Welcome to the Central Desert Regional Council website
Central Desert Regional Council acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of the lands on which we work.
We pay our respects to their Elders past and present.
Executive Team
The Central Desert Regional Council has three directorates and a Chief Financial Officer reporting to the Chief Executive Officer. Hover or tap on the cards below for more information.
Chief Executive Officer
Leslie Manda
Chief Executive Officer
Leslie Manda
Chief Executive Officer
Phone: (08) 8958 9531
Responsible for:
- Strategic Review and management
- Council Reporting
- Untied Revenue
- Local Authority Administration
- Governance
- Communications
- Advocacy
- People and Culture
- Risk, Work Health and Safety
- Economic Development
- Tourism
Chief Financial Officer
Sharon Fidler
Chief Financial Officer
Sharon Fidler
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (08) 8958 9528
Responsible for:
- Finance
- Information and Communication Technology
- Records
Council Services
Dy Kelaart
Director, Council Services
Dy Kelaart
Director, Council Services
Phone: (08) 8958 9513
Responsible for:
- Municipal Services
- Cemeteries
- Parks and sports grounds
- Weeds and fire hazard reduction
- Animal management
- Waste Management
- Commercial Services
- Centrelink contract
- Visitors Accommodation
- Airstrips contract
- Australia Post contract
- Tenancy Management
Community Services
Haloti Kailahi
Director, Community Services
Haloti Kailahi
Director, Community Services
Phone: (08) 8958 9545
Responsible for:
- Community Safety
- Aged Care Services
- Youth, Sport and Recreation
- Children Services
- Community Development Program
- Library services
Roads and Infrastructure
Nishantha Perera
Director, Roads and Infrastructure
Nishantha Perera
Director, Roads and Infrastructure
Phone: (08) 8958 8109
Responsible for:
- Roads and Capital Projects
- Facilities Management
- Fleet and Plant
- Housing Repairs and Maintenance
Cultural Advisor
Leo Abbott
Cultural Advisor
Leo Abbott
Cultural Advisor
Phone: (08) 8958 9568
Responsible for:
- Advising Executive team
on Cultural matters
Indigenous Strategy
Vacant
Director Indigenous Strategy
Vacant
Director Indigenous Strategy
Phone: (08) 8958 9500
Responsible for:
- Increasing Indigenous workforce participation
Elected Members
On 28 August 2021 a general election was held across the Central Desert region. The following are the elected members for the Central Desert Regional Council's fifth term.
Click to view Elected Member Allowances.
Click to view Elected Members' Interests.
Click to view Elected Members Complaints.
Adrian Dixon
President
Anmatjere Ward
PMB 137
ALICE SPRINGS NT 0872
P (08) 8956 8455 (Laramba)
P (08) 8958 9507 (Alice Springs)
F (08) 8956 8341
Jeff Iversen
Deputy President
Anmatjere Ward
Engawala Community
PMB 180
via Alice Springs NT 0872
P (08) 08 8956 9989
F (08) 08 8956 9976
James Glenn
Councillor
Anmatjere Ward
Ti Tree Community
PO Box 20
ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871
P (08) 8956 9933
F (08) 8956 9730
David McCormack
Councillor
Anmatjere Ward
Yuelamu Community
PMB 67 Yuelamu Community
Via Alice Springs, NT 0872
(08) 8956 4016
F (08) 8956 4088
Andrew Johnson
Councillor
Northern Tanami Ward
CMB Lajamanu
KATHERINE NT 0852
P (08) 8974 5500
F (08) 8974 5501
Cyril Tasman
Councillor
Northern Tanami Ward
CMB Lajamanu
KATHERINE NT 0852
P (08) 8974 5500
F (08) 8974 5501
Warren Williams
Councillor
Southern Tanami Ward
Yuendumu
LPO Via Alice Springs, NT 0872
P (08) 8993 7900
F (08) 8993 7901
Jacob Spencer
Councillor
Southern Tanami Ward
PMB 16
ALICE SPRINGS NT 0872
P (08) 8956 8720
F (08) 8956 8739
April Martin
Councillor
Southern Tanami Ward
PMB 224
ALICE SPRINGS NT 0872
P (08) 8956 4820
F (08) 8956 4920
Freddy Williams
Councillor
Southern Tanami Ward
Willowra Community
PMB 180, ALICE SPRINGS NT 0872
P (08) 8956 9989
F (08) 8956 9976
William Liddle
Councillor
Akityarre Ward
Atitjere Community
ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871
P (08) 8956 9779
F (08) 8956 9917
Rosslyn Campbell
Councillor
Akityarre Ward
Bonya Community
ALICE SPRINGS NT 0871
P (08) 8956 9787
F (08) 8956 9917
Elected Member Code of Conduct Complaints
If you have a complaint relating to a Councillor please fill in the Councillor Code of Conduct Complaint Form and email to the CEO at
Elected Member Allowances
In accordance with Section 201 of the Local Government Act, Central Desert Regional Council has fixed the following Elected Member allowances for 2023/24, based on the Determination of Allowances for Members (Determination No. 1 of 2023):
President
Councillor Allowance: $20,000
Additional Allowance: $82,000
PD Allowance*: $4,000
Total Claimable: $106,000
Deputy President
Councillor Allowance: $20,000
Additional Allowance: $16,000
PD Allowance*: $4,000
Extra meeting allowance (max. $10,000): $7,980
Total Claimable: $47,980
Councillors
Councillor Allowance: $20,000
PD Allowance*: $4,000
Extra meeting allowance (max. $10,000): $7,980
Total Claimable: $31,980
*The professional development allowance includes costs for travel, accommodation, meals and course or conference fees.
Allowances to be paid to eligible members (not including the President) are:
Fee if activity takes place during normal business hours as follows:
- Up to 2 hours - $200
- Between 2 and 4 hours - $300
- More than 4 hours - $500
Elected Members' Interests
Under section 115(1) of the Local Government Act, any member who becomes aware of a conflict of interest at any Council, local authority or committee meeting must declare a relevant interest.
In accordance with Section 117 of the Local Government Act, the CEO maintains registers of declared interests of Elected Members' as follows:
Register of Elected Members’ Declared Conflicts of Interest
News From Around the Region
CDRC Stall at Aboriginal Leadership and Governance Forum
The Alice Springs Convention Centre played host to the 2024 Aboriginal Leadership and Governance Forum / NT Treaty Symposia on 4-5 April, and Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) was there to...
Central Desert’s Plans for Developing Local Leaders
CDRC Youth and Communities empowering staff with sustainable employment and career advancement opportunities. Article by Indigenous.gov.au Article link
Anmatjere Local Authority Meeting Well Attended
On 9 April, Central Desert Regional Council (CDRC) held a well-attended Local Authority (LA) meeting in Ti Tree, with stakeholders, LA members and community coming together to discuss the emerging...
April Central Desert News Out Now
The April edition of Central Desert News is out now. You can read it at Central Desert News No 51 - April 2024.