Wodonga Council chief executive departs after turning $87.9M deficit into surplus
Matt Hyde leaves Wodonga Council in July 2027 after transforming a $87.9 million deficit into surplus.
Matt Hyde arrived at Wodonga Council in 2022 when the council was facing a severe financial crisis. In his first contract period, he worked with staff to cut costs internally while keeping services to the community unchanged.
The council moved from a deficit of $87.9 million to an operating surplus of $29.82 million. Hyde said the work required a lot of pain that residents never saw.
His departure is personal as much as professional: he and his wife have lived apart for five years while she runs a small business north of the region. Hyde is a botanist who previously worked as chief executive at Snowy Valleys Council.
Wodonga Mayor Michael Gobel praised his work ethic and integrity. Recruitment for a new chief executive will begin in early 2027.
- $87.9 million
- Starting deficit
- $29.82 million
- Current surplus
- 2022 to July 2027
- Years in role
- 5 years
- Years apart from wife
Why it mattersThe turnaround shows how a council can stabilise its finances without cutting community services, offering a model that other struggling councils may follow.
AustraliaWodonga Council's financial recovery demonstrates what is possible in Australian local government and may influence how other Victorian councils approach their own budget crises.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 3 h ago
