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In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Alarm over a disturbing increase in dog attacks in East Gippsland
• The growth of data centres raises water concerns in Hume
• An admission that a controversial roundabout should never have been built
• Funding wins for five regional NSW Councils
• Compensation calls for sacked Ipswich councillors rejected
• Industrial action launched against a Tasmanian council
• A long serving South Australian council CEO to step down
• A Port Hedland councillor pushing back against government intervention
• And jail for UK worker convicted of fraud against multiple councils

Plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Send us a text

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Alpine Shire Council shuts down as a police manhunt continues
• A metro mayor facing charges stands aside
• Many Melbourne councils predicted to fall short of government housing targets
• Sydney councils at odds with the state government over planning proposals
• Government intervention looms for two WA councils
• CEO appointments and resignations in Victoria and New South Wales
• Concerns over leaked details of a CEO’s employment conditions
• Counting continues in key NT mayoral races

and more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Send us a text

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Monitors announced for Kingston
• Moorabool’s toxic waste fight with the EPA continues
• A waste-to-energy surprise in Hume
• A former mayor attempts a by-election comeback
• A NSW councillor fails to block a second suspension
• NT mayoral election counts on a knife-edge
• Surprising recommendations for a boundary change in SA
• and trio of Tasmanian councillors hit back at hurtful online claims

plus more of the latest news from across the world of local government in Australia and beyond.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Send us a text

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• Levy discontent grows as rates notices go out
• A council’s major restructure plan announced
• Casey Council backtracks on controversial local laws
• Another potential NSW council demerger moves a step closer
• Sweeping reforms announced for council elections in South Australia
• An historic appointment for Western Australian local government
• plus executive appointments, resignations and election results from across the country

plus more of the latest news from across the world of local government in Australia and beyond.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Send us a text

In this episode, we dive into the pressing issue of burnout and overwhelm within local government.

Join us as we explore insights from Zoe Dattner, CEO of the Dattner Group, who shares stories and findings from a recent event focused on the relentless drive to do more with less.

Discover the risks of this growing pressure, the impact on strategic goals, and practical tools like the "three lens filter" to help navigate these challenges.

Find out how local government leaders are addressing these issues and fostering a healthier work environment.

Access free resources on this topic from the Dattner Group here.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Send us a text

Another insightful episode in the Well Travelled Executive Series, featuring Michael Tudball, a seasoned leader in local government.

From his beginnings in audit and risk to becoming a council CEO, Michael shares his unique journey through various councils across Victoria.

Discover his experiences as a mayor, his passion for community development, and his strategic roles in economic growth and infrastructure.

Michael's story is a testament to dedication and leadership in shaping vibrant communities, and one of challenges and triumphs in the public sector.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Send us a text

In this special episode of the Local Government News Roundup, Chris Eddy explores how generative AI is beginning to transform councils in Victoria. 

This episode features real-world stories of councils trialling AI chatbots, document search tools, and AI agents, as well as bold discussions about what might come next – from robot building inspectors to AI-supported service delivery.

Guests include James Plozza from Warrnambool City Council, Broderick McIntyre from Greater Bendigo Council, Justine Resta from ALGIM Australia, Fergal Coleman and Sarah Jayne Webb from Symphony3, and consultant Lisa Bennetto. Together, they share candid reflections on risk, reward, collaboration, and why the biggest risk might be doing nothing at all. 

The episode was recorded with the support of Symphony3 - helping local governments deliver simple, connect customer experiences - and the AWS Builders Studio in Melbourne.

Symphony3 has made a range of free AI resources available for local government - you can find them here. 

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Send us a text

In this episode of the Well Traveled Executive Series, Chris Eddy sits down with Rebecca McKenzie, the outgoing CEO of Glen Eira City Council, to explore her public service journey from the UK to Australia.

Rebecca shares her insights on the evolving landscape of leadership, the importance of diversity in governance, and the highlights and challenges of her career to date.

Discover how her HR background shaped her approach to leadership and why fostering diversity is crucial for thriving communities.

An inspiring conversation about the future of local government and the role of authentic leadership in driving change.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Send us a text

In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• A final warning over a controversial sea wall in Frankston
• Two rural councils challenge the Victorian Government over drought funding inequities
• Maribyrnong Council the latest to consider funding private security measures
• More revelations from the Liverpool Council public inquiry
• The cost to ratepayers of a failed council merger revealed
• A major sporting infrastructure setback in Redland
• A formal caution for a Tasmanian councillor
• Fresh voter fraud concerns in Adelaide

plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Send us a text

On your Monday morning edition of the Local Government News Roundup:

• A mayor’s misconduct complaint against a councillor dismissed
• Whitehorse council’s multi-million dollar fight with SRL
• Buloke formalises its frustration with the state government
• A wave of demerger optimism in NSW
• Rising Tide stands firm on protest plans in Newcastle
• Sunshine Coast Council bypassed over festival development
• A Council’s large rate increase prompts a call for legislative change
• And a Tasmanian mayor facing a no-confidence motion

plus more local government news from across Australia and beyond.

To ensure all councils can comply with mandatory requirements, no matter their size or location, the VLGA is offering a special Councillor Professional Development (CPD) Intensives series.

Partner with three other councils and save more than 50% off the minimum cost of completing all 13 modules in Year 1.

Support the show

The Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences.

Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found in the transcript, or by visiting the Roundup website.

Support the Roundup and get access to special episodes and regular breaking news updates by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.