The Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT) has appointed a new CEO after an extensive national search.
Mary Watson, who has been in the role of Acting CEO since February, is set to take on the role.
Prior to LGANT, Ms Watson was with Investment Territory in the Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet; and spent eight years in a number of roles in the Department of Industry Tourism and Trade before that. She has also worked for the Federal Government, Queensland Government and the City of Gold Coast following a number of years in the tourism and hospitality sector.
President of LGANT, Kon Vatskalis, congratulated Ms Watson and said that her experience across all three spheres of government has given her a strong understanding of the challenges and, more importantly, the opportunities for local government and their communities in the Territory.
“In her role as Acting CEO this year, Mary successfully delivered the April 2024 Conference and General Meeting, mapped out a plan for the organisation’s advocacy efforts in the leadup to the August 2024 NT Legislative Assembly elections, and employed new team members,” Cr Vatskalis said.
Ms Watson said, “One of my key drivers is to work with the new government to build a collaborative and effective relationship that focuses on local decision making, code of conduct reform, and financial sustainability, among other issues.”
