POWER WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY IS A
RECIPE FOR DISASTER AND CORRUPTION
Local investigations
Public accountability
Keeping them honest
👋 Welcome to Council Watch Australia
Shining a light on your local government.
At Council Watch Australia, we believe ratepayers deserve transparency, accountability, and value for money.
We’re a national watchdog committed to exposing waste, highlighting governance failures, and standing up for the communities that councils are meant to serve.
Whether it’s skyrocketing rates, shady deals, dodgy planning decisions, or taxpayer-funded junkets, we track it, report it, and fight back. Our mission is simple: to hold councils across the country to account — from Broome to Ballarat, Parramatta to Port Lincoln.
🔍 Investigations. 📣 Advocacy. 💬 Community Voice. 📊 Data-driven insights.
We’re not funded by government. We don’t play party politics. We’re here for you — the residents, ratepayers, and businesses who expect better from their local council.
If you think your council has forgotten who it works for, you’re not alone.
Join the growing movement for real local democracy and clean governance.
👉 Welcome to Council Watch. Eyes on every council. All across Australia.
COUNCIL WATCH is a not-for-profit team
that relies on volunteers.
Our volunteers are ordinary people just like you.
We run local branches in most Vic Municipalities, we need people just like you to tell the stories that will keep your council accountable.
We believe communities can make a difference and
force councils to be accountable.
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We use social media in local communities to fill the void of local newspapers.
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We collectively source data and publish it to hold Councils accountable.
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We extensively work with the Media to address issues.
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We lobby state lawmakers and Councillors to improve local government.
More than ever, amidst a cost-of-living crisis - we need value and efficiency from our councils. But they DON'T want to hear that!
Your membership funds are used for basic services for all members, and to conduct research in the public interest.
Committee members receive no pay. We use our own phones, our own time and our own skills and experience. We are committed, professional and persistent.
We welcome new members and appreciate your
money and time are also precious.