At 38, Charlie Simkin is Liverpool Plains Shire Council’s new mayor. He’s flagged waste, housing and infrastructure as priorities for the next two years, working alongside new Deputy Mayor Jason Allan.
Local politics and councils
Posted inLocal News, Local politics and councils
One down, 10 to go: Webb re-elected Mayor in Tamworth
Eleven New England councils choose their mayor within a month. Tamworth’s result is in — the 5-4 split that’s ruled council for two years just held again. A challenge is confirmed for Gunnedah. Who’s next?
Posted inGlen Innes Severn Shire, Local politics and councils
Glen Innes Severn Council to consider response to state performance order
Glen Innes Severn Council faces a make-or-break meeting this week, as councillors decide how to respond to a state order over financial management failures dating back to 2022.
Posted inLocal politics and councils, Long Read, Moree Plains Shire, Politics
Three strikes and still not out: the weak council rules unable to deal with populist politicians
They run the same playbook as Pauline Hanson and Donald Trump: turn every sanction into persecution. Inside the NSW rules that still can’t make badly behaved councillors stop.
Posted inLocal politics and councils
Moree Plains council releases confidential pool report, but reveals nothing new
Moree Plains Shire Council released the confidential report behind its pool decision – but it didn’t reveal anything the community didn’t already know.
Posted inArmidale, Energy, Local politics and councils, Long Read, NSW Politics, Regional Development, Water
No water, no REZ: how Armidale is using the REZ as leverage to fix a decade-old problem
WEEKEND LONG READ: There’s an $800m price tag on getting water security for Armidale and Uralla, and ratepayers don’t have it Now the state wants a $24 billion energy zone built here, and Mayor Sam Coupland is using that need as leverage: no water, no REZ.
Posted inFederal Politics, Glen Innes Severn Shire, Local politics and councils, National News
Regional councils claim historic win in national funding shake-up
A new national deal has just delivered a big funding win for councils. Here’s what mayors and MPs say it means for your rates, roads and jobs.
Posted inLocal politics and councils, Tenterfield
Tenterfield council defends secrecy around audit committee minutes
Tenterfield residents want to know why audit committee minutes were kept secret. Council says the answer comes down to guidelines, and the growing threat of cyber attacks.
Posted inGlen Innes, Local politics and councils, Moree, New England Surrounds, Social issues and services, Social Media
Enough is enough: Leaders plead for civility as abuse boils over
Online abuse and offline threats are pushing local leaders to breaking point, with three local politicians this week pushing back.
Posted inLocal politics and councils, Tamworth
TRC votes to sell Ray Walsh House after hour-long debate
After four years of uncertainty and more than an hour of heated debate, Tamworth Regional Council has voted 5-3 to sell Ray Walsh House — but the sale isn’t final yet.