This witty Australian drama follows the trials and tribulations of the (fictional) Arcadia Waters Council as the local councillors plot and scheme their way through a year of drama and intrigue while dealing with core municipal issues such as garbage strikes, art prizes, prostitution zoning, and development disputes.
Fresh from local elections, vote-swaying Independent Karin Schumaker (Rhondda Findleton) is caught between the rival Labor and Liberal factions, led by Col Dunkley (Geoff Morrell) and Biddy Marchant (Jodie Dry) – described as “a funnelweb in a frock” – respectively.
TAFE teacher Col is the Mayor, and he dreams of being remembered as the mayor who did that wonderful, big, exciting thing – if only he could think what it is. The Deputy Mayor is Harry Bond (John Clayton).
Col spends most of the year working in secret with property tycoon Morgan Bartok (John Gregg) to prepare a visionary plan for the development of a scrubby, neglected headland.
The council General Manager, Greg Dominelli (Rhys Muldoon) – who actually understands local government law and budgets – spends most of his time hiding from Social Services Manager Liz Murray (Zoe Carides). His relationship with Mayor Col highlights the classic tension between elected politicians and career bureaucrats.
Other key members of the council include George Hasnakov (Played by Chris Haywood), the Head of Planning and Building; Councillor Helen Mansoufis (Sacha Horler), who represents a younger, sharper breed of local politician (and also acts as Col’s savvy press secretary); and veteran Councillor Harry Bond (John Clayton), an old-school, traditional politician who often weaponises minor public complaints (like dog regulations on local beaches) into full-scale council crusades.
The series was created for the ABC by Mother and Son writer Geoffrey Atherden. Filming took place in the inner-west Sydney suburb of Concord (using the defunct Concord Council Chambers for external shots), alongside beach scenes filmed at Mona Vale on Sydney’s northern beaches.
Mayor Col Dunkley
Geoff Morrell Liz Murray
Zoe Carides Deputy Mayor Harry Bond
John Clayton Biddy Marchant
Jodie Dry George Hasnakov
Chris Haywood Karin Schumaker
Rhondda Findleton Greg Dominelli
Rhys Muldoon Gordon Mahon
Michael Craig Janice Corniglio
Judi Farr Dr Salwah Mandikis
Sandy Gore Victor Trujillo
Nicholas Papademetriou Helen Manoufis
Sacha Horler Ava Strick
Mary Coustas Warwick Marchant
Peter Kowitz Fran Smith
Kerry Walker Irene Cheung
Theresa Wong (1)
Pauline Chan (2) Biddy Marchant
Sophie Heathcote Derek Garner
Matthew Newton Jusef
Chris Argirousis Morgan Bartok
John Gregg Emily Bell
Lucy Bell Mike le Moignon
Richard Healy Fran Smith
Melissa Jaffer Sue
Kellie Jones Kate Crosbie
Elizabeth Maywald Julie Dunkley
Tara Morice Barry Cunningham
Mark McCann Itzak the Security Guard
Richard White
Episodes
A Week in September | Late September | October to March | February to May | January to April | April to July | Late July, Friday 4pm to 10.30pm | The Whole Year || Art | Prostitution | Garbage | Crime | Dogs | Egomania | Youth | Cars | Investigation | By-Election
