Today on the Local Government News Roundup:

• Rate cap overhaul predicted
• Ballarat to keep family day care running
• Hepburn names its interim chief
• A rotating mayoral model rejected
• A councillor suspension stayed, pending appeal
• An art exhibition sparks backlash
• The unrelenting personal attacks behind a CEO’s resignation
• A three month suspension for a South Australian councillor
• And secrecy surrounds decision making about a WA Council CEO

Listen to this episode:

Victoria

The Victorian Government is reportedly considering overhauling the state’s local government rate cap framework.

The Herald Sun reported Friday that Local Government Minister Paul Hamer is considering a major carve-out for council wages, allowing local governments to pass staff pay rises directly onto ratepayers.

While some suggest the move is an effort to shore up critical union support ahead of internal party leadership pressures, a review of the rate cap has been welcomed by MAV President Cr Jennifer Anderson

A final proposal could go to Cabinet as early as today.

Ballarat City Council will keep running its Family Day Care service, voting to continue the scheme for the next three years, with a full review due by 30 September 2029.

A council review found educator numbers have steadily declined over the past decade, with the program now operating with three educators supporting around 44 children from 32 families.

Despite the smaller scale, community feedback strongly backed the service, with families highlighting its flexible, home-based care, trusted educator relationships, and suitability for children who don’t thrive in larger childcare settings.

Council received 32 submissions during consultation, with many calling the program an important local support for Ballarat families.

Janet Dore has been appointed Acting Chief Executive Officer of Hepburn Shire Council, following an external recruitment process.

The appointment will run from the third to the twenty-third of August, as the council continues discussions with the Victorian Government about an appropriate decision-making mechanism, —and the potential for an extension beyond that date.

Current CEO Bradley Thomas recently resigned his position after seven years at the council.

The City of Greater Geelong’s planning committee has rejected a proposal for a two-storey, 72-place childcare centre at 127 Christies Road in Leopold, siding with residents despite council officers recommending approval.

Cr Trent Sullivan successfully moved an alternate motion to refuse the permit, citing incompatibility with residential character, inappropriate design, and unacceptable traffic impacts.

Despite a shortage of local childcare places, the committee determined the proposal failed to meet community need in a suitable location, as reported by the Bellarine Times.

At Mitchell Shire Council, a bizarre push to scrap the roles of mayor and deputy mayor has failed.

Cr Nathan Clark’s notice of motion asked officers to investigate replacing the positions with a rotating acting mayor model, spreading civic duties among all councillors.

The motion was defeated seven votes to one at last week’s meeting, with Cr Clark the only councillor in support.

A County Court appeal has upheld a destruction order for a dog involved in a serious attack in the Rural City of Wangaratta.

The dog escaped its property in November last year, roamed the neighbourhood, then scaled a 1.8-metre fence and attacked another dog in its own yard, leaving it needing emergency veterinary surgery.

The Court also ordered the owner to pay more than fifteen thousand dollars in costs.

The Council is reminding residents to secure fences and gates, supervise dogs, and keep them on a leash in public.

Wangaratta councillors will consider exiting the council’s direct delivery of several aged care services at their meeting tomorrow.

If endorsed, Support at Home clients will be contacted, with council set to exit by late September, and drop-in help sessions will run at Wangaratta Library throughout August.

Other programs, including CHSP and veterans’ home care, would continue while alternative providers are appointed.

Darebin City Council has condemned offensive spectator behaviour at the South Melbourne versus Preston Lions match at Lakeside Stadium last weekend.

Mayor Emily Dimitriadis says community sport must be respectful and inclusive, with no place for sexism, racism or vilification.

Football Victoria is investigating, and council says it supports appropriate action under the rules.

Benalla Rural City Council has pledged to step up advocacy on large-scale renewable energy developments following strong community feedback.

A 156-signature petition was tabled raising concerns about bushfire risks, rural amenity, and agricultural land impacts from the proposed Nioka Solar and battery storage project.

In response, council is exploring a regional coalition with neighbouring municipalities to strengthen local representation in state planning and approval processes.

