Archived News for Professionals in Local Government - December, 2020
Deputy NSW Premier John Barilaro will face a parliamentary inquiry into alleged council pork-barrelling.
Manningham pays for no pokies
A Melbourne council has saved its local RSL venue from being swamped with poker machines.
Tower actions slammed
The Victorian Ombudsman says the State Government breached human rights laws in some COVID-19 lockdowns.
Flows too low to boost breeding
Reservoirs and dams in NSW are swelling, but experts say it may not be enough to boost wetland bird numbers.
MDBP missing big points
Experts have reflected on the latest 5-year evaluation of the Murray-Darling Basin Plan (MDBP).
EPA scraps dump approvals
Victoria’s Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has reversed its approval for three toxic waste dumps.
Colac gets organic power
Victoria’s regional town of Colac is taking high-tech measures to generate new electricity.
Cashless card extended
The Federal Government has failed to make the cashless welfare program permanent, but has won an extension.
Audits finds harassment gaps
The Victorian Auditor-General’s Office (VAGO) says many councils are failing to provide harassment-free workplaces.
Councils back state spend
Local governments have welcomed the prospect of thousands of new jobs from new measures in Queensland.
Remote food issues reported
A parliamentary inquiry has found food security is a constant concern for many remote Indigenous communities.
Blueprint lays green path
Authorities say the COVID-19 recovery period is a good time for one state to focus on sustainability.
Cod re-stock underway
More than 60,000 Murray cod fingerlings have been returned to the Darling River.
ICAC says irrigators favoured
The NSW corruption court has found the State Government is “overly favourable” to irrigators.
IPC approves coal over water
NSW’s Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has green-lit the expansion of a coal mine above Sydney’s water catchment.
'Bradbury' mayor blocked
Queensland has passed legal changes to prevent Pineapple Hooper from becoming a mayor.
Central Coast woes revealed
One of Australia’s biggest councils has revealed more than $565 million in debt.
City scraps offensive display
Ballarat is ditching Australia Day fireworks in favour of a Survival Day dawn ceremony.
Approval rolls over local views
The NT Government has gone against expert advice and approved plans to double the size of a mining pit ...