Administrators

Panel of Administrators

On 19 June 2020 the Acting Minister for Local Government appointed a Panel of Administrators for the City of Whittlesea and appointed Lydia Wilson as Chair of the Panel. The Panel comprised of Ms Lydia Wilson, the Honourable Bruce Billson and Ms Peita Duncan.

On 3 March 2021, the Hon. Bruce Billson resigned from his position as Administrator with the City of Whittlesea.

On 12 May 2021, the Minister for Local Government appointed Mr Chris Eddy as the third Panel Member. Mr Eddy resigned from his position as Administrator on 13 December 2022.

On 2 March 2023, the Minister for Local Government appointed Mr Christian Zahra AM as the third member of the Panel of Administrators.

Lydia Wilson, Peita Duncan and Christian Zahra AM will undertake the duties of the Council of the City of Whittlesea until the October 2024 Local Government Election.

Chair Lydia Wilson

Lydia Wilson began as Administrator on Saturday 21 March 2020. She was appointed Chair of the Panel of Administrators on Friday 19 June 2020.

Lydia brings a depth of corporate governance experience to the Administrator role.

She has served on multiple not for profit, public and private sector boards and advisory committees over the past 25 years.

Her governance roles have included appointments on Ministerial Advisory Committees in relation to waterways, waste and resource recovery.

Other board governance appointments have been in the areas of procurement, aged care, childcare and health services.

She is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a past Fellow of Local Government Professionals.

As a former chief executive of three Victorian municipalities - Manningham, Yarra and Macedon Ranges - Lydia has a detailed understanding of the Local Government sector and brings valuable experience to support her Administrator function.

Meet Chair Administrator Lydia Wilson

*closed captions available

2023 update:

Ms Peita Duncan

Peita Duncan is an experienced professional with skills in commercial and general management.

She has worked for a number of law firms in business development and management roles and has extensive experience in human resources, business development, business operations and recruitment support.

Peita was formerly a Non-Executive Director of the Metropolitan Fire Brigade, and formerly a Non-Executive Director of the Emergency Services Telecommunications Authority. She is currently the Chair of Greyhound Racing Victoria.

Meet Administrator Peita Duncan

*closed captions available

2023 update:

Mr Christian Zahra AM

Mr Zahra is a former elected member of the Federal Parliament and an accomplished executive and non-executive director with 25 years of experience in the private, government, and not-for-profit sectors. Mr Zahra has a particular expertise in rural and regional development, having held high profile roles in regional development, including as Chairman of the Federal Government’s $1B Regional Development Australia Fund Advisory Panel. In June 2018, Mr Zahra was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for significant service to rural and regional development, to the advancement of Indigenous welfare, and to the Australian Parliament.

Mr Zahra was an Administrator at the South Gippsland Shire Council, from July 2019 until October 2021. He currently serves as a Principal at Impact Partners Australia, which offers high level strategic, government relations, and public policy advice to organisations in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors. He is also currently appointed to the Boards of the Regional Australia Institute and Waardi Limited. Mr Zahra holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Masters in Assessment.

A message from Administrator Christian Zahra AM:

Code of Conduct for Administrators

Council adopted a Code of Conduct for Administrators/Councillors on 17 October 2023.  The purpose of the Code is to promote and reinforce the  values  and  behaviours  that  guide Administrators in  delivering  great  outcomes  for  the  City  of  Whittlesea and sets out how Administrators will lead by example and promote the highest standards in the way that Council business is conducted.   It also commits Administrators to champion  Council’s  adopted values and behaviours in pursuit of Council’s future vision.

The Code contains  a  pledge stating  that Administrators will work  in  the  best  interests  of all people who live in our municipality, who conduct business here, and those who visit.  By  adopting  the  Code, Administrators promise  to adhere  to  the  principles,  values  and behaviours  outlined  in  the Code and to work  diligently  to deliver  on our shared  community vision - a Place for All.

The Code  also sets out a process for addressing any breach of the standards of conduct prescribed by law.

Councillor Gift Policy

The Councillor Gift Policy clearly states Council’s position in relation to offers of gifts and benefits.  

The Policy will give members of the community confidence that Council decisions are not influenced by gift offers and that decisions are based on impartial advice aimed at achieving the best outcomes for the community.

Councillor Expense Reimbursement and Support Policy

The Councillor Expense Reimbursement and Support Policy supports Councillors and members of delegated committees to perform their role, as defined under the Local Government Act 2020 (Vic), by ensuring that expenses reasonably incurred in the performance of their role are reimbursed.

Administrator expenses

Reports of Administrators

The reports of Administrator activity, which will be published quarterly on Council's website, include where they have each acted as a representative of Council:

• to another body
• in engagement with the community
• at an event
• for a media commitment

Contact our Administrators

Phone: 9217 2500

Email: panel@whittlesea.vic.gov.au

The Panel of Administrators are unable to assist you with enquiries about permits, fines or fast-tracking applications. Our Customer Service team are on hand to help with these matters – you can contact them by calling 9217 2170 or emailing info@whittlesea.vic.gov.au