Steve Cole will bring 25 years experience in local government to Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) when he steps into the role of CEO in July.

Announcing the appointment to local government’s peak professional organisation, LGMA WA President Neil Hartley said Mr Cole is well respected in local government, by councillors and officers, and in State Government, politically and professionally.

“He understands the workings of State Government and the Department of Local Government and Regional Development and has worked with ministers and parliamentarians,” Mr Hartley explained. “We expect that his experience will help us to fulfil our long term strategy to lobby and influence government policy and decisions.”

Mr Cole has spent 25 years with the Department of Local Government and Regional Development (DLGRD), ten years managing the Grants Commission and 14 years as a director of the Department.

He is a keen supporter of local government, seeing it as an arm of government that can and does achieve a great deal for local communities.

His key areas of interest are in training and skills development and providing support for local government officers, especially those who operate in isolated areas.

He is also keen to attract younger, junior local government officers into the LGMA, so they benefit from the considerable networking opportunities the organisation offers.

During his time with the DLGRD, he built a reputation for action in developing practical supports and services for local governments.

“We developed the CEO support program, in cooperation with the LGMA,” Mr Cole says. “We also worked with WALGA (WA Local Government Association) and LGMA to develop a peer support program to help resolve difficulties between councillors and council staff. We set up a range of council advice programs and a process to help councils to improve their governance and deal with roles and relationship issues.

“We developed a series of guidelines to help councils with operational matters.”

Mr Cole will be filling a vacancy left by John Watson who will retire at the end of June after 9 years as CEO

Issued by Local Government Managers Australia (WA)
Local government’s peak professional organisation

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LGMAWA Office: (08) 9218 8141