Council Watch Victoria Inc

22/08/2025

🚨💰 All week we’ve been chasing Councils to come clean on how much they’re slugging YOU in the State Gov’s Emergency Services Levy. (TAX)

📊 Here’s who has finally responded (and how much you’ll be paying)👇

👀 Is YOUR council on the list? Or are they still too slack to tell ratepayers the truth?



City of Ballarat $20.8 Million
Bayside City Council, Victoria $27.9 Million
Central Goldfields Shire Council $2.3 Million
Hobsons Bay City Council $23.4 Million
Hume City Council $48.6 Million
Mansfield Shire Council $4 Million
Maroondah City Council $23.1 Million
City of Monash $47 Million
Moonee Valley City Council $26.1 Million
Nillumbik Shire Council $9.6 Million
Northern Grampians Shire Council $3.2 Million
Southern Grampians Shire Council $4.2 Million
Wellington Shire Council $10.8 Million
City of Whittlesea $44.9 Million
Wodonga Council $8 Million
Yarra City Council $14.6 Million

Only 16 Councils so far and already almost $320 Million forced onto your rates notice in a cost-of-living crisis.

If your local Councillors are not focused on this as a top 3 issue, they don't deserve the role you elected them for!

Are your councillors silent or MIA on this issue? Are they focused on other self indulgent matters?

22/08/2025

🚨📰 BREAKING NEWS 🚨📰

😡⚠️ Roads, Rates… and Gaza?!?!?!?
Hobsons Bay City Council Loses the Plot 🌏🔥

Hobsons Bay City Council is preparing to debate a series of motions on the conflict in Gaza and Israel – but the real conflict these motions risk igniting is right here at home.

Three separate motions (No. 1277, 1278, 1279) go far beyond the remit of local government. They condemn Israel, call for sanctions, demand recognition of Palestine, and instruct council officers to comb through contracts and procurement in line with a UN blacklist. These are not motions about roads, rubbish, or rates – they are motions that drag a suburban council into the most divisive and complex international dispute in the world.

The danger here is twofold. Firstly, councils are not foreign policy makers. Minister for Local Government Melissa Horne has already made clear that “the Israeli and Hamas conflict is a global situation to be negotiated by world leaders rather than the Victorian Local Government sector.” Ratepayers elect councillors to fix potholes and deliver local services – not to issue foreign policy decrees.

Secondly, these motions risk tearing apart Hobsons Bay’s diverse community. Our city is home to people from more than 150 nations, many with deeply personal ties to this conflict. Taking sides on such a highly charged issue can inflame division, fuel antisemitism and Islamophobia, and alienate residents who simply want their council to remain neutral and focused on local matters.

Local government has an obligation under the Local Government Act 2020 to govern in the best interests of the municipal community. By wandering into international geopolitics, Hobsons Bay risks breaching that duty and undermining social cohesion.

If councillors want to debate Middle East policy, they should run for Federal Parliament. Until then, they should stick to what they were elected to do: serve the people of Hobsons Bay.

More in the comments

22/08/2025

📸 Awkward Staikos: The Minister Who Can’t Catch a Good Photo (or a Good Alibi) 🤦‍♂️🎭

Fresh from his Instagram holiday reels in Greece, where Labor mates were the only things more awkward than the selfies, Minister Nick Staikos has again been caught in uncomfortable positions — this time much closer to home.

First stop: the local library, where he was photographed beside a librarian gleefully holding up a book titled “The Bad Guys.” Was this subtle political commentary? A staffer’s sick joke? Or just a not-so-coded memo from the universe? Either way, Staikos was mock-reading another classic: “What to Say.” A handy manual, considering silence might be his best political strategy right now.

Next came the Kingston Council soirée, where Staikos posed cheerfully with Mayor Georgina Oxley. The smiles didn’t quite mask the sting — sources suggest he “forgot” to mention that he’d just signed the paperwork to parachute a state-appointed monitor into her council. Nothing screams solidarity like stabbing your comrade with a bureaucratic letter opener.

But let’s not be coy: this isn’t just poor etiquette. Council Watch smells a Labor stitch-up. And who’s the monitor? John Tanner — the same watchdog parachuted into Hobsons Bay, where whispers of Minister Horne’s fingerprints still linger.

Now, the kicker: Staikos is a Kingston resident. Yes, the Minister for Local Government has moved from playing “King of the Castle” to “Kingston Ratepayer.” The parliamentary standards say MPs must avoid acting in ways that benefit their mates — or themselves. Yet here we are, with Staikos doling out oversight in his own backyard, where family feuds (remember cousin Cr Staikos?) and Saab’s loud calls for monitors make the conflict-of-interest alarms scream like a fire drill.

