VETERAN public servant Chris Rose PSM has been appointed as Governance Advisor to Redland City Council in a sweeping State Government intervention aimed at improving councillor conduct, meeting attendance and internal relationships.
Mr Rose’s appointment, made under section 117 of the Local Government Act 2009, took effect from last Friday.
In a letter, the Department of Local Government, Water and Volunteers confirmed the Advisor will focus on rebuilding “effective working relationships” within the elected body and strengthening understanding of “roles and responsibilities under the legislation”.
The Department emphasised Mr Rose is not a councillor or Council employee, but a statutory appointee empowered to help the Council “perform its responsibilities properly” and ensure compliance with local government laws.
Under the LGA, the Council is legally required to cooperate fully with the Advisor.
Mr Rose brings more than 30 years of senior local government experience, including a decade as CEO of Logan City Council and almost two years as CEO of Toowoomba City Council.
The Department stressed that Mr Rose will not be reviewing the Council’s administrative arm or intervening in day-to-day operations, which remain the responsibility of the CEO.
Instead, his focus will be on councillor behaviour, culture and governance.
According to the terms of reference, Mr Rose will develop strategies to ensure all councillors physically attend meetings and workshops and contribute meaningfully to decision-making.
He will work with the Mayor to strengthen understanding of the Mayor’s complex statutory functions and help develop the skills of an effective leader.
He will review Council meeting processes and chairing techniques to help meetings run smoothly, and examine communication between the Mayor, councillors, and senior executives, including the potential creation of formal communication protocols.
He will advise councillors on the proper use of social media to ensure posts comply with local government principles and report concerns to the Department about councillor wellbeing where it affects their ability to perform their role.
Finally, he will advise if further State intervention or support is required.
Mr Rose will be required to attend all Council workshops, briefings and meetings, including closed sessions, throughout the duration of his appointment.
The Advisor is expressly prohibited from meeting with members of the public or investigating complaints under the Local Government Act or Crime and Corruption Act.
His fortnightly reports will go directly to the Department’s Director-General, with immediate reporting required for any potential breaches of legislation or serious governance concerns.
In the correspondence, the Department confirmed it will issue regular invoices to Redland City Council for the full cost of the Advisor, including expenses such as travel and professional indemnity insurance.
Departmental officers will now begin induction and logistical arrangements with council.
The appointment follows mounting concerns within the State Government about internal tensions, absenteeism and governance dysfunction across Redland City Council.
