Re-election bids, cash flow problems, and procedural errors - #545

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Melbourne’s Lord Mayor flags a new approach to tackling the cost of vandalism
• A call from rural councils to pause major consultations during fire season
• A fierce campaign to retain the Phillip Island MotoGP
• A high profile resignation from a Sydney council
• A NSW council considers its options as it faces severe cash flow problems
• A surprise election announcement from the mayor of the Gold Coast
• A high profile Tasmanian mayor confirms a re-election bid
• and 40 WA councils take a stand on renewable energy

Chapters

• 1:54 Victorian Report
• 5:41 NSW Report
• 9:03 Queensland Report
• 12:09 TAS/SA/WA/NT Report
• 17:34 Global Report

Transcript

Victorian Report

The Herald Sun reports that the City of Melbourne Lord Mayor Nick Reece is proposing a "you break it, you buy it" policy that will pursue vandals for the full costs of repairing damaged statues and memorials in the CBD.

The move follows a series of attacks including pro-Hamas graffiti and the toppling of monuments.

If supported by the Council this week, enhanced security measures will be implemented, including fencing and CCTV.

However, the initiative faces challenges as police have laid zero criminal damage charges for monument vandalism since 2020 despite political promises of prosecution.

Rural Councils Victoria is calling on state government to pause consultations on major energy and mining proposals during the official fire danger period.

It says it almost impossible for rural communities to engage meaningfully while also dealing with bushfires.

RCV says the common-sense request is about procedural fairness, and not about being for or against individual energy or mining projects.

Surf Coast Shire Council says it has detected Ross River virus in mosquitoes at Anglesea and is urging residents to take precautions against mosquito bites.

That includes using insect repellent, wearing protective clothing, and removing stagnant water around homes.

The council will continue ground-based larvicide treatment and monitoring as part of its routine mosquito management program.

The latest discovery follows detection in traps around Geelong and Gippsland in recent weeks.

And in early December, Japanese encephalitis was detected in a mosquito trap in the Horsham area.

The Mayor of Bass Coast Shire, Cr Rochelle Halstead, is leading a fierce campaign to protect the future of the Phillip Island MotoGP, calling it vital to the region's identity and economy.

The Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix has been held at Phillip Island since 1997 and is now the largest regional sporting event in Australia. Last year's event drew over 91,000 spectators — the highest attendance in more than a decade.

Council has joined forces with South Gippsland Shire, tourism bodies and business leaders to lobby the Premier and race organisers for long-term commitments. More than 4,000 people have already signed the Save our MotoGP petition.

Mayor Halstead says the event generates millions in economic activity, supports hundreds of local businesses, and puts Phillip Island on the world stage.

Horsham Rural City Council has announced that it will soon release a report on a potential Alternative Truck Route for the Western Highway around Horsham.

The route proposes using existing roads on the northern and eastern sides of town to manage heavy traffic without creating a full bypass.

The Council has not yet adopted any preferred alignment and plans to establish a Community Reference Group to gather public feedback and determine the best solution for the community's future traffic needs.

Horsham Rural City Council has decided to maintain its 4-weekly glass recycling bin collection service.

A survey showed some support for reducing to 8-weekly collections, but approximately 18% of residents rely on the four week frequency despite overall usage declining since the introduction of the service in April 2023 and the Container Deposit Scheme in November 2023.

Mansfield Shire Council has launched the 'It's Better With You Here' marketing campaign to attract tourists back to the High Country following recent bushfires.

The staged campaign showcases various towns and operators across the shire to support economic recovery and remind visitors that the area remains open and welcoming.

NSW Report

Liverpool Council's Deputy Mayor, Councillor Dr Betty Green, has resigned from her position mid-term due to health reasons.

She plans to pursue academic research on women's experiences in local government while reflecting on her decades-long career focused on fairness, equity, and social justice.

Dr Green expressed gratitude to her husband and family for their backing and encouragement while focussed on her Council work.

Upper Hunter Shire Council is facing severe cash flow problems after reportedly breaching the Local Government Act by using restricted funds to pay for roadworks before grant money arrived.

The Newcastle Herald reported that Council is now considering cutting services, making staff redundant, or taking out loans to avoid another breach.

The council, already operating with a deficit until 2032 and $29 million in debt, is seeking ministerial approval to continue using restricted funds while it works toward financial sustainability over the next 12-24 months.

Shellharbour councillor Kellie Marsh has been recovering in hospital after suffering two aneurysms on January 19, with Mayor Chris Homer's quick thinking in calling an ambulance potentially saving her life.

The Illawarra Mercury reported that Cr Marsh was hopeful of returning home on the weekend, and that she has been continuing to fulfill her council duties from her hospital bed.

