb idea”.

UK:

All eyes are on England this week as voters prepare to head to the polls for a massive round of local elections.

More than 4,850 seats are up for grabs across 134 local authorities.

According to the latest modeling from YouGov, it is a potentially volatile landscape; Reform UK is showing significant momentum in the West Midlands, while the Green Party is making notable inroads in urban centres like Birmingham and Coventry.

This election also marks a historic moment for Surrey, with ‘shadow elections’ taking place for the newly formed East and West Surrey unitary authorities ahead of their 2027 launch.

“In other news, local government leaders are expressing deep reservations about the recent overhaul of the NHS.

A fresh survey released by the Local Government Chronicle (LGC) reveals that 43% of council leaders believe the government’s Integrated Care Board reforms will actually result in a decline in service quality.

Following the consolidation of ICBs from 36 down to 25 last month, district chiefs are warning that the move toward larger, centralised boards is stripping away local oversight and risks repeating the structural failures of the past.

USA:

Results are being finalised this week following a major round of municipal elections across the United States.

In Texas, Arlington Mayor Jim Ross has successfully secured a third term, winning just over 50 per cent of the vote.

According to Ballotpedia, 2026 is a pivotal year for local leadership, with 33 of the country’s 100 most populous cities holding mayoral races.

In technology news, a new report from Deloitte and the National League of Cities highlights a significant shift in how American local governments are operating.

More cities are moving toward ‘agentic AI’ models to manage chronic staffing shortages.

Instead of navigating complex departmental silos, residents are increasingly using unified AI platforms to handle everything from building permits to pet registrations.

This transition toward automated ‘smart workflows’ is being touted as a essential move for municipal efficiency, allowing councils to maintain high service levels despite a tightening labour market.

Charlotte City Council in North Carolina has narrowly voted down a move that could have fast-tracked a moratorium on new data centres.

The vote was tied, broken by the casting vote of Mayor Vi Lyles, who said the city needs more research before hitting pause on projects that are heavy on power and water use.

Council members say Charlotte currently lacks specific data centre rules, with facilities allowed in several zoning districts. The issue will be discussed at a meeting next week.