The City of Casey has welcomed the appointment of Ms Noelene Duff PSM, Mr Cameron Boardman and Mr Miguel Belmar as administrators.
The panel of administrators has been appointed by the Minister for Local Government, Adem Somyurek MP. This is following the dismissal of Casey City Councillors under the Local Government (Casey City Council 2020) Bill which passed parliament on 19 February 2020. The panel of administrators will remain in the position until October 2024.
Ms Duff was previously appointed in February 2020 to the role of Interim Administrator and will now remain on the panel, serving as the Chair Administrator. Mr Boardman and Mr Belmar will commence in their roles on Wednesday 20 May 2020.
Mr Cameron Boardman was elected as a Member of the Victorian Parliament in 1996, serving two terms. He is an experienced leader, currently acting as the Director of the Oceania Cyber Security Centre, and previously holding the position of Chief Executive Officer of au Domain Administration Ltd (auDA). Preceding his role at auDA, Mr Boardman held the position as the Executive Director for Investor Engagement within the Department of Economic Development, Jobs, Transport and Resources.
Mr Miguel Belmar is an experienced Barrister and member of the Victorian Bar who has advised and appeared in matters involving town planning and land development law. He has appeared for applicants and objectors at VCAT hearings and planning panels. In 2010, he became a nationally accredited mediator. He has mediated matters in a variety of legal areas. Mr Belmar has previously been a member of the Victorian Football Federation Tribunal and heard matters involving infringements of the rules of soccer.
City of Casey CEO, Glenn Patterson said the organisation welcomes the announcement of the panel of administrators, which allows the organisation and community to move forward with governance clarity given the uncertainty experienced over the past few months.
“The continuation of Ms Duff on our administrator panel is welcome news. We have made significant progress on key improvements to Council decision-making and reviewed policies and delegations since Ms Duff commenced in February, all of which are focused on the organisation increasing decision-making effectiveness and transparency to residents, ratepayers and key stakeholders and to pursuing best practice in the way Council does business,” said Mr Patterson.
“I look forward to working in partnership with Ms Duff, Mr Boardman and Mr Belmar to continue enhancing the organisation’s performance while addressing the key areas identified in the Municipal Monitor's report”.
City of Casey Chair Administrator Noelene Duff PSM said she believes the Casey community will benefit immensely from having such an experienced administrator panel to lead them during the next four years.
“I am looking forward to Mr Boardman and Mr Belmar commencing next week so that we can begin working together with the Council Officers to deliver and advocate for infrastructure and services for the rapidly growing Casey community,” said Ms Duff.
While in office, administrators must perform all the functions, powers and duties of a Councillor of the City of Casey, as set out in the Local Government Act.