Yass Valley Council has announced two key leadership appointments to its executive team.
Andrew Neil joins the organisation as its new Director of Planning and Environment and Peta Gardiner has been appointed as the Council’s permanent Director of Corporate and Community.
The Council says Mr Neil has 20 years experience in statutory and strategic urban and regional planning across local and state government and the private sector.
“A well-rounded and versatile planner, Andrew’s background spans work with the City of Sydney, Maitland City Council and Glen Innes Severn Council – covering a variety of council areas, from dense urban and high-growth regions to small rural communities – as well as senior state government and consultancy roles,” Council said in a statement.
“He brings valuable expertise in urban design, placemaking, active transport and sustainable development, and has led the preparation of key strategic planning documents including Land Use Strategies, Local Housing Strategies, Rural Lands Strategies, Rural and Aboriginal Heritage Studies, Planning Proposals and Developer Contributions Plans.”
Meanwhile, Ms Gardiner has been an integral part of Council’s leadership over the past six months, playing a key role in the IP&R policy reviews and using her corporate and governance experience to deliver the workplace organisational review and improve Council’s ways of working.
Prior to joining Yass Valley Council, Ms Gardiner acted as a Senior Advisor for employment relations at the Australian National University, overseeing compliance, employment regulations and change management. She has also previously worked as a Manager at Upper Lachlan Shire Council.
“Together, these appointments mark an exciting new chapter for Yass Valley Council as we continue to plan for a sustainable future for our region,” Council said.
