Pauline Koritsa brings a wealth of experience to her current role at the City of West Torrens.
The General Manager of Business and Community Services has worked across several South Australian councils, and, before that, two councils in England.
“As a qualified nurse and social worker, I immigrated to Australia from London with my young family in the 90s,” Ms Koritsa told Local Government Focus.
“Given I had worked for two councils in London, I was keen to progress my local government career in Adelaide.
She said she has “been fortunate to have held management roles in five South Australian councils across a broad range of functions”.
Her work has truly run the gamut of local government services, including: field operations, property, customer service, work health and safety, human resources, governance, internal audit, procurement, risk/emergency management, insurance, media, events and community/library/cultural services.
Ms Koritsa has now been with the City of West Torrens for 11 years.
The city fringe council is located between the City of Adelaide and the sea and is home to Adelaide Airport, said Ms Koritsa, meaning “the area is a very important gateway for visitors and travellers to South Australia”.
Also of note, she said, is that the area “has a young profile comparative to other councils in the State”.
Councillor Steven Rypp nominated Ms Koritsa as a LG Focus ‘High Achiever’ and cited her “extensive knowledge and enthusiasm” in helping the City’s elected members.
“I think it is vitally important that Council and the Administration work collegiately as a single team to seamlessly achieve the aspirations and needs of the community,” Ms Koritsa said.
“The role of an elected member is diverse and demanding; i.e. the management of a multi-million dollar business while also representing and advocating for their communities.
“Many of our elected members work full time outside of Council so it is incumbent on me to be responsive to their needs and assist them to be successful in their roles, and to make informed, effective and efficient decisions.”
A broad understanding of the overall functioning of Council, allows Ms Koritsa to successfully advise the City’s councillors.
“Creating an environment in which people are empowered and can grow and develop, whether they are members of the community or council, is a passion of mine that I bring to my role.
“Having been involved in local government for many years and working with various departments and personnel, I believe I have breadth of knowledge about the whole function of council, not just one area of expertise.”
She said future challenges on the horizon relate to planning and aged care.
“I believe the new Planning, Development and Infrastructure Act will have significant ramifications for councils, which we need to prepare for.
“In addition, the proposed changes to the Commonwealth Home Support Programme funding will likely mean that many councils will no longer be a player in the provision of Commonwealth-funded aged services.”
Ms Koritsa said she appreciates having the ability to positively impact the local community, which working in local government facilitates.
“I love the diversity of my role, and the challenges it brings, the ability to make a positive difference to people’s lives, facilitating and supporting local democracy and representation, a highly supportive and ‘can do’ CEO, working with a fabulous group of people who are very responsive and knowledgeable and the values of the organisation.
“Local government has the capacity to make a positive difference to people’s lives and contribute to their wellbeing. It is often referred to as the ‘grass roots’ level of government as it has direct contact and connection with local communities.
“Having a background in social work and having held many different roles in various councils, I know how important local government is to the prosperity of local neighbourhoods.”
