MEDIA RELEASE – NPARC Support from the Department of Local Government

8th August 2024

Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council has welcomed the provision of additional support from the State Government to work through financial and governance challenges faced by our Council.

The Council has faced significant challenges over the last 10 to 15 years including resource allocation, loss of self-determination, loss of community governance structures, financial deficits and high staff turnover. Previous terms of Council have been advocating for many years for dedicated support to develop a sustainable future for the region and our Council.

In response to these concerns, the Department of Local Government has appointed a Governance Advisor and Financial Controller to NPARC for a period of 6 months. The Department has advised this relates to resolving financial challenges, high staff turnover and governance issues.

Brett de Chastel has been appointed as the Governance Advisor and Ben Schierhuber from BDO has been appointed as the Financial Controller. Mr Schierhuber has made it clear that one of his goals is to ensure that there are no delays in the processing and approval of payments to suppliers and staff and that these continue in a timely manner while he reviews Council’s financial position Mr de Chastel will focus on supporting the Mayor, Councillors, CEO and senior staff to improve the way in which the Council operates.

I wish to reiterate to community that there is no need to have concerns about NPARC’s future or to pass judgement on previous Councils or any staff. Ultimately NPARC has been asking for this support for many years, and we are pleased that the Department of Local Government is finally listening to these concerns and providing dedicated support to the new Council.

NPARC will ensure community is kept up to date on any information or developments over the next 6 month period and I encourage all community members to attend the upcoming community meetings if they have any concerns they wish to raise about NPARC or its operations.

Mayor Robert Poi Poi

Mayor

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