Published: 8 April 2025
Cardinia Shire Council CEO Carol Jeffs has tendered her resignation after 6.5 years leading one of Melbourne's highest growth councils.
Carol will conclude her role as CEO on 4 June to take up the role as CEO of Uniting Vic Tas, one of the largest community service organisations in Victoria and Tasmania.
Cardinia Mayor Jack Kowarzik said it was with mixed feelings that he accepted Carol's resignation from the CEO role.
"Carol has displayed outstanding leadership and commitment to the Cardinia community, councillors and council staff, and her work in the local government sector has been truly outstanding," Mayor Kowarzik said.
"I have thoroughly enjoyed working closely with Carol, particularly over the past 18 months in my role as Mayor, where she has provided strong counsel and guidance, and provided councillors with great confidence through her steady and strategic approach."
Carol said her decision to leave Cardinia Shire Council, and the local government sector overall, was a difficult one.
"My role as CEO of Cardinia Shire has given me an opportunity to guide the strategic direction of a vibrant growth area that boasts nationally significant agricultural areas and is home to the future employment capital of the Greater South East," Ms Jeffs said.
"I will truly miss working together with a wonderfully engaged community, a fabulous group of councillors and an incredible workforce who go above and beyond every single day," she said.
"It's rewarding to look back and see all of the work that has been achieved at Cardinia during my time as CEO, including Council's recovery work through the 2019 bushfires and Covid-19 pandemic, along with the many community focused projects and attraction of large amounts of external grant funding to enable the construction of important community infrastructure.
"I am confident that I am leaving an organisation and leadership that is well prepared for the future, with solid strategic financial frameworks that will continue to deliver for the Cardinia community for decades to come."
Mayor Kowarzik said the Council was in the process of considering next steps around interim arrangements for the CEO role before embarking on a recruitment process to fill the role permanently.
"Carol leaves behind a strong and positive legacy, and some extremely big shoes to fill," he said.
"On behalf of Council, I would like to congratulate Carol on her new appointment with Uniting Vic Tas, and thank her for her guidance, leadership and support over the past six and a half years."
