A number of leading executives at Murrindindi Council do not have any full or beneficial land ownership anywhere in the municipality, according to the Interest Returns Register filed this year.
Chief Executive Officer Livia Bonazzi’s declaration claims that she has ‘nil’ land ownership anywhere, no involvements with any outside company, no personal debt, and that she has received no gifts.
Ms Bonazzi (pictured) is believed to be paid at least $270,000-$279,999 range per year by the Council. This equals a weekly pay packet of up to $5192.
Vito Alibicini, Director Assets and Development, left a blank spot against the question of any land ownership on his Interest Returns Register. He notes that he has personal debt to Westpac, and ‘BMW Australia Finance DDDD Loan’.
Stuart Russell, Manager Operations and Maintenance, gives a ‘nil’ answer to property ownership, and Anne Cullen, Manager Customer Experience, said ‘N/A’. So did Natascha Kate Powne (Siebert), Interim Director Community Engagement, in the returns dated March 2023.
Peter Bain, Manager Sustainability and Assets, replied ‘N/A’ to the question of land ownership.
Those Council executives with land holdings include:
n Michael Chesworth, Director Corporate and Shared Services, who says he is part-owner in a residence and hobby farm. He also lists participation in Mikama Farm, involved in farm produce and horse riding instruction. Mr Chesworth is also involved with Maikworth Pty Ltd, the trustee of a self-managed superannuation fund, which has “cash, shares, interest bearing deposits”.
n Cheryl Nickels-Beattie, Manager Business Services, who has owner interests in a place of residence, plus shares through the Cheryl Nickels Family Trust.
n Natalie Stewart, Manager Development Services, as property owner of a residential dwelling.
n Stuart Coller, Manager Community Wellbeing, who has a personal residence, as well as real estate through the S. Coller Trust.
n Tara Carter, Manager Governance and Risk, is co-owner of a residence.
Outside involvements include Ms Bonazzi’s Directorship of the Tourism North East Board. Mr Albicini lists involvements with VCA Asset Management Pty Ltd, as well as consultancy/agency involvements through ‘Colac Shire Council’ and ‘Loddon Shire Council’.
Mr Chesworth is involved with the Yea Wetlands Trust. Ms Stewart listed herself as Chair of St Mary’s Primary School, Alexandra, and her family’s involvement with Alexandra Bricklaying and Concreting in which her partner is a one-third owner/operator.
Ms Cullen listed paid employment with the City of Casey. Ms Siebert lists being a Director of the non-profit Gather My Crew. She listed consultancy/agency with Resilient Co and Emergency Management Victoria. Her register listings showed personal debt to HSBC.
Mr Bain declared personal debt to Westpac.
According to the 2021-22 Murrindindi Shire Council Annual Report, the municipality then employed three senior personnel on packages of $150,000 or more, and four key managers receiving more than $150,000 annually.
The Local Paper offered the opportunity for the Council CEO and Councillors to comment on this report.
H
Murrindindi Shire Mayor Cr John Walsh’s interest returns register shows his family farm and involvement in Wallbiz PtyLtd, a special purpose company for the Wallbiz Superannuation Fund.
Cr Walsh’s return declares that he has no outside paid employment, has nil personal debt, owns no shares, and has left a blank space against the question of receiving any personal gifts.
Category 1 Mayoral allowances in Victoria would entitle Cr Walsh to receive up to $77,933 annually. Councillor allowances have a component for 10 per cent superannuation.
Deputy Mayor Cr Katerina ‘Karine’ Haslam declared that she owns a principal place of residence, and operates the Haslam Superannuation Fund, which has “mixed investments”.
Immediate Past Mayor, Cr Sue Carpenter, owns a private residence, and her involvements are as a Director of the Rotary Club of Yea, and as a Councillor and Warden of St Luke’s Anglican Parish, Yea.
Cr Damien Gallagher lists his directorships of Hill Valley Family Trust (trading as Hill Valley Pastoral Company), and Alexandra Events Corporation Ltd. He has paid employment with Hardcat Pty Ltd. He lists that he has no personal debt, and that he has received no gifts.
Cr Ilona Gerencser has paid employment with Foodworks Kinglake, and is owner-occupier of a property. She has debt to ANZ Banking Group and Nissan Finance.
Cr Eric Lording listed that he is a CEO/Director of an inactive family company, Lorco Holdings. His March 2023 return indicates paid employment with Yenckens Hardware as Weekend Manager, plus Committee membership at Flowerdale Community House. Cr Lording lists his ownership of a home and hobby farm with 49 acres of farmland.
Cr Sandice McAulay declared that she does not draw any salary or wages from the Taggerty General Store that she owns with her husband. They own a residence, and investment rental premises. Cr McAulay said she was Secretary of the Taggerty Community Progress Group, ordinary member of the Taggerty Hall Committee, and member of the Steavenson Falls Committee of Management.
Cr Walsh declared his involvement as Treasurer of the Central Ranges Local Learning Network. Cr Lording also listed a CRLLEN directorship.
The Local Paper offered the opportunity for the Council CEO and Councillors to comment on this report.

https://www.dindi.com.au/wp/2023/07/03/murrindindi-some-shire-execs-dont-pay-rates/