Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A climate alliance loses another council member A testy exchange between a council and a local MP A move away from carbon offsets by a regional council Melbourne Town Hall set for its largest gathering ever A council crackdown on parking across driveways A former council CEO charg…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Council court defeats A Melbourne council takes a strong stand against the Suburban Rail Loop Another municipal monitors report is released A major restructure for a Sydney council Continued disruptions to a NSW Council’s meetings prompts a major process review Workers locked out …

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A council alliance loses a member A mayor granted an interim court order An election signage dispute could be headed for court A snag for a northeast council’s childcare centre outsourcing plan The passing of a long serving metro Melbourne councillor A new approach to combatting a…

Send us a text The Local Government News Roundup is back, and in this edition we catch up on the major news of the last month. Including: A commission of inquiry for Whittlesea Council as its mayor is suspended A Kingston councillor stood down pending legal proceedings A raft of CEO resignations and appointments from across the country A monitor’s …

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy speaks to Simone Zmood, Mayor of Glen Eira City Council on their recent advocacy activities to both the state and federal government. We learn about the key issues facing the Glen Eira community and what support the Council is seeking from the other tiers of Government. Then, Chris sits down with Alan Getley, t…

Send us a text Today's guest on the Local Government News Roundup's Well Travelled Executive Series is Stephen Wall, the CEO of Wyndham City Council in Victoria. Stephen has held local government roles in three states, in a career that has led him to the CEO position at one of the fastest growing municipalities in the country. The VLGA and LGIU are…

This week on the program Chris Eddy sits down with David Jackson, Director of Customer and Corporate Services at Moorabool Shire Council, to learn more about the use of AI and the benefits the introduction of this technology is having for a smaller council. Later in the program Chris speaks with Mayor of Cardinia Cr Jack Kowarzik about Outer Melbou…

Send us a text Today's guest on the Local Government News Roundup's Well Travelled Executive Series is Alastair Dawson, an experienced council CEO and university sector executive, who most recently served as interim CEO of Livingstone Shire Council in Queensland. Alastair joins Chris to discuss his unique career path, in which he has occasionally c…

With Chris Eddy on leave, Victorian Local Governance Association CEO Kathryn Arndt steps into the VLGA Connect hosting chair, as Chris interviews Johnathan Spear, CEO of Infrastructure Victoria to discuss the recently launched draft Victorian 30-year infrastructure strategy. Julie Reid re-joins the panel to discuss the recent planning scheme reform…

Send us a text Today's guest on the Local Government News Roundup's Well Travelled Executive Series John Nevins, whose career in public service spans nearly four decades. For more than 10 years, he was the CEO of Kingston City Council in Melbourne. John reflects on the early years of Council amalgamations in Victoria, the changes to the sector, and…

This week on VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy sits down with the Mayors of Indigo Shire and Wodonga City Councils to discuss the fight for a new hospital development in the Albury Wodonga region, after a recent rally to Parliament in Melbourne. Chris also chats to Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers on the startling document leaked on the redevelopment of t…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A let down for councils in the latest Federal Budget A new CEO for Strathbogie Melbourne’s Keys to the City process under review Local residents look for council help to stop high rise apartments The exciting new art installation coming to Mildura A controversial pool ID policy up…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: E-scooter operators bail on the City of Yarra Hepburn Shire denies its rate increase proposal is linked to a failed development project A northeast community concerned about biosecurity waste A call for a delay to the glass recycling bin rollout Startling bullying claims about a N…

This week in a Special Edition of VLGA Connect, Chris Eddy is joined by Victorian Local Governance Association CEO Kathryn Arndt to interview The Hon. Nick Staikos MP, Minister for Local Government. Support the show To learn more about the events, programs, and training offered by the Victorian Local Governance Association (VLGA), please click here…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A controversial local law to be reviewed Rail announcements hailed by local councils A councillor levels accusations at colleagues Buloke’s mayor confident a cancelled festival will return A NSW councillor under renewed fire for ongoing behaviour A call for an ICAC investigation i…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: The Mayor of Whittlesea calls for the resignation of the Council’s CEO and monitors A call for patience from the Mayor of Greater Dandenong Hepburn Shire responds to the leaking of the Rex report A local government first strategy to tackle anti-semitism A General Manager calls tim…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: The shock leak of a confidential report into a longstanding issue at Hepburn Shire A showdown looms as Whittlesea’s mayoral crisis drags on A spate of recycling truck fires prompts more warnings from councils A regional NSW council’s cash flow warning An urgent call for an investi…

