To contact any of the below senior staff, please phone 9777 1000.
General Manager
Nick Tobin
Before joining Willoughby Council in 1998, Nick held various senior management positions such as Director of Council Services at Leichhardt Council and Finance Manager at both Gosford and Mosman Councils. Nick has also managed a number of retail outlets and operated a successful consulting business. He holds an MBA as well as other tertiary qualifications.
Community Services Director
Melanie Smith
Melanie joined Council in December 2011. Prior to this, she has worked in the Community Service sector for the past 27 years. The last 17 years of these being in positions of senior management.
Melanie has worked across a broad range of services including Aged Care, Disability Services, Family Services, Children’s Services, Drug and Alcohol Services, Leisure Services and the Job Network Sector.
Early in her career Melanie was instrumental in the establishment of services that address a broad range of social issues on the Central Coast in conjunction with the Central Coast Area Health Services and various other State Government Departments and Not for Profit Organisations.
Melanie has recently returned from Western Australia where she held the position of Manager Community Development at the City of Belmont for the previous 3 years. In this role she was responsible for the development of the City’s Community Development Plan and played an integral part in the development of the City’s Standing Committee Community Capacity as well as developing the City’s first Aboriginal Engagement Strategy and a review of the City’s Disability Access and Inclusion Plan. In conjunction with this, she was responsible for overseeing the City’s Library Services, Youth & Family Services, Community Services, Leisure, Arts & Culture Department and the Community Development Department.
Melanie has qualifications in Community Services Management and has undertaken training in project management and change management.
Environmental Services Director
Greg Woodhams
Greg joined Council in 1993 with experience in both State and Local Government level as well as the private sector. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honours, a Masters degree in Town Planning and a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Management. Greg has worked for the Sydney planning consultancy, Planning Workshop, and was the Director/Chief Town Planner for Woollahra Council prior to joining Willoughby.
Greg is currently Vice President of the Planning Institute of Australia (NSW Division) and is the Chair of the PIA Urban and Regional Planning Chapter.
He is also a member of several Ministerial and NSW Department of Planning Committees such as the Implementation Advisory Committee on the new planning legislation and the Local Environmental Plan Review Panel.
Infrastructure Services Director
Steven Head
Steven joined Willoughby Council in late 2007 with 13 years experience in local government including roles at Ku-ring-gai, Parramatta and Warringah Councils. Steven’s experience has comprised both planning and service delivery functions across a wide range of Council’s responsibilities. Prior to Local Government, he owned and managed a private business providing services in sports turf, amenity horticulture and facility management.
His original qualifications in horticulture and turf management have been supplemented by post graduate study in Parks Management (Melbourne University), Leisure (UTS) and Management (post graduate certificate MGSM 2000).
Corporate Support and Performance Director
Tracey Crouch
Tracey has been with Council since late 1999. She has 20 years experience in local government in Western Australia and New South Wales. She is responsible for Records (Information Resources), Public Relations, Information Technology & GIS and the Customer Service Centre which includes a counter service, call centre and reception desk.
Tracey also co-ordinates a business improvement program based on Council’s major databases, which looks at streamlining business processes. Tracey is responsible for 38 staff.
Economic and Property Development Project Director
Jeff Ellis
Jeff’s current role is dedicated to promoting the business opportunities of Willoughby to both businesses and the local community. He works closely with all levels of government, regional and surrounding councils to promote economic development.
Jeff also manages Council’s Property portfolio including short and longer term redevelopment plans, master planning exercises, acquisitions and disposals and working with government and the private sector to achieve best practice and innovation.
Financial Services Director
Tony Pizzuto
Tony joined Council in 2002 and is responsible for Council’s overall accounting and financial management including revenue and expenditure, budgeting and estimates, rates, accounts payable and receivable, purchasing and risk management. This includes management of 14 staff. He has previously held senior finance positions at medium-sized and large councils.
Public Officer
Jeff Knight
Employed with Council since 1988, Jeff is responsible for general administration including Council meetings, committee co-ordination, policies and procedures, delegations of authority, print room operations, Councillor requirements, assisting with elections and FOI requests.