Major facelift proposed for Mount Gambier's Umpherston Sinkhole garden
By Josh Brine, Sam Bradbrook, and Becc Bird

The Mount Gambier council is asking for feedback on a significant change to the regional city's beloved sunken garden.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-25/mount-gambier-umpherston-sinkhole-sunken-garden-plans/106485354

#Gardens #TravelandTourism #LocalGovernment #JoshBrine #SamBradbrook # #BeccBird

Mural honouring victims of gender violence vandalised for third time
By Micaela Hambrett

A group of "very young kids" is suspected of being behind the defacement of a mural in the NSW Central West that honours 166 victims of gender violence.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-25/she-maters-domestic-volence-mural-vandalised-third-time-orange/106490374

#DomesticViolence #YouthCrime #RegionalCommunities #LocalGovernment #MicaelaHambrett

Trump Organization paid for Tom Tate's meals and more during visit
By Liana Walker

The Gold Coast mayor visited the luxurious estate days before an Australian developer signed a deal to build a Trump-branded tower at Surfers Paradise.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-24/trump-organization-paid-for-tom-tates-meals-in-mar-a-lago/106493404

#LocalGovernment #UrbanDevelopmentandPlanning #LianaWalker

'Much loved' mayor dies by voluntary assisted dying after cancer battle
By Elloise Farrow-Smith and Cath Adams

The prime minister has paid tribute to the former Labor member and regional mayor, hailing her as a trailblazer.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-03-24/jenny-dowell-former-lismore-mayor-dies-aged-75/106490858

#CommunityandSociety #LocalGovernment #ElloiseFarrowSmith #CathAdams

Yale University: Removing Government Notices from Newspapers Reduces Citizen Participation in Decision-Making . “In some states, lawmakers want to eliminate a centuries-old requirement to publish public notices about local government actions in newspapers. A study of Florida co-authored by Yale SOM’s Anya Nakhmurina found that weakening this rule appeared to decrease residents’ engagement […]

TechSpot: A number of US cities are pulling the plug on Flock Safety’s AI cameras. “A growing number of US cities are ending contracts with Flock Safety, the Atlanta-based company whose AI-powered camera systems have rapidly proliferated across the country. Originally promoted as a public safety tool, the company’s technology is now at the center of a broader national debate over the use of […]

StateScoop: New York City to host 10th annual Open Data Week. “The event, which originally launched as part the city’s 2012 Open Data law, will feature more than 80 free or low-cost in-person and virtual programs, including a new documentary film festival, a data art exhibition, a two-day conference and daily classes teaching residents how to make use of the city’s 6.3 billion rows of data.”