Chris Eddy brings you this week's latest local government news in this week's VLGA Connect, including safety concerns at council meetings across the state. Joining Chris this week is Bradley Thomas, CEO of Hepburn Shire Council to outline council's request to increase rates above the state government's rate cap to assist with the council's financia…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Banned from Council premises - Whittlesea’s mayoral crisis deepens Safety concerns force another Council to meet online Hepburn Shire to apply for a higher rate cap Yarra lifts e-scooter fees by 400 percent A CEO resigns after an extraordinary Council meeting A councillor censured…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Threats of violence push a Council meeting online New alliances to tackle common issues MAV board election results are in Six NSW councils given an ultimatum on development assessment times The councillors pushing for spending reviews at their councils Attention turns to clean up …

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Councillors embroiled in a Parliamentary shutdown A cancelled funding agreement under review IPART considers a public hearing on a controversial rate increase proposal A call to relax restrictions on dogs in pubs A council sets the record straight on property sales due to rate arr…

Join us for a special edition of VLGA Connect, as we come to you live from the launch of the results from the VLGA's Victorian Councillor Census. Hear from John Armitage at QDOS Research as he and Chris Eddy discuss how the census was conducted, and the key insights the data found. Mike Gooey from LGV joins to chat about how the state government wi…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: The last minute cancellation of a troubled festival A retaining wall coming down after a Council stop work order Safety concerns shut down a major council facility NSW and QLD councils brace for Alfred’s arrival A regional CEO stepping down A lord mayor taken to task over social m…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Mornington Peninsula’s new CEO Port Phillip urged to reconsider a controversial sleeping rough proposal Buloke Council allows a festival to go ahead Ballarat’s vandalism troubles continue The results of Victoria’s first ever councillor census revealed A Bendigo director named CEO …

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A dismissive response to a group of councils’ concerns A council’s zero tolerance stand on harassment Negative social media prompts a policy review A mayor backs his GM and staff An extremely embarrassed veteran councillor charged with drink driving A so-called gag policy withdraw…

Join Chris Eddy and the team for the new VLGA Connect where each week we bring you the latest local government news and take a deep dive into issues affecting the sector. This week, Kendrea Pope joins Chris to break down the new mandatory professional development requirements facing councillors, and discuss their impact on the sector. Michael Annea…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Environmental destruction outrage in Kingston More changes at the CEO level of Victorian councils A council meeting recording taken offline amid defamation concerns Applause for a council’s stand on a controversial energy project A councillor move to ban Welcome to Country acknowl…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: New housing targets and concerns about a strong arm approach Opposition to a new emergency services levy grows A shock CEO resignation and more senior execs on the move Councils review their approach to unpaid rates Industrial action considered at Wingecarribee Rising tensions ove…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Whittlesea’s embattled mayor digs in and hits back A call for an investigation into a ratepayer group A controversial theatre plan dropped Tough new action on abandoned trolleys A motion of no confidence blocked A city seeks a $2B lifeline Conduct concerns at a South Australian co…

This week on VLGA Connect, Tony Raunic of Hunt & Hunt Lawyers joins Chris Eddy to break down the recent disruption of the Casey City Council meeting and the no confidence motion against City of Whittlesea mayor. Following on from last week's segment on open briefings, two councillors Cr Anthony Marsh, Mayor Mornington Peninsula Shire and Cr Rhonda …

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A council meeting adjourned as tensions boil over Melbourne’s new tougher stance on graffiti A call for state government help on tree vandalism in NSW and the cost of vandalism escalates for a Tasmanian council Protests directed at Queensland councils A new CEO announced for Redla…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Mayors under pressure to resign from within Brimbank calls for rail before runway in a new campaign More than half a million failure to vote notices on their way to Victorians An interim federal report into local government sustainability released Council spending under the micros…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A metro mayor under pressure to resign A hospital protest is headed for the steps of Parliament A monitor’s verdict on a rural Council Kiama’s industrial dispute resolved A CEO takes leave as a mayor issues a warning to councillors Escalating safety concerns at a Queensland counci…

