Leadership Team

Chief Executive Officer - Stephanie Addison-Brown

Ms Addison-Brown has come to the Shire from the City of Bunbury where she served as the Director of Corporate and Community Services for seven years and the Director Planning and Development for one year.

Her wealth of experience includes implementing ‘Smart Cities’ initiatives, running Bunbury Wildlife Park, and overseeing the Bunbury City Library, Withers Library, Bunbury Museum and Heritage Centre, Bunbury Regional Art Gallery, Bunbury Visitor Centre, and the South West Sports Centre.

She has steered major city projects, strategies and initiatives alongside her fellow colleagues on the Executive Leadership Team.

Before working at the City of Bunbury, Stephanie joined the team at the City of Mandurah and, over seven years,  worked on strategy, corporate performance, organisational culture, economic development, tourism and marketing.

Prior to coming to Australia, she worked for Lonely Planet (the global, ethical travel guide publishers) where she was the UK office manager for a global office, which managed publications for countries and regions in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

Stephanie holds an BA (Hons) in Philosophy, as well as post graduate management studies

Director Sustainable Development - Dale Putland

Dale Putland commenced with the Shire as the Director of Sustainable Development in November 2016. Dale has a background in State and local government, and the mining industry. Previously he was the Executive Director Planning and Development at the City of Albany from 2012 until taking up his position with the Shire of Augusta Margaret River. Dale’s experience in government includes several management positions in the Department of Planning in the areas of strategic planning and infrastructure coordination, Manager Environmental Services at the City of Geraldton and Senior Environmental Planner at the City of Swan. 

In addition to formal qualifications in Project Management, Dale has a Bachelor of Science in Sustainable Development, Masters of Environmental and Business Management, and a PHD in Public Policy.  Dale has recently been involved as a mentor in the LGMA Lift Off Program (a mentoring program for new and emerging leaders in local government).

Dale guides the functions of the Sustainable Development Directorate which includes the Planning, Building, Environmental Health, Waste, Sustainability and Ranger services.  These various services are charged with ensuring that the growth of the Shire is appropriately planned and delivered, and that the environment of the Shire is a safe, healthy and enjoyable place for residents and visitors.

Acting Director Corporate and Community Services - Andrew Ross

After working with the Shire in the late 1990s as the Manager Finance, Andrew Ross re-joined the Shire in February 2013 and his substantive role as the Manager Corporate Services is responsible for the Shire’s financial, records and information management as well as customer services.  Andrew has a background in these areas at State, Local and private sector levels.  Graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of WA in the 1980s, Andrew’s working career commenced with Western Power for 15 years and progressed to local government at the Shire of Augusta Margaret River and 9 years at the Shire of Capel as the deputy CEO as well as shorter stints as the financial controller of a local vineyard and a local government consultant.  Resident in the Shire for over 20 years Andrew has enjoyed being part of junior sporting clubs as a coach, umpire and scribe as well as a long term as a school board treasurer. 

As the acting Director Corporate and Community Services, Andrew is responsible for a diverse portfolio that includes the operation of the Shire’s recreation centres, libraries and caravan parks as well as the finance, procurement, records, information management, customer service, marketing/corporate communications, community development and emergency services functions.

Director Infrastructure Services - Markus Botte

Markus Botte commenced with the Shire as the Director of Infrastructure Services in October 2018 and comes with a broad experience across the civil engineering spectrum gained both in local government and the private sector, locally and abroad. Prior to joining the Shire of Augusta Margaret River Markus held senior positions at the City of Gosnells and the Shire of Serpentine Jarrahdale, after commencing his local government career at the City of Kalamunda. In the past he also worked on behavioural change initiatives, promoting sustainable transport modes and researching travel behaviour, on behalf of State Government.

Markus graduated as Civil Engineer at Dresden University of Technology, Germany, with a Master of Science degree completed at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Switzerland. More recently he completed his doctoral research degree in Transport Economics at the University of Western Australia. He  holds professional affiliations with the Institute of Public Works Engineering Australasia (IPWEA WA), including a past executive functions, fellow membership of the Australian Institute of Management and has been actively representing local government interests at the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s urban development committee and the Corporate Research Centre for Water Sensitive Cities over a number of years.

Markus is responsible for strategic direction and effective operational management of the Shire’s Infrastructure Services Directorate, including works, land development engineering, infrastructure assets and natural resource management. He contributes to the efficient and effective financial management of the organisation and advocacy for infrastructure funding.

Besides managing a traditional civil engineering portfolio he has keen interests in transit oriented development, urban hydrology and water sensitive urban design. He has been heavily involved in influencing government policy, guidelines and management frameworks related to infrastructure provision to enable improved social equity, community safety and economic growth. This has seen him share his knowledge on novel and contemporary engineering practices at national and international level.