Ararat Mayor Cr Peter Beales chosen for Local Government advisory panel

Ararat Mayor Cr Peter Beales has been chosen from a high-quality field of applicants from across Victoria to serve on the Local Government Mayoral Advisory Panel in 2019.

Victorian Local Government Minister, the Hon. Adem Somyurek MP, advised Cr Beales of his appointment this week. He will serve with 14 other Mayors from across the state including Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp, Greater Bendigo Mayor Cr Marg O’Rourke and Greater Geelong Mayor Cr Bruce Harwood.

The purpose of the panel is to provide high-level advice to the Minister on a range of matters that impact on local government.

Ararat CEO Dr Tim Harrison congratulated Cr Beales on his appointment to the panel.

“This is a great achievement for Cr Beales and I thank the Minister for appointing him to the panel,” Dr Harrison said.

“The Council is delighted Cr Beales will have the chance to discuss issues and influence State Government decision making in relation to local government.”

Cr Beales said he was honoured to be appointed to the panel, and looked forward to regularly meeting with Minister Somyurek to raise important issues affecting local government.

“I am especially keen to highlight the issues rural and regional councils face in their day-to-day operations,” he said.

“Rural and regional councils face a unique set of challenges, something I know Minister Somyurek is acutely aware of.

“This is a really good opportunity for Ararat Rural City Council to be heard at this level, and having face-to-face meetings with the Minister will be an excellent way to get our messages to the heart of government.”

Cr Beales will be one of three Mayors from small shires on the panel, which will meet four times between now and October, when all 14 Mayors’ terms finish.

The first panel meeting will be held on Wednesday April 3 in Melbourne, with Cr Beales due to provide a report to Council at its April meeting.