Local Government News Roundup · Chris Eddy

“Field of Dreams”, mooted merger, and mayor conduct breaches - #549

February 10, 2026·26 min·1 clip

Ross Kerridge resigned immediately, triggering a mid-April mayoral by-election in Newcastle.

1. Local Government News Roundup #549 covers flag policy fights, council finance decisions, mayoral resignations, merger talk and conduct rulings across Australia. 2. Chris Eddy hosts the episode as the Roundup's presenter and news reader, and he says it is recorded on Wednesday 11 February 2026. 3. The episode is for listeners who want a fast scan of local government decisions, controversies and appointments in one national bulletin. 4. Darabin City Council again deferred a decision on flying the Palestinian flag at Preston City Hall until a new flag policy briefing is received. 5. The council said it will decide the issue no later than the end of March, and the Palestinian flag will continue to fly in the meantime. 6. At Yarra City Council, Councillor Andrew Davies tried to move a motion to reverse the Australia Day flag policy, but it lapsed after failing to get a seconder. 7. Wangaratta ended its 20-year parking agreement with Co-Store from 2012 and will pay a $5 million exit fee. 8. Mayor Irene Grant said the move protects long-term financial sustainability by removing future cost increases and operating expenses. 9. The report says exiting the deal is expected to save $4 million long term, while continuing it would have cost ratepayers $9 million. 10. Mansfield Shire's petition against the Better Decisions Made Faster bill was debated in Victoria's Legislative Council but did not trigger an inquiry. 11. Mayor Steve Raby described that outcome as a missed opportunity and said the reforms impose a Melbourne-centric model without consultation. 12. Golden Plains Mayor Owen Sharkey wrote to Costco's country manager and pitched Geringhap as the best location for the retailer's planned Geelong store. 13. He described it as a "field of dreams" opportunity and pointed to the town's position between Geelong, Ballarat and Bannockburn. 14. Newcastle Lord Mayor Ross Kerridge resigned immediately because of side effects from recent cancer treatment. 15. The resignation triggers a by-election expected in mid-April, with Deputy Lord Mayor Charlotte McCabe taking the mayoral role until then. 16. Kerridge also criticised councillors in his parting message, saying children were pushing their own political careers and that Labor and Greens councillors held an insurmountable majority. 17. In Western Australia, Stirling Mayor Mark Irwin withdrew his appeal after the Government Standards Panel found two minor breaches in a dispute over a coastal boardwalk exchange. 18. The panel ordered a public apology after Irwin used the word "hypocrisy" toward a resident. 19. The episode is delivered in a rapid news-bulletin style, with one story moving quickly into the next and only brief transitions. 20. Councillors, local government watchers and regional readers will get the most out of this roundup, while people wanting deep treatment of one issue may skip it.

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