Our organisation

How our organisation is structured

Our organisation is made up of 3 groups, each led by a General Manager who reports to the CEO. 

You can view the information below in our organisational chart. 

Corporate Services  

General Manager: Wayne Mack 

Teams 

• Chief Finance Officer
• Chief Information Officer
• Manager People and Culture
• Manager Communications and Engagement
• Manager Business Transformation
• Manager Governance, Safety and Property

Infrastructure and Environment

General Manager: Peter Benazic

Teams 

• Manager Community Infrastructure Delivery
• Manager Infrastructure Services
• Manager Operations
• Manager Environment and Heritage
• Manager Major Projects
• Manager Buildings and Facilities

Community and Planning Services

General Manager: Debbie Tyson

Teams 

• Manager Active and Connected Communities
• Manager Community and Family Services
• Manager Arts, Advocacy and Economy
• Manager Planning and Design
• Manager Regulatory Services

Our CEO

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

Carol brings more than 20 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.

Our General Managers

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

Debbie Tyson – General Manager Community & Planning Services

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 Community & Planning Services, 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.