The Board of the Australian Centre of Excellence for Local Government (ACELG) has held its first meeting and will begin consultations with local government next week.
Addressing the inaugural meeting, held at the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS), the Parliamentary Secretary for Local Government, Maxine McKew, said the centre would promote best practice, innovation and professionalism in local government.
McKew welcomed the establishment of an expert Board, chaired by former Senator and Local Government Minister Margaret Reynolds, together with seven academic, government and local government representatives.
“I am extremely honoured to accept the position of independent Chairperson of the ACELG Board," Reynolds said.
"I thoroughly enjoyed working in this crucial sector, and I am looking forward to once again getting involved with Australian Local Government policy and practice.”
The Board endorsed the appointment of Professor Graham Sansom, the current Director of the UTS Centre for Local Government, as the Director of ACELG.
“This Centre brings together industry and academic partners to work together for the benefit of the whole local government sector,” said Professor Sansom.
“ACELG aims to foster strong, strategic leadership across local government, promote best practice and innovation, and help retain and attract skilled staff through improved training and development programs."
A series of consultations will be held in all states and territories beginning on Friday October 9 with a meeting with members of the Australian Council of Local Government (ACLG).
Further consultations will be held in the future, Sansom said.
