The structure, tabled at Wednesday’s council meeting and supported unanimously, aims to create a hands-on approach for the councillors to build relationships and expertise on specific issues. 

Each councillor will chair one of the nine portfolios that will focus on communication, future planning, major projects, commerce industry and higher education, events and tourism, Glasshouse, organisational efficiency and IT, and roads and infrastructure. 

Mayor Peter Besseling believes that the structure will give councillors a more hands-on way of providing leadership and guidance to the community. 

“By directing additional attention to specific areas, councillors can concentrate on forming effective and results-focused partnerships between councillors, staff and community,” Cr Besseling said.

The portfolio structure will achieve improved engagement processes, a better information flow and, ultimately, better decision making. 

“As chair of a portfolio, each councillor will be the key point of contact for industry, community groups and associations. They will also participate in topic-specific engagement and provide guidance to the decision making process in order to advance council’s identified areas of priority,” Cr Besseling said. 

WHERE THEIR ENERGIES WILL BE DIRECTED 

The councillor portfolios adopted are

Communication, Government and Community Relations Peter Besseling

Future Planning Trevor Sargeant 

Commerce, Industry & Higher Education Rob Turner

Events and Tourism Mike Cusato 

Glasshouse Adam Roberts 

Major Projects Justin Levido 

Roads and Infrastructure Lisa Intemann

Organisational Efficiency and IT Sharon Griffiths

Finance and Governance Geoff Hawkins