The CEO of Perth’s most populous local government area is calling it a day after 16 years in the job.

Stuart Jardine has announced his intention to resign when his contract ends in April 2024.

“It has been my absolute privilege to lead this wonderful organisation and I look back with immense pride and fulfillment on what we have achieved for our community,” Mr Jardine said in a statement.

“I believe now is the right time for me to step down and hand the baton over to a new era of leadership for the City of Stirling.”

Mayor Mark Irwin said Mr Jardine had overseen a period of transformation at Council and his ‘calm and proactive’ leadership would leave a positive and enduring legacy.

“Stuart has enormous credibility and respect, both from councillors and employees at the City, and within our community and the wider local government sector,” Cr Irwin said.

“As a future-focussed leader he has worked tirelessly for the City of Stirling and been a strong advocate at the state and federal level helping to secure multi-million dollar funding for major projects within our community.”

Mr Jardine’s contract has been extended six consecutive times between 2007 and 2022, covering the $100 million Scarborough Foreshore redevelopment, election of the City’s first popularly elected Mayor, a $43.7 million Covid stimulus package and eight consecutive golds for the City’s annual report from the Australasian Reporting Awards.

Mr Jardine’s time in local government began 40 years ago in the UK and he has worked for councils both overseas and in WA.

He was recognised for his contribution to local government with a Public Service Medal in 2017.

The City will launch a search for a new CEO and hopes to have them on board early in 2024.

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