Council & Politics
11 August, 2026
Sally Jones hits the ground listening
SALLY Jones has started at the Pyrenees Shire’s Interim CEO while the organisation seeks a permanent replacement for Jim Nolan. Council has engaged Ms Jones’ services for between three and six months while the recruitment process takes place.
She has 24 years experience in local government with both metropolitan and rural councils.
Most recently, Ms Jones was Interim CEO at Baw Baw Shire.
She told the Pyrenees Advocate she’s keen to speak with the community about priorities and expectations.
“It’s local government so it’s the same sector and priorities are often similar but of course, communities are often different so a lot of what I do is lots of listening, asking questions and really listening to answers. Ms Jones said priorities for Pyrenees Shire are incredibly important.
“As normal is good, but if there are improvements that I can see that are simple and aren’t going to cost council then I’m really here to do that as well.
“It’s really not just about keeping the seat warm from my perspective,” Ms Jones said.
“Prior to starting I did request quite a bit of documentation and vision and lots of information for me to get my head around, where council wants to be, where we are currently at, is the organisation set up to achieve what council wants to, so I have been getting my head around all of the reading and then of course my first couple of weeks, there’s a lot of talking and listening.”
Last month, Mayor Cr Damian Ferrari said Ms Jones was well-positioned to take Pyrenees Shire Council forward.
“We believe Sally will build and create great relationships with our stakeholders, particularly our community, and continue to deliver on the Council’s expectations,” Cr Ferrari said.
“Sally was appointed after a rigorous recruitment process, with the next step to start recruiting a permanent CEO,” Cr Ferrari said.
A recruitment process including all five councillors and an independent advisor is underway to select a new CEO, with council hoping to make an announcement in coming months.
Ms Jones said she’s not considering the position on a full time basis.
“Well not on day one anyway. I really do enjoy my interim work.
“I’m definitely interim and I haven’t considered a permanent role, but who knows on day two.”