Council’s new leadership team

Kiama Council’s revamped organisational structure has resulted in appointments to fill the new roles.

“We received many impressive applications and following a robust and comprehensive screening and interview process, I’m pleased to announce a team well-placed to lead our workforce and set our business up for success,” says CEO Jane Stroud.

Joe Gaudiosi has been appointed as Chief Operating Officer, a role he has been acting in for some time. He has also been acting as the interim Chief Financial Officer, and the CFO role has now been filled by Olena Tulubinska, who has experience as CFO at Shoalhaven and Parramatta councils.

Mr Gaudiosi’s Chief Operating Officer role will entail:

• Finance

• Customer, Information & Technology Services

• Human Resources, Risk, IP&R and Governance

• Project Management Office.

Jessica Rippon, Council’s Director Environmental Services since 2020, has been appointed Director Planning, Environment and Communities. She is now responsible for:

• Planning and Economic Development

• Culture and Libraries

• Community Hubs, including the Leisure Centre

• Environmental and Compliance Services.

The position of Director Infrastructure and Liveability will be filled by Michael Malone, a Kiama resident with more than 20 years’ local government experience.

Most recently he was Director Infrastructure and Environment at Wollondilly Shire Council. His first day saw him attend the April Council Meeting.

The new role will cover:

• Engineering & Technical Services

• Waste Services

• Operations & Maintenance

• Property and Recreation, including Holiday Parks.

Ms Stroud has paid tribute to the outgoing Director Engineering & Works, Mike Dowd, who has left Council, noting his many achievements during a challenging time.

Further key management roles appointments are expected to be made later this month, including:

• Manager Engineering and Technical

• Manager Planning and Economic Development

• Manager Property and Recreation.

The new team will be responsible for implementing SIP 2 (see page 3).