Ali Wastie named City of Greater Geelong’s new chief executive officer

After an 11-month search for a permanent chief executive officer, the City of Greater Geelong has named its new boss. Read her bio.

Geelong council's chief executive Ali Wastie

Local government veteran Ali Wastie, who holds a Masters of Diplomacy, is due to start as the City of Greater Geelong Council’s permanent chief executive on August 28.

Ms Wastie, who has been chief executive of Bass Coast Shire Council in Victoria’s southeast for more than four years, was chosen over another local government chief executive with links to Geelong following an 11-month search.

Ms Wastie, whose Masters degree covers diplomacy, trade, economics and public policy, has worked across local government and the Victorian public service since 2004.

She will finish with Bass Coast Council on July 28.

Her experience includes more than eight years as manager and director of economic and community development at Yarra Ranges Council, about six months as a director at the City of Melbourne Council; and six months as a senior policy advisor at the Victorian Auditor-General’s Office.

Ms Wastie, a former teacher with international experience, said she was excited to join council and wanted to work with councillors and staff to deliver high-quality services to the community.

“Delivering on the community’s vision and council’s plans and objectives in a period of growth, change and opportunity will be my focus,” Ms Wastie said.

“I am passionate about building and sustaining positive, can-do organisational cultures that are inclusive and welcoming.

“I am feeling very privileged to be appointed as CEO for the City of Greater Geelong and I am looking forward to commencing in the role on August 28.”

Ali Wastie.

“I have longstanding connections to Geelong, with family and friends living in the region.”

Ms Wastie’s appointment to council comes at a time when challenges need to be addressed including staff morale, a $4.5m cost cutting venture, and the roll out of council’s $20m digital modernisation project, aimed at improving its finance, procurement and payroll processes.

Geelong council mayor Trent Sullivan said Ms Wastie’s expertise would be invaluable to the organisation, and the wider greater Geelong community.

“Ali’s extensive local government experience, her strong leadership skills and passion for

developing high performing teams, means she is ideally placed to lead the City through this

challenging but exciting period,” Mr Sullivan said.

“Ali also has strong credentials in education, health and tourism, which are sectors that are

crucial to the continued development of the region.”

A current colleague of Ms Wastie’s, Michael Whelan, said: “Ali’s strong leadership has helped transform Bass Coast into a fairer, more dynamic and exciting region and positioned the community for continued strong growth in the future.”

Mr Sullivan “praised” acting council chief executive Kaarina Phyland for leading the city since September 2022.

“Kaarina has overseen a period that has transformed the city into a more efficient and high-

performing organisation.

“Under her leadership we have made progress on delivering the community’s clever and

creative vision and the council is thankful for Kaarina’s valuable contribution.”

Mr Sullivan said Ms Phyland had provided strong leadership, guided the city through

change, worked “positively” with municipal monitors and navigated the challenging

2023-2024 budget.

Originally published as Ali Wastie named City of Greater Geelong’s new chief executive officer