To be clear: no one’s alleging corruption. But why on earth would a Local Government Minister gleefully light a bonfire in his own suburb, then dance around it in public photo-ops?

The November 2026 election clock is ticking, and if this is the warm-up act, MPs everywhere might want to order bulk copies of “What to Say.”

22/08/2025

BREAKING NEWS; City of Kingston MONITOR APPOINTED
🎭 Kingston’s New Babysitters: Staikos Appoints Monitor for Naughty Councillors

It’s official. Kingston City Council has been grounded.
Today, in a move that can only be described as political pantomime, Local Government Minister Nick Staikos MP announced the appointment of Monitors at Kingston — all because, allegedly, councillors were being “naughty”. And by naughty, we don’t mean swearing in chambers or flipping tables. No, their “bad behaviour” was… wait for it… apparently calling out Labor’s state taxes and policies during council meetings.

Yes, the horror. The audacity. The absolute scandal of councillors… doing their job and criticising government policy.

But wait — it gets juicier.
________________________________________
🍷 Family Ties & Political Tantrums

Let’s not forget: Staikos is the proud Member for Bentleigh, smack-bang in Kingston’s patch. This is the same Staikos who only a few years ago spruiked a $5 million council gift to St Kilda Football Club when Labor held the majority — and when his cousin sat on council. Back then? No Monitors. No panic. Just Labor happily cutting ribbons and posing for photos. The Saints certainly did go marching in - paid for by City of Kingston ratepayers!
(Staikos is a passionate Saints supporter and declares gifts from the club on his own Parliament gift register!)

But then came the 2024 Council elections. Labor lost its majority.

Independents rose. And the shiny red machine didn’t like it one bit.

To rub salt into the wound, Labor’s own darling, Georgina Oxley, somehow ended up Mayor thanks to a ragtag bunch of independents. Labor supporters of Councillor Saab (the one whispering in Staikos’ ear, and allegedly very cosy with both Nick and Steve Staikos — yes, that Steve, the State Labor President) were furious. Saab’s been lobbying for Monitors like a kid begging for Christmas presents. And today? 🎁 He finally got his wish.

Rumour is that the ragtag councillors who referred claims of misconduct (by labor councillors) to the Local Gov inspectorate - really INFURIATED LABOR HEAVYWEIGHTS.
________________________________________
💸 Who Pays? (Hint: Not Staikos)
Of course, appointing Monitors doesn’t come cheap. Ratepayers foot the bill — not the State Government. That means Kingston residents now get to pay for political babysitters whose job is to keep councillors “in line” ahead of next year’s state election.
At around $1500 A DAY - sorry your potholes are on the backburner.

Translation: silence the critics, clean up the optics, and polish the Labor brand before the polls open.
________________________________________
🥂 The Punchline
The biggest joke here? Calling this a governance issue. Kingston hasn’t collapsed into chaos. There are no fistfights, no cigar-chomping bribes in brown paper bags. The “problem” is simply that councillors stopped being Labor cheerleaders.
This is politics, not governance. A brazen stunt. And one that reeks of self-interest so strong it could knock over a horse at 100 metres.
The only losers? The Kingston community, who’ll foot the bill for this circus.
So next time you hear the phrase “poor councillor behaviour” — remember: in Kingston, it just means they dared to say out loud what everyone else is thinking about Labor’s taxes and dodgy council conduct.

21/08/2025

💼✂️ Mornington Peninsula Shire Axes Up to 48 Senior Roles ‼️
💰 In Bid to Save $10 Million 🏖️

Mornington Peninsula Shire council’s new top dog has launched an ambitious restructure to save money and improve customer service.

Lucy Callendar Herald Sun

Up to 48 jobs are being cut at Mornington Peninsula Shire in a bid to slash $10m from the organisation’s bottom line.

The major restructure has already claimed 27 senior roles and a further 21 staff have been asked to consider moving to a “repurposed position”.

Those who choose not to take a “mid level” position will also be offered redundancies.

Chief executive Mark Stoermer acknowledged the shire was losing “some really good people” but the changes would bring financial sustainability and better customer service.

“We will be saying goodbye to staff who have worked hard, and I want to acknowledge their contribution to the organisation and the community,” he said.

21/08/2025

The TODAY shows Karl goes after Councils and specifically Yarra Ranges Council

Yarra Ranges Council becomes more of a joke as the days go by.