Yarriambiack Shire Council has completed seven new energy-efficient housing units across five townships to provide downsizing options for older residents and address local worker accommodation shortages.

Backed by 2.8 million dollars in state government funding, Council has appointed local not-for-profit Dunmunkle Lodge to manage the portfolio under a 50-year lease.

The project forms part of a broader municipal housing strategy, with further residential land subdivisions currently progressing in Murtoa, Rupanyup, and Hopetoun.

Brimbank City Council has renewed calls on the Victorian Government to expand the planned redevelopment of Albion Station into a fully integrated transport hub.

The Council says despite rising construction costs and an expanded project scope, funding has remained capped at the original 80 million dollars pledged in 2022.

It is arguing that additional infrastructure, including an upgraded underpass and continuous active transport links, is essential to support the region’s long-term growth.

The VLGA has developed its Year 2 Councillor Professional Development Program with councillor needs, cost, and time efficiency in mind.

In Year 2, the VLGA is offering flexible delivery options—from fast-paced one-hour online modules to more intensive half-day sessions that allow participants to take a deeper dive into key aspects of the councillor role.

If you’d like a program designed around the specific needs of your council and delivered in a format that suits your schedule, contact the VLGA.

You can also view the full Year 2 Councillor Professional Development Prospectus on the VLGA website.

National

Delegates at the Labor National Conference have voted to support a new Federation Compact aimed at increasing federal Financial Assistance Grants for Australia’s local councils.

The Australian Local Government Association welcomed the commitment as a key step toward restoring untied funding, which has fallen to less than half a per cent of Commonwealth tax revenue.

The proposed compact would also provide local governments with greater flexibility under the Roads to Recovery program and support expanded service capabilities in areas such as housing, planning, and emergency management.

New South Wales

Temora Shire Council has confirmed that a disciplinary suspension of Councillor Anthony Irvine has been put on hold while he appeals the decision.

The NSW Office of Local Government had ruled on July 9 that Irvine be suspended for 28 days and issue a written apology over breaches of the Code of Conduct and the Council’s Social Media Policy.

But the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal has now granted a stay, meaning the suspension and apology requirement won’t apply while the appeal is under way, and Irvine can continue to perform councillor duties as normal.

The full appeal is listed to be heard on November 26. Council says it won’t comment further while the matter is before the Tribunal.

Meanwhile, the Council has formally commenced community consultation on potential Special Rate Variation (SRV) options.

It has not made any decision to apply for a Special Rate Variation, and is currently exploring a range of options to improve its long-term financial sustainability.

Tamworth Regional Council is set to vote on a proposal to establish an open briefing committee aimed at improving council decision-making transparency.

As reported by the Northern Daily Leader, Councillor Ryan Brooke’s motion follows state code of practice changes that restrict elected members from holding informal briefings with council staff.

If passed, the framework would require future briefings on upcoming issues to be conducted in legally constituted committee meetings accessible to both the public and local press.

Wagga Wagga City Council will today consider a motion to temporarily pause the eviction of rough sleepers from council-managed land until the end of September.

As reported by the Daily Advertiser, Councillor Richard Foley’s proposal requires staff to confirm safe alternative accommodation before any displacement can occur during the winter period.

Should the notice of motion be endorsed, council will also advocate directly to state housing authorities and local service providers for a coordinated emergency response.

Singleton Council has voted unanimously to lodge a formal submission to the Independent Planning Commission in support of the Hunter Valley Operations mine extension.

The Newcastle Herald reported that councillors highlighted the site’s critical role as an economic anchor and employer while broader transition planning remains underway.

The council’s submission will emphasise local job security, regional economic stability, and long-term land-use planning to support eventual economic diversification.

A sign erected by Maitland City Council outside a Maitland Regional Art Gallery exhibition has sparked backlash, with the artist and the local Aboriginal Land Council calling it harmful and misleading.

The Maitland Mercury reports that the sign warns that people who admire the High Street “Jocko Graves” hitching post could be offended by the display, and says council shares that view.

