The Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel (LGMAP) is appointed and chaired by the Minister for Local Government. The panel advises the minister on a range of legislative, regulatory, strategic and policy decisions which impact the local government sector. Meetings of the LGMAP are usually scheduled between March and October to account for mayoral terms and to enable the minister to select and appoint new members each year.
2025 LGMAP
The Minister for Local Government has appointed 9 mayors to the 2025 Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel.
The members of the Panel are:
- Cr Louise Crawford, Port Phillip City Council
- Cr Simone Zmood, Glen Eira City Council
- Cr Paul Klisaris, Monash City Council
- Cr Jack Kowarzik, Cardinia Shire Council
- Cr Steve Abboushi, Melton City Council
- Cr Jarrod Bell, Hume City Council
- Cr Ben Blain, Warrnambool City Council
- Cr Rosie Annear, Mt Alexander Shire Council
- Cr Karen Hyslop, Northern Grampians Shire Council.
L-R : Cr Jarrod Bell, Cr Paul Klisaris, Cr Jack Kowarzik, Cr Simone Zmood, Cr Ben Blain, Minister Nick Staikos, Cr Louise Crawford, Cr Steve Abboushi, Cr Karen Hyslop, Cr Rosie Annear
The first meeting of the Panel took place on 24 April and members discussed matters including local government priorities, reflections on mandatory mayoral and councillor training and the Community Satisfaction Survey.
Meetings two and three are scheduled for 11 June and 19 August.
Further information on the operation of the LGMAP can be found in the 2025 LGMAP Terms of Reference.
For more information about the expression of interest process or to contact the LGMAP Secretariat please email LGV-LGMAP-Secretariat@ecodev.vic.gov.au.
The 2024 LGMAP term ended on 20 October 2024.
The Minister for Local Government appointed the 2024 Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel (LGMAP) to provide advice on a broad range of topics relevant to the local government sector.
The appointees to the 2024 LGMAP were:
- Cr Ian Bye, Wellington Shire Council, representing One Gippsland
- Cr Jenna Davey-Burns, Kingston City Council, representing the Association of Bayside Municipalities
- Cr Damien Gallagher, Murrindindi Shire Council, in his individual capacity
- Cr Naim Kurt, Hume City Council, representing Interface Councils
- Cr Cuc Lam PSM, Maribyrnong City Council, in her individual capacity
- Cr Clare Le Serve, Bass Coast Shire Council, representing Peri Urban Councils Victoria
- Cr Denise Massoud, Whitehorse City Council, representing the Eastern Region Group of Councils
- Cr Shane Sali, Greater Shepparton City Council, representing Regional Cities Victoria
- Cr Fiona Stitfold, Bayside City Council, representing the Inner South Metropolitan Mayor’s Forum
- Cr Robert Vance, Pyrenees Shire Council, representing Rural Councils Victoria
L-R: Cr Fiona Stitfold; Cr Ian Bye; Cr Naim Kurt; Cr Denise Massoud; Cr Clare Le Serve; The Hon. Melissa Horne MP; Cr Cuc Lam PSM; Cr Robert Vance; Cr Jenna Davey-Burns; Cr Damien Gallagher.
Chaired by the Minister, the 2024 panel focused on governance, representation and inclusion.
The first meeting took place on 21 March 2024. The Minister provided members with an interim summary of key findings from the Local Government Reform consultation and members discussed matters relating to the reforms.
The second meeting took place on 2 May. Following the introduction of the Local Government Amendment (Governance and Integrity) Bill 2024 to Parliament, members received a briefing on the Bill. Members then provided advice on candidate and councillor training and the Model Code of Conduct.
The last meeting took place on 1 August. The Hon. Sonya Kilkenny, Minister for Planning attended this meeting and discussed Plan for Victoria and key elements of the Housing Statement with members, including local government housing targets, activity centres and the Planning and Environment Act Review.
Further information regarding the responsibilities and operation of the panel is detailed in the 2024 LGMAP’s Terms of Reference.
The 2023 LGMAP term ended on 20 October 2023.
The Minister for Local Government appointed the 2023 Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel (LGMAP) to provide advice on a broad range of topics relevant to the local government sector.
The appointees to the 2023 LGMAP were:
- Cr Andrea Metcalf, Mayor, Greater Bendigo City Council
- Cr Annemarie McCabe, Mayor, Baw Baw Shire Council
- Cr Antoinette (Tony) Briffa, Mayor, Hobsons Bay City Council
- Cr Augustina (Tina) Samardzija, Mayor, Monash City Council
- Cr Claudia Nguyen, Mayor, Yarra City Council
- Cr Fiona Stevens, Mayor, Mitchell Shire Council
- Cr Hadi Saab, Mayor, Kingston City Council
- Cr James (Jim) Magee, Mayor, Glen Eira City Council
- Cr Karen Foster, Mayor, Moyne Shire Council
- Cr Laura Binks, Mayor, Strathbogie Shire Council
- Cr Pierce Tyson, Mayor, Moonee Valley City Council
- Cr Rosie Annear, Mayor, Mount Alexander Shire Council
- Cr Sophie Price, Mayor, Indigo Shire Council
Back L-R: Cr Hadi Saab; Cr Fiona Stevens; Cr Pierce Tyson; Cr Jim Magee; Cr Rosie Annear; Cr Tina Samardzija.
Front: L-R: Cr Tony Briffa; Cr Claudia Nguyen; Cr Sophie Price; Cr Andrea Metcalf; Minister for Local Government, the Hon Melissa Horne; Cr Annemarie McCabe, Cr Laura Binks.
The role of LGMAP is to provide high level advice to the Minister on a range of legislative, regulatory, strategic and policy decisions which impact on local government.
Chaired by the Minister, the 2023 LGMAP focused on the theme of sector governance and accountability.
The panel met for the first time on 4 April 2023 when they discussed local government sector priorities including council culture and sector governance and accountability.
The second meeting of the panel took place on 11 July 2023. At this meeting members continued discussions on governance and accountability, with a focus on councillor conduct.
The last meeting of the panel took place on 12 October 2023. Members discussed the recommendations from the Operation Sandon special report and local government financial sustainability.
Further information regarding the responsibilities and operation of the panel is detailed in the 2023 LGMAP Terms of Reference.