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  

Hobsons Bay City Council CEO Aaron van Egmond remains suspended from his position. 

In a joint statement on February 1, Acting CEO Sustainable Communities director Rachel Sarah Lunn and Mayor Cr Daria Kellander said councillors became aware of concerns about safety in the workplace, as well as the CEO’s fulfilment of his duties and responsibilities more broadly. 

“Councillors continue to take these matters very seriously and made the decision to suspend Aaron van Egmond (on January 25), pending further investigations, following thorough and careful consideration. “

The Acting CEO has taken immediate steps to seek to ensure the safety of staff and the commencement of a fair, comprehensive and respectful investigation into a range of concerns, as well as supporting the continuity of council services. 

“Council requests that the names or other identifying information of council staff, and speculation as to matters under investigation, are not published in the interests of protecting staff safety and providing procedural fairness. 

“Council can make no further comment at this time.” 

Mr van Egmond was CEO of Hepburn Shire from 2012 to 2018 when he left to undertake the same position at Hobsons Bay City Council. 

Mr van Egmond could not be contacted for comment. 

Words: Donna Kelly  

Former Hepburn Shire Council chief executive officer Aaron van Egmond has been suspended from his position as CEO of Hobsons Bay City Council.  

In a statement released on the Hobsons  Bay City Council’s Facebook page on Saturday, January 25, Mayor Cr Daria Kellander said:  “Following an unscheduled meeting of  council today, Aaron van Egmond has been  suspended as CEO of Hobsons Bay Council  effective immediately.

“Councillors became aware of concerns about safety in the workplace and the CEO’s fulfilment of his duties more broadly. Councillors take these matters  very seriously and have made this decision following thorough and careful  consideration, pending further investigations.  

“Given the sensitivity of these matters for all concerned, council can make no  further comment at this time.”

Hobsons Bay City Council’s website says Mr van Egmond started his role on  June 12, 2018 after six years at Hepburn Shire Council.  

“Aaron has been a strong leader in the Victorian local government sector for 15 years. Aaron previously served as CEO of Hepburn Shire Council for six years where he had a strong focus on project delivery, financial sustainability, operational efficiency and occupational health and safety. He also focused on significant  improvements in customer service and community engagement.”  

Words: Donna Kelly | Image: File