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WarrnamboolWarrnambool
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Warrnambool council scraps gambling policy as poker machine losses near $25.6 million a year

Warrnambool council scraps gambling policy as poker machine losses near $25.6 million a year

Councillors say the Victorian Government - not the council - controls gambling regulation.

Zara Cuthbertson
ClimateClimate
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Golden Plains among 500+ councils urging $1.3 billion fossil fuel levy to fund disaster repairs

Golden Plains among 500+ councils urging $1.3 billion fossil fuel levy to fund disaster repairs

Councils say they are increasingly carrying the financial burden of repairing roads, drainage and public assets after extreme weather events.

Zara Cuthbertson
RoadsRoads
+2+2
Dangerous Southern Grampians intersections to get $781,000 upgrade

Dangerous Southern Grampians intersections to get $781,000 upgrade

The funding follows earlier pedestrian crossing upgrades and will target roads identified as safety priorities in 2023.

Zara Cuthbertson
GlenelgGlenelg
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“Snuck in immorally”: Glenelg council adopts budget, but not without questions over four-year-old $3.5m rate change

“Snuck in immorally”: Glenelg council adopts budget, but not without questions over four-year-old $3.5m rate change

One councillor has branded the adjustment “immoral” while another said she found no evidence ratepayers are owed a cent.

Zara Cuthbertson
Colac OtwayColac Otway
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Colac Otway Shire’s budget looks $5.73 million in the red, but the CEO says don't panic

Colac Otway Shire’s budget looks $5.73 million in the red, but the CEO says don't panic

A change to the timing of the majority of a $9.8 million funding allocation has reshaped the budget's bottom line on paper from an original forecasted surplus of over $700,000.

Zara Cuthbertson
Daylesford Daylesford
+1+1
Hepburn Shire permanently hands greater planning power to staff

Hepburn Shire permanently hands greater planning power to staff

The change comes after an 18-month trial that showed reduced wait times, but one councillor expressed concern about an erosion of “democratic oversight”.

Darcie Humphreys
WarrnamboolWarrnambool
+1+1
“We’re treading water”: Flagstaff Hill’s million-dollar costs creating concern for Warrnambool council

“We’re treading water”: Flagstaff Hill’s million-dollar costs creating concern for Warrnambool council

State and federal governments are being urged to help revive the city’s maritime attraction before council can no longer carry the cost.

Zara Cuthbertson
WarrnamboolWarrnambool
+1+1
“Some difficult decisions” behind 2.75 percent rate rise in Warrnambool council’s budget

“Some difficult decisions” behind 2.75 percent rate rise in Warrnambool council’s budget

Councillors highlighted growing pressure on maintaining the city’s assets and reliance on external funding for major works.

Zara Cuthbertson
AgricultureAgriculture
+2+2
Future of Camperdown Saleyards site unclear as council votes to decommission 50-year-old facility

Future of Camperdown Saleyards site unclear as council votes to decommission 50-year-old facility

The centre closed in 2024 due to low livestock numbers being sold at the yards.

Zara Cuthbertson
AraratArarat
+1+1
Ararat Council approves record $15.8 million budget with second rate rise in eight years

Ararat Council approves record $15.8 million budget with second rate rise in eight years

Councillor Armstrong called the council "the envy of so many other councils across Victoria” with the latest rate rise still below the rate peg.

Darcie Humphreys
PortlandPortland
+2+2
Glenelg Shire Council commits to permanent truth-telling about colonial violence at Victoria’s oldest European settlement

Glenelg Shire Council commits to permanent truth-telling about colonial violence at Victoria’s oldest European settlement

“We acknowledge the true history of the region within the Glenelg shire and we commit to truth telling as a vital step towards awareness, education, recognition, and healing.”

Darcie Humphreys
WarrnamboolWarrnambool
+1+1
Warrnambool council has $1.1 billion worth of roads and buildings, but not enough money to maintain them

Warrnambool council has $1.1 billion worth of roads and buildings, but not enough money to maintain them

“We have millions and millions of dollars of assets... if we don't put money into them, they will fail.”

Zara Cuthbertson