SecurityBrief Australia - Technology news for CISOs & cybersecurity decision-makers
Australia

Local Government Stories

Australian Stories

Local Government stories

Global Stories

Local Government stories

Stories from Other Regions

Local Government stories

Thames pool gets $35k paint job to ward off black mould
Local Government

Thames pool gets $35k paint job to ward off black mould

A three-week summer closure will let Thames' Centennial Pool be repainted so black mould does not return and water quality standards are met.

By Jordan Smith • 3 min read • Today
Councils stung with rising audit costs
Local Government

Councils stung with rising audit costs

Kaikōura District Council spent more than $200,000 on its annual audit last year, fuelling wider concerns that compliance costs are climbing for ratepayers.

By David Hill • 3 min read • Today
Hawke's Bay council records biggest capital programme
Grants

Hawke's Bay council records biggest capital programme

Only NZD $347,000 was left for unexpected costs after Hawke's Bay Regional Council spent a record NZD $75.1 million on capital projects.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Today
NiCE Cognigy urges wider AI use across public services
Digital Transformation

NiCE Cognigy urges wider AI use across public services

Public bodies could cut admin and free staff for frontline cases if ministers back AI tools with stronger oversight and safeguards.

By Sofiah Nichole Salivio • 6 min read • Today
New Zealand firms race ahead with AI despite data gaps
Data Analytics

New Zealand firms race ahead with AI despite data gaps

Despite weak data foundations, 65 per cent of local organisations are already running AI projects, while many cannot measure success effectively.

By Mara Sugue • 4 min read • Yesterday
Wellington City Council buying out property affected by April flash flooding
Disaster Recovery

Wellington City Council buying out property affected by April flash flooding

One homeowner is set to be bought out after April's flash floods, as Wellington City Council says the site faces landslip risk from its own land.

By Ellen O'Dwyer • 3 min read • Yesterday
Costly dilemma: $20m price tag to replace South Wairarapa bridge
Local Government

Costly dilemma: $20m price tag to replace South Wairarapa bridge

A century-old South Wairarapa bridge now faces a $20 million replacement bill after engineers found it needs strengthening and is too weak for heavy vehicles.

By Emily Ireland • 4 min read • Yesterday
NVIDIA backs five UK startups with USD $250 million
Data centers

NVIDIA backs five UK startups with USD $250 million

The package will support UK research into agentic safety and security as autonomous AI systems spread, with startups also receiving backing.

By Karen Joy Bacudo • 4 min read • Yesterday
Human-error data breaches in the UK rise 43% since 2020
Data Protection

Human-error data breaches in the UK rise 43% since 2020

Routine handling mistakes are driving UK data exposure, with wrong-recipient emails and late reporting making up much of the rise since 2020.

By Mara Sugue • 4 min read • 2 days ago
Major upgrades at Tōmoana Showgrounds at least a decade away
Local Government

Major upgrades at Tōmoana Showgrounds at least a decade away

Consultation on Tōmoana Showgrounds' long-term plan has begun, but the biggest upgrades, including new facilities, are not due for at least 10 years.

By Linda Hall • 3 min read • 2 days ago
UK workers lose 28 days a year to poor data handling
Data governance

UK workers lose 28 days a year to poor data handling

Poor data practices are costing the UK economy £53.37 billion a year, as workers spend 28 days annually on inefficient tasks.

By Sean Mitchell • 4 min read • 2 days ago
Famed Coromandel track eyes Christmas reopening at a third of original cost
Construction

Famed Coromandel track eyes Christmas reopening at a third of original cost

Visitors to Cathedral Cove could regain access before Christmas as a new reroute is set to cost $121,000, well below the 2024 estimate.

By Jordan Smith • 3 min read • Last week
Rates cap could leave roading projects high and dry
Local Government

Rates cap could leave roading projects high and dry

North Canterbury councils warn the cap could delay bridge and road work, forcing hard choices for small ratepayer bases and freight links.

By David Hill • 4 min read • Last week
Gisborne council rejects Toitū Tairāwhiti bid to waive $985,450 in contributions
Grants

Gisborne council rejects Toitū Tairāwhiti bid to waive $985,450 in contributions

A narrow vote leaves Toitū Tairāwhiti Housing facing a nearly $1 million bill, raising fears rents on its Gisborne homes will rise.

By Imogen Brophy • 6 min read • Last week
Pipes or paperwork? Mayor says councils burdened by rising audit fees
Risk & Compliance

Pipes or paperwork? Mayor says councils burdened by rising audit fees

Waimakariri ratepayers could face nearly $500,000 in annual audit costs, as the mayor says the money is being diverted from core services.

By David Hill • 4 min read • Last week
Hanmer freedom camping spot to be restored
Insurance

Hanmer freedom camping spot to be restored

Flood damage has left the reserve closed for months, with repairs estimated at $35,000 and new toilets costing $148,000 before campers can return.

By David Hill • 2 min read • Last week
Tai Tokerau councils tell $1.4b Northland Waters: Put affordability first
Northland

Tai Tokerau councils tell $1.4b Northland Waters: Put affordability first

Households could face higher bills as Northland's councils push the new water provider to prioritise affordability over investment pressures.

By Susan Botting • 4 min read • Last week