Former olive oil chief to lead peak local govt body after year-long wait
The peak body representing local government has appointed its next chief – one year after its last CEO left the helm.
Victoria MacKirdy has been appointed as the next CEO of the local government association following a drawn-out recruitment process.
Former chief Clinton Jury left the peak local government body, LGA South Australia, in July 2025 after four years at its helm and started work as CEO of Vinnies SA a few months later.
Today the LGA announced that MacKirdy – who has been CEO of the City of Victor Harbor since 2018 – would start her new role on July 20.
InDaily reported last week that the LGA South Australia had still not announced a CEO after 10 months, with one upper house politician slamming the prolonged process.
Outspoken legislative councillor Sarah Game, who has been vocal in her criticism of the local government, called for the sector’s entire abolition.
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“What a monumental waste of ratepayers’ money to fund the Local Government Association, whose purpose is to lobby government on behalf of 68 councils,” Game claimed.
“We have too many councils with overpaid bureaucrats who don’t add value to communities.”
The LGA said the recruitment process had been thorough and competitive, with a number of highly-qualified and experienced candidates from across Australia considered for the role.
According to LGA South Australia, MacKirdy has had a distinguished career of more than 30 years working in both regional and metropolitan councils, as well as in the private sector.
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This includes as president of Local Government Professionals Australia and South Australia, as well as being a board director at Country Arts South Australia and Regional Development Australia Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu Peninsula and Kangaroo Island.
She was also general manager of organisation and culture at Alexandrina Council, manager of governance and strategic projects and general manager of corporate services at the City of Unley, and managing director at Minenko Olive Estate from 2004 until 2008.
The business grew and produced extra virgin olive oil in Currency Creek on the Fleurieu Peninsula.
MacKirdy said the opportunity to represent the sector collectively, build on existing shared service offerings, and champion the interests of councils and communities on key issues is what attracted her to the role.
“LGA plays a unique role in bringing the sector together and delivering valued services, and I look forward to building on this to make a difference for councils right across South Australia,” she said.
LGA South Australia president and Mitcham mayor Dr Heather Holmes-Ross said that “Victoria’s extensive council and private sector knowledge, coupled with her strong leadership qualities and credentials, made her a standout candidate for the CEO role”.
“Victoria brings a clear commitment to the sector, and we are confident she will build on LGA’s role as an important partner to councils, government and stakeholders.”
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