The ex-army captain was yesterday swept into the role – and the community will be hoping the new broom sweeps clean.

That he’s the right captain to steer council through some treacherous straits seems likely.

An auditor and accountant with more letters after his name than in it, Mr Eldridge has experience as an administrator in both the federal and local government sectors.

Importantly, he also has an impressive corporate CV, a self-made millionaire who knows how to look at a business from the top down and bottom up. 

And he’s a local.

The community is rightly cynical about out-of-town, career local government general managers.

The city’s history is littered with them, and with mixed results.

Beyond his clear credentials, Mr Eldridge might be the man to do the seemingly impossible – unite a fractured councillor group.

He is said to have the respect of mayor Rod Kendall, as well as a number of other councillors.

Those close to him say that under his leadership, council will become more a meritocracy than an autocracy.

Mr Eldridge reportedly doesn’t play political games and judges people solely on their value to the organisation, a fact that might make a few under-performing senior staff a tad jittery.

It goes without saying the general manager plays a critical role in shaping Wagga’s future. While the media often fixates on the ructions among councillors, the general manager is responsible for the day-to-day operations of a massive organisation funded by public money. Mr Eldridge hasn’t been hired just to warm the seat for six months.

Ratepayers expect him to act with integrity and transparency, especially around the failed Douglas Aerospace loan and the RIFL debacle.

They also expect he will forensically examine council operations and, where possible, slice fat and drive efficiencies.

If he’s not willing to do that, you can bet the local government minister will gladly find someone who can.