The State Government has appointed Gary Stevenson as advisor to help the Scenic Rim Regional Council address conflicts of interest, inappropriate conduct matters and meeting procedures.
Council published the following statement on its website about the appointment.
“Council have today (23 December) been advised by the Queensland Government that Mr Gary Stevenson has been appointed as the Governance Advisor for Scenic Rim Regional Council and will commence his appointment on 9 January 2023,” it read.
“Council has regularly sought guidance from the Department to improve proceedings in the Chamber. Council welcomes the appointment of Mr Stevenson and looks forward to the implementation of reforms that will ensure best practice in local government are achieved.
“Mr Stevenson is a highly experienced executive with a proven track record in leading and developing the full spectrum of large and complex local government organisations with diverse ranges of significant business activities.
“His local government experience spans over 40 years and three states.
“In his last 26 years Mr Stevenson held the role of Chief Executive Officer of a diverse range of local governments including Isaac Regional Council (Qld), City of Perth (WA), Redland City Council, Rockhampton City Council, (both Qld), and Corangamite Shire Council (Vic).
“He has achieved many successful outcomes particularly in relation to Leadership, Governance, Organisational Reform, Strategic Planning, Disaster and Risk Management, Community and Stakeholder Engagement, Urban Planning Development and Activation, Infrastructure and Asset Management, Commercial Undertakings, and Financial Management.
“He has been acknowledged as a leader through major local government reforms at regional, state and national levels and was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2008 for his leadership.
“Council welcomes the appointment of the Governance Advisor and looks forward to working with Mr Stevenson to ensure that local government best practices are achieved for Scenic Rim Regional Council.”
Mr Stevenson was appointed under section 117 of the Local Government Act, which applies if the Department believes a local government is not performing its responsibilities properly, is not complying with laws applying to local government or it is otherwise in the public interest for an advisor to be appointed.