Central Coast Council passed two emergency motions last week.

It will call on the NSW Department of Primary Industries to provide support for further actions and resources to boost shark mitigation on Central Coast beaches.

It was also request the NSW Government to provide councils with clearer guidance and appropriate tools to manage e-bike/e-scooter safety risks and incidents within local communities.

Lake Macquarie Council will receive over $360,000 from the NSW Government's Greening our City program to plant 250 trees across 13 suburbs, targeting urban heat hot-spots to create cooler, more liveable neighbourhoods.

The council says the plantings are expected to reduce temperatures, enhance biodiversity, and increase property values by 3-5 per cent.

Wollongong City Council has received $480,000 in NSW Government funding through the Greening Our City program to plant over 1,500 trees across 10 priority suburbs, primarily in southern areas with low canopy cover and high heat.

The initiative aims to increase urban canopy coverage to 35% by 2037.

Central Darling Shire Council has issued a warning to residents to avoid sitting, camping, or parking under Eucalyptus trees during the extreme heat.

This is because branches can drop without warning due to the trees' moisture-restriction survival mechanism.

Early bird tickets are on sale for the Regional Tourism Forum Riverina Murray 2026, bringing together tourism stakeholders in Tocumwal in April.

The forum is a cross-border first, designed for those working directly in tourism and destination development.

Queensland Report

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has announced he will run for re-election in 2028 on a pro-light rail platform, specifically advocating for Stage 4 extension from Burleigh to the airport.

The Gold Coast Bulletin reported that stance could create political challenges for several state LNP MPs in southern divisions who have opposed the tram expansion.

The decision effectively turns the 2028 local election into a referendum on light rail expansion.

Queensland's Planning Minister is reviewing flood planning rules after Logan City residents protested new flood mapping that has blocked development approvals and caused insurance premiums to spike by up to 600%.

The Courier Mail reported that Mayor Jon Raven sparked backlash by stating residents weren't entitled to compensation from the council, though critics argue the Planning Act allows compensation claims when planning changes significantly affect development rights.

The dispute centres on updated risk-based flood mapping introduced in early 2025, with over 7,000 residents now joined in an action group demanding clearer communication and solutions to their insurance and development challenges.

Bundaberg Regional Council has approved a new Economic Development Strategy to guide regional growth and investment over the next decade.

The strategy focuses on five key drivers: workforce planning, business and innovation, investment attraction, enabling infrastructure, and development.

It aims to support the region's main industries including agriculture, while prioritising accommodation investment, port development, and sustainable growth.

Cook Shire Council is advocating to federal and state governments for urgent childcare funding and recognition of Cooktown and Lakeland as 'areas of need.'

The region is facing significant childcare shortages, particularly for children under 15 months.

While Council purchased a childcare centre in 2017 and continues working with private providers, Mayor Robyn Holmes said that sustainable solutions require collaboration across all levels of government and will take time to implement.

Lockyer Valley Regional Council has installed two new flood monitoring cameras in Grantham and Winwill, bringing the regional total to 18 cameras that capture images every 15 minutes using high-resolution and infrared technology.

The cameras provide real-time flood monitoring information to emergency services and the community through Council's Disaster Dashboard.

Douglas Shire Council has received a $100,000 grant to install battery recycling bins across the region, partnering with neighbouring councils Mareeba, Cook and Tablelands, to create a safer disposal network.

The new bins will be placed at public facilities starting in March, helping prevent hazardous batteries from ending up in landfill and reducing fire risks.

Tasmania

The Hobart Mercury reports today that Clarence Mayor Brendan Blomeley has announced he will run again for the role in October, while speculation mounts that he may run for Pauline Hanson’s One Nation party.

The masthead says Mr Blomeley is the first of the greater Hobart region’s mayors to confirm their intention to run again - it would be a second term for him, if successful.

He has declined to comment on the One Nation rumours.

Parking fines in Devonport's CBD dropped 40% in late 2025 after council officers paused issuing infringements for several weeks to help motorists adjust to new parking meters.

Pulse Tasmania reported that enforcement focused on education rather than penalties during the transition.

Councillors have praised the "common sense" approach, some residents raised concerns about whether tourists and rural visitors unfamiliar with the technology received adequate support.

South Australia

Mount Barker District Council says it has been forced to independently fund and deliver wastewater infrastructure following a State Government rezoning 15 years ago, while comparable metropolitan Adelaide projects receive significant state investment through SA Water.

The council has borrowed heavily and established a subsidiary to manage operations, creating what has become a state-leading water recycling system.

But it says the financial burden limits investment in other community priorities and adds costs to new housing developments.

