Carnarvon shire chief Andrea Selvey to helm Augusta-Margaret River

The Augusta-Margaret River Shire Council has confirmed Carnarvon CEO Andrea Selvey will take the local government’s reins mid-year.

Ms Selvey will finish up with the Shire of Carnarvon three years into her five-year contract after winning the highly contested position vacated in December by Stephanie Addison-Brown.

Ms Addison-Brown’s shock move to take up a manager-level position at the City of Busselton, where her husband also works, saw former City of Canning chief Arthur Kyron fill the role while recruitment efforts got under way.

Mr Kyron will step down on May 31 after which shire directors will act in the chief’s role until Mrs Selvey finishes up north.

The incoming chief would switch her focus from flooded roads, community safety and crime to managing population growth, tourism, and conservation when she takes up the position attracting an almost $339,000 per year pay packet on a five-year contract.

Before her most recent gig, Mrs Selvey served for three years as chief executive of the Shire of Cocos Keeling Islands and previously helmed the Shire of Dowerin as well as eight years as the director of creative communities and community services at the City of Greater Geraldton.

She started her local government career as a library clerk at the Town of Bassendean.

In a statement, Mrs Selvey said she was delighted to be appointed and was looking forward to leading the shire.

“It’s a privilege to be appointed as CEO of the Shire of Augusta-Margaret River and I’m looking forward to serving the community and working together to develop and deliver key plans and initiatives for a healthy and sustainable future,” she said.

Shire president Julia Meldrum said the new chief would make a valuable contribution.

“Andrea combines a strategic mindset with a strong community focus and has played a transformational role at the Shire of Carnarvon by working collaboratively to foster positive relationships with the community and State Government,” Ms Meldrum said.

“She understands the complex dynamics of local government as well as the challenges facing our region, and reflects the values of our Shire – respect, integrity, community and excellence – which make her a great fit for the role and our community.”

The chief’s role was one of the most highly sought jobs in WA’s local government sector and attracted 116 applications, from which five people were shortlisted.

Last year, the Carnarvon shire won the Local Government Professionals Australia’s 2023 Warlang Award for Workplace Wellbeing in the below-15,000 population category.