He also says the show was FLOODED by complaints - go figure.

This one is good - more in the comments.

Council Watch supports the existing use rights application and Council just needs to be helpful rather than a hinderance.

Sanders said the council first contacted the family in April 2023.

A council statement said Yarra Ranges has negotiated with the Sanders family over using their property for commercial motorcycle activities and events, and a proposed Certificate of Compliance for Existing Use Rights.

“Council officers have been liaising with the Sanders’ family after they submitted a planning request in October 2023.

“The request was to enable the continued use of their property for motorcycle racetrack and commercial activities which have been taking place over several years. The property is currently registered as an agricultural use.

“The domestic use of motorcycle riding on this property is not impacted or restricted.’’

The council said the Sanders’ family request for ‘existing use rights’ required documented evidence of continuous use on the land for 15 years.

But council officers said evidence supplied by the Sanders family was “not of a sufficient standard’’.

Karl continues exposing local councils on the TODAY show. Daniel Sanders is one of those affected by his own local council and he doesn't know why his family...

21/08/2025

🤡 Odd Spot: When CEOs "Sue Themselves"

In the “you couldn’t make this up” files — a CEO of a large council has hauled their own staff (and ratepayers’ wallets) off to VCAT. The crime? Approving the release of the CEO’s own council work emails under the Freedom of Information Act.

Yes, you read that right. Officers followed the law, ticked the boxes, and said: sure, the public can see it. But then — plot twist — the CEO stormed in, demanded a legal showdown, and is now fighting the very people they lead.

The kicker? The claim is that the emails should stay hidden to protect the CEO’s personal safety. (Because nothing screams danger like… council correspondence?)

The CEO has made claim that the IDENTITY of the applicant should be revealed - the very thing the law protects at all costs!

For legal reasons, we can’t reveal names. But it’s another shining example of executive entitlement — where transparency is a threat, and accountability is optional.

Council Watch will, of course, keep the popcorn warm 🍿 and keep you posted.

The image does not reflect any identifying information on the matter.

21/08/2025

Cmon Councillor Daria Kellander this looks like another Hobbys Bay SPECIAL. Fix it. 🤬

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/19QDNDjBco/

Asbestos exposure can lead to one of the deadliest forms of lung cancer. 📌 DETAILS: tinyurl.com/28sqvbs3

21/08/2025

Ouch - thats not a good look
Maribyrnong 🤨😡

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CqJSGf1R3/?mibextid=wwXIfr

21/08/2025

City of Melton Councillor Ashleigh Vandenberg makes statement

Council Watch was present in today's hearings and heard both Cr Lara Carli and Cr Phil Zada named as alleged parties to matters against Simon (Ashleigh's partner).

For legal reasons we will close comments.

***Personal Statement From Cr Ashleigh Vandenberg***
A number of residents have sought further information pertaining to the events that saw Victoria Police attend my premises on a number of occasions.
First and foremost I would like to thank Victoria Police for their professionalism throughout what has been occurring.
Today I successfully represented my partner Simon Antonio Vallone at the Sunshine Magistrates court. A number of my colleagues have, in my and he's opinion. Misled our judicial system by inventing situations in order to have Interim Personal Safety Intervention Orders placed on my partner, then attempt to have breaches to get a criminal charge.
The matters have moved to revocation and given the applicants seniority and positions, we will be pursuing for declaration of truth breaches which come with jail time and penalty units.
In my opinion, PSIO's should be reserved for the women and families that need them, to keep them safe. Not political warfare.
I make this statement as today's hearings did have media present and I wanted to get in prior to you all finding out in the news.
Please keep your comments respectful and I would like to thank everyone for their support, especially to Simon while he goes through this hardship.
**This statement is made on my behalf and not on behalf of council**

Cr Lara Carli - City of Melton - Sugar Gum Ward

21/08/2025

💔 From Stress to Spikes: Workers Say ‘Toxic’, Ratepayers Say ‘Broke’… Hepburn Shire’s Circus 🎪🔥

The Hepburn circus continues - here's what employee reviews on SSEEKsay:

Hepburn Shire Council – SEEK Reviews (2015–2023)
Review 1 – Planning Officer (Jan 2023, former, 1–2 yrs, ⭐ 1.0)

Key quotes:

“stuck in reverse.”

“management are a mess.”

“Leadership turned over many times… higher-ups got it wrong again and again.”

“Full of chiefs… treatment of officers was mediocre… middle management are nfi.”
Indicates: Dysfunctional leadership churn, poor middle management, and low staff morale.

