Local Government

A Tasmanian artist who built a fire bunker on her property in Tasmania has been fined, for failing to have the permit for its installation.

The worst sewage spill in Queensland history was caused by corrosion and a local government’s over-reliance on the public and another council to detect leaks, an independent investigation has found.

A NSW councillor suggests her referral to the Independent Commission Against Corruption could be politically motivated ahead of local government elections.

With official estimates putting the number of vacant and derelict homes above 100,000 across Australia, local governments and property lawyers argue they could be part of the solution to Australia's apparent housing shortage.

A Tasmanian homelessness charity has removed two mobile trailers containing sleeping pods for people sleeping rough after being told it didn't have permission to put them there, in the latest tussle with the local council. 

Townsville Mayor Troy Thompson is back at the council, a month after taking leave amid concerns he misrepresented his military record in the lead-up to being elected.

Melissa McDougall fears someone will be seriously injured after her son was menaced and her dog was badly injured by two dingoes on Broome's Cable Beach — the fifth attack of its kind in less than a year.

A report has found Hobart City Council staff breached anti-discrimination laws by lying to councillor Louise Elliot about the availability of a venue for a planned event about "the impact" of transgender women in women's sports.

The NSW finance minister wrote to councils in March requesting they revert to some form of written notification, but some councils argue the ticketless system better protects workers.  

The council claims more than 1 million passengers could be left behind at bus stops during the trial if there is 10 per cent increase in patronage but the figures have been disputed by Translink.

A former councillor has avoided prison for tampering with voters' ballot papers to elect himself to local government.  

After five years of lobbying and a significant investment, the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River hopes a local childcare centre will be open by the end of the year.

The party says it would lower the cap on general rate increases to 2.2 per cent if successful in winning government at October's ACT election. Rates are currently capped at 3.75 per cent but individual rises vary depending on the household and can be higher.

Residents of an estate in Upper Kedron have been waiting six months for a finished bridge to open — and they're running out of patience.

Declining rainfall and a 34 per cent drop in water flow results in increased management measures put in place around the major food-producing town Gingin north of Perth.

A two-hour commute from the Sydney CBD, Wollondilly Shire seems an unlikely place for a battle between new housing and heritage laws. But a plan to protect a local landmark is causing division.

Danny Reinhold will be allowed to keep living in his rented bus after Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley granted him a permit — but the Shire of West Arthur will continue its legal action against him. 

Yarra council is forced to back down on a controversial proposal that would have allowed its CEO to buy and sell property worth up to $10 million without councillor approval, after receiving overwhelming community backlash.

Brisbane City Council has fielded almost 2,500 reports of swooping birds in the last three years. Numbers are down — but that doesn't necessarily mean it is happening less.

A Yarra councillor says a tenfold increase to the value of property the CEO can sell-off without councillor sign-off could turn the role into that of an 'unelected, economic czar'. 

Barcelona announced on Friday that it will bar apartment rentals to tourists by 2028, an unexpectedly drastic move as it seeks to rein-in soaring housing costs and make the city liveable for residents.

Elwood residents are calling for litter traps to be installed at the end of their local creek, but Melbourne Water has shot down the idea.

The town's storm-damaged jetty reopens for the first time in almost two years thanks to a "novel" approach, bypassing millions of dollars in repair costs — for now. 

The Sunshine Coast Council was due to vote on the controversial project, but Mr Palmer's company withdrew the development application hours beforehand. 

Local councils say the growing number of renewable energy projects needs to be balanced against local land use requirements and community interest.