The Local Government Association of the Northern Territory (LGANT) Board at the Annual General Meeting has seen new and previous members reelected, as well as discussion of the future expectations from the group in serving their communities.
City of Darwin Lord Mayor, Kon Vatskalis, was re-elected President of the LGANT.
Mayor Vatskalis said, “The new Board brings a wealth of experience and perspectives that will ensure rigorous debate and accountable decision making to LGANT, the peak body for local government councils in the Territory.”
The other eight Board appointments were: :
- Vice President Municipal: Mayor Matt Paterson, Alice Springs Town Council (re-elected)
- Vice President Regional and Shire: Councillor Peter Clee, Wagait Shire Council (re-elected)
- Regional and Shire: Councillor Cyril Tasman, Central Desert Regional Council (new)
- Regional and Shire: President Sharon Beswick, Coomalie Community Government Council (new)
- Regional and Shire: Councillor Georgina Macleod, Victoria Daly Regional Council (re-elected)
- Regional and Shire: Councillor James Woods, West Arnhem Regional Council (new)
- Municipal: Deputy Mayor Kym Henderson, Katherine Town Council (re-elected)
- Municipal: Councillor Peter Pangquee, City or Darwin (re-elected)
LGANT Chief Minister, Natasha Fyles, co-chaired a roundtable meeting with all local government councils during the convention, discussing the issues important to constituents right now including anti-social behaviour and crime, housing and related infrastructure and services, and economic development.
Although the issues can mean different things in municipal areas as opposed to regional and remote areas, they are common and interlinked to place-based wellbeing.
Ms Fyles and Mayor Vatskalis announced the roundtable would occur twice a year.
The announcement was very much welcomed by LGANT local government council members.
The Annual General Meeting was held during the final day of the successful LGANT Convention held in Darwin in mid November 2022.
The Convention theme of Profile and Reputation was well received by member councils and other attendees given the community expectation of councils and elected members to be transparent and accountable in their decision making.
LGANT also celebrated its 30th birthday during the Convention and honoured Damien Ryan GAICD with life membership for his long and outstanding services to the local government sector.
Mr Ryan served on the LGANT Executive from 2010-2020, the Australian Local Government Association Board from 2012-2020, as well being the Mayor of Alice Springs from 2008-2021.
He is only the second recipient of LGANT Honorary Life Membership.
LGANT will announce dates for the April 2023 Conference to be held in Alice Springs in coming months. .
Featured image: (left to right) Councillor Peter Clee, President Sharon Beswick, Councillor Cyril Tasman, Lord Mayor the Hon. Kon Vatskalis, Councillor Georgina Macleod, Councillor James Woods.
(Absent): Councillor Peter Pangquee, Mayor Matt Paterson, Deputy Mayor Kym Henderson.
