The Program will be held in Canberra with participants representing regional, rural and city-based councils from all Australian states, the Northern Territory and New Zealand.

This year`s program, Leading the Local State, will challenge local leaders to set the agenda for reform locally by emphasising enhanced capacity in strategic leadership; collaborative governance (with other governments, citizens and stakeholders); and innovative service delivery.

The Excellence in Local Government Leadership Program is a unique program specifically designed for elected and appointed senior leaders in local government.

Federal Local Government Minister Simon Crean has said of the program that it is "... creating the next generation of local government leaders and providing the opportunity to take newfound capacity to areas that may not have previously benefitted from these skills."

Visit the program page

Download the media release