LGMA Queensland, in cooperation with the Society of Local Government Managers New Zealand, the League of Californian Cities (United States) and the Canadian Association of Municipal Administrators (Canada), offers the opportunity for local government managers to travel to the US, Canada or New Zealand to study local government practice.  Successful nominees will attend the annual conference in that location and will be hosted by a manager from that jurisdiction. Queensland participants will then host the manager in return when they come to Australia to attend the Queensland state conference.

In 2020/21, COVID-19 has disrupted plans for the International Exchanges.  However, due to great work by both governments, the New Zealand Exchange will still go ahead, albeit in an adjusted format.  Kim Driver of Sunshine Coast Council is the 2020 exchange recipient and will travel to New Zealand in September 2021.  

The Exchange will be run again in 2021 with locations and timing still to be determined based on travel restrictions.  For information, you can view the 2020/2021 International Manager Exchange Programme brochure.

Please call 07 3174 5006, or email admin@lgmaqld.org.au with any queries. 

PREVIOUS EXCHANGE PROGRAMMES:

The following exchanges were secured for the 2019/2020 Programme:

Bernard Smith, CEO of Gympie Regional Council received the Canada exchange to Quebec and Portage la Prairie late May 2019 and was hosted by Nathan Peto. Nathan attended the 2019 Local Government Conference at The Ville Resort Casino, Townsville in September (see article below).

Mark Pitt, CEO of South Burnett Regional Council received the New Zealand exchange to travel to New Zealand late September 2019.  The NZ Exchangee was Alan Adcock, who also attended the 2019 Local Government Conference at The Ville Resort Casino, Townsville in September.

Justin Commons, CEO of Tablelands Regional Council received the California Exchange, travelled to the US in February 2020.

Bernard Smith, who participated in the 2018/19
International Manager Exchange programme,
Teagan Collier (Queensland),
along with the Canadian Participant
Nathan Peto and his wife, Tyne Peto
 

Enjoying the 2019 Local Government Conference, in Townsville

View Bernard's article here 

Nicole Pitt, Mark Pitt (middle), participant in the
2019/20 International Manager Exchange programme,
and exchange partner Alan Adcock of Wanganui District Council, New Zealand

.

Looking cosy in New Zealand

Jodie Taylor, General Manager (Community and Liveability), Western Downs Regional Council, secured an exchange to Whanganui, New Zealand in the 2018/2019 Programme (see article below).

With some of the Whanganui District
Council Executive Team: Charlotte Almonds -
General Manager - Strategy, Kym Fells -
Chief Executive, Jodie Taylor 2019/20 IME participant
and Bryan Nicholson - Chief Operating Officer

Click here to view Jodie's article