Subject desk
Votes, public participation, governance and unanswered questions.
29 articles
The Meeting Procedures Policy and Council Proceedings Guidelines were repealed unanimously, but the resolution does not identify a replacement document or an earlier review date.
Western Power has revised the delivery timeline for projects 347 and 406, with the City of Vincent seeking another update after the regulator’s final decision at the end of March 2028.
Cr Sarah Dixson was the sole nominee for mayor, while Cr Hugh Woodgate won the deputy mayoralty over Cr Matthew Robertson by 10 votes to four.
Bega Valley Shire Council adopted updated companion-animal controls and directed staff to investigate whether parts of the beach qualify as a Wildlife Protection Area.
Residents will be consulted on a proposed electoral structure that would give Ipswich 10 single-councillor divisions alongside a mayor.
Recordings of council meetings must be published online within 14 days, with residents able to listen free online or buy a copy subject to charges.
The report tracks Council services and initiatives from 1 January to 30 June 2026 under NSW integrated planning and reporting requirements.
An audit will examine the gender balance of names across Orange streets, parks, reserves, sporting facilities and other Council-controlled places, with a new register also under consideration.
Cr J Stedman won the September 2026 to September 2028 term after Council chose an ordinary ballot and rejected a proposal for open voting.
DA 134/2026(1) was approved unanimously for a detached dual occupancy at Lot 159 DP 1302416, subject to conditions in the Notice of Approval.
Councillors unanimously approved teleconference attendance, a new factual-correction process and tighter rules for closed meetings and resolutions.
Paul Garrard was expelled 11-3 after making repeated offensive remarks towards Diane Colman. An amendment was then defeated and the underlying motion passed.
Recordings must be published within 14 days and kept online for at least five years, while Council Members can request copies free of charge.
The November and December ordinary meetings will be held on 17 November and 15 December, while four standing committee meetings will not go ahead.
Councillors proposing business that does not make the agenda must now be told why it was excluded and what assistance was offered.
The portfolio returned 4.65 per cent annualised over three months, above the 4.47 per cent AusBond Bank Bill Index benchmark.
New rules covering teleconference attendance, motions, debate and public exclusions have been adopted by the Finance and Governance Committee, with the changes to be referred to Council.
The revised Meeting Procedures Policy changes remote attendance, voting procedures and closed-meeting rules before referral to Council on 27 August.
Georges River Council rejected a proposal to cut public exhibition of the Draft Beverly Hills Master Plan to 28 days, retaining a minimum 42-day period in a 14-1 vote.
The committee recommended Council consider raising the CEO’s remuneration to the maximum allowed for band-one local governments, along with an allowance matching council members’ professional development level.
Bill Parker’s 2025/26 performance review has been referred to Wanneroo Council, alongside recommendations to consider maximum band-one remuneration and a professional development allowance matching councillors.
Liverpool councillors approved approximately $154,113 from the General Fund for more frequent meetings from September, subject to an August Code of Meeting Practice change.
Wanneroo’s new recording policy requires Council proceedings to be published within 14 days and kept online for at least five years, giving residents a longer-term way to review public meetings.
A unanimous 13-0 vote backed an amended response on the draft Model Code of Conduct, with the General Manager authorised to lodge it by 7 August.
The rejected alternative would have cut targeted additional dwellings from 3,000 to 2,400 and changed proposed height limits and public space in Oxford Street Mall.
Residents can comment on proposed CCTV rules that would limit AI use, restrict biometric identification and require annual reporting on surveillance activity.
Abstentions will count as votes against under revised Toowoomba Regional Council procedures covering meetings, conflicts of interest and councillor conduct.
The City adopted its 2026/27 budget after 195 submissions, including 147 citing cost-of-living concerns, while the annual residential waste fee rises by $56.
Residents now have a clearer view of what Nillumbik Shire Council plans to deliver next year, with a 68-action program backing the second year of its 2025-2029 council plan.