But artist Osvaldo Budet says it undermines freedom of expression and follows what he describes as attempts to “white-wash” the statue’s racist connotations.

Council has now formally noted its support for the hitching post, voting to criticise the exhibition, while several councillors and community representatives argue the display is important “truth telling”.

Former Albury City councillor Murray King has proposed restructuring staff vehicle fleets and commercially leasing Albury Airport to tackle the council’s financial debt, according to The Border Mail.

The plan estimates that replacing eighty assigned vehicles with a pooled fleet could save up to 2.8 million dollars annually, while private airport operations could clear remaining liabilities.

The suggestions come as council prepares to review operational adjustments that have already reduced its overall deficit to 18.9 million dollars.

Georges River Council has partnered with four local universities on a range of skill-building, economic, and environmental research initiatives across the local government area.

As reported by the St. George and Sutherland Shire Leader, projects include youth artificial intelligence and financial literacy workshops, alongside postgraduate research to inform a new Night Time Economy Strategy.

Additional environmental studies conducted with university researchers into urban heat island effects, biodiversity, and local flying fox populations will directly guide future municipal planning and land management.

Queensland

Gold Coast City Council chief executive Tim Baker’s resignation last week followed a deliberate campaign of “unrelenting personal attacks”, according to a veteran councillor.

Councillor Peter Young said in a social media post that Mr Baker was wrongly accused of wrongdoing and described his departure as a “very bad outcome” for the city.

ABC News reported that the resignation came amid scrutiny of major reforms and travel costs, including a report showing 54-thousand dollars spent on a week-long UK trip in 2025.

An independent performance review of senior executives is still expected to proceed, as the council prepares to appoint an acting chief executive after its next full meeting on July 28.

Redland City Council is working with Biosecurity Queensland after a migratory seabird found dead on Moreton Island returned a suspected positive test for H5N1 bird flu.

Further testing is now underway to confirm the result.

Officials say the risk to human health remains low, but residents are urged to avoid touching sick or dead wildlife, record details if it’s safe, and report cases to the Emergency Animal Disease Hotline.

Gympie Regional Council has allocated $3.1 million in its latest budget to secure land at Two Mile for a new regional sports precinct.

Council has entered a six-month due diligence period to acquire the site bounded by Rodney, Chatsworth, and Widgee Crossing roads.

The initial investment will cover the land purchase, concept design, and a business case aimed at attracting state and federal funding ahead of the Brisbane 2032 Olympic Games.

Tasmania

Tasmania’s Local Government Minister Kerry Vincent has issued a stern warning to Hobart City councillors – the Mercury reporting that he has told them to “leave their egos at the door” amid escalating council infighting.

It comes ahead of a closed meeting today where councillors will vote on calling for an independent investigation into Deputy Mayor Zelinda Sherlock over snacks taken from Town Hall.

Minister Vincent told reporters yesterday that elected members need to stop focusing on separate opinions and get back to serving their community.

Pulse Tasmania reported late last week that a blackmail accusation had been referred to police – an allegation Cr Louise Elliot described as a “desperate attempt” at deflection.

Former Hobart alderman Jeff Briscoe has announced a bid for deputy mayor of Clarence Council.

Briscoe, who spent 28 years on Hobart City Council, labeled his former council “dysfunctional” while praising Clarence as a positive, forward-looking municipality.

Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley welcomed the move, highlighting Briscoe’s deep local roots as a long-time teacher on the eastern shore.

South Australia

South Australia’s Behavioural Standards Panel has found City of Burnside Councillor Jane Davey guilty of sustained misbehaviour, directing a three-month suspension without allowance and a referral to the Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

The council said it has spent nearly 95,000 dollars managing ongoing legal, consultant, and training costs associated with the councillor’s conduct.

The independent body has also instructed the council to pass a censure motion, while ordering Cr Davey to issue a public apology and reimburse 1,500 dollars.

Western Australia

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder council has passed a six-point confidential motion regarding a senior executive matter, during a special council meeting held to review chief executive performance or potential termination.

