Organisation Structure and Executive Team

    

The implementation of Council policies, services and operations is managed through five directorates. 

The five directorates are:

  • Community Infrastructure
  • Governance and Information Services
  • Planning and Development
  • Strategy and Organisational Performance 
  • Communications, Economic Development, Arts and Advocacy.

Executive Team

Members of the Executive Team work closely with Council, attend all Council meetings, and present reports and recommendations to the Council.

Interim Chief Executive Officer - John Bennie

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The Chief Executive Officer is the only staff member who is appointed by the Council.

The implementation of Council policies, services and day-to-day operations is managed through directorates and business units which report directly to the Chief Executive Officer. 

Contact Details:

 

Martin Hopley - Director Governance and Information Services

Customer Service, Information Technology, Business Systems, Business Information, Governance.

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Prior to local government, Martin was Chief Information Officer at the Victorian Department of Treasury and Finance where he was responsible for the delivery of the State Resource and Information Management System.

Mr Hopley is also a qualified primary school teacher, qualified project manager with the Project Management Institute (PMI) and is in the final stages of completing a Master of Business Administration (Corporate Governance) with Deakin University.  

Contact Details:

 

Luke Connell - Director Planning and Development

Community Compliance, Municipal Animal Pound, Statutory Planning, Priority Development, Building Services, Public Health, Emergency Management, Planning Compliance.

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Luke is a leader who embraces the importance of people, community and relationships. In his 19 years in Local Government, Luke brings a focus on delivery of new communities, policy development, protection and revitalisation of townships and a big focus on jobs delivery for the local community.

His roles in local government have included areas such as strategic planning, statutory planning, subdivisions, major projects delivery, urban design, economic development and growth area planning.

Luke has qualifications in Town Planning and Environmental Science and joins us from Cardinia Shire Council where he was previously the Manager of Planning and Design.

Contact Details:

 

Elise Harrison - Acting Director Strategy and Organisational Performance

Corporate Strategy, Community Services, Finance, People and Culture.

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Elise is a passionate, results-driven leader with deep roots in the Baw Baw community.

With a diverse career in local government, she has experience in corporate governance, risk management, business strategy and organisational development.

Elise is dedicated to creating positive work environments, where people feel valued and empowered to contribute their best.

Elise is eager to leverage her organisational development skills and collaborative leadership approach to drive success and make a lasting impact in the Baw Baw Community.

Contact Details:

 

Mark Kestigian - Director Communications, Economic Development, Arts and Advocacy

Economic Development, Tourism, Grants and Advocacy, Business Support, Arts, Culture and Events, Strategic Communications.

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Mark is a senior public affairs executive who has managed communications, marketing and government relations’ teams for leading public sector organisations, including Port of Melbourne Corporation, Strategic Industry Research Foundation (SIRF), Port of Hastings Development Authority, Mornington Peninsula Shire and the Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA).

Mark also has experience in identifying key markets, developing strategies, managing communications and creating effective marketing campaigns for a range of ASX-listed technology companies.

Contact Details: