Senior Management
Executive Management Team
An able administration is needed to manage Yass Valley Council, an organisation employing over 150 staff and with an annual budget of $30 million. The focus of the management team is to ensure the continued delivery of excellent services and optimum infrastructure to residents and also visitors who come to Yass Valley for a taste of the region's best.
Yass Valley Council is managed by the Chief Executive Officer and three Directors.
Chief Executive Officer
Gayleen Burley
Gayleen Burley is a dedicated local government leader with an extensive background in rural and regional service delivery. She brings extensive leadership experience in asset and infrastructure management, team leadership, budget management, strategic planning, and organisational performance.
Before joining Yass Valley Council, Gayleen held the position of Director of Place and Growth at Glen Innes-Severn Council in the New England region. She has also served in senior leadership roles at Kempsey Shire Council and Port Macquarie-Hastings Council, where she was responsible for managing significant community assets, including regional airports, saleyards, caravan parks, and cultural facilities.
Gayleen has strong commercial acumen, business management skills, and a proven ability to deliver results across diverse and growing communities. She has demonstrated success in aligning council services with community needs while maintaining financial sustainability and operational excellence.
Gayleen was attracted to the role because of Yass Valley’s strong sense of community, its rich natural and cultural heritage, and it's exciting growth potential. She saw an opportunity to contribute to a region that values both its traditions and its future and is passionate about creating positive change through effective leadership.
With the development of the Crago Mill precinct, Gayleen is looking forward to leading Council into a new era - nurturing the growing workforce, guiding staff to fulfil their greatest potential, and fostering leadership expertise and personal development opportunities.
She is committed to transparent governance, meaningful community engagement, and building on the high standard of services already delivered by Yass Valley Council. Her priority is to ensure that Council remains financially sustainable now and into the future, while continuing to be responsive, reliable, and forward-thinking in meeting the needs of a growing population.
Gayleen and her family have relocated to the Yass Valley, and she looks forward to exploring the area.
Phone: 02 6226 1477
Email: Council@yass.nsw.gov.au
Director Planning and Environment
Julie Costa
Julie Costa joined Yass Valley Council on July 6 2020, bringing 25 years of planning experience to the table. Since graduating from the University of New England with a Bachelor or Urban and Regional Planning, Julie has held positions predominately in regional and rural councils throughout NSW.
Prior to joining Yass Valley Council, Julie served as the Manger of Planning and Environmental Services at Edward River Council in Deniliquin for eight years. During this time, she oversaw several high profile strategic planning projects, including the Deniliquin Public Space Strategy, Edward River Open Space Strategy, Floodplain Risk Management Study and Plan and the Deniliquin Masterplan. These projects were used to successfully secure over $7 million in funding from the NSW and Australian Governments to deliver significant infrastructure projects across the local government area.
Julie has a strong understanding of the Local Government sector and has developed sound technical knowledge across strategic land use planning, development assessment, environmental services and compliance.
Julie was attracted to the Yass Valley’s enviable location and excited to provide leadership in a council that is undergoing significant urban growth and expansion. With a strong focus on ensuring Yass Valley realises the opportunities that come with its close proximity to Canberra, Julie is looking forward to implementing the Local Strategic Planning Statement and the Settlement Strategy. She is also keen to ensure effective and efficient delivery of services in the Yass Valley and to build upon community relationships to assist Council in the delivery of these services.
In her spare time, Julie loves gardening, listening to music and spending time with her family.
Phone: 02 6226 1477
Email: Council@yass.nsw.gov.au
Director Infrastructure & Assets
Nathan Cooke
Nathan Cooke is a dedicated professional with a strong background in engineering and facilities management. His career began at Yass Valley Council in 2001, where he started as a trainee engineer.
Over the years, Nathan took on various roles within Council, including survey and design officer, assistant development engineer and construction coordinator, gaining valuable experience and expertise in the field.
Nathan holds an Advanced Diploma of Civil and Environmental Engineering, a Bachelor of Engineering Technology, and a Diploma of Project Management, demonstrating his commitment to professional development and excellence in his field.
In 2008, Nathan moved to Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council, where he served as the Manager of Transport & Facilities for fifteen years. During his time at Queanbeyan Palerang Regional Council, Nathan excelled in managing transport and facility operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance with regulations.
In 2023, Nathan returned to Yass Valley Council, bringing with him a wealth of knowledge and a proven track record of success in his field. He is committed to delivering high quality services and making a positive impact in the community.
Nathan sees Yass Valley Council’s biggest strengths as its location, our community and staff. He believes that these strengths are key to Council’s success and its ability to service the community effectively.
Nathan’s main focus over the coming years will be improving Council’s assets, assisting with the delivery of Council’s infrastructure projects and improving services to the Yass Valley community.
In his personal life, Nathan enjoys travel, sports and spending time with his family. These hobbies reflect his active lifestyle and commitment to work-life balance.
Phone: 02 6226 1477
Email: Council@yass.nsw.gov.au
Director Corporate and Community
Peta Gardiner
Peta Gardiner brings over 20 years of expertise in business operations, corporate services, project management and human resources to Yass Valley Council. Peta holds a Masters of Business Management from the University of Canberra, and has help with transformational change in businesses across the tertiary education, non-for-profit and local government sectors.
Prior to joining Yass Valley Council, Peta acted as a Senior Advisor for employment relations at the Australian National University, overseeing compliance, employment regulations and change management. She brings with her strong experience in improving workplace processes, enjoying the challenges of coaching and supporting mangers to enhance organisation outcomes.
During her time as a Manager at Upper Lachlan Shire Council, Peta gained a deep understanding of the local government sector together with the challenges and opportunities for those working in local councils. With a Bachelors of Commerce under her belt and as a Qualified Investigator, she has taken lead roles in delivering organisational change and improving workplace culture by guiding people, and leveraging the latest processes and technology.
Peta believes that her expertise with building business-enabling areas of an organisations is going to be instrumental in leading Yass Valley Council’s plans for the future. She passionate about ensuring the best outcomes for the community. Her main focus for the next few years is to lead Council’s community engagement strategies, connect with the community, and build strong relationships with businesses, community groups and the people of Yass Valley.
In her spare time, Peta can be found at the gym, on the touch footy field or the netball courts. She looks forward to connecting with people of the Yass Valley.
Phone: 02 6226 1477
Email:Council@yass.nsw.gov.au