By VANESSA VALENZUELA
BRIMBANK’s former commissioner Jane Nathan will return to the municipality after a 15 year absence to take on her new role as administrator.
Minister for Local Government Jeanette Powell announced the appointment of the long-awaited third administrator last Monday.
Ms Nathan was a commissioner at the City of Brimbank following amalgamations in 1994 and a councillor and mayor at the City of Hawthorn.
She was also President of the Australian Population Institute, a member of the Federal Government’s Black Spot Committee and Governor at St Vincent’s Hospital.
“I am really thrilled to be back here in Brimbank where I did spend three very exciting years. It was at a time when change was happening within the community,” Ms Nathan said.
“I’ll be looking at how the community has been engaged in the 15 years since I was here and what are some of the wonderful improvements that have occurred and what are some of the gaps I might be able help fill with my expertise.”
Ms Nathan said she was invited to become an administrator because of her history in local government and community engagement knowledge.
“I’ve been very, very fortunate through my erratic career path to have dipped across many different areas,” she said.
“I’ll be interested in seeing how I can draw together some of our community groups with other communities to advance Brimbank.”
Ms Nathan said she would look at planning and improving bike paths in the municipality during her term as administrator.
Ms Powell said Ms Nathan was chosen to take on the role as administrator after an extensive search for an individual with the skills required for the role.
“I can think of no one better qualified to build on the work of the current administrators and prepare the council for elections in March 2015,” she said.
A start date for Ms Nathan is yet to be announced.
