LGMA Board

Andrew Chesterman MLGMA

President

Andrew joined the Board of LGMA in May 2021.  He has an extensive background in executive leadership and public administration, and has been the Chief Executive Officer of Redland City Council since 2017.  

An adaptable CEO with an authentic and motivating leadership style, Andrew’s wide-ranging background, includes school teaching, private sector management consulting and over 25 years in the public service across Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. His ability to crystalise a big-picture vision into action leads to alignment of organisational effort which builds engagement, commitment and value.

Robert joined the board of LGMA as the Director South East Queensland in 2019, and is currently the Vice President.  He has over 17 years local government experience working in Australia’s largest local governments; the City of Gold Coast and Brisbane City Council.  He has worked across a number of areas, from leading City’s rating, debt recovery and banking services through to more recent executive appointments in Information Communication and Technology (ICT).

Rob's experience has included major programmes such as boundary and water reforms, system replacement, modernisation and improvement projects.  His experience is supported by a Diploma of Local Government (Statutory Planning) and a Diploma of Local Government (Administration).  Broader qualifications include a bachelor’s degree of Business majoring in Management and Computing, and he is a qualified Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA).

He believes the fundamental activities of the LGMA are local government advocacy, connectedness, and professional development which are essential for our leaders and teams.

Daniel Wagner MLGMA

Branch Director (CQ)

Director Planning, Environment & Community Services
Isaac Regional Council

Daniel comes with over a decade of experience in the State public sector, working with local governments in Qld and NSW.  Making his local government debut in 2019 Daniel has thrived on the networks, relationships and opportunities that the sector has provided him and hasn’t looked back!

During his tenure at Council, Daniel has led a number of Council's major policy and strategy outcomes including completion of the new award-winning planning scheme, coastal hazard adaptation framework, social sustainability policy framework and completion of master plans and successful grant applications for a range of community assets and initiatives.

Daniel’s passion lies in wanting to help shape the future of local government professionals, finding ways to attract, nurture and foster talent in the sector and ensure that Central Queensland local governments are well represented in conversations impacting our region's way of life.

Rachel Brophy MLGMA

Director (NQ)

Rachel began her journey in Local Government in 2011 as General Manager, City Services, City of Holdfast Bay in South Australia and is now currently Chief Executive Officer at Douglas Shire Council.

During her teenage years she grew up 600km south of Birdsville in a mining town.  Rachel soon realised that while she had access to good services, including a swimming pool, sports fields, schools and the movies, Indigenous children 50km east were losing their hearing because of lack of access to primary health care. This has given her a unique view and understanding of the challenges that growing up in remote Australia can entail as well as a strong sense of social justice.

Rachel has been a strong support of LGMA and continues to encourage membership and attendance from across Council at the LGMA programmes. She has also volunteered her time to present at events such as 2021 LGMA Women in Local Government Conference, 2021 LGMA State Conference -Cairns, 2022 LGMA Inspire Conference and 2022 Executive Management Programme.

Daniel Fletcher MLGMA

Director (SQ)

General Manager Community and Liveability
Western Downs Regional Council

Daniel joined local government in 2015 after a career that had included working with criminals and explosives. His first council role was with Logan City Council, and from there he made his way to Central Highlands Regional Council where he was General Manager of Communities.

It was here he discovered his need to expand his urban experiences to include a regional focus, which lead him to move to the Northern Territory as Chief Executive Officer at Litchfield Council. During his time in the NT, Daniel was elected as the President of LGProfessionals Australia NT (the LGMA equivalent), representing the 3,000 diverse local government professionals across the Territory.  

Daniel is now General Manager Community and Liveability at Western Downs Regional Council and his a work philosophy is do something you love - then call it work.

 Susan Jarvis MLGMA

Director (At Large)

General Manager Finance
and Corporate
South Burnett Regional Council

Susan joined the Board of LGMA  in 2013 and held the role of President from 2017 – 2019.  Prior to commencing her local government career in 1996, Susan had 15 years working at an executive level in the private sector and 5 years as a Queensland Police Officer.

Employed at South Burnett Regional Council, Susan previously worked at Blackall-Tambo Regional Council; 7 years in the administration and finance department, 5 years as Executive Assistant to the Chief Executive Officer and Mayor, 5 years as Manager of Corporate Services.  Susan has a great deal of respect for both past and current LGMA  board members and their accomplishment in promoting this peak professional body to be the leader in excellence that it is. 

Debra Howe MLGMA

Director (At Large)

General Manager Customer and Regional Prosperity
Scenic Rim Regional Council

Debra was appointed in 2021.  Debra worked in the private sector for more than 19 years and in her 24-year career in local government has worked across a range of disciplines such as arts and culture, economic, community and tourism development, planning and development, customer contact, health, building and plumbing, environment, major capital project delivery, investment attraction, event attraction and management and placemaking and regional development.

As an experienced local government management professional who is also a highly skilled practitioner, Debra is fully committed to serving on the LGMA Board, with the support of her CEO and sees this as an opportunity to give back by utilising her knowledge and experience for the advancement of LGMA members and the local government sector.

Peter Franks MLGMA

Treasurer
Director (At Large)

Chief Executive Officer

Mareeba Shire Council

As a member of LGMA for close to 20 years Peter boasts about the significant benefits he has gained through his LGMA membership, fellow members and the network that LGMA provide. Peter's early career involved work in human resources for government-owned development organisations and in the tertiary education sector. 

From here, Peter experienced his first venture into local government in 2000 when he joined Delatite Shire.  In his work as Director Corporate and Community Services he was responsible for Delatite's de-amalgamation into Benella and Mansfield Shires.  Peter was later appointed CEO of Livingstone Shire in 2003 where he served until its amalgamation with Rockhampton, Fitzroy and Mt Morgan in 2008.  From here he ventured further north to become CEO of the newly amalgamated Mackay Regional Council. 

For the last 7 ½ years Peter has been the proud CEO of Mareeba Shire Council and was the LGMA Manager of the year in 2016.