Local Government
Hepburn Shire saga draws to a close as criminal charges dismissed
Local businessman David Penman was so irritated about a council budget, he took action. It failed.
Daylesford
+1
All quiet on the Hepburn front
With five out of seven councillors stood down, there is not enough for a quorum.
Daylesford
+1
“A weird time”: Hepburn Shire only has two councillors left, so how can it get anything done?
The to-do list is about to start piling up, but Tim Drylie and Brian Hood can’t even hold a meeting.
Daylesford
+1
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.
Climate
+1
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.
Roads
+2
“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.
Glenelg
+1
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”.
Daylesford
+1
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.
Ararat
+1
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.”
Portland
+2
Ararat Council moves ahead on “urgent” $407,000 septic tank work in Buangor and Mininera
“They aren’t the most glamorous thing a council deals with, but they are absolutely critical to public health and environmental protection”.
Ararat
+1
Who’s right about Nelson’s flood risk - the mapping or the locals?
“If the model says the land is a metre lower than it really is, then it's going to show it as being underwater ...”
Glenelg
+1
“Silence has been deafening”: Pressure mounts on Moyne Shire over Port Fairy pool
An open letter demanded answers and accused councillors of failing to engage, prompting the council to finally outline what is happening behind the scenes.
Moyne
+1
