Council organisation and management

Overseeing the largest local government in Australia, Dr Kerrie Freeman is Chief Executive Officer of Brisbane City Council, serving a population of almost 1.3 million residents.

Passionate about serving the community, Kerrie is committed to delivering Council’s priorities, including building better roads, improving public transport, keeping costs down for residents, and enhancing Brisbane’s lifestyle.

As Chief Executive Officer, Kerrie is dedicated to ensuring Brisbane is and always will be a great place to live, work and relax. Kerrie is an accomplished senior executive with experience in leading large complex organisations, implementing large-scale digital transformation, major infrastructure delivery and leading organisational cultural improvement.

Before joining Council, Kerrie was Chief Executive Officer of the Southern Adelaide Local Health Network with a workforce of more than 9,500 people. She was also the Chief Executive of West Moreton Health and has led health services in New Zealand, remote Queensland and quaternary health services at Children’s Health Queensland.

Kerrie has a Doctor of Philosophy (Community Health), a Bachelor of Business and a Graduate Diploma in Public Health. She is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and holds a Professorship at Flinders University.

In this role, David leads and manages City Planning and Sustainability which supports the future planning and shaping of Brisbane, development assessment, environment, parks and sustainability, and economic development. He provides leadership to develop policies and strategies to manage and integrate the demands of urban growth and economic development and oversee Council’s sustainability agenda. 

David has also worked with the Cross River Rail Delivery Authority as Executive Director Precincts, Planning and Assessment. In this role, he guided the development of precincts around each of the new underground stations, to ensure the significant transport investment is maximised through the delivery of longer-term economic and community inspired urban development. David has provided design leadership across a number of components for the Cross River Rail project, including the stations and public spaces at Albert Street, Roma Street, Woolloongabba, Boggo Road and Exhibition. In addition, David has contributed to the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games bid and Council’s Victoria Park Project Government Reference Group.

David is the former Chief City Planner, Wellington City Council, where he oversaw the design, development, resilience, sustainability and management of Wellington’s urban environment, including all planning, consenting and compliance functions, transport, infrastructure and waste operations, and the strategic design and policy direction to support the city’s future.

David holds a Bachelor of Environmental Design from the University of Tasmania and a Graduate Diploma Landscape Architecture from the Queensland University of Technology.

As Divisional Manager, Brisbane Infrastructure, Scott Stewart’s leadership brings together Council's asset management, infrastructure planning, design, project management, construction, services, maintenance, waste and resource recovery, and transport planning and operations.

Scott joined Council in 2005 and has been a member of the Executive Management Team since 2006.

Prior to this he worked with international consultancy, Arup, in Australia and overseas.

Scott has more than 28 years of infrastructure and executive experience, across local and international roles in the private and public sectors. Experience includes major road, rail and urban infrastructure projects in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, Singapore and Australia.

Through his roles in Council, Scott has fulfilled key leadership roles for the development and delivery of Council’s major infrastructure projects including Brisbane Metro and the TransApex program, including the Go Between Bridge and Legacy Way toll roads.

Scott holds a Bachelor of Engineering (First Class Honours, UQ) and Master of Engineering Science (Project Management, UNSW). He is also a Fellow of the Institution of Engineers Australia, a Chartered Engineer, Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has completed the INSEAD Advanced Management Program (France). 

Karl Hain was appointed Acting Divisional Manager for Transport for Brisbane in November 2024.

In this role, Karl leads one of Australia’s largest public transport providers, managing a workforce of over 3,000 employees and facilitating close to 80 million customer journeys annually across bus, ferry, and e-mobility services.

Guided by Transport for Brisbane’s vision of every customer; every journey matters, Karl and his team are dedicated to delivering a world-class multi-modal public transport experience for the people of Brisbane. He is also responsible for the introduction of key initiatives, including Brisbane Metro services and the Brisbane New Bus Network.

