Overview

The Lowood Futures Advisory Committee is an advisory body for Somerset Regional Council. The committee has been established to engage with representatives of the Lowood community about the delivery of the adopted Lowood Futures Strategy (the Strategy). The advisory committee will provide their feedback, ideas and advice to Council about developments within the overall project area during the planning and project implementation phases of the Strategy.  

The Strategy is a collaboration between Somerset Regional Council and the Lowood community and provides the foundation for effective partnerships to enable and deliver the initiatives and projects. The approach is built on the understanding that the Strategy will be successful if the community and key stakeholders own the outcomes and are confident to act on the initiatives.

The Strategy is organised into five key components. These components reflect the shared views of the community and simply illustrate ‘why’ we think change is required, ‘what’ our future aspirations are for Lowood, ‘how’ we will achieve the vision, ‘where’ change is proposed and ‘when’ you can expect action and transformation to occur.

Somerset Regional Council is seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from community members in Lowood and the southern Somerset region.

Purpose

Lowood Futures Advisory Committee (the Committee) is established, as an advisory committee, in accordance with Section 265 of the Local Government Regulation 2012.

The purpose of the Committee is to provide advice to Council on matters concerning the implementation of the adopted Lowood Futures Strategy.

Membership
The membership of the Committee shall comprise:

• Two (2) Councillors and the Mayor, and
• Six (6) community representatives

The Mayor shall chair the meeting.  Observers may attend by invitation.

Specialist services will be engaged to provide information to the committee and as such may be invited to address the committee.

Delegated Powers

The Committee has no delegated powers or decision-making authority.  Furthermore, section 257 of the Local Government Act 2009 does not allow for such delegation.

The Committee proposes recommendations to the Council.  Council retains the decision-making authority.

Council’s decision-making authority may be exercised by the Ordinary Meeting of Council, the Chief Executive Officer or an officer with the appropriate delegation / functional responsibility.

Frequency of Meetings

The Committee shall meet, as a minimum, on a six (6) monthly basis.  The time, date and location of meetings shall be determined by the Committee.

Agenda

Representatives shall be responsible for the placing their issues on the agenda ten (10) days prior to the next meeting. The agenda for each meeting shall be circulated to all representatives at least seven (7) days prior to the day of the meeting.

Reporting

The Committee is not required to keep minutes of its meetings.  However, report/s outlining the deliberations and recommendations shall be prepared at the conclusion of each meeting.  Preparation of the report shall be the responsibility of the Council officer assigned to the Committee.  Reports shall be distributed to the Chief Executive Officer and to the Director assigned responsibility for the function of this Committee. A copy of the report is to be circulated to all stakeholders following its receipt by Council.

Selection Criteria

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are invited from members of the Lowood community and the southern Somerset Region to become a representative on the Lowood Futures Advisory Committee (LFAC). To be considered for a position on the LFAC, candidates will need to demonstrate:

• an ability and willingness to assist in the implementation of the Lowood Futures Strategy.
• knowledge and understanding of the local community, local history, and local business.
• an ability to represent a broad range of views that reflect the diversity of the Somerset community.

Lodging an EOI

To express your interest in this position on the LFAC, please submit an application and detail the qualities you would bring to the LFAC, addressing any issues you see relevant to your selection on the committee (maximum two (2) pages).

Applications should be submitted by email to mail@somerset.qld.gov.au by 9am Monday, 31 July 2024 and be addressed to the Somerset Regional Council Chief Executive Officer, Andrew Johnson.

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