LGMA Board
LGMA is governed by a Board which is elected by the membership.
Representation on the Board is outlined in the Rules of Association and includes one representative from each of the four branches (SQ, SEQ, CQ and NQ), three directors elected at large and a President (also elected at large). Directors are elected for a three year term (with the exception of casual vacancies). The President is elected for a one year term with only two consecutive terms to be served.
Calls for nominations to vacancies on the board are generally called in early July and close in early August. A ballot is then held to elect successful candidates to each vacant position.
LGMA Board Members
| 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. |
| Chatur Zala MLGMA Director (SEQ) Chief Executive Officer | Zala has served Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council for the past fourteen years, with the last four as Chief Executive Officer. He brings a sector wide approach to his role as Director – South East Queensland and has a deep understanding of the challenges facing small Councils and our indigenous Council members. Zala brings a range of experience to the board including: Master of Accounting, 2018 LGFP Finance Person of the year and he was also recognised in 2021 for the LGMA Manager of the Year Award. Zala has invested interest in our First Nations Communities / Council to bring the real difference by making those community more livable and sustainable. |
| Daniel Wagner MLGMA Branch Director (CQ) Director Planning, Environment & Community Services | 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. |
 | Aletta Nugent MLGMA Director (NQ) Director Planning, Growth & Sustainability | Aletta has been actively involved in local government since 2006 and has served at many councils across Queensland. Her work has spanned councils of different sizes, giving her a broad and deep understanding of the different operational areas, which has provided her with a firm understanding of the issues broadly affecting local government professionals and leaders. |
| Daniel Fletcher MLGMA Vice President | Daniel brings a unique blend of experience to his local government roles with a demonstrated academic, professional, and commercial background. With a degree in psychology and criminology, and a master's in public administration, he has worked in high risk and highly regulated work environments including correctional facilities and the mining industry. 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) | 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. |
| Leisa Dowling MLGMA Director (At Large) Chief Executive Officer | Leisa has considerable senior leadership and executive experience within the State and local government sectors, across diverse portfolios. Leisa commenced her local government career as Director of Parks, Recreation and Environment with Gladstone Regional Council in 2010 and was honoured to be appointed as CEO in 2018. Throughout her career, Leisa has successfully led organisational change to deliver value and more effectively respond to the needs of customers and communities. Leisa leads with a culture of care and believes in the importance of building genuine and purposeful connections. Leisa values the support and opportunities provided through many years of LGMA membership and relishes the opportunity to give back to the industry that she loves. |
| Peter Franks MLGMA Treasurer 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. |
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To view Board Meeting Minutes please contact:Peta Irvine P: [07] 3174 5006
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