Special Edition: Local Government's Perfect Storm, with Rum Charles episode artwork

EPISODE · May 21, 2026 · 35 MIN

Special Edition: Local Government's Perfect Storm, with Rum Charles

from Local Government News Roundup · host Chris Eddy

Send us Fan MailIn this episode of the Local Government News Roundup, we are joined by Rum Charles, a veteran consultant and trainer who has worked with over 100 councils across Australia. With a career in the sector dating back to the mid-90s, Rum brings a candid and sometimes provocative perspective on the internal cultures of local government.Prompted by his recent analysis of a "perfect storm" approaching the sector, we dive into the systemic challenges facing councils today. From the "switchboard mentality" that hinders modern customer experience to the existential risks of an aging workforce and a billion-dollar shortfall in rate collection, Rum outlines why he believes the sector is at a critical crossroads. The Local Government News Roundup is supported this month by the National Growth Areas Alliance “Emerging Growth Areas Forum. Tuesday, 4th August at Hume City Council Town Hall in Broadmeadows, running alongside the NGAA National Congress. Registration is open now to all local governments — head to the NGAA website - ngaa.org.au - to secure your place. Support the showThe Local Government News Roundup is brought to you by the Victorian Local Governance Association, the national broadcaster on all things local government; with support from Symphony3 - simple, connected customer experiences; and Rath Engineering Development - smarter local government systems built from real on-the-ground experience.Links for stories referenced in the podcast can be found by visiting the Roundup website.Support the Roundup by becoming a subscriber for around $5 per month. ($3 USD) Click here to subscribe now.

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published May 21, 2026

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Send us Fan Mail In this episode of the Local Government News Roundup, we are joined by Rum Charles, a veteran consultant and trainer who has worked with over 100 councils across Australia. With a career in the sector dating back to the mid-90s, Rum brings a candid and sometimes provocative perspective on the internal cultures of local government. Prompted by his recent analysis of a "perfect storm" approaching the sector, we dive into the systemic challenges facing councils today. From the "...

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Special Edition: Local Government's Perfect Storm, with Rum Charles

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