Hobsons Bay Mayor, Cr Daria Kellander, has announced experienced local government executive Phu Nguyen as the council’s new chief executive officer.
Currently the CEO of the City of Onkaparinga in South Australia, Mr Nguyen grew up in Melbourne’s western suburbs and will return to the west when he takes up the position on 19 January 2026.
Mr Nguyen has had a broad career across Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia.
He was the chief financial officer at the City of Melbourne and the deputy general manager (deputy CEO) and director city governance at Campbelltown City Council in outer Sydney.
He has been the CEO at the City of Onkaparinga, the largest council by population in South Australia, since 2023.
The council has 800 FTE staff and a $240 million operating budget. At Onkaparinga, he has led significant cultural and performance change, including the development of a new Community Vision and organisational values framework, and returning the council to surplus after seven years of consecutive deficits.
Cr Kellander said Mr Nguyen stood out significantly in a strong field of candidates for the role, particularly against the priority key success factors around governance and culture.
“The CEO Employment Matters Committee structured its selection process around the specific context in which Council is working at the moment, which includes an identified need to rebuild its governance, culture and brand while refocussing on service delivery and longer-term strategic priorities,” Cr Kellander said.
“Mr Nguyen is a very experienced executive who grew up in Melbourne’s west and understands the issues facing the region. Council is very excited about Mr Nguyen’s appointment, and we look forward to welcoming him back to the west and working with him to build a bright future for Council and the community.”
Mr Nguyen said he was “thrilled to join Hobsons Bay as the new CEO”.
“I have been given a clear mandate from Council to focus on building a high-performing team culture and supporting staff while rebuilding corporate governance,” he said.
“I am excited to return to Melbourne’s vibrant west and to work alongside staff on building a proud organisation that will be known for delivering exceptional community outcomes, financial resilience and a great organisational culture.”
The CEO search and selection process was managed under the terms of the CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy 2025 guided by the CEO Employment Matters Committee on which all Councillors were represented.
