Council to transition to Norfolk Island assembly with support of extended administration

The Commonwealth Government has announced that Norfolk Island Regional Council will transition to a bespoke form of local government, the Norfolk Island Assembly, to be established and operating by the end of 2025.

Interim changes to the period of council administration will take effect from 5 December this year.

Mr Mike Colreavy will see through the end of his appointment to 5 December 2024 and will be replaced by a Lead Administrator and a Financial Administrator, as announced by the Minister for Territories, The Hon Kristy McBain MP, last Wednesday.

The incoming administrators are Mr Scott Mason (Lead Administrator) and Mr Gary Mottau (Financial Administrator), who will support the transition of Norfolk Island Regional Council to the Norfolk Island Assembly.

Scott has had an extensive career in local government in Queensland, with over thirty years of experience, including in CEO positions and in strategic consultancy roles, to numerous councils.

Leading several local government organisations located in regional and remote areas, Scott has effected successful corporate, operational and change management strategies to improve councils’ financial and administrative standing. His understanding of the challenges that are faced by geographically isolated communities will assist in his new role.

Gary Mottau has been an independent member of the Norfolk Island Audit, Risk and Improvements Committee (ARIC), the group tasked with providing independent oversight and objective monitoring of risk management, control, governance and external accountability responsibilities, since 2021.

An experienced Chief Finance and Information Officer during his forty-year working life, Gary is a retired chartered accountant and certified local government auditor, bringing skills from both the local government and corporate sectors, including not-for-profit and superannuation.

Mike Colreavy will administer the final Ordinary Council Meeting for 2024, to be held on Wednesday 4 December. Norfolk Island Regional Council sincerely thanks Mr Colreavy for his time and responsiveness in leading the governing body of Council through a period of significant change.
Both Scott and Gary will visit Norfolk Island to observe the December Council meeting and will formally commence their roles on 6 December 2024.