Councillor Lew Brennan, MLearnMgt CQU holds the responsibility for the Economic Development and Council Entrepreneurship portfolio with the Sunshine Coast Regional Council and is the Chairman of the Business and Corporate Services Committee, a position he has held for eight years.  He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and was a National Finalist in the Elected Leadership category of the Economic Development Australia Awards.

Lew was first elected to the Noosa Council in 1997, but his extensive involvement in various organisations throughout the Noosa Hinterland extends back thirty years.  He has been a passionate campaigner for the youth of the area, encompassing Noosa Youth Services and various sporting clubs.  He is a former President of the Cooran P. & C., the Cooran Recreation Club and the Pomona Swim Club and was the founding President of the Youth Commitment Partnership 2000 and The Cooran Recreation Association.

Lew joined other keen individuals to serve as a founding member of the Rural Futures Network, a partnership between Education Queensland, Noosa and District Landcare, Noosa Shire Council and other community groups.  His enthusiasm for environmental protection has led him to serve for eight years with the Noosa Landcare organisation and the Economy.

His many achievements include developing a formal focus on business and economic development and establishing the first economic development unit at Noosa Council.  He was the founding Vice-Chairman of the Bendigo Community Bank and founding Chairman of the National Institute for Socio-Economic and Environmental Research (NISER) and the Sunshine Coast National Stock Exchange (NSX).  The NSX and NISER are committed to providing business solutions and greater access to capital for growing businesses and regional organisations.

Throughout his career, Lew has been involved with various working groups, including those established for the Cooroy Lower Mill Site and the Clever Networks Broadband initiative.  He was instrumental in the establishment of the Noosa Hub of Central Queensland University, participating initially as a member of the steering group and later as Chairman of the Central Queensland University Noosa Hub.