Local Government planners are faced with increasing complexity, relentless demands, and high expectations. To navigate these challenges with confidence, Local Government planning leaders need more than technical expertise—they need the confidence, skills, and strategies to lead their teams and communities through change.
Bold Futures is a five-month program designed specifically for Local Government planning leaders. This tailored program develops the leadership capability you & your organisation needs to navigate today’s challenges—and tomorrow’s opportunities.
Why Local Government needs Bold Futures
Right now there is significant reform and pressure on planning for growth. There’s competing priorities and pressures from community and agencies and stakeholders. But without the right leadership tools and support, even the most talented professionals risk burnout, stagnation, or missed opportunities.
Too often, leadership programs leave you inspired but unsure how to apply what you’ve learned. Bold Futures is different:
- Tailored to You: Start by setting personalised goals, and receive structured support to help you achieve them.
- Practical from Day One: Apply new strategies to your real-world challenges immediately.
- Time to Reflect: Regular sessions give you space to step back, evaluate your progress, and refine your leadership approach.
- Supportive Structure: With group coaching and accountability tools, you’ll stay on track and make lasting changes.
This isn’t just another training course—it’s a transformative experience designed to create real, measurable results.
Key Focus Areas:
- Time to think big: Step back from day-to-day pressures to think strategically
- Leadership tools: Build confidence, self-awareness, and resilience to lead teams and projects through complexity.
- Build your professional network: Meet others who face similar challenges and support each other to solve problems and navigate change.
- Practical results: Apply learnings immediately with hands-on, personalised implementation support
- Resilience & Sustainability: Prevent burnout and foster long-term leadership success.
Category 1 Rural Councils are eligible for a 10% discount. Please email [email protected] for more information.
Who Should Participate?
This program is designed for Local Government Senior Planners, team leaders, coordinators and early career managers with leadership potential ready to:
• Amplify their leadership potential.
• lead through complexity and reform.
• build their confidence and strategic thinking skills.
Program Overview: Tailored for Local Government
Bold Futures is designed exclusively for Local Government professionals, blending leadership training, applied learning, and peer support.
What’s Included:
1. In-Person Kickoff (April 10 10:00 AM–3:30 PM)
o Meet your coaches and colleagues at a dynamic half-day event in Melbourne CBD to set the foundation for your leadership growth.
2. Monthly Online Learning Sessions (May 13, June 10, July 8, Aug 5)
o Interactive two-hour sessions exploring topics like strategic thinking, leading through change, and fostering resilience.
3. 2 x 1:1 coaching sessions with accredited coach
o Two coaching sessions focused on your individual context, challenge and shifting your mindset
4. Small Group Application Circles (90 minutes/month)
o Work on your real world project with facilitated discussions to apply learnings with support and accountability from your peers.
5. Small Group Facilitation Masterclass
o Online 90min masterclass to provide facilitation tools that participants put into practice by then leading an small group application circle
6. Graduation and Celebration (Aug 27)
o Opportunity to come back together in person to reflect and celebrate about what you have learnt and how you have grown
7. Tailored Resources for Leadership Growth
o A participant workbook, GallupStrengths profile, and accountability tools to track and embed progress.
What you’ll gain
For Participants:
• Confidence to lead through reform and complexity.
• Practical strategies for managing time, teams, and priorities.
• A clear leadership purpose, aligned with your goals and values.
• A network of peers across Local Government to share insights, ideas and support.
For Councils:
• Stronger leadership capacity to navigate planning reform.
• Reduced risk of burnout and improved team sustainability.
• Leaders who deliver better decisions and project outcomes.
• Long-term resilience by investing in future leadership.
Program Details
• Program Start Date: April 10, 2025
• Duration: 5 months (April–August)
• Commitment: Generally 1-2 hours per fortnight
• Cost: $5,000 per participant. Sentier & Peter Sagar Advisory are proud to offer a 10% discount for rural Councils. Please email [email protected] to register with this discount.
• Eligibility: Limited to 2 nominees per Council (places are limited; first come, first served).
• Topics covered will include (for example):
o Understanding self
o Expand networks
o Lead with purpose
o Influence stakeholders
o Navigate challenges
o Difficult conversations
o Clarify project parameters
o Defining problems
o Understand context.
What others have said:
"Sentier’s course is different from other leadership / management courses as Liz and other participants help me stay accountable to the development goals I have set for myself. Other courses are done in a day and forgotten about very quickly. The course also leverages the wisdom of the room.”
Scott, participant
"The course has been excellent in pushing me out of my comfort zone and addressing my weaknesses and blind spots as a leader. Additionally, it has been invaluable to learn about the challenges faced by peers in similar positions and problem-solve together”
Ryan, participant
“The program has already facilitated practical improvements in my day-to-day work and has shifted my mindset regarding leadership opportunities available to me, and that I can create. I’ve particularly enjoyed the small group coaching sessions, where we can discuss and workshop ideas. The mix of professionals has been really beneficial, bringing diverse perspectives to the discussion. The accountability in the team chat has also been excellent”
Amanda, participant
Meet the Coaches
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Liz Mackevicius is an accredited organisational coach, trainer, and facilitator with nearly 20 years of experience in urban planning, including government and the private sector. Known for her strong yet supportive coaching style, Liz specializes in helping emerging leaders build confidence, realise their power and agency, and hone the skills needed to navigate complex challenges.
Through a blend of skill training and group coaching, Liz empowers her clients to step into their potential as strategic, effective leaders. Her passion lies in supporting those who shape our liveable cities to lead with purpose and create impactful, rewarding careers.
An avid trail runner and cyclist, Liz draws inspiration from the mountains she’s conquered—bringing lessons of resilience, adaptability, and steady progress into her approach. With Liz, growth is about more than just goals—it’s about becoming the kind of leader who inspires others to follow. Learn more about Sentier Consulting here.
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Peter Sagar is a facilitator with 25-year plus career in urban policy and place projects marked by engaging with the community and stakeholders. Peter brings energy and passion to strategic planning, urban policy, precinct renewal and place-based projects, with expertise in metropolitan Melbourne, Sydney and regional Victoria. As the former Executive Director, Renewal Precincts and Regional Victoria at the Victorian Planning Authority, Peter has delivered bold urban planning strategies from inception to approval, drawing on the expertise of stakeholders and community to explore options and develop solutions that work.
At the heart of Peter’s practice is drawing upon the collective wisdom to create better decisions. Peter brings people together to explore options, ideas and solutions. |
Terms & Conditions
Registrations cancelled more than 14 days prior to the event date will not incur any fees and a full refund will be granted.
If you cannot attend and you are within 14 days of the event date, you can transfer your ticket to another person.
In all other situations we cannot issue a refund or credit.
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