As reported by the Kalgoorlie Miner, Mayor Glenn Wilson confirmed the six-to-three decision authorises council executive leadership to endorse a confidential strategic direction and end specific internal matters.

The council has declined to publicly disclose the detailed outcomes or potential ratepayer impacts, citing standard Western Australian local government confidentiality practices surrounding employment and legal considerations.

The Shire of Cranbook has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer.

Peter Fitchat, an experienced local government professional and Chief Executive Officer, will be moving from the Shire of Dundas in early November 2026.

He has been appointed for three years, and will take over from Linda Gray, who remains in the position until Mr Fitchat’s arrival.

International

UK:

Residents and campaigners in Birmingham have called on the local council to take urgent legal action against a group attaching unauthorised flags to public infrastructure, according to The Guardian.

Community members claim the group, known as Raise the Colours, is causing intimidation and community tension, urging the council to follow Oxford’s precedent by seeking a High Court injunction.

In response, Birmingham City Council stated that unauthorised items are strictly prohibited and will be removed, while acknowledging the growing local concerns.

Wakefield Council has voted to scrap its pledge to become carbon neutral by 2030, and will cut its climate change budget by £170,000.

Reform leader Karl Johnson says the targets were “unachievable and unnecessary,” insisting it’s not about denying climate science.

Campaigners warn the move will quietly dismantle local expertise and action.

The council will also withdraw from regional climate pledges and end support for the Wakefield Net Zero Partnership.

**Norfolk County Council’**s leader says more details will come “in due course” over the sudden departure of chief executive Tom McCabe, according to the Dereham Times.

Opposition councillors questioned whether any payout was made, but Reform leader David Bick has refused to elaborate, citing confidentiality.

Councillors have now appointed Kat Hulatt as interim chief executive, set up an appointments panel, and interviews for a permanent replacement are due to begin on August 3.

USA:

In Georgia, the City of Stockbridge has released details about an independent investigation into 22-year-old Mayor Jayden Williams, according to CBS News.

Officials say they’re examining alleged misuse of city purchasing cards, mishandling of funds, and sexual misconduct.

The City Council has temporarily revoked several of the mayor’s administrative privileges, including access to city-issued cards and vehicles, and limited his communication with staff.

The mayor says he’s filed legal action seeking a fair and transparent process.

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu is promising tougher protections for cyclists, including more cast‑in‑place concrete barriers in bike lanes, after a City Hall staff member was killed when a truck swiped their bike.

Mayor Wu says the city will audit and restructure the Streets Department, connect existing bike lanes, and push stronger truck‑safety laws, according to CBS News.

Seattle City Council has approved a new controlled-substance law targeting public drug use, including fentanyl.

CTV News reported the measure aligns with a new Washington state law and allows police to arrest people using drugs in public if they’re deemed a threat to others, while also emphasising diversion and treatment options.

The vote passed 6 to 3, with opponents warning it could revive “war on drugs” harms.

CANADA:

The mayor of Vancouver says “foreign interference” disrupted a City Hall public hearing — prompting an immediate change to how speakers are queued, as reported by CTV News.

Mayor Ken Sim alleges some callers phoned in from outside Canada to oppose the city’s proposed “Villages Plan,” which would increase housing density across neighbourhoods.

Under the new procedure, non-residents of Canada will now be moved to the end of the speaker list.

Vancouver Police are assessing information provided by the mayor, with the RCMP to be notified if any threshold for political interference is reached.

North Bay City Council in Ontario is considering a proposal to allow elected members to recover legal costs incurred while defending code-of-conduct investigations, reports CTV News.

The draft policy caps reimbursements at $10,000 and applies only when an integrity commissioner complaint is ultimately unsuccessful.

Councillors will vote on the recommendation at a special council meeting on July 28.

Two Toronto city councillors are pushing to temporarily rename part of a city street to “BTS Boulevard” ahead of the band’s Toronto shows in August.

The motion also calls for the signs to be lit purple during the visit. City council is expected to vote on the proposal later this month.