Joining Chris Eddy on VLGA Connect is Mark Dupe, former CEO of Baw Baw Shire Council to take a deep dive into the move by some councils towards open briefings. Mark and Chris discuss whether this is a shift towards greater transparency, or a limit to councillors receiving detailed advice. Chris interviews Sally Jones, interim CEO of Central Goldfie…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A step towards open briefings at Greater Dandenong A Council CEO condemns malicious attacks on staff and councillors Victorian first e-bike and e-scooter parking installed in Yarra Mayors found guilty of misconduct and privacy breaches A contentious Welcome to Country motion voted…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Chaotic scenes as another council considers a major rate increase And a former PM’s extraordinary call to boycott council rates A council’s move to ensure political neutrality Competing petitions on a name change proposal in Dandenong A hiring freeze for one of the country’s large…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A new push for open councillor briefing sessions A council’s planning policy under fire A positive step in the fight for a new Albury Wodonga hospital An administration call for a NSW council A sector leading anti-racism strategy launched, as Mayors unite to condemn religious viol…

New year - new program! In 2025 the VLGA is proud to re-launch The Governance Update as VLGA Connect - your weekly program covering the latest news, analysis and deep dives into the current issues shaping the local government sector. This week, Chris Eddy is joined by Cr Jo Armstrong, Mayor Ararat Rural City Council to get the latest on the recover…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: An urgent arbitration request against a Mayor Mornington Peninsula’s move to open briefings takes a step forward Performance improvement ordered for Snowy Monaro council A mass exodus from a Tasmanian and a Western Australian Council Gold Coast Council responds to anger over parki…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A Council CEO calls out double-dipping hypocrisy A war of words between a mayor and a state Premier Ongoing anti-semitic activity prompts a united call for action Increased security following more vandalism at Ballarat’s Botanic Gardens A former long serving Lord Mayor calls time …

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Allegations of conduct breaches by a metro mayor A call for an end to speculation after a CEO’s suspension The council appealing a Fair Work Commission ruling to the Federal Court Abuse and threats towards staff and councillors at a Sydney council Another council to consider a hef…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Council meeting disruptions: a gallery cleared, councillors walk out and another is evicted Protests over a proposed 40% rate rise A Council CEO terminated after an investigation Putting the spotlight on illegal dumping A peak body rejects claims that councils are responsible hous…

Send us a text Today on the Local Government News Roundup: Turmoil at Victorian councils: a CEO is suspended, and accusations are levelled against another A Council CEO is stepping down Protests planned against a Sydney council’s rates plan Jet-skis, greyhound racing and e-scooters in the sights of mayors and councillors More resignations and appoi…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Council amalgamations ruled out The plug pulled on a sector leading engagement panel Back to the drawing board for a partially constructed council youth hub Mayors speak out on funding rejections and rate capping A Sydney mayor’s clickbait criticism A suspended mayor under fire fo…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Current and former councillors eyeing higher political office Jeff Kennett calls for a sweeping review of Victorian local government Protestors to march on City Hall on the Gold Coast Kiama Council's Blue Haven sale headed for the Industrial Relations Commission Charges laid over …

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: An opposition pledge to mandate council citizenship ceremonies on January 26th A narrow miss for a council worker caught in a landslide Unruly teenagers banned from a council’s swim centres A council Administrator resigns A presidential rule change for LGNSW Councillors elected by…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: Victoria's biggest council election donors revealed Councils speak up to correct misinformation Counting the cost of damage from illegal NYE fireworks Councils fined for pollution incidents And an embattled councillor asked to repay legal and PR fees, and The council proposing to …

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: A new shadow local government minister in Victoria A councillor push to restore Australia Day activities on the Surf Coast Snowy Monaro councillors have questions for the local government minister Council alcohol policies in the news Renewed calls for a Tasmanian councillor’s resi…

Send us a text In this edition of the Local Government News Roundup: The MAV says Victoria’s latest rate cap highlights a flawed system Geelong’s monitors’ term expires with no news on what happens next Councils push back on kerbside glass recycling plans A change of leadership at LGNSW Another NSW General Manager resigns Plus: a demolition defende…

Send us a text On the Local Government News Roundup for 24th December 2024: A new local government minister for Victoria Next year’s rate cap announced Ballarat prepares to support fire fighters The NSW local government minister defends a proposed ban on private councillor briefing sessions The Ipswich garbage collection strike is over CEO appointm…