
hobsons bay city council
Councillor induction training
Executive leadership and high-performing team
OrganisationAL Profile
Hobsons Bay City Council is a progressive local government organisation in Melbourne’s inner west, serving diverse communities across suburbs including Williamstown, Altona, Newport, and Laverton. The Council provides a broad range of services and infrastructure to support community wellbeing, sustainable growth, and economic development.
With a strong focus on inclusion, innovation, and environmental leadership, Hobsons Bay is committed to delivering on its strategic vision through collaborative governance and community engagement. The organisation strives to build a connected, resilient, and forward-thinking city that reflects the values and aspirations of its people.
Hobsons Bay City Council
Councillor Group
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Hobsons Bay City Council engaged the Australian Leadership Academy (ALA) to deliver a tailored executive leadership and high-performing team program as part of the mandatory induction training for mayors, deputy mayors, and councillors. Designed to support the ‘Working Together in Council’ requirement of the induction, the program guided councillors through the development of a team charter to align around shared values, clarify motivations for standing for council, and explore communication, interpersonal, and thinking styles.
The program focused on building effective working relationships—with each other, and senior staff—while equipping councillors with practical strategies to manage differing viewpoints, resolve conflict, and communicate decisions to the community.
Emphasis was placed on fostering a high-performance group culture, setting the tone from the top, and regularly reviewing group performance to ensure accountable, transparent, and collaborative governance.
Program Feedback
ALA’s leadership program was motivational and challenging?
97% strongly Agree
ALA’s approach supported the
needs of HBCC Councillors?
91% strongly Agree
The HBCC Councillors actively participated in the program?
94% strongly Agree
ALA’s leadership facilitator was
credible and effective?
97% strongly Agree
“Spending time with my
fellow councillors-Finding out what is important to them.”
Councillor Delegate Feedback

To what extent would you recommend the Australian Leadership Academy?
Program outcomes
Team Charter Development
Councillors co-created a team charter to establish a clear, shared foundation for how they will work together. This process encouraged alignment around personal motivations for standing for Council, clarified expectations, and provided a structured approach to setting collective goals and behaviours.Shared Values and Group Identity
The program surfaced a strong sense of shared values among Councillors. This strengthened the group’s identity and cohesion, promoting mutual respect and reinforcing a collective commitment to serving the Hobsons Bay community.Communication and Listening
Councillors explored their individual communication, interpersonal and thinking styles. Emphasis was placed on active listening and maintaining an open mind—key skills for managing diverse perspectives and building more productive, respectful dialogue within the group.Collaborative Leadership and Effective Relationships
Councillors engaged with practical leadership frameworks to improve working relationships. The program supported effective collaboration, constructive conflict resolution, and strategies for navigating Council responsibilities with professionalism and trust.Culture and Performance
The program reinforced the role of Councillors in setting the tone for a positive organisational culture. Outcomes included a stronger understanding of the link between leadership behaviour, community trust, and performance, with a commitment to continuous improvement and leading by example.
“the importance of working as a team, using open and effective communiaction for the greater good of the community.“
Councillor Delegate Feedback
“the Best day
by far
of induction training.”
Councillor Delegate Feedback
“the imporatnce of investing time in leadership developmnet.”
Councillor Delegate Feedback