COUNCIL’S NEW AUDIT COMMITTEE MEETS FOR THE FIRST TIME

Scenic Rim Regional Council has held its first Audit and Risk Committee meeting of the 2020-2024 Council term, with independent external member Stephen Coates taking up his position as the new committee Chair.

Mayor Greg Christensen, who along with Cr Derek Swanborough was appointed as Council’s Audit and Risk Committee representatives at the 25 May Ordinary Meeting of Council, welcomed the wealth of experience Mr Coates and external independent member Mrs Melissa Jacobs bring to the four-member committee.

“Mr Coates was recently re-elected for a second term as President of the Institute of Internal Auditors Australia and is highly regarded for his work at the leading edge of professional development in his field,” Cr Christensen said.

“He has extensive assurance and advisory experience specialising in governance, risk, and assurance services and is an experienced Chair of boards and audit committees, as well as consulting to clients on strengthening risk management, controls and governance processes.

“Local government audit and risk committees on which he serves include those of Newcastle City Council, Southern Downs Regional Council, Livingstone Shire Council and Moreton Bay Regional Council.

“Mrs Jacobs’ depth of audit, risk and compliance experience has been acquired in a career spanning more than 20 years, including executive and strategic leadership roles at City of Gold Coast and with the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (GOLDOC).

“At GOLDOC she oversaw a portfolio of more than 600 projects, and more than 1000 risks at peak, and the risk model she developed for the Commonwealth Games was commended by the Queensland Audit Office as a benchmark for risk management practices.”

Scenic Rim’s Audit and Risk Committee meets quarterly and provides assurance to the community that Council is fulfilling its legislative responsibilities in relation to financial reporting, internal controls, risk management and ethical accountability.

Cr Christensen said Scenic Rim Regional Council was committed to the continuous improvement of its risk management strategies.

“In 2018, Scenic Rim was judged Queensland’s best council for its strong risk management framework and our Audit and Risk Committee includes professionals of the highest calibre who will continue to build on that solid foundation,” he said.