Albury loses deputy chief to neighbouring Indigo Shire CEO role
Gael Evans-Barr, Albury Council's deputy CEO, will lead Indigo Shire from January. She will be the first female chief executive.
Gael Evans-Barr is leaving Albury Council to become chief executive of Indigo Shire, a larger council based in Beechworth. She signed a five-year contract and will be the first woman to lead Indigo in its 32-year history.
She lives in Beechworth and has served on the town's secondary college council for ten years. Evans-Barr joined Albury as deputy CEO in October 2025.
She managed spending reviews while the council dealt with debt. Indigo Mayor Sophie Price said Evans-Barr was the best candidate among the 29 people who wanted the job.
She finishes at Albury on January 3, 2027.
- 29 applicants
- Candidates for position
- Five years
- Contract length
- In 32-year history
- Years as first female CEO
- 10 years on secondary college council
- Community service
Why it mattersAlbury loses a strong leader while it recovers financially. Indigo gains an experienced leader to build on recent progress.
AustraliaThe move affects governance capacity in two regional NSW councils during a time when both are managing financial and operational challenges.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
