Council News

STATEWIDE: Mayor Panel announced

Friday, April 25, 2025

The State Government has announced the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel for 2025, with nine mayors from across Victoria making up the panel.Chaired by the Minister for Local Government, Nick Staikos, the panel provides high-level advice on legislative, regulatory, strategic and policy issues that affect Victorian councils.This year’s panel is expected to focus on governance…

WHITTLESEA: Election promise for Thomastown reserve

Friday, April 18, 2025

The City of Whittlesea has welcomed a $4.5 million election commitment from the Albanese Labor Government to transform Nick Ascenzo Reserve in Thomastown into a vibrant, open recreation space.The funding announcement was made by Andrew Giles, Scullin MHR. It “will significantly enhance access to green space and recreational opportunities for the Thomastown community and surrounding…

WHITTLESEA: Council to meet to elect new Mayor

An ‘unscheduled meeting’ of Whittlesea City Council has been called to be held at 6pm on Thursday, April 24, at which time a new Mayor is expected to be elected. Aidan McLindon has been suspended as Mayor and Councillor for six months by Local Government Minister Nick Siaikos. “An Unscheduled Council Meeting has been called…

YARRA RANGES: Road works required

Evelyn MLA Bridget Vallence (pictured) has called on the State Government again to allocate funding to upgrade dangerous and congested roads across her electorate, including the Hull and Mooroolbark Rds bottleneck, Warburton Hwy in Seville East, and Clegg Rd in Wandin.Ms Vallence called on ther Government to “get on” with the Maroondah Hwy at Killara…

WHITTLESEA: McLindon responds to ‘sacking’

Wednesday, April 16, 2025

Aidan McLindon has responded to his effective removal as Mayor and Councillor at the city of Whittlesea: “Today was a dark day for democracy in Victorian Local Government. “I have been stood down for six months by the ‘Governor in Council’ (this is a largely unaccountable and disproportionately powerful ‘committee of four’ created under former…

WHITTLESEA: GOVT. SUSPENDS MAYOR

FIRST WITH LOCAL NEWS Nick Staikos, Local Government Minister, released a statement today, in which Whittlesea Mayor Cr Aiden McLinden has been suspended for six months: “Following the receipt of a report by the Municipal Monitors appointed to Whittlesea City Council and other information provided, Councillor Aidan McLindon has been suspended from his duties at…

STATEWIDE: $99 infringement notices sent to those who didn’t vote

Tuesday, April 15, 2025

Infringement notices have been to Victorians who either didn’t respond to the Victorian Electoral Commission’s request for an explanation or didn’t have a valid reason for failing to vote in the 2024 local council elections. More than 530,000 Victorians were sent an ‘Apparent failure to vote notice’ by the VEC in February and March. Of…

MURRINDINDI: $320,000 boost to local economy

Ros Spence, Minister for Agriculture, this week announced $320,000 in funding for Murrindindi Shire Council, to deliver on new projects that will help boost the local economy, especially around Alexandra, Taggerty, Buxton and Marysville The $200,000 of the funding will progress four ‘innovation areas’ identified through the Shaping Murrindindi’s Future Local Development Strategy project. This…

MARIBYRNONG: $100,000 for Yarraville dog park

MNaribyrnong Council has secured $100,000 grant funding for an uipgrade at McIvor Reserve dog park “The upgrade aims to address the increasing demand for dog-friendly spaces, driven by both population growth and a rise in pet ownership in the area. It will provide a safe space for dogs and their owners to enjoy, supporting responsible…

HOBSONS BAY: ‘We could avoided current situation’

Former Hobsons Bay Council Aaron Van Egmond (pictured) was previously CEO at Hepburn Shire Council. Mr Van Egmond recently quit his $410,000-a-year job after being suspended earlier this year by Hobsons Bay Councillors. Hobsons Bay Mayor Daria Kellander has written to the Victorian Attorney-General, calling on the State Government to officially release a report into…