Executive Leadership Team and Organisation Structure
City of Newcastle adopted a new Organisation Structure on 9 August 2022 which became effective on 1 October 2022.
The structure was designed to provide more clarity to employees on day to day tasks and how their roles contribute to the Newcastle 2040 Community Strategic Plan (CSP).
Chief Executive Officer
Jeremy Bath has been the Chief Executive Officer of City of Newcastle since 2017. After starting his local government career in 2002 at Fairfield City Council, he worked in executive roles with ClubsNSW and Clubs Australia before being appointed by the NSW Government in 2015 as the interim Chief Executive Officer at Hunter Water Corporation.
During the past nine years Jeremy has helped rebuild City of Newcastle's financial sustainability after successive SRVs and multiple budget deficits in the years leading to his appointment saw the Council forced to cut its workforce by 10%. Jeremy's drive to deliver year on year record capital works programs is seeing the delivery of some of the largest infrastructure renewal projects in the city's history, including the opening of the Newcastle Art Gallery, the restoration of the Newcastle Ocean Baths and the renewal of the Newcastle Foreshore precinct.
Jeremy is also a Director of Newcastle Airport which has undergone a rapid expansion in routes and passengers on the back of a $150 million new terminal which has attracted international routes to Bali and Singapore, as well as new routes to Adelaide, Perth and Hobart. Jeremy sits on the Board of Arrow Collaborative Services which is co-owned by the ten councils of the Hunter region and is a member of the NSW Government's Hunter Advisory Committee.
Committed to fostering and managing City of Newcastle's stakeholder relationships, Jeremy's goal is to help position Newcastle as one of Australia's most liveable cities.
Executive Director City Infrastructure
The Interim Executive Director City Infrastructure is Robert Dudgeon. Areas of responsibility include Assets & Facilities, Project Management Office, and Civil Construction & Maintenance.
Robert brings over 20 years of experience spanning local government, architecture, and civil infrastructure. With 13 years of dedicated service to City of Newcastle, Robert is passionate about shaping resilient infrastructure, enhancing community assets, and has led the Project Management Office to deliver consecutive record-breaking capital works programs. This includes a portfolio of landmark community projects such as the Newcastle Art Gallery expansion, Bathers Way South Newcastle Beach, East End Public Domain upgrades, and commencement of the Western Corridor upgrades.
Robert is a values-driven and trusted leader known for his strategic thinking, inclusive leadership style, and ability to build high-performing, engaged teams that deliver meaningful outcomes for the people of Newcastle. He is deeply committed to delivering safe, high-quality infrastructure and has driven sustained improvements in employee engagement and operational performance across his portfolio.
Prior to joining City of Newcastle, Robert led the delivery of major infrastructure projects for Upper Hunter Shire Council, including the Scone Water Pipeline. He began his career in private architectural practice and continues to hold registration as a qualified architect.
Raised in the Hunter region, Robert moved to Newcastle to study at the University of Newcastle and has since become deeply embedded in the in the fabric of the city both professionally and personally. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Architecture) with Merit and a Bachelor of Architecture (Honours), alongside formal qualifications in project management and leadership.
Executive Director Corporate Services & Chief Financial Officer
The Executive Director Corporate Services and Chief Financial Officer is David Clarke. Areas of responsibility include Finance, Property & Performance, Legal & Governance, Information Technology, Customer Experience and People & Culture.
As Executive Director, David is leading the transformation of CN's enabling services to support the organisation and City to succeed, focusing on strengthening organisational capability and financial sustainability.
David joined City of Newcastle in August 2018 and has 25 years experience working with communities, stakeholders and governments, including 17 years as Chief Executive Officer and Director in local and state government. He has a track record in delivering complex policy, program, service and reform initiatives, and is a specialist in governance, policy, finance, engagement and strategy. David is passionate about Aboriginal recognition and has previously worked in diverse sectors, including natural resource, coastal and public land management, renewable energy and agricultural research.
From 2013 - 2018, he was Group Director Governance and Strategy with NSW Department of Industry - Lands and Water where he led Crown land legislative reforms, Aboriginal and Council land negotiations and governance functions.
David was born and raised in Newcastle and holds environmental qualifications from the University of Newcastle and is a Graduate of the Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Executive Director Creative & Community Services
The Executive Director Creative & Community Services is Alissa Jones. Areas of responsibility within the Executive portfolio include Newcastle Art Gallery, City Hall, Civic Theatre, Community and Social Planning, Inland Pools, Beaches and Ocean Baths, Open Space and Recreation services, Media, Engagement, Economy, Tourism, Corporate Affairs, Newcastle Museum, Newcastle Libraries and Fort Scratchley.
Alissa was appointed as the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in 2018 and was a finalist in the 2019 Minsters’ Awards for Women in NSW Local Government receiving a Highly Commended Award for Women in a Non Traditional Role due to her appointment as first female CFO for the City. Alissa’s Finance career with the City has involved leading a dedicated team of financial professionals and driving a culture of excellence to support the organisation’s $300 million annual budget and long term financial plan.
Alissa has also held numerous leadership positions including her role as the Director City Wide Services, from September 2019 to May 2022, Managing Director Waste Services from May 2022 to August 2023 and was appointed by the CEO directly as the Program Manager for the Newcastle 500 during which she oversaw the inaugural 2017 Supercar event. Alissa also worked in the Financial Services Industry prior to joining CN.
Alissa holds tertiary qualifications in Commerce with a double major in Finance and Financial Accounting from the University of Newcastle. She has also completed a Certificate IV in Frontline Management, the Emerging Leadership Program through Work Smart Australia, a Local Government Leadership short course through UTS and Project Management qualifications through the Australian Institute of Management (AIM).
Alissa is also a Certified Practising Accountant (CPA), a member of CPA Australia and a Member of the Institute of Company Directors (MAICD).
Executive Director Planning & Environment
The Executive Director Planning & Environment is Michelle Bisson. Areas of responsibility include Planning, Transport & Regulation and Environment & Sustainability.
Michelle joined City of Newcastle (CN) in 2018 bringing with her a wealth of local and state government experience in the field of town planning. As CN's Executive Director Planning & Environment, Michelle is leading the transformation of CN's environmental and planning portfolio, guiding the future development of the city and enhancing our sustainable environment.
Michelle leads a dedicated team focused on delivering a wide range of services to the community, including the development and implementation of strategic policy including CN's housing and heritage strategy and climate action plan as well as achieving developments with design excellence contributing to the city's major revitalisation. Michelle's team also ensures our city is connected by effective traffic and transport planning, as well as healthy and protected through provision of environmental health and regulatory functions.
Michelle's focus on the customer experience and her philosophy for continuous improvement has resulted in the delivery of CN's Accelerated Development Application System, which has resulted in significantly reduced waiting times for development applications and associated economic benefits. CN's ADA System is a state first innovation which has radically transformed the development assessment landscape in NSW.
Michelle is a member of Planning Institute of Australia and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD). Michelle has been recognised by the Planning Institute of Australia, beating 11 finalists to win its inaugural Helen Proudfoot Women In Planning award, named after the pioneering planner.