Since joining Brisbane City Council in 2010, Karl has held several leadership roles, including in City Standards and as General Manager for Engineering and Asset Management. Notably, he has played a key role in city-shaping projects such as rebuilding of the Shorncliffe Pier, the Story Bridge Safety Enhancement Project, the City Reach Boardwalk restoration, and Victoria Bridge Decorative Lighting. Karl also introduced Brisbane’s first fully electric bus service, the City Loop, and led Council’s 2023 Australia Day Storm parks and infrastructure restoration program.

Before joining Council, Karl gained 17 years of leadership experience across various Queensland Government owned corporations and served as an Officer in the Australian Regular Army.

Karl holds a Bachelor of Arts, a Master’s in Human Resources, and a Certificate IV in Competitive Systems and Practices (LEAN). He is also an active member of the Queensland Bus Industry Council’s Commercial Contracts Committee.

As the Divisional Manager, Lifestyle and Community Services, Pip is responsible for leading Council’s delivery of experiences that matter for our communities. Pip drives the strategic direction of Council’s community facilities and venues, libraries, compliance and regulatory services, customer services, social inclusion programs and a rich offering of cultural and creative festivals and events.

Pip is an accomplished senior executive with more than 23 years of experience in public administration, policy and governance. Pip has previously held a variety of executive and senior roles in Brisbane City Council as well as various positions in the State and Federal governments. This experience has given her strong knowledge of all levels of government and how the community engages and interfaces.

Pip holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and German) from Flinders University (Adelaide), a Certificate III and IV in Footwear Production, Marleston College of TAFE (South Australia) and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As Divisional Manager for Organisational Services, Anne is responsible for leading, developing and managing Council’s business functions to ensure appropriate financial management, and effective delivery of ICT, asset optimisation, human resources, support services and centre-led procurement.

Prior to this appointment, Anne was Branch Manager for Compliance and Regulatory Services (CARS), Lifestyle and Community Services. In this role, Anne was responsible for managing Council’s regulatory response to matters across areas such as environmental health, built environment, animal management and natural environment.

Before joining Council, Anne had 17 years’ experience working in various roles at the Queensland Government, including Executive Director, Strategy Support and Compliance with the Department of Environment and Science. Some of her major achievements include implementing a new financial assurance framework for mines, developing an intelligence-led risk-based compliance model and managing the underground coal gasification trial.

Anne holds an Executive Master of Public Administration, Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management, Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, Skills and Ethics, as well as a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Environmental Science.

As Executive Manager City Standards, Krysten is responsible for maintaining and enhancing Council’s high standards of amenity, asset maintenance and service delivery across Brisbane. This includes the safe and efficient delivery of fleet services, civil construction, quarry products, asphalt manufacture and laying, waste management and delivery of park maintenance and city cleaning activities.

Before this appointment, Krysten held pivotal leadership roles since joining Council in 2009 including Manager Asset Services, where he was responsible for a broad remit of assets including roads, drainage, parks, natural areas, structures, and trees. The branch also had an extensive capital projects delivery program from major projects such as the Story Bridge restoration to playground upgrades across the city.

During his time as Manager Connected Communities, Krysten led the response to support more than 600 community and sports facilities across Brisbane following the 2022 severe weather event and flood, including the development of an extensive capital works repair program.

Krysten holds a Bachelor of Arts, from Queensland University of Technology, various leadership qualifications from Australian Institute of Management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

As Divisional Manager, City Administration and Governance, Tim provides high-level impartial advice and executive support to the CEO, Civic Cabinet and Council as well as strategic leadership, direction, and oversight of the division.

Prior to this appointment, Tim has held several executive roles within Council including Manager, Natural Environment, Water and Sustainability, and Manager, Asset Services. Both roles saw Tim lead large diverse teams and significant budgets to enhance the public space outcomes, and implement strategic sustainability initiatives for Brisbane.

Tim holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), Certificate IV in Competitive Systems and Practices (LEAN) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. He is also the Executive Sponsor of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community of Inclusion within Council.