Australia’s National Local Government Newspaper LGFocus.com.au
SEPTEMBER 2025
Shaping SA’s roads South Australian council representatives descended on Tailem Bend in August for the 2025 LGA Roads and Works Conference, bringing together local leaders, industry partners and experts to shape the future of our state’s roads and infrastructure. Hosted at The Bend Motorsport Park from 20-22 August, the annual conference provided councils with an opportunity to share ideas, learn about the latest innovations and strengthen partnerships that help deliver safer, stronger and more sustainable communities. This year’s theme Beyond the Road – Building Safety, Strength and Sustainability reflected the critical role councils play in building communities, not only through maintaining roads but also through investing in infrastructure, supporting their workforce and planning for the future. LGA President Mayor Heather HolmesRoss said the conference highlighted how South Australian councils were continuously finding smarter, more efficient and sustainable ways to deliver road and infrastructure projects. “Councils aren’t just maintaining assets – we’re constantly looking for innovative solutions that can help strengthen community infrastructure, make our local roads safer and stretch every dollar further,” Mayor Holmes-Ross. Full Story p11.
LGA South Australia President, Mayor Heather Holmes-Ross at the 2025 Roads and Works Conference in Tailem Bend.
Misconduct move Councillors accused of significant misconduct will have proceedings started against them in the Land and Environment Court as part of the NSW Government’s overhaul of the State councillor conduct framework. The proposed reforms are aimed at cutting through red tape, enable quicker action and stronger penalties against misbehaving councillors which has been sorely missing under current processes according to NSW Minister for Local Government Ron Hoenig. “The process for holding councillors to account for serious misconduct is too weak and is hamstrung by procedural complexity,” he said. “Currently, a councillor can only be suspended after a bureaucrat in the Office of Local Government has written a report. The system is long, slow, and ineffective. “I believe that elected councillors who have committed serious misconduct should only be suspended from office by a judge of a superior court who has heard from both sides.
“Preventing and delaying action to address misconduct in councils has eroded public trust in local government. “The Court will deal with serious matters, ending the misuse of the code of conduct framework as a means to settle political squabbles. “I have consulted with the Attorney General and Chief Judge of the Land and Environment Court, and further consultation will be undertaken with key stakeholders on the legislation to amend the Local Government Act. “Misbehaviour that threatens the safety of councillors, council staff and the community has no place in local government and will not be tolerated.” Currently, councillor misconduct matters are heard by the NSW Civil and Administrative
Tribunal (NCAT). This involves a slow statutory and bureaucratic process which historically can take years to resolve matters that need to be dealt with quickly to preserve public trust in local government. The proposed move to the Land and Environment Court would provide a more streamlined process to deal with rogue councillors whose behaviour presents a risk to other councillors, council staff and the community. The Land and Environment Court is a Superior Court, has substantial expertise in local government matters and already deals with most of the Local Government Act litigation. The Government’s proposed changes include that: A Minister or a government body, or any other
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person with leave of the Court can commence proceedings alleging misconduct. If, after hearing the matter, the Court may determine misconduct has been established. Should misconduct be established, and it is in the public interest to do so, the Court may disqualify the councillor for a period of up to 5 years, suspend the councillor, fine the councillor and order restitution. The Court will have the power to immediately suspend a councillor pending final hearing of the proceedings, if the Court considers it to be in the public interest. The Court will have the power to order costs including indemnity costs, should proceedings be commenced vexatiously. Continued page 2