Specialist Local Government Services

Cooper Hardiman provides a variety of services to local government organisations and personnel to assist in variety of areas, from mentoring and induction training for elected officials to providing organisational support through CEO Performance Review matters and executive recruitment services.

We have specialist consultants with extensive Local Government experience, particularly with regard to rural and regional Councils, who can work with you to ensure that your elected officials and executive team work collaboratively and productively, having a positive impact on your electorate and your community.

Daniel Meade

Local Government Consultant

Fresh from two terms as a Councillor, Daniel has an in-depth understanding of the opportunities, challenges and issues faced by local government.

First elected to Moyne Shire Council in 2016 as a 29-year-old, Daniel became Deputy Mayor in 2018 and Mayor in 2019. He was then re-elected in 2020 and was subsequently returned to the Mayoral role by the new Council that year. Daniel stepped aside as Mayor in 2021, taking up the role of Deputy and providing mentoring and guidance to the two subsequent Mayors.

Throughout his terms with Council he has maintained a strong focus on community engagement, developing a cohesive Council team and collaborative relationships with fellow Councillors and senior executives.

Through his lived experience, having spent his childhood and entire working life in rural Australia, Daniel has developed particular expertise in rural and regional local government and its unique challenges. He remains ‘hands on’ in the agriculture industry, owning his own farming business, and was a Nuffield Australia Farming Scholar in 2017. Connections he has made through regional networks have helped to inform his comprehensive understanding of rural Australia and how local Councils can support their communities.

Across his terms in local government, Daniel has worked with fellow Councillors and Executives to set responsible budgets whilst delivering key projects for the community. Throughout, his focus has remained on high performance and “getting results for the community”.

If you would like to discuss the ways in which Daniel can assist you, your Council or your colleagues, please contact him directly:

Phone: 0417 896 138

Email: daniel@cooperhardiman.com.au

Supporting Elected Representatives

Mentoring Services for Councillors and Mayors

Are you a first time Councillor or Mayor looking for an experienced person to guide you in your new role? Or have you recently been re-elected with a desire to increase your effectiveness within Council? Our mentoring services provide Councillors with the opportunity for one-on-one coaching with our local Government specialist, Daniel Meade, to support representatives in maximising their impact within Council and the wider community. Suitable for new and experienced Councillors, our key focus areas include:

  • Gain support and get results by working effectively with fellow Councillors through collaboration, respect and teamwork, and learning skills to promptly address conflict should it arise.

  • Working effectively with the CEO and Executive Team to develop a culture of open communication and respect.

  • Clarifying the role of Councillors to ensure greater understanding of your role as a representative of the community and awareness and focus on the long-term vision and goals.

  • Engaging with the community to build trust, increase participation and enable informed decision making.

  • Setting goals for your time on Council to ensure results, impact, direction and focus.

Daniel also provides Mayors with practical advice and guidance to enhance their community engagement including:

  • Practical advice about how to Chair effective meetings and build collaborative Council teams.

  • Developing a compelling value proposition.

  • Delivering messages in an engaging and influential manner.

  • Providing quality leadership to fellow Councillors.

  • How to positively engage with your community as Mayor.

Councillor Induction Programs

Our Councillor Induction Programs provide new and returning Councillors with essential information regarding their obligations under the Councillor Code of Conduct (and other applicable workplace policies) and also as a representative of your Council and how you can positively influence workplace culture.

Supporting Local Government

CEO Performance and Remuneration Matters - Independent Chair

Section 45 of the Local Government Act 2020 requires that Councils “obtain independent professional advice in relation to the matters dealt with in the Chief Executive Employment and Remuneration Policy".

Cooper Hardiman continues to be chosen to act as an independent adviser and facilitator of this service because we support Councils to create meaningful and measurable performance targets, with the option to be supported by robust, confidential 360 degree feedback processes.

Recruitment Services

We provide recruitment services for CEO and Executive positions, specialising in regional and rural Councils, and spanning all aspects of the recruitment process including PD review, advertising strategies, candidate evaluation behavioural interview design, interview panel participation and referee checking.

Mediation Services

Cooper Hardiman is widely known for our effective mediation services. Our trained mediator, Gavan Cooper, is highly skilled in working with people to resolve matters of conflict or dispute in an open, engaging and effective manner.