In short:
Wyndham City signed a Friendship City agreement with Godawari, Nepal on 5 May, strengthening international ties. The move comes as council meetings shift online and some residents question local priorities.
Wyndham Advertiser
Friendly City Agreement Signed
Wyndham City formally entered into a Friendship City Agreement with the municipality of Godawari, Nepal, on 5 May 2026, following a decision by council in December 2025.
Mayor Preet Singh signed the agreement while welcoming a delegation from Godawari to Wyndham, marking the beginning of a new international partnership.
Wyndham is home to one of Victoria’s largest Nepali communities, ranked as the fourth largest in the state, which is expected to play a key role in strengthening cultural and community ties through the agreement.
During their visit, the Godawari delegation toured a range of local sites, including community education centres, innovation hubs, schools, farms, businesses and tourism precincts, gaining insight into Wyndham’s growth and development.
Friendship City agreements are designed to foster cultural exchange, economic collaboration and shared opportunities between municipalities.
The agreement was signed amid ongoing scrutiny surrounding Cr Singh’s leadership. Councillors had unanimously called for his resignation after it emerged he wrote a character reference in 2024 for a man who was later convicted of child sexual offences.
Former councillor Jennie Barrera resigned from council in response to the matter.
The development also comes as Wyndham City Council meetings are currently being held online, following a period of instability within the chamber.
Some residents have questioned the focus on international agreements, arguing council should prioritise core local responsibilities such as roads, rates and rubbish.
