LOCAL REPRESENTATION, DRIVING EXCELLENCE.
LG Pro Board
Kristen Desmond
West Tamar Council
President
Kristen Desmond - CEO West Tamar Council
Kristen Desmond is the Chief Executive Officer of West Tamar Council, where she has been employed since August 2023. Kristen is also currently President of Local Government Professionals Tasmania.
Prior to commencing at West Tamar Council, Kristen was the Director of Organisational Performance, Strategy & Engagement at George Town Council. Prior to moving into the Local Government Sector at George Town in 2021 Kristen garnered significant experience in the Federal Public Service and in working with the State Government in various advisory groups. She is also an experienced Board Director having been Chair and Director of Children and Young People with Disability as well as holding positions on various Tasmanian Government advisory and policy groups.
Kristen is passionate about the importance of Local Government and the need to ensure that the sector attracts and retains the right people with the right skills.
MATTHEW ATKINS
Devonport City Council
Deputy President
Matthew Atkins - General Manager, Devonport City Council
Matthew has worked in local Government for the past 23 years, since joining the sector with a construction industry background. Initially working at Burnie and then Devonport Councils as Director of Engineering & works, Matthew became the Deputy General Manager at Devonport City Council in 2014 and then General manger in 2019, a role he currently holds. A long time LG Pro member, Matthew has been on the State Board since 2016 and served as the Tasmanian Director on the National Board from 2017 until 2023. Matthew is married with two teenage children and enjoys cycling, running and camping in his spare time.
JONATHAN HARMEY
Meander Valley Council
Northern Branch President
Jonathan Harmey – General Manager, Meander Valley Council
I am the General Manager at the Meander Valley Council. When I am not in the office you will most likely find me out and about with my partner and three children.
I have worked at Meander Valley since 2009, coming to Local Government after a career as a Chartered Accountant in Launceston.
My role provides me with the opportunity to work across a variety of different Council activities which I enjoy.
I have been a member of LG Professionals Tas since 2009, regularly attending the northern branch meetings, assisting with conferences and have previously received the Raymond West Scholarship to attend the national congress.
I have studied at the University of Tasmania, Institute of Chartered Accountants and Charles Sturt University where I completed a Masters in Business Administration.
I have worked regionally on finance and asset management projects.
SAMANTHA SEARLE
Cradle Coast Council
Cradle Coast Branch President
Samantha Searle - Cradle Coast Council
JAMES DRYBURGH
Brighton Council
Director
James Dryburgh - General Manager, Brighton Council
James has been the General Manager of Brighton Council since 2020. He has worked across many Tasmanian councils in planning or as acting general manager, as an employee, via resource sharing or as a consultant. He has also worked in local government in Scotland.
James been a director on a wide range of boards, both not-for-profit and for-profit. James is also the author of two books and has worked as a writer, English teacher and project volunteer internationally.
KYLIE LUNSON
Devonport City Council
Director
Kylie Lunson - Executive Manager, Devonport City Council
Kylie Lunson holds the position of Executive Manager at Devonport City Council, where she oversees regulatory functions, Human Resources, Customer Service, and Parking.
In her 19-year career in local government, Kylie started as a Works Coordinator at Burnie City Council before joining Devonport City Council. Over the past 15 years there, she has taken on various roles, progressing from Works Manager to Infrastructure & Works Manager, and finally to Development Services Manager. Her skills encompass strategic planning, project execution, governance, and fostering collaboration among teams.
One of Kylie’s most fulfilling experiences in Local Government was mentoring the Devonport City Council Management Challenge Team in 2022. Seeing their growth and ultimately securing second place nationally highlighted the effectiveness of mentorship and teamwork.
Being a member of LG Professionals for over 15 years, Kylie has found valuable opportunities for professional growth and connection with colleagues. The network has played a significant role in her career advancement through the knowledge, guidance, and friendships she has developed.
Outside of work, Kylie is married to Scott and is a mother to two teenage children, Jonty and Chloe. In her free time, she enjoys watching sports, cooking, and knitting, all while passionately supporting the Western Bulldogs.
SHANE POWER
George Town Council
Director
Shane Power - General Manager, George Town Council
An experienced and passionate local government professional, Shane’s career in the sector spans over 16 years including within metropolitan, peri-urban and rural municipalities.
Working predominately within the infrastructure area Shane has led Capital Works, Statutory and Strategic Planning, Municipal Building Services, Infrastructure Maintenance, Parks and Gardens, Engineering Services, Asset Management, Emergency Management, Environmental Services, Waste Management, Fleet and Plant Management, Quarry Management, Airfield Management, Livestock Exchange, Development Services, Corporate Procurement and Contract Management Services.
Shane commenced as General Manager of George Town Council on 21 January 2019 relocating from Victoria with his family including three young children. Since commencement Shane has participated in several regional collaborations and state-wide events demonstrating his commitment for the sector.
Shane has had a number of professional affiliations including IPWEA, WMAA, MWOA and almost a decade as an LGPro Victoria member and has participated on the LGPro Vic Annual Conference Committee.
Shane holds multiple tertiary qualifications including a Post Graduate Diploma in Management, Bachelor Arts in Digital Media, Master of Business Administration, Certificate IV in Civil Construction, Certificate IV OHS and has largely completed an Advanced Diploma in Civil Engineering. Shane also undertook a study tour in Switzerland in 2018 completing subjects in Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Finance.
DION LESTER
LGAT
Observer
Dion Lester
Dion has over 25 years’ experience across advocacy, policy development, project management, and stakeholder engagement and consultation, with a broad range of expertise across various public policy and planning disciplines.
Since joining LGAT in 2015, he has overseen all the policy and project functions of the organisation, representing local government on numerous technical reference groups and intergovernmental committees. In recent years he has been a leading advocate in Tasmania for better waste management and resource recovery and greater strategic planning to support the state’s planning system.
Prior to joining LGAT in 2015, he spent the previous 10 years focused on strategic land use planning and project approvals.
Dion undertook a Churchill Fellowship in 2010 on Food Systems Planning and Urban Agriculture and participated in the Tasmanian Leader Program in 2009.
“As a member of Local Government Professionals Tasmania for around 20 years I have always valued the networking, connections and friendships that come from being involved.”