Review 2 – Officer (Jun 2022, former, 1–2 yrs, ⭐ 1.0)

Key quotes:

“Enter at own risk.”

“Councillors… treat officers badly and make decisions with no expertise.”
Indicates: Councillor interference and disregard for staff expertise.

Review 3 – Community Care Support Worker (Mar 2021, ⭐ 1.0)

Key quotes:

“management unavailable, no proper guidance, no training as promised.”

“Lots of complaints from the community not being listened to.”

“lack of communication… lots of errors and confusion.”
Indicates: Absent leadership, broken training, operational chaos.

Review 4 – Team Leader (Sep 2019, rating not given)

Key quotes:

“Not a healthy environment.”

“Not being heard by managers; no opportunity to grow.”
Indicates: Poor culture, lack of progression, disengagement.

Review 5 – Infrastructure Employee (Nov 2018, former, 3–4 yrs, ⭐ 1.0)

Key quotes:

“Not a good choice of employers!”

“Inexperienced managers, micro managers, no career progression.”

“Poor OHS; pay below industry.”
Indicates: Safety issues, poor conditions, and incompetent management.

Review 6 – Team Leader (Sep 2018, former, 3–4 yrs)

Key quotes:

“Would not recommend if you’re wanting career progression.”

“Lack of support from management; can go days/weeks without contact.”

“Senior management make cuts without logical reason.”
Indicates: Lack of support and irrational decision-making.

Review 7 – “Slave” (self-described, Aug 2017, ⭐ 2.0)

Key quotes:

“Nice place to visit but not to work at.”

“Working with management and ppl full of self-importance.”
Indicates: Arrogant management culture, low morale.

Review 8 – CSO (Sep 2015, current, 5–6 yrs, ⭐ 2.0)

Key quotes:

“Extremely stressful at times.”

“Management no communication; mixed messages.”
Indicates: Long-term communication failures and ongoing stress.

Summary of Findings

The reviews paint a consistent and troubling picture of Hepburn Shire Council’s workplace culture across multiple years and departments:

Leadership Failures: Repeated mentions of “messy,” “inexperienced,” or “absent” management, with chronic turnover at senior levels.

Toxic Culture: Staff describe arrogance, lack of empathy, and councillor interference, eroding trust and professional respect.

Communication Breakdowns: Almost every review highlights poor communication, confusion, or mixed messages.

Career Stagnation: Staff repeatedly report no growth opportunities, blocked progression, and irrational job cuts.

Operational Failures: Training not delivered, safety and OHS concerns raised, and poor working conditions noted.

Persistent Stress: “Extremely stressful” recurs as a theme, showing workplace dysfunction is entrenched, not occasional.

Overall Pattern:
From 2015–2023, the reviews demonstrate a systemic, long-term problem with governance, leadership, and workplace culture at Hepburn Shire Council. These issues cut across planning, infrastructure, community care, and customer service—suggesting the problems are structural, not isolated.

Word around town is Mayor Don Henderson reckons “the Council is doing fine” 🙄 and that Council Watch is just picking on him.

Oh really, Don? Tell that to the staff calling it “toxic, stressful, and stuck in reverse”. Tell that to the officers treated like dirt by councillors who think they’re experts in everything. And most of all — tell that to the loyal ratepayers who just copped a HUGE rates spike 💸📈 while you’ve been steering this circus.

Spin it how you like, Mayor — the reviews don’t lie, and neither do the bills landing in people’s letterboxes. 🧾🔥

HHepburn Shire Council

20/08/2025

Bayside councillors have voted in favour of commencing community consultation to extend Cheltenham Golf Club’s lease

Herald Sun

A packed Bayside council meeting erupted in cheers as councillors voted to begin public talks on the future of Cheltenham Golf Club’s lease — despite petitions from rival clubs to block the move.

Bayside councillors have voted to kick off community consultation on extending Cheltenham Golf Club’s lease — a move that drew cheers from the public gallery.

At Tuesday night’s meeting all councillors, except Mayor Hanna El Mouallem, voted in favour of starting the process of possibly extending the club’s lease at the golf course — despite fierce opposition from rival sporting clubs.

Cr Andrew Hockley successfully pushed for an amendment to create a register of interactions between councillors and clubs to boost transparency.

Ms McIntosh said the decision on Tuesday night was “not to award the lease tonight” but to begin the process of gauging community views on the club’s future.

PREVIOUSLY

Melbourne’s southeast is in the middle of a fierce turf battle as local sporting clubs push to reclaim a local golf club, calling the course unsafe and poorly maintained.

