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Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson appointed as Baw Baw Shire new directors following recent organisational restructure

Baw Baw Shire Council has appointed Nathan Kearsley and Jill Colson as new directors following a restructure reducing its executive leadership team from five to three.

By news@gippsland - 10th August 2026 - Back to News

Baw Baw Shire Council has announced the appointment of two new Directors following a recent organisational restructure. The new organisational structure came into effect on Monday 3 August and was designed to ensure Baw Baw Shire Council was appropriately structured to meet the current and future needs of our community.

Nathan Kearsley joins Baw Baw Shire from Latrobe City Council, bringing extensive leadership experience across finance, governance, corporate services, strategy and organisational performance

Council leadership restructure

The restructure saw a significant change to council's Executive Leadership Team, with a reduction from five Directors to three Directors managing three new directorates including Infrastructure and Environment Services, Customer and Corporate Services and Community and Planning Services. The appointments are:

• Nathan Kearsley - Director Customer and Corporate Service
• Jill Colson - Director Infrastructure and Environment Services

Recruitment for Baw Baw Shire's Director Community and Planning Services remains ongoing.

Chief Executive Officer Tilla Buden congratulated the new Directors, saying the appointments marked an important milestone for Baw Baw Shire Council. "These appointments bring together exceptional leadership, deep expertise and a shared commitment to delivering meaningful outcomes for our people, partners and the communities we serve. Our new leadership team positions us to respond to emerging opportunities, strengthen collaboration across the organisation and continue delivering on our strategic vision."

New directors appointed

Nathan Kearsley - Director Customer and Corporate Services

Nathan Kearsley joins Baw Baw Shire from Latrobe City Council, where he has held the position of General Manager Organisational Performance since October 2022. His current role on the Executive team at Latrobe City Council incorporates leadership of functions including finance, Information Technology and Corporate Strategy, People and Culture, Governance and Property Operations. Before his current role, Nathan spent six years at Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, in Manager level roles in areas including Finance, Property and Commercial Services.

Before entering Local Government, Nathan spent several years in Investment Banking in Asia. A seasoned leader of diverse teams across a range of disciplines and sectors, Nathan develops teams that place the customer at the centre, creating energy and momentum to enable organisations to deliver on council priorities. He brings a high level of commercial acumen and judgement, a broad corporate services skillset and a focus on delivering outcomes to a high standard.

Jill Colson joins Baw Baw Shire from Bayside City Council, bringing extensive local government leadership experience in infrastructure, environment, strategy and organisational performance

Jill Colson - Director Infrastructure and Environment Services

Jill joins Baw Baw Shire from Bayside City Council, where she has held the position of Director, Environment, Recreation and Infrastructure since April 2023. Before her current role, Jill held the role of Director Corporate Services at Bayside City Council from 2018. Before joining Bayside, she was with Manningham council for five years, overseeing People and Culture, Governance and Risk, and before that, Yarra Ranges Council.

With an extensive background in HR, Organisational Development, Strategy and Organisational Performance, Jill is a values-based leader who brings significant depth and breadth of experience across both Local Government and the private sector. She is passionate about creating and maintaining places and spaces for community wellbeing and amenity, and climate resilience, and is highly experienced in managing diverse portfolios and engaging with a broad range of stakeholders and multi-disciplinary teams to deliver optimal solutions.

Pictures from LinkedIn website.

Source: http://gippsland.com/

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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• Labor government criticised over regional childcare shortages, workforce gaps and red tape following parliamentary inquiry findings
  A Victorian parliamentary inquiry found regional childcare providers face severe workforce shortages, vacant places, growing waitlists and excessive red tape, with Melina Bath calling for stronger accountability and practical solutions.
• East Gippsland Council calls for ESVF levy reform ahead of November Victorian state election
  East Gippsland Shire Council is urging Victorian election candidates to reform the ESVF levy, citing disproportionate regional costs and seeking fairer, transparent emergency services funding.
• East Gippsland Council connects local contractors with upcoming projects, opportunities and business support initiatives on 21 August 2026
  Around 80 local contractors attended East Gippsland Shire Council’s annual breakfast, gaining insights into upcoming projects, procurement opportunities, tendering processes and business support initiatives for local enterprises.
• Flight test command centre opens, strengthening Latrobe's role in Australia's advanced aviation innovation sector and creating new opportunities
  Latrobe's new Flight Test Range Command Centre has opened at Latrobe Regional Airport, supporting advanced aviation research, drone technology, investment, manufacturing growth and skilled jobs across the region.
• Darren Chester warns Gippslanders to prepare for potential mass native bird deaths following H5 bird flu detection
  Darren Chester is urging Gippslanders to prepare for potential native bird deaths after H5 bird flu was detected at Lakes Entrance, warning of significant wildlife impacts and calling for coordinated biosecurity measures.
• Melina Bath condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, with Victoria recording nearly twice New South Wales' victims
  Melina Bath has condemned Labor over soaring vehicle thefts, citing Victoria's high theft rate and major increases across eastern Victoria, while calling for more police, stronger bail laws and tougher sentencing.
• Bass Coast Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights major projects, community achievements and strong financial performance across the region
  Bass Coast Council’s 2025–26 Annual Report highlights major projects, community events, environmental initiatives and financial achievements, including new trails, bike facilities and more than 369,000 native plants.
• Australia Day Awards nominations closing soon and other council projects and program updates
  South Gippsland Shire Council shares updates on community awards, infrastructure, citizenship, seniors’ programs, events, grants, jobs, emergency preparedness, and public consultations about local swimming pools and essential community services.
• East Gippsland launches disability network to strengthen community input on council projects, services and decisions
  East Gippsland Shire Council has launched the Disability Network, inviting people with disability, carers and organisations to help shape council decisions through accessible online and in-person community engagement.
• Latrobe City Council records strongest planning performance, leads Victoria in statutory decision timeframes
  Latrobe City Council has achieved its strongest planning performance, with 95.44 percent of applications decided within statutory timeframes following streamlined delegation reforms introduced in May 2025.