Council News

WHITTLESEA: Monitors leave, as Commission of Inquiry launched

Tuesday, May 20, 2025

Nick Staikos, Minister for Local Government (pictured), launched a Commission of Inquiry into Whittlesea City Council to ensure it can provide the best possible service to the local community. Mr Staikos determined that an inquiry with broad powers was necessary to address potentially serious and systemic governance issues within the council and identify necessary improvements…

NILLUMBIK: Planning Scheme review underway

Tuesday, May 13, 2025

Nillumbik Council is currently undertaking a review of the Nillumbik Planning Scheme.Purpose of the review is to evaluate how effectively the current scheme is functioning while aligning with State Government policy. “It helps to respond to current and emerging trends and identify gaps,” said a Council representative. “The draft has been developed based on extensive…

MELBOURNE: $154m for capital works

Sunday, May 11, 2025

The City of Melbourne’s 2025-26 draft has $154 million for capital works, says Lord Mayor Nick Reece (pictured).At Southbank, more than $5.3 million will go towards building a larger, modern library at the Boyd Community Hub.An additional $2.2 million will kickstart transformation of the underused and unsightly City Road Undercroft into a vibrant new park.More…

YARRA RANGES: Warning to check pet enclosures

Yarra Ranges Council is Council is reminding pet owners to check their animal’s enclosures and fences.Yarra Ranges Director of Communities, Leanne Hurst (pictured), said that containing animals safely on properties was one of the most important responsibilities for owners.“With winter approaching, we know a lot of community members will be getting their properties ready for…

WHITTLESEA: Lalor Ward election voided by Tribunal

The Victorian Civil Administrative Tribunal has voided the result of last October’s Lalor Ward election at which Stevan Kozmevski (pictured) was declared as the successful candidate for the City of Whittlesea.The Tribunal said that there was attempted and actual interference in the Lalor Ward election held in the local government elections.As a result of the…

HOBSONS BAY: Council halts push for pool

Saturday, May 10, 2025

Advocacy for the proposed Western Aquatic and Early Years Centre in Altona Meadows will be paused pending review following that latest Hobsons Bay Council meeting.The Council voted unanimously to pause the project until a review of the Hobsons Bay Aquatic Strategy 2019-30 takes place and the endorsement of the new 2025-29 Council Plan.The aquatic strategy,…

BORONNDARA: Budget focus on young people

Friday, May 2, 2025

A representative says that Boroondara Council’s planned 2025-326 budget supports children and young people with planned expenditurtes:• Playground maintenance and upgrades: $2.2 million annually• Sportsgrounds: Over $6.2 million a year• Kindergartens and preschools: $3.3 million this year• Sporting pavilion refurbishments: More than $27 million over four years to refurbish, upgrade, or redevelop seven pavilions, with…

MOONEE VALLEY: Monitors’ report received

Local Government Minister Nick Staikos (pictured) says that he has received the final report from the municipal monitors appointed to Moonee Valley City Council. “I acknowledge the extensive work completed by the monitors, Ms Prue Digby and Mr Phillip Carruthers, between January 2024 and February 2025,” Mr Staikos said.“The report highlights the council’s improvements while…

YARRA RANGES: Upgrades at 21 sites across Shire

Saturday, April 26, 2025

Yarra Ranges Council has successfully completed a landmark $6 million resilience project, upgrading 21 key community sites with solar panels, batteries, generator plug-in points, LED lighting, and HVAC systems.With funding from the Federal Government’s Preparing Australian Communities grant, the Local Roads and Community Infrastructure Program, and the State Government’s Growing Suburbs Fund, this combined investment…

MURRINDINDI: Exton produces evidence, but Shire denies any irregularities

Local businessman Charles Exton has produced evidence of the many obstacles he has faced over six years from Murrindindi Shire Council in his bid to develop land at Carey Rd, Killing-worth, Yea.Mr Exton says he had to deal with 18 different Shire staff members over the six-year period, eight of them in the past two…