Audit and Risk Committee
The Colac Otway Shire Audit and Risk Committee was established by Council at its meeting on 26 August 2020, as required under section 53 of the Local Government Act 2020 (Act).
The Audit and Risk Committee plays an important role in providing a structured, systematic oversight of Colac Otway Shire Council’s governance, risk management, internal control practices, internal and external audit functions.
This oversight mechanism also serves to provide confidence in the integrity of these practices.
The ARC assists the Council and management by providing independent advice and guidance on the adequacy of initiatives for:
- Values and behaviours (What We Stand For)
- Governance structure
- Risk management
- Internal control framework
- Oversight of the internal audit activity, external auditors and other providers of assurance
- Financial and performance statements and public accountability reporting.
The Audit and Risk Committee is advisory in nature (has no decision making powers) and considers and makes recommendations to the Council and its management on many issues.
Meetings
The Audit and Risk Committee meets five times a year. Committee meetings are closed to members of the public.
Membership
Independent members
- Melissa Field (Chair): first appointed on 1 December 2021. End of current term - 30 September 2024
- Richard Trigg: appointed on 1 December 2020. End of current term – 30 November 2026
- John Gavens: appointed on 1 December 2023. End of current term – 30 November 2026
- John Sutherland: appointed 1 December 2023. End of current term - 30 November 2025
The maximum term of an independent Audit and Risk Committee member is three (3) terms, or nine (9) years.
Councillor representatives
- Councillor Max Arnott.
- Councillor Marg White.
Councillor appointments to the Audit and Risk Committee are reviewed in November each year.
For more information, refer to the Audit and Risk Committee Charter on the Council Policies page.