Cait Kirby – National Placements Manager 

As we near the conclusion of the third quarter of 2024-25, I would like to extend my sincere appreciation for your unwavering commitment and contributions to our ongoing success. This period has been one of transformation and growth within local government, and your expertise has played a pivotal role in helping councils adapt to their evolving needs.

Over the past five months, demand has surged across key areas, notably in strategic infrastructure planning, governance, and business transformation. Interim Executive-level placements have remained strong, with councils actively seeking skilled leaders who can provide immediate support to mentor teams, implement best practices, and drive long-term, sustainable impact.

Alf Della Monica – Regional Manager VIC/TAS

Following the October 2024 elections, all Victorian councils are now required to do the following by 31 October 2025:

Review the 10 Year Council Vision in accordance with its deliberative engagement practices. Develop and adopt a 4-year Council Plan in accordance with its deliberative engagement practices. Develop, adopt and keep in force a 10-year Financial Plan in accordance with its deliberative engagement practices. Develop, adopt and keep in force a 10-year Asset Plan in accordance with its deliberative engagement practices.

This all opens opportunities for CT Management Group in that councils with resourcing issues will require assistance with the delivery of these important tasks.

Michael Courtney 

We farewelled our outgoing Chairman in December and thanked Jeff for his leadership and contribution over 11 years. Quite a term of engagement with the company. Jeff was always helpful and really enjoyed his time with CT.

I hope to meet expectations of the team as the Executive Chairman and our focus will be to continue to provide Councils and clients with excellent service.

Our reputation is built on the quality of the work we deliver, which in the main, is due to the considerable dedication and expertise of our Associates. In 15 years at CT Management Group, I can only recall one or two complaints regarding Associate performance, and they were minor in nature.

Michael Courtney 

Welcome to the October edition of the Associates Newsletter and I hope you are all well and enjoying your work wherever you are today.

We’ve commenced the year with a steady pipeline of work and opportunities.  Again, I thank you for your ongoing support in the delivery of our projects.

Financial sustainability of many Councils is being challenged with costs increasing beyond the capacity of the growth in revenue due to rate capping & pegging in Victoria and NSW.

Councils in NSW are making applications for Special Rate Variations to lift their revenue base.

Faced with renewal of ageing infrastructure many Councils need to catch up their investment in assets to sustain service delivery. 

IPWEA Victoria’s annual state Conference is back in 2025, bigger and better than ever!

We learned lots from hosting IPWEA’s International Conference so we’ve levelled up our 2025 Conference with:

3 days of learning & development 2 networking functions 3 Technical Tours

We’re also going ‘back-to-basics’ with a program curated for public works professionals:

Roads, Traffic and Transport Integrated Water Management Waste and Resource Recovery Land Development Engineering Strategic Asset Management Public Works Project Showcase Information and Intelligence Disaster Recovery and Reconstruction

All this and more at Rydges Melbourne, newly-renovated and centrally located with everything you need for an inspiring Conference experience!

Alf Della Monica – Regional Manager VIC/TAS

The 2024 Victorian Local Government Elections will be held on the 26th October 2024.

Of the 79 Victorian councils, 39 will have multi-member wards replaced with single-member wards because of the Local Government Act 2020.

New Councillors will also be elected in Casey and Whittlesea for the first time since 2016 after councils were dismissed in February 2020 and March 2020 respectively. Moira’s council was dismissed in March 2023 and will not elect another council until October 2028.

Caretaker Period commenced on Tuesday 24th September (midday) and ends on Saturday 26th October at 6pm (Election Day).

Robert has been an Associate with CT Management Group since 2016 and has accepted assignments on many projects since that time. Robert has worked in the waste disposal and recovery area for the past 40 years. This award is self-described and recognises Robert’s excellence in the delivery of project assignments.

Location Lagoon Reserve, Project, Port Melbourne

Cost Council’s budget for this project is approximately $15 million. This includes an upgrade to the entire reserve including a new pavilion, cricket nets, public toilets, BBQ, picnic facilities, a reconstructed sports field, new sports ground lighting and upgraded path network. A large portion of the cost was allocated to the off-site disposal of contaminated soil and its replacement.

Cait Kirby – National Placements Manager 

In addition to cyclical operational requests tied to end-of-financial-year processes, Q1 saw a noticeable demand for executive management and specialised skills, likely driven by state-specific Council elections and legislative requirements.

Requests for expertise across corporate services, asset management, executive management and project management remained steady, reaffirming that clients continue to engage CT Management Group for senior-level expertise that builds competency, resilience, and operational effectiveness, while positively impacting community expectations and helping meet regulatory mandates.

Key Skill Set Summary for Q1

Project Management & Civil Works Coordination Interim Placement Requests: Senior Project Managers – Recovery, Civil and Capital Works Drivers: Large-scale capital works, infrastructure rehabilitation, and disaster recovery support Implication: Clients require Associates who can not only execute but lead complex infrastructure and recovery projects.