While the pandemic has kept us apart, Local Government Professionals Australia is bringing the sector together. Learn from the best in public service, network with your peers, and reach your Federal counterparts directly in a COVID-safe environment from your home State. Live, in-person, and digitally enhanced, welcome to the premier local government conference of 2020: the Local Government Meeting.

Live networking at select venues across the country in Canberra, Perth, Launceston, and Darwin. Digital access available from anywhere you are.

Need for information? Read on for full conference details including the program

The Local Government Meeting is one of the only opportunities this year to meet your cross-council peers and network with national professionals face-to-face and through digital platforms. The year has seen development and learning opportunities cut short across the calendar, but meanwhile the issues affecting the sector have not been resolved – they have only compounded. This must-attend professional development event will cover the renewed financial sustainability challenge, disaster mitigation and recovery, diversity in leadership, the future skills of local government professionals, and much more over two engaging days of interactive sessions. Meet your peers and join the conversation.

Conference Program

Day 1

In-person + Digital Event

all times AEDT

10.00AMWelcome Address
10.30AMKeynote – The Future of Australian Communities, George Megalogenis
11.10AMMorning Tea
11.30AMPanel – The Future of Infrastructure
12.30PMTax Just Happens (Digital Transformation in Action), Australian Taxation Office
1.00PMLunch Session – The Role of Local Government in Digital Economic Recovery
1.30pmKeynote – Diversity: Not Just a Nice-to-Have, Professor the Honourable Pru Goward
2.00PMPanel: Gender Equity in Local Government, How Do We Get There?
– Victoria MacKirdy, National President, LG Professionals Australia / Chief Executive Officer, City of Victor Harbor
– Kate Lee, Engagement Executive Manager, Workplace Gender Equality Agency (WGEA)
– Margaret Thomas, A/g Assistant Secretary, Office for Women, Departmentt of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
3.00PMAfternoon Tea
3.30PMPanel: Recovering from Disasters
– Infrastructure recovery after the 2020 bushfires – Matthew Hyde, Chief Executive Officer, Snowy Valleys Council
– Economic recovery after COVID-19 – Andrew Wear, Director Economic Development, City of Melbourne
– Community recovery after drought – Seren McKenzie, Director Infrastructure Services, Southern Downs Regional Council
4.30PMCEO Politicisation – How Do We Improve Relationships Between Elected Members and Senior Staff?
– Cr Linda Scott, President, Australian Local Government Association / President, LGNSW / Councillor, City of Sydney
– Victoria MacKirdy, National President, LG Professionals Australia / Chief Executive Officer, City of Victor Harbor
5.00PMFormalities Close
5.30-7.30PMNational Gala Awards Evening – A Celebration of Local Government Achievements in 2020
– Federation Awards Presentation
– Australasian Management Challenge Overall Winner Award
– ICMA Long Service Awards
– National President Inauguration Ceremony

Day 2

Digital Event (In-person for Canberra delegates)

all times AEDT

10.00AMMinister’s Opening – Minister for Regional Services, Decentralisation and Local Government, the Hon Mark Coulton MP
10.05AMOpportunities for Digital Leadership by Local Government – Digital Technology Taskforce, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet
10.30AMCommonwealth Policy and Programs for Local Government – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications
11.00AMMorning Tea
11.30AMDisaster Risk Reduction and Recovery – Emergency Management Australia
12.30PM2019-20 Bushfire Recovery – National Bushfire Recovery Agency
1.00PMLunch
1.30PMApprenticeships and Workforce Skills – Department of Education, Skills and Employment
2.00PMBusiness Unusual: The Unprecedented Pressure and Challenges Currently Faced by Councils
2.30PMAustralia’s Cyber Security Strategy 2020 – Department of Home Affairs
3.00PMAfternoon Tea
3.30PMAustralian Government Infrastructure Investment, Department of Infrastructure
4.00PMClosing Ceremony

Venue Locations

CanberraNational Convention Centre Canberra | NCCC
PerthHosted at Shire of Mundaring
DarwinHosted at Local Government Association of the Northern Territory | LGANT
LauncestonHosted at City of Launceston