The Council is calling for $48 million in state funding for the Laratinga Water Recovery Plant and trunk sewers, arguing that Mount Barker residents are unfairly paying twice while the state fails to deliver on promised infrastructure support.

The District Council of Grant has decided not to renew its annual $20,000 funding to the Riddoch Arts and Culture Centre in Mount Gambier after a decade of support.

It has chosen instead to redirect the funds to its own community initiatives, but remains open to future collaboration on significant opportunities, according to Border Watch.

The City of Mount Gambier said it will adjust its budget to ensure the Riddoch continues to operate as South Australia's leading regional gallery despite the loss of the long-standing partnership.

Western Australia

40 regional Western Australian Local Governments have issued a joint statement demanding mandatory, locally administered community benefit arrangements for renewable energy projects.

The alliance is arguing that communities hosting wind, solar and battery infrastructure must have a direct say in how benefits are managed rather than being sidelined by centralised decision-making.

They’ve called on Premier Roger Cook and Energy Minister Amber-Jade Sanderson to release a clear, enforceable guideline that secures community contributions over project lifespans, allocates benefits based on nameplate capacity within host regions, and empowers Local Governments to administer funds transparently through existing audited systems.

The City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder has appointed Mal Osborne as Acting CEO for one month, bringing over 20 years of senior local government experience including previous CEO roles across WA.

Frances Liston, who served as Acting CEO since November 2025, will return to her role as Director of Governance and Organisational Strategy after assisting with the handover.

The Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup will ****hold an extraordinary postal election on March 26, with nominations open from February 3-10, 2026.

There are two vacant councillor positions, with a term expiring in October 2027.

In October, Cr Lisa Glover officially resigned creating the first vacancy, followed in November by Alexis Davy, who cited a contentious Council decision as the reason for her resignation.

Northern Territory

Alice Springs Mayor Asta Hill has defended her decision to abstain from the council's Australia Day citizenship ceremony.

The NT News reported that Mayor Hill told a packed council meeting that it was a personal choice not influenced by her Greens party affiliation.

Her decision sparked a petition with over 1,000 signatures calling for her resignation.

Global Report

UK:

A new study from the University of Exeter's Elections Centre reveals that council by-election winners in 2025 needed a record-low average of 44.2% of votes to win.

It found that this was due to increased multi-party competition, with Reform UK and the Green Party significantly expanding their presence.

The analysis shows that contests have become much tighter, with the average winning margin falling to just 16.9%, meaning more candidates are winning seats with minimal voter support as elections become more closely fought.

The Guardian reports that the chair of Warwickshire County Council and Reform UK member, Edward Harris, has resigned after being found to be illegally operating two unsafe rental properties in Staffordshire with serious safety failures including no heating, hot water, or working fire alarms.

Tamworth Borough Council labeled him a "rogue landlord" and issued emergency prohibition notices on the properties, which housed multiple tenants living in conditions that failed to meet basic living standards.

Embezzlement charges against Grant Laing, the former leader of Perth and Kinross Council, have been dropped by the Crown Office due to insufficient admissible evidence.

But BBC News reported that they have reserved the right to proceed if new evidence emerges.

Mr Laing, who resigned as council leader and left the SNP in September after being charged, now serves as an independent councillor.

A new report has found that Scottish councils are facing a nearly £1bn budget gap by 2027 as the cost of delivering services rises faster than available funding from the Scottish Government.

Despite meeting 90% of savings targets in 2024/25, councils reported their first collective overspend in six years, leading to increased debt, reliance on reserves, and cuts to services that are causing growing community dissatisfaction.

USA:

A task force appointed by Oakland Mayor Barbara Lee recommends transforming Oakland into a "strong mayor" city.

Under the proposal, the mayor would have direct executive power, and City Council independence would be strengthened through measures like a new budget analysis office and eliminating the at-large council seat.

The proposed charter reforms, which must be approved by voters, aim to address confusion and inefficiency caused by Oakland's current hybrid government structure that has been in place for nearly 30 years.

In Mesa, Arizona, officials are refusing to dismiss over 40,000 photo radar tickets issued between 2020 and 2021 that incorrectly displayed a retired judge's signature due to a clerical error.

1011now dot com reported that the city is maintaining the citations are legally valid despite the error.

It says the use of the incorrect name is inconsequential and that it was a process error rather than a legal one.

CANADA:

A report has found that Region of Waterloo council did not follow proper procedural rules when a councillor was allowed to change her vote on the police board budget after the results were announced.

CTV News reported that despite the procedural irregularity, the report from a law firm determined that the violation only related to council's internal rules rather than statutory requirements, so the budget approval will stand with a final vote of 8-7.

But councillors have been urged to be more careful with their votes in the future, as the procedural bylaw does not authorise self-correction of voting errors after results are announced.