April 10th, 2025Former CEO Aaron van Egmond quits Hobsons Bay

Former Hepburn Shire Council CEO Aaron van Egmond is now also former Hobsons Bay Council CEO.

Hobsons Bay Council released a brief statement  last Tuesday, April 1 that Mr van Egmond  has resigned effective immediately, to move to  Queensland for family reasons.  

Councillors had voted to suspend Mr van  Egmond at an unscheduled council meeting on  Saturday, January 25.  

“Councillors became aware of concerns about safety in the workplace and  the CEO’s fulfilment of his duties more broadly,” Hobsons Bay Mayor Daria  Kellander said after the meeting.  

“Councillors take these matters very seriously and have made this  decision following thorough and careful consideration, pending further  investigations.”  

The council’s internal investigation into the matter is continuing while  WorkSafe Victoria has also made inquiries.  

Hobsons Bay Council acknowledged his service.  Mr van Egmond spent six years at Hepburn Shire Council before moving  to Hobsons Bay Council in June 2018.  

During his time at Hepburn Shire Council, the council bought The Rex  building with plans to turn it into a Hepburn Hub with council offices, a  visitor centre and library.

The council later sold the building at a huge loss.  Mayor Don Henderson said the financial loss associated with the  Hepburn Hub at The Rex project was $5.65 million.

This included the  purchase of The Rex in 2016 for $6.345 million, additional expenditure of  $3.04 million, and proceeds from the sale amounting to $3.74 million.  

Words: Donna Kelly