Our organisation

  • Cardinia Shire Council is led by Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carol Jeffs.
  • Our direction is determined at the strategic community level by the elected councillors, and operationally by our CEO.
  • The organisation has 4 groups, each with a general manager. These groups and the teams within them are listed below. 
  • Our organisation has grown to more than 500 staff, reflecting the rapid growth in the shire and the continuing need to increase resources to maintain service standards. 

Our organisation is made up of 4 groups, each led by a General Manager who reports to the CEO. 

You can view the information below in our organisational chart

Governance, Facilities and Economy  

General Manager: Debbie Tyson 

Teams 

  • Governance
  • Buildings and Facilities 
  • Regulatory Services
  • Arts, Advocacy and Economy 
  • Risk, Health and Safety
  • Communications and Engagement 

Customer, People and Performance 

General Manager: Wayne Mack

Teams 

  • Information Services
  • Customer and Service Improvement
  • People and Culture
  • Finance 

Infrastructure and Environment 

General Manager: Peter Benazic

Teams 

  • Community Infrastructure Delivery 
  • Environment and Heritage 
  • Operations 
  • Infrastructure Services 

Liveable Communities 

General Manager: Lili Rosic

Teams 

  • Planning and Design
  • Community and Family Services
  • Active and Connected Communities 
  • Future Communities

Ms Carol Jeffs has extensive experience in local government management and leadership, and a demonstrated commitment to community engagement and participation. 

Headshot of Cardinia  Shire Council CEO Carol JeffsCarol brings more than 17 years experience as a senior local government executive, having led planning, corporate services, economic development and community services at both regional and inner metropolitan councils.

She has held positions of Interim Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Community and Economic Development at the City of Port Phillip, and was previously General Manager Governance and Manager City Planning at Latrobe City Council. 

Carol is committed to making a difference in a place that she knows and loves by working closely with the community, councillors and staff to continue to deliver high-quality services and infrastructure across the whole shire. She believes in advocating strongly for what Cardinia Shire needs and engaging with residents, community groups, farmers, businesses and landowners, as we take up the challenge of creating a future we can all be proud of.

Carol holds qualifications in business (Bachelor of Business) and economics (Master of Economics), is a Harvard University Executive Program graduate and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Wayne Mack – General Manager Customer, People and Performance

Wayne is a highly respected leader with 20 years’ local government experience at Bass Coast Shire and the City of Casey.

Prior to joining Cardinia, Wayne was General Manager Business Transformation at Bass Coast Shire where he sponsored award winning transformation projects including the One Council ERP system implementation and Customer Impact projects.

He brings experience leading across strategic, operational, corporate and direct service delivery portfolios including corporate services, business transformation, infrastructure planning and services, capital works programming and delivery. 

Wayne is passionate about delivering customer value in the local government sector and is aspirational in seeking service improvement, using his natural coaching and empowering leadership style to create environments that generate enthusiasm and inspire teams and individuals. 

Wayne has a Bachelor of Engineering (Civil), Master of Infrastructure Engineering and Management, Certificate IV in Workplace and Business Coaching and is currently completing the Company Directors Course. 

Peter Benazic – General Manager Infrastructure and Environment

Peter is a dedicated leader who is recognised for his relentless pursuit of excellence, people leadership skills and customer focus. 

Peter has more than 20 years’ experience in leadership roles in local government in operations, maintenance, parks, waste and project management. He also has experience in the private, community and not-for-profit sectors. 

Peter’s focus at Cardinia Shire Council includes the delivery of new infrastructure and major capital works programs, the shire’s heritage, natural environment, energy and climate change and the continued maintenance of the shire’s roads, drainage, parks and gardens. 

Maintaining and renewing existing assets is another key priority to ensure long-term sustainability and that our services and infrastructure continue to meet the needs of our growing community. 

Peter’s wealth of experience in local government has included senior roles at Port Phillip, Banyule and Maribyrnong city councils.

Peter is committed to building a customer-focussed culture and achieving positive outcomes for the community. 

Peter holds 3 tertiary qualifications, a Double Master of Management, Master of Administrative Management and Master of Business Administration (MBA), as well as a Graduate Certificate in Project Management

Lili Rosic – General Manager Liveable Communities

Lili joined Cardinia Shire Council in August 2021, bringing more than 20 years of leadership experience in diverse portfolios including Transport, City Amenity, Planning, Environment and a range of Community Services.

As an accomplished senior executive, Lili has a proven past performance of engaging and partnering with key stakeholders to solve complex problems and transition ideals into reality.

Lili holds formal qualifications in nursing/midwifery, a Masters of Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Passionate about delivering exceptional customer experiences, enhancing liveability, alongside planning for the future.

Lili values building trust and a positive, unified culture and takes a strategic approach to delivering and inspiring high achievement in her teams. She is values driven and is a supportive, clear and collaborative leader.

Debbie Tyson – General Manager Governance, Facilities and Economy 

Debbie is a skilled and accomplished local government manager with more than 10 years’ experience in leading high performing teams across a range of portfolios. 

Politically astute and experienced, Debbie is a results-oriented leader with a proven ability in policy development, project management and delivering on strategic outcomes.

Prior to her appointment as Cardinia Shire Council’s General Manager Governance, Facilities and Economy, Debbie was the Acting Executive Manager Office of the CEO for 6 months, Manager Community Family Services for one year and Manager Development and Compliance for 4 years. 

She has also held a number of leadership roles in the statutory planning field at South Gippsland and Baw Baw shire councils and was the Manager Planning, Building and Environment at Latrobe City Council for 3 years. 

Debbie has a Graduate Diploma in Planning and Environment from RMIT University and is a graduate of the LGPro Emerging Leaders Program and Gippsland Community Leadership Program.