“There are so many opportunities for training, learning and growth, and everyone’s so happy to help.”

Nathan Gatt is a Corporate Planner at the City of Whittlesea, where he works across a broad range of organisational planning and enjoys having visibility across many different areas of council operations.

Before entering local government, Nathan was looking for a role that offered good culture and community, greater strategic impact, and opportunities for long-term growth.

Reflecting on his move into the sector, Nathan said one of the biggest differences was the workplace culture and willingness of people to support one another.

“From day one, everyone was so welcoming,” he said.

“No matter what area or department you went to, people were so willing to have a chat and help you out.”

Now just over a year into his local government career, Nathan has developed a strong interest in innovation and the opportunities presented by emerging technologies.

“I’ve always been drawn to business transformation,” he said.

“With so much focus on AI and technology, what excites me is the challenge and opportunity of how we successfully embed these tools into everyday operations.”



Since becoming an LGPro member, Nathan has actively engaged with multiple Special Interest Groups, webinars and the Annual Conference to connect with professionals facing similar challenges and gain access to sector-specific knowledge.

“The SIGs are very helpful for connecting people,” he said. “Usually, people are more than happy to share.” 

Nathan also values the openness and accessibility of people across the sector.

“What I’ve found is how approachable leadership is across the sector. You can be having a conversation with a CEO or general manager, and they are so open and willing to share their experiences.”

As a young professional, Nathan believes local government offers a strong foundation for professional development and career growth, with LGPro serving as a connector.

“You’ll have opportunities to connect with experienced professionals and learn from their insights,” he said. LGPro brings people together by “allowing us to collaborate and share achievements.”

Finally, Nathan believes the best outcomes come from keeping the community front of mind in everyday decision-making.

“Make every decision with the end-user and the community in mind,” he said.

Stay tuned for more LGPro member profiles and diverse voices shaping the local government sector.