Gladstone regional council mayor Matt Burnett has been appointed the new president of the Australian Local Government Association – the peak body for Australia’s 537 local governments.

Burnett – who has been an ALGA board member for eight years and the organisation’s vice-president for the past four – was elected at the annual general meeting in Canberra on Friday.

“My life is in local government, and it’s a tremendous privilege to accept this important leadership role to advocate on behalf of councils across Australia,” Burnett said.

With a local government career spanning 25 years, Burnett said he was looking forward to putting local communities first by securing extra federal funding for councils.

“Local governments stand ready to play a more effective role in supporting the federal government’s national policy priorities and key targets,” Burnett said. “But to achieve this, we urgently need serious federal funding increases – not just pocket money.”

Burnett said, as ALGA president, his major focus will be to ensure councils remain financially sustainable. “I also want to forge stronger partnerships with governments to meet the challenges and embrace opportunities to build more houses, improve local infrastructure, prepare for natural disasters, and support the nation’s energy transition.”

Burnett replaces his predecessor former City of Sydney councillor Linda Scott, who announced earlier this month she was vacating the role after four years.

“Linda has made a significant contribution to our sector as ALGA president and I hope to build on that success,” Burnett said. “I sincerely thank Linda for her outstanding leadership, determination and effective advocacy on behalf of all councils.”

The ALGA AGM also saw councillor Karen Chappel from the Shire of Morawa in WA and councillor Darriea Turley from Broken Hill City Council in NSW elected as vice-presidents for the next two years.

In response Burnett said: “I’m so excited to get started and work alongside the vice-presidents, ALGA’s board and our members to achieve the best outcomes and solutions for all councils across Australia to build stronger, vibrant and more liveable communities.”