New council CEO coming from Perth to take up city's top job

Mr Schneider will succeed current chief Bruce Anson, who announced in July he would retire in early January.

Mr Schneider is currently the CEO of Perth-based local government authority, the Eastern Metropolitan Regional Council.

New mayor Tony Herbert welcomed the appointment.

“Mr Schneider was chosen after a recruitment process which cast a wide net and attracted a high quality field of candidates,” Cr Herbert said.

“We’re extremely pleased to have Mr Schneider on board and he’ll bring great experience and drive to this key role.”

Mr Schneider, who became familiar with Warrnambool during a stint working with Coles Myer, said he was looking forward to joining the Warrnambool team in the New Year. 

“From what I've seen of the city it has a huge amount of potential and so much going for it,” he said. 

“Council has a very simple yet very powerful vision of making Warrnambool a cosmopolitan city by the sea and I look forward to working with them and staff to explore that theme and help turn it into a reality. 

“I have been particularly impressed by the passion and commitment of the councillors, both individually and as a collective and get a real sense of their connection to the community, which is at the heart of all they do. 

“I was equally impressed with the decision to develop a community plan, ahead of it being a legislative requirement, which to me shows progressive leadership. 

“My wife is originally from New South Wales but has wonderful childhood memories of holidaying in Warrnambool and we both get a wonderful sense of this being a great place to raise our two young sons, especially given its outstanding liveability status.”