LOCAL REPRESENTATION, DRIVING EXCELLENCE.
Kristen Desmond
George Town Council
President
Kristen Desmond - Deputy President, George Town Council
Kristen Desmond is the Director of Organisational Performance, Strategy and Engagement at George Town Council, where she has been employed since October 2021.
Prior to commencing at George Town 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 is the General Manager at Devonport City Council and has been employed by Devonport since 2008.
Matthew commenced his working career in the private sector having 13 years in the construction industry before joining local government with Burnie City Council for 8 years in the Infrastructure area, prior to moving to Devonport.
Matthew has been a member of LG Professionals Tas for the past 15 years, a State Board member for 5 years and National Director for the last 3 years.
Matthew is married to Bianca and has two school-aged children Sienna & Finlay. In his spare time, Matthew enjoys running and participates with the local cross-country club. He is an avid North Melbourne supporter and has a keen interest in all sports.
JONATHAN HARMEY
Meander Valley Council
Northern Branch President
Jonathan Harmey - Director Corporate Services, Meander Valley Council
I am the Director of Corporate Services 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.
TRACEY BRADLEY
Waratah-Wynyard Council
North-West Branch President
Tracey Bradley - Director Community and Engagement, Waratah-Wynyard Council - Director Community Services, Circular Head Council
My current role is the Director Community and Engagement at Waratah-Wynyard Council and Director Community Services at Circular Head Council. I have worked in local government for over 35 years based in the northwest. I have held positions on the Northwest Branch, State and National LGP Boards. Membership on LGP has allowed me to grow a collegiate network within local government and forge lifelong friendships. As a participant, mentor and observer on Local Government Management Challenges I have witnessed the transformation a team can make through this process and hold very fond memories of the experiences – after it is all over!
A key focus of my career has been Early Childhood and Community Development. Both areas I have been privileged to represent or present on at a State and National level. Local Government is a sector with courage and conviction – we see the best in people and sometimes the not so good but at the heart of our work is community – so our work is making a better place for everyone.
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.
“I have been on the Board of LG Professionals Tasmania for over 2 years, I immensely enjoy working with my fellow Directors to ensure we are delivering benefits to our members and the wider sector”