Newly appointed Chief Executive Officer Sharon Mason has brought forward her start date at the City of Onkaparinga to 16 February.

Formerly Chief Executive of Selwyn District Council, south of Christchurch on the south island of New Zealand, Ms Mason had originally been due to start in the role on 23 March. She finished her role at Selwyn on 16 January.

The council has confirmed that the CEO’s total remuneration package will be $405k, as set by the independent South Australian Local Government Remuneration Tribunal.

She will also be paid a one-off allowance to cover relocation from New Zealand, capped at a maximum of $20,000. 

The City of Onkaparinga is the largest metropolitan council in South Australia and is classified as a Band 1 council due to its size, operating revenue and population.

The council has welcomed the earlier start date for its new CEO and has appointed Director Community, Jani Baker, to serve as interim CEO until her arrival.

Ms Mason replaces former CEO Phu Nguyen, who served in the role for 2.5 years before resigning to take up the CEO position at the City of Hobsons Bay in Victoria.