Risk Aware

In this episode of Risk Aware, Steph Teo and David Royston-Jennings catch up with Peta Eyschen from Isaac Regional Council for a practical conversation about risk management in local government.

Peta shares insights from Isaac’s risk management journey,including the value of collaboration, learning from experience and taking a practical approach to managing risk. We also explore Isaac’s involvement in a range of LGMS initiatives and how these opportunities have helped support continuous improvement across the organisation.

It’s a conversation about what risk management looks like inpractice, the value of sharing experiences across the local government sector, and how councils can turn risk conversations into meaningful outcomes.

In this episode of Risk Aware, David Royston-Jennings speaks with Liberty Mudzamba, Principal Cyber Risk Consulting at Marsh, about what practical cyber preparedness looks like for local government.

Drawing on Liberty’s work supporting LGMS and member councils through ransomware exercises, the conversation explores the common themes that emerge when councils test their readiness for a cyber incident, why leadership and decision-making matter during a cyber event, and where councils can focus to strengthen their preparedness in realistic and achievable ways.

The episode also touches on the changing cyber risk landscape, including the growing influence of AI and broader geopolitical developments, and what these emerging issues may mean for councils as they look to build stronger cyber resilience.

Carpentaria Shire Council’s mandatory Training and Camps Policy was introduced in 2025, after it was realized that there was a growing drug and alcohol culture impacting the safety of worksites.

Carpentaria Shire is a construction council, managing multi-million-dollar value road and infrastructure projects on behalf of the State and Federal Governments in Far North Queensland.

Anne Andrews joins us to talk about the cultural change that this program has generated for Carpentaria Shire Council.

In this episode of Risk Aware, David Royston‑Jennings speaks with Lesley Harpeng, Workplace Health & Safety Manager at Local Government Workcare, about the Mutual Risk Program (MRP). They discuss the program’s evolution, its core obligations, practical resources, and how councils can build a culture of openness and stronger safety systems. Tune in for real‑world tips on engaging leadership, sharing lessons across councils, and where to go for MRP support.

The LGM Assets Risk Engineering program is designed to assist Members to reduce the frequency and severity of loss to Council facilities and interruption to Council operations. The program involves a physical inspection of aselection of Council facilities and incorporates consideration of many important matters. Following the site attendance, Members will provided with a report that details any issues identified and makes recommendations forimprovement.

Eloise Hayes joins us from Lockyer Valley Regional Council to discuss Councils experience in participating in the program and Damian Sharry from Zurich Resilience Solutions discusses how the program is delivered.

Join us to learn more about the benefits of the Risk Engineering Program.

In this episode of Risk Aware, Steph Te'o and David Royston-Jennings speak with Madonna Brennan from Lockyer Valley Regional Council about developing risk appetite statements.

Madonna shares practical insights on engaging stakeholders, working with councillors and leadership teams, and embedding risk thinking across the organisation.

In the first Risk Aware episode of 2026, hosts Emma O’Connell and Paul Bright sit down with Chatur “Zala” Zala, CEO of Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council, to explore the powerful connection between leadership and risk management.

Drawing on more than 15 years in local government, Zala shares his journey from Chief Accountant to CEO and reflects on how empathy, relationship-building and strong governance have helped shape Cherbourg’s progress.

In this episode of Risk Aware, LGM Assets Account Manager Stephanie Te'o steps in as host alongside Nick Rossmann, LGMS Manager Risk & Resilience, for a conversation with Dr Alexander Pui, Senior Vice President, Climate and Sustainability at Marsh Advisory.

Together, they unpack the realities of climate risk, from global climate trends and adaptation planning to how Queensland councils are building resilience through programs like QCoast2100 and QCRC.

David Royston-Jennings is joined by Gary Okely (Head of JLT Public Sector – Pacific) and Nick Rossmann (Manager Risk and Resilience) to unpack the findings of the latest JLT Public Sector Risk Report. Based on input from nearly 200 council CEOs across Australia, the report highlights the top strategic risks facing local governments from financial sustainability and cyber threats to workforce challenges and climate resilience. The episode explores how councils are leveraging this data to shape strategy, advocate for funding and build risk-mature cultures.

In this episode of Risk Aware, Paul and David are joined by Peta Irvine, CEO of LGMA Queensland and Stephanie Stewart, Customer Contact Coordinator at Western Downs Regional Council. Together, they explore the critical role of leadership in shaping a strong risk culture.

From managing rising community expectations to navigating psychosocial risk and workplace wellbeing, this conversation unpacks how empathy, adaptability and authenticity in leadership can build more resilient councils.

You'll also hear how LGMA is supporting the next generation of local government leaders and why Western Downs is leading by example.

If you're looking for practical insights into aligning leadership with risk management, this episode delivers.