Innovation Case Study: Christian Stefani, South Gippsland Shire Council
South Gippsland Shire Council
Christian Stefani, Director Strategy and Partnerships
Leading Change Through Advocacy and Partnership
Christian Stefani, Director of Strategy and Partnerships at South Gippsland Shire Council, brings over 20 years of leadership experience across diverse local government portfolios. He is a skilled strategist and advocate, known for navigating complex challenges and driving successful outcomes. Passionate about empowering others, Christian is committed to fostering growth, collaboration, and strong community and organisational impact.
2025 MAVlab Innovation Awards Finalist:
Innovatio Pro Bono Publico Award: Leader, supported by Swinburne University of Technology.
Leadership and excellence:
When the Australian Government declared Gippsland as the nation’s first offshore renewable energy zone in December 2022, it was clear the announcement would have significant implications for surrounding local government areas and contribute to long-term regional change.
For South Gippsland — home to the closest ports to the declared zone — the focus quickly shifted to preparing for future economic opportunities, workforce growth and community impacts. Council recognised the need for coordinated advocacy and planning to ensure the region was well positioned for the transition.
Christian Stefani was appointed to lead this work. Identified by the Executive Leadership Team as a skilled communicator and negotiator, he was tasked with coordinating Council’s readiness activities and building organisational understanding of the emerging offshore renewable energy sector. Christian rapidly developed expertise in the area and became a key point of contact both internally and externally.
Working with Council, Christian helped develop an early position on offshore renewable energy that expressed general support for the transition while also outlining considerations and concerns. A key element of this position was opposition to offshore wind turbines near Wilsons Promontory National Park due to its environmental and landscape significance.
Through this position and Council’s associated advocacy efforts, the proposed wind zone west of Wilsons Promontory was removed. This adjustment reduced potential visual impacts and supported the protection of an iconic and environmentally important part of Victoria’s coastline.
Through strategic planning and strong stakeholder relationships, he has helped position the region to respond proactively to both the opportunities and challenges associated with the energy transition.
Impact and legacy:
Christian’s leadership in the renewable energy sector is recognised within Council and across the wider industry. His work has been both substantial and sector-shaping. In 2024, he led the development of the Renewable Energy Impact and Readiness Study in partnership with Latrobe City Council and Regional Development Australia. This study provides important economic, social and land-use evidence to support South Gippsland’s preparedness for renewable energy development and the changes it may bring.
Christian has represented South Gippsland as a speaker and panel member at several regional forums, including the Gippsland New Energy Conference, the Victorian Minister for Energy’s Renewable Energy Jobs Taskforce and the Gippsland Offshore Wind Community Assembly.
He has also developed strong working relationships with offshore wind proponents and port operators within the Gippsland Renewable Energy Zone. These relationships have enabled Council to participate meaningfully in discussions relating to policy development, land-use planning and community benefit schemes. Christian has coordinated meetings with Australian and Victorian government representatives, as well as industry stakeholders, to ensure South Gippsland’s perspectives are clearly communicated.
More recently, he supported South Gippsland’s involvement in the Municipal Association of Victoria’s Make Good Happen advocacy campaign for the Federal Election, and was nominated by the MAV to represent local government on the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water’s Developer Rating Scheme Lived Experience Panel.
Christian’s work continues to influence how South Gippsland prepares for renewable energy development. Through strategic planning and strong stakeholder relationships, he has helped position the region to respond proactively to both the opportunities and challenges associated with the energy transition.
Collaboration:
Within the organisation, Christian plays an important role in supporting cross-department collaboration. As Director of Strategy and Partnerships, he works closely with teams across Council to share information, align strategic priorities and encourage coordinated planning that supports effective outcomes for the community.
Christian is a supportive leader who encourages staff to pursue professional development and to take on new challenges that build capability and confidence. His approachable and collaborative style has helped him develop strong working relationships at all levels of the organisation. He is well regarded by both field-based and office-based staff, which assists in bridging operational perspectives and identifying opportunities for alignment across departments.
Christian is also an active contributor to workplace culture. He participates in groups such as the Social Club and the Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Committee, where he supports initiatives that promote a connected and inclusive work environment.