Our Organisation

The City of Ryde is responsible for strategy, planning, policy, regulation, and service delivery for the local government area. During 2021-2025 Council will deliver a half-billion dollar program of investment in infrastructure and services, with a focus on delivering new infrastructure and maintaining the City’s existing assets, as well as high quality services for residents. The Council is led by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

Office of the Chief Executive Officer

Chief Executive Officer | Wayne Rylands

Wayne Rylands portraitQualifications: MBA (Technology Management), Grad Dip Business, BE (Civil)
Appointed: 2022
Previously: Director City Works (July 2018- May 2022); Acting General Manager (2022)

Wayne has over 30 years’ experience in local government. Prior to his appointment to the Chief Executive Officer position he spent four years as City of Ryde’s Director of City Works. Before commencing at City of Ryde, he was also the Director of City Delivery at Campbelltown City Council where he oversaw their provision of infrastructure, asset management, open space, city safety and security, and operations functions. Prior to that, he was the Executive Manager (Director) Open Space and Urban Services at Lane Cove Council for 10 years.

The extensive management experience Wayne brings to his role has enabled him to review the City of Ryde organisation structure to more closely align with the Council’s vision to develop a modern City that will provide the great “places and spaces” that our community desires and deserves.

Business and Operations 

General Manager  - Luke Homann

Luke HomannQualification: Masters of Management Studies, Bachelor of Arts
Appointed: 2024 

Luke has over 27 years of management experience in multidisciplinary teams in both the public and private sectors across multiple industries including Defence, Transport, Energy, and consultancies. He has experience at all levels of Government in various functions including, asset management, project and programme management, operations, change management, human resources and organisational development. Before commencing at City of Ryde, he worked as a Director at Transport for NSW in a number of roles and prior to this as a consultant and in the Australian Defence Force. 

He has a proven track record in senior leadership, leading and delivering a range of planning, business improvement and organisational development and capability building programs and projects. Together, this cross-functional and senior leadership experience underpins the development of innovative business practices that balance operational efficiencies with great customer outcomes. 

City Shaping  

General Manager - City Shaping | Michael Galderisi

Michael Galderisi

Qualifications:  Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) degree
Appointed: 2022

Michael has played integral roles in the planning, approval and delivery phases of significant infrastructure projects, including in rail, roads, water, energy, and ports, as well as pivotal roles in government public policy and regulatory reform projects, working in cross-disciplinary teams where his extensive experience, knowledge, and skills have contributed to successful outcomes in the public good.

His work, over more than 25 years, in policy development and implementation, stakeholder engagement, strategic communications, infrastructure advisory, and change management, within the private sector, for major companies such as Lend Lease and Deloitte, as well as across critical public sector portfolios, demonstrate the breadth of experience and capability that Michael brings to any project or challenge.

This holistic and strategic level of expertise ensures that innovative solutions to complex public policy issues are implemented, and that opportunities are maximised through cutting-edge initiatives being explored and applied in the most impactful manner practicable.

Legal Services

General Counsel - Paul Kapetas

Paul-Kapetas.jpg Qualifications: LL.B, BTP(Hons)
Appointed: 2014

Paul has over 22 years’ experience as a solicitor within the private and public sector including as Principal Lawyer at the Council of the City of Sydney, Corporate Counsel for a large private development company and also within private law practices.

Paul is also a qualified town planner and has worked in various councils and in private consultancy prior to being admitted as a solicitor.

He is committed to providing quality legal services to the Council in the course of protecting its interests.

Chief Financial Officer | Aneesh Zahra

Aneesh-Zahra.jpgQualifications: B. Commerce (Law), M. Commerce (Accounting & Finance), CPA
Appointed: 2022

Aneesh has over 25 years of local government experience, highly accomplished, results driven Certified Practising Accountant (CPA) with extensive experience in corporate and strategic planning, and financial management and control. Prior to joining City of Ryde, she has held a senior leadership position at The Hills Shire Council, responsible for Finance and Integrated Planning and Reporting. She also previously worked for Randwick City Council which won the A.R. Bluett Memorial Award for Local Government in 2006 in part for significant improvements in financial planning and management including the development and implementation of financial strategies. Aneesh has a strategic approach to financial management and has vast experience in contributing to the setting and reviewing of Council goals.