Local Government News Roundup · Chris Eddy

Ex mayor charged, brotherly leadership, and another monitor - ft. Stephen Yarwood #558

March 3, 2026·1 hr 9 min·4 clips
An ex-Melbourne mayor faces assault charges and identity suppression in a case involving a minor.
Weekly local government news roundup covering major stories from across Australia and beyond. Host Chris Eddy reports on a former Melbourne mayor facing serious assault charges with identity suppressed; Greater Geelong's new 'brotherly leadership' with two brothers now heading council; Premier's criticism of rural councils; unauthorised tree cutting in Bondi with million-dollar penalty implications; Sydney mayor defending a council venue's hosting of a memorial for Iran's Supreme Leader; and numerous other municipal governance stories. Includes quick briefs from Queensland (Redlands CEO review, Cairns dual naming debate), South Australia (rate capping controversy), Western Australia (Port Hedland governance), and international stories from Wales and North Yorkshire (innovative vape-based stop-smoking program).

As heard by us

A brisk local government roundup, with a short conversation folded in.

The episode moves through a sharp local government rundown: an ex-suburban Melbourne mayor facing assault charges whose identity cannot be revealed, a brotherly leadership pair at Greater Geelong, a Sydney mayor in conflict with the Premier over a council venue, and calls for…

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Why you'd press play

You want a fast pass through council disputes, leadership moves, and sector changes.

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