City of Melbourne CEO reappointed

In what he described as “a vote of confidence” in his leadership, the council’s CEO Justin Hanney has been reappointed to the city’s top job for a further four years.

At a council meeting on Tuesday, June 28, councillors endorsed the reappointment of Mr Hanney as CEO, extending the end term of his contract to June 30, 2026.  

Mr Hanney became CEO in 2019 and led the organisation through the challenges of COVID-19, working with a new councillor group during the pandemic to embark on what the council described as the “most ambitious four-year plan in its history as the city bounces back from the pandemic”.

A statement released by the council on June 30 following Mr Hanney’s reappointment said the CEO had “worked tirelessly with his team to deliver city-shaping initiatives and impactful programs that will help to facilitate the growth of Melbourne’s economy as it recovers from COVID-19.”

Mr Hanney, a resident of the CBD, said he “could not be prouder to continue ensuring Melbourne remains the best place to live, work and study.”  

“We have embarked on the most ambitious four-year plan in the council’s history to reignite our city and support hundreds of thousands of traders, workers, and residents, along with the millions of visitors we welcome every year,” he said.  

“My reappointment is a vote of confidence not only in me as the CEO but more importantly the organisation, and the 1600 committed workforce and hundreds of contractors who commit themselves every day to Melbourne.” 

Lord Mayor Sally Capp said Mr Hanney’s reappointment assured stability through the next council election cycle and described him as an “exceptional leader”. •