CEO Peter Smith resigns

Published on 19 August 2024

In mid-July, Peter Smith provided notice of his resignation from the position of CEO of Darebin City Council, and since that time Council has been working with Peter to finalise arrangements to ensure a smooth transition given the proximity to the fast-approaching Council elections and Election Period. Peter’s last day in the role will be the 16th of September 2024. 

Mr Smith, who joined Darebin in October 2022, is leaving to spend more time with family members and pursue other career interests, which includes continuing his work as Chair of PlacemakingX and taking on a new voluntary role as Co-President of “The Place Institute”, a new not for profit organisation being established to deliver global place making programs. 

Peter thanked the Councillors and the three Mayors (Cr Messina, Cr Williams and Mayor Newton) he has worked with for their ongoing support, leadership and hard work during his tenure as CEO stating:

“Whilst timing is never ideal, I believe that leaving the CEO role now, provides a great opportunity for the incoming Council to appoint a new CEO who can build on the hard work we have undertaken together over the last two years to create a better organisation for our community, customers and staff. In particular, the new CEO will have the opportunity to see through implementation of the new Council Plan and many of our organisational change priorities by being available to lead the organisation for the whole of the next Council term."

Mayor, Susanne Newton thanked Mr Smith for his service and acknowledged his contribution in his time at Darebin. 

“Peter has brought a wealth of experience, high integrity and outstanding leadership to Darebin. We have been so fortunate to have had a CEO of Peter’s calibre over the past two years and we are very sorry to see him go,” she said.

“Peter has a deep commitment to the values Darebin care about, in particular housing and homelessness, addressing the climate emergency, and other social justice issues. He has been a champion for those in need, supporting us to introduce the Towards Zero 

Homelessness program and continuing our Darebin Assertive Outreach program. I’m grateful for the hard calls he made to help us reach financial sustainability in light of interest rate rises and increasing costs in labour and materials. 

“Peter has been a wonderful support to me on a daily basis, and I will never forget the wisdom and guidance he gave me as a first-time Mayor. Peter is a gracious and effective leader, a diplomat who I learnt so much from by watching how he worked with all kinds of people. 

With Darebin just announced as the first city in Australia to achieve ‘excelling’ status by Welcoming Australia, Peter is leaving Darebin in a good place – as a city that welcomes everyone and thrives on our diversity and inclusivity.

“We wish Peter and his family all the very best and thank him very much for all that he has delivered for Darebin,” she said.

An open process to appoint an Interim CEO is underway.