About Us
Local Government Managers Australia (LGMA) is the leading professional association representing managers and aspiring managers in local government throughout Australia.
Founded in October 1936 by Raymond West, today LGMA and has grown into a 3,500-strong membership federation.
Structure
LGMA is a federation with offices in NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC and WA, and a national office based in Melbourne. Each state division and the national office are separate, autonomous entities. They are closely associated both legally and in practice however, they function as an effective federated collaborative.
The national office is governed by a board of directors comprising a national president, vice-president, immediate past president and 10 directors. Each state appoints two members of their board to the national board to ensure a consistent approach to the delivery of products and services at both the national and state level.
The national president is appointed on a rotational basis and serves in that capacity for a period of 12 months. He or she then serves an additional 12 months as immediate past president. The current national president is Mark Withers, CEO, City of Charles Sturt, SA.
View the national board.
The national board meets every three months and the national executive committee - comprising the national president, vice-president, immediate past president and one director - meet monthly.
The national board is governed by a national constitution.
The day-to-day responsibilities of developing and delivering national products and services is carried out by the national office. The national office is headed by a Chief Executive who is supported by staff.
View the national office staff.
Roles and Responsibilities
Each state office and the national office has their own constitution or Articles of Federation, which defines their roles and responsibilities. As a federation, LGMA is committed to the development and improvement of local government management. We encourage high professional and ethical standards in the sector and ensure that members are at the forefront of change and innovation.
In 2010 the national, state and territory offices collaborated to produce a roles and responsibilities paper, which illustrates the combined commitment to ensuring we remain a sustainable, strong and relevant peak body for our members and the Australian local government sector. The paper sets out how LGMA can best serve the sector at all levels and encourages positive communication.
Download a copy of the paper.
Statement of Common Purpose
In developing the national roles and responsibilities paper, a statement of common purpose was also developed. It states:
The LGMA federation exists to advance the profession of local government management in Australia: to operate essentially as one at the national, state and territory level, yet reflect the differences and synergies that autonomies in this federation can deliver; to advocate from the perspective of local government professionals for the betterment of our entire sector; to advance the professional interests and development of all members; and to function collaboratively and in a complementary manner while avoiding competition – within a framework, that is, the national strategic plan.
Download the National Constitution
Strategic Plan
The performance of the national office is measured against its strategic plan.
PREAMBLE
LGMA National is the national component of a federation of six state Divisions, which function as a professional association representing the interests of members who are generally professional managers, aspiring managers and other persons with a professional interest in Australian local government.
PRINCIPLE ROLES
Coordination
To coordinate the activities of Divisions where there is an expressed wish on the part of the Divisions for it to do so.
Standards
Maintain a number of standards as agreed with the States in respect to professional conduct (Code of Ethics), membership categories, etc. Under the terms of a proposed new constitution, LGMA National will no longer have constitutional authority in these areas, which, in future, will be prescribed in a Memorandum of Understanding executed by LGMA National and all State Divisions.
Advocacy and Representation
LGMA National will act on behalf of LGMA members in circumstances where a national voice is required.
Program Design and Delivery
LGMA National will provide programs for the benefit of members and the local government sector generally where such programs are most effectively and/or efficiently dealt with at a national level.
Operational Issues
Underpinning its prescribed roles, LGMA is committed to high operational standards, including:
•Ethical Practices
In all its dealings, councillors and officers of LGMA National will apply ethical business practices, at least to the standards prescribed by the LGMA Code of Ethics.
•Financial Management
LGMA National recognises the importance of financial planning, management and reporting. It will apply rigorous and open processes to budget formulation, regular performance against budget reporting and long-term financial projections. Moreover, it will regularly assess the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations to ensure financial resources are used to best effect.
Founded in October 1936 by Raymond West, today LGMA and has grown into a 3,500-strong membership federation.
Structure
LGMA is a federation with offices in NSW, QLD, SA, TAS, VIC and WA, and a national office based in Melbourne. Each state division and the national office are separate, autonomous entities. They are closely associated both legally and in practice however, they function as an effective federated collaborative.
The national office is governed by a board of directors comprising a national president, vice-president, immediate past president and 10 directors. Each state appoints two members of their board to the national board to ensure a consistent approach to the delivery of products and services at both the national and state level.
The national president is appointed on a rotational basis and serves in that capacity for a period of 12 months. He or she then serves an additional 12 months as immediate past president. The current national president is Mark Withers, CEO, City of Charles Sturt, SA.
View the national board.
The national board meets every three months and the national executive committee - comprising the national president, vice-president, immediate past president and one director - meet monthly.
The national board is governed by a national constitution.
The day-to-day responsibilities of developing and delivering national products and services is carried out by the national office. The national office is headed by a Chief Executive who is supported by staff.
View the national office staff.
Roles and Responsibilities
Each state office and the national office has their own constitution or Articles of Federation, which defines their roles and responsibilities. As a federation, LGMA is committed to the development and improvement of local government management. We encourage high professional and ethical standards in the sector and ensure that members are at the forefront of change and innovation.
In 2010 the national, state and territory offices collaborated to produce a roles and responsibilities paper, which illustrates the combined commitment to ensuring we remain a sustainable, strong and relevant peak body for our members and the Australian local government sector. The paper sets out how LGMA can best serve the sector at all levels and encourages positive communication.
Download a copy of the paper.
Statement of Common Purpose
In developing the national roles and responsibilities paper, a statement of common purpose was also developed. It states:
The LGMA federation exists to advance the profession of local government management in Australia: to operate essentially as one at the national, state and territory level, yet reflect the differences and synergies that autonomies in this federation can deliver; to advocate from the perspective of local government professionals for the betterment of our entire sector; to advance the professional interests and development of all members; and to function collaboratively and in a complementary manner while avoiding competition – within a framework, that is, the national strategic plan.
Download the National Constitution
Strategic Plan
The performance of the national office is measured against its strategic plan.
PREAMBLE
LGMA National is the national component of a federation of six state Divisions, which function as a professional association representing the interests of members who are generally professional managers, aspiring managers and other persons with a professional interest in Australian local government.
PRINCIPLE ROLES
Coordination
To coordinate the activities of Divisions where there is an expressed wish on the part of the Divisions for it to do so.
Standards
Maintain a number of standards as agreed with the States in respect to professional conduct (Code of Ethics), membership categories, etc. Under the terms of a proposed new constitution, LGMA National will no longer have constitutional authority in these areas, which, in future, will be prescribed in a Memorandum of Understanding executed by LGMA National and all State Divisions.
Advocacy and Representation
LGMA National will act on behalf of LGMA members in circumstances where a national voice is required.
Program Design and Delivery
LGMA National will provide programs for the benefit of members and the local government sector generally where such programs are most effectively and/or efficiently dealt with at a national level.
Operational Issues
Underpinning its prescribed roles, LGMA is committed to high operational standards, including:
•Ethical Practices
In all its dealings, councillors and officers of LGMA National will apply ethical business practices, at least to the standards prescribed by the LGMA Code of Ethics.
•Financial Management
LGMA National recognises the importance of financial planning, management and reporting. It will apply rigorous and open processes to budget formulation, regular performance against budget reporting and long-term financial projections. Moreover, it will regularly assess the efficiency and effectiveness of its operations to ensure financial resources are used to best effect.