Cheltenham Golf Club, a not-for-profit private club at 35 Victor Ave, is pushing for a new long-term lease as it plans major safety upgrades to its 9-hole course.

The club has operated at the site for nearly 100 years, funding all maintenance, upgrades and renewals.

The current 21-year lease with Bayside Council, which began in May 2009 and brings in $69,994 annually, expires in November 2030.

Council documents show Cheltenham Golf Club is moving ahead with a $240,000 plan to redesign the eighth and ninth tees after errant balls landed in Victoria Golf Club’s driveway and car park, risking injury and property damage.

The club is also tackling stray ball issues on the fifth hole, which have affected nearby properties and sporting facilities, including damage to solar panels on a football club pavilion in early 2025.

The documents reveal the club is awaiting designs to reduce the height of the fifth tee and is “committed” to proposals for fencing improvements costing up to $1.5m within three years.

The club’s 2025-26 finance plan allocates $150,000 over five years — $30,000 annually, including labour — for tree works.

The club says the remaining four years on its lease is too short to justify spending on safety works along the boundary with Victoria Golf Course and at the fifth hole, and that a 21-year lease would “provide some certainty” for financing and repaying loans needed for the capital works.

In response, an online petition has been organised by Cheltenham resident and Victoria Golf Club’s general manager Warwick Hill-Rennie urging Bayside council to undertake a “a transparent and community-first process” to determine the future use Cheltenham Golf Club.

The petition claims the Cheltenham Golf Club’s maintenance of its course is inadequate and council should “defer any lease renewal or exclusive negotiations” until a public consultation is done to explore all potential options.

“The land between holes five and six are too narrow for safe golf play, with errant shots regularly reaching the adjoining ovals and endangering users. Without barriers or buffer zones, the risk is constant and unacceptable,” the petition states.

It demands Bayside council to initiate a public Expression of Interest process to allow community groups, clubs, and organisations to put forward proposals which would “enhance recreational and sporting outcomes for the community”.

“This is a rare opportunity to re-imagine how this land can serve the Cheltenham and Bayside community for decades to come,” Mr Hill-Rennie said.

“We encourage Council to prioritise community outcomes and to actively engage local residents and clubs in determining the site’s future use.”

The petition — which claims to be supported by Cheltenham Football & Netball Club, Bayside Argonauts Football (Soccer) Club, Cheltenham Cricket Club and the Board of The Victoria Golf Club — has attracted more than 820 signatures in under a week.

Petition supporter and resident Rolf said the Bayside area was “over-serviced by golf courses” and that it was a “no-brainer to turn Chelt into public land”.

Another resident, Michael, said the public should be given the “best opportunity to participate in a fully open discussion on how this public space should be used and maintained”.

However, some people have raised concerns about a conflict of interest in the petition.

Local Andrew said while council processes should “absolutely be transparent” so should “disclosure of conflicts of interest”.

“Warrick Hill Rennie, petition originator, is the general manager of Victoria Golf Club who are also submitting a bid for the lease of the land,” he said.

“Any public access should VGC (Victoria Golf Club) prevail will be far less than that offered by Cheltenham Golf Club.”

Andrew added Cheltenham had “always been a place for ordinary people to enjoy affordable golf” and not an opportunity for wealthy clubs “to do a land grab”.

Beaumaris resident Jeremy said it would be “disappointing” if councillors decided to shut down the golf club.

“It is a good place to learn especially for the young ones,” he said.

Jeremy said he had been coming to the golf course for years with his son now also picking up the sport.

“My son is a member. It’s good for them (younger generations) to interact with older people and learn the game,” he said.

“It will be disappointing to see it go because it’s so hard to get into the private courses and it’s expensive.

“Cheltenham Golf Club is a low-cost and good community service.”

Likewise, Bayside resident Steve said he “absolutely” wanted the golf club to continue.

“It’s been running for over 100 years,” he said.

“It’s a great place to have available. There aren’t too many public golf courses these days.

Steve said if Cheltenham Golf Club were to cease its operations, the only other golf course in the vicinity would become “overcrowded”.

“The golf course is something the community enjoys and should have the right to continue enjoying.”

Bayside council corporate services director Kathryn Tozer said council would formally receive the petition at its upcoming August meeting.

“At this meeting, Council will also assess a report on a proposed new lease with Cheltenham Golf Club,” she said.

“Should Council support an earlier renewal of this lease, which expires in 2030, community engagement on the lease terms will then be undertaken.”

Cheltenham Golf Club general manager Shane Tate declined to comment, saying the club may respond after next week’s council vote.