- Three Commissioners have been appointed to the City of Nedlands
- Appointment follows resignation of five councillors with remaining council positions declared vacant
- Commissioners to serve until a new council is elected in March 2026
Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley has today announced the appointment of three highly experienced Commissioners to lead the City of Nedlands.
Under theLocal Government Act 1995,Commissioners can be appointed to fulfil the role of the council and exercise its powers if more than half of the council becomes vacant.
Following the resignation of five councillors, and as required by the Act, the remaining four councillor positions have been declared vacant by the Governor with effect from Friday.
The three Commissioners appointed are:
- David Caddy (Chair) who has worked in the private and public sectors for more than 50 years. Mr Caddy was Chair of the Western Australian Planning Commission (2018-2024) and was a City of Nedlands Deputy Mayor and councillor (1989-1995);
- Bianca Sandri (Deputy Chair) who was recently director of Community Services for the City of Bayswater and has previously acted as CEO. Ms Sandri is also a Board member of the WA Planning Commission, was a City of Stirling councillor for six years (2017-2023), including a period as Deputy Mayor and operated her own town planning business (2016-2023); and
- Cath Hart was most recently the CEO of the Real Estate Institute of Western Australia (2022-2025) and was executive director of the Housing Industry Association (2018-2022). She is a member of the ChemCentre WA Boardand the Housing First Homelessness Advisory Group.
The three Commissioners will replace the council of the City of Nedlands and fulfil its responsibilities to the community until a special election is held on 28 March next year.
The priority for the Commissioners will be to adopt the council's budget for the 2025-26 financial year and address the issues raised in the Office of the Auditor General's disclaimer of opinion in response to its 2022-23 financial audit.
They will also work to restore confidence in the council and welcome locally driven solutions.
The Commissioners' appointment will take effect from Friday, 25 July.
As stated by Local Government Minister Hannah Beazley:
"The ratepayers and residents of the City of Nedlands deserve a professional, effective and productive council.
"With extensive management and leadership experience across both the private and public sectors, I am confident the three Commissioners appointed will deliver the good governance and stability needed at the City of Nedlands.
"These accomplished professionals are equipped with the skills to fulfil these important public service roles to a high standard and ensure the City is functioning effectively for its ratepayers and residents.
"City of Nedlands locals should seriously consider nominating for a position on council and what they can contribute to their community after what has been a prolonged period of dysfunction, and I strongly urge residents to vote at the March election.
"It's important that everyone has their say and elects a council that functions well and serves the needs and interests of the local community."
