The shock departure of council’s second general manager this year has been met with a mixture of surprise and sympathy.
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At Monday night’s meeting, mayor Greg Conkey revealed acting general manager Robert Knight had decided to go back to his job with the Riverina Regional Library after six months in the role.
With applications for the city’s top job closing last week, councillors voted to give the job to Bomen chief James Bolton until a permanent replacement was found.
Former town clerk and general manager Brian Andrews said Mr Knight was the 11th council boss since he left the role in 2001.
“I can’t blame Robert, it’s a rather daunting task to be thrown into after running libraries,” Mr Andrews said.
“This is a pretty important job and the city needs continuity in order to thrive.”
According to Cr Conkey, council received about 25 applications for the general manager’s role. The applicants came from right across the country and from a wide range of backgrounds.
“There’s a good mix of applicants, a number have extensive local government experience, others have business experience and some have a mix,” Cr Conkey said.
“The interviewing panel to shortlist the applicants will include an external person – that was a suggestion of councillors that will no doubt be supported by the community.”
Applicants will be interviewed within weeks, with a shortlist to be finalised before an extraordinary meeting towards the end of September. The shortlisted applicants will address the council and a decision will be made there and then, Cr Conkey said.
Mr Andrews said the interview panel should look for someone with experience in local government and formal qualifications, but there were other qualities needed in the job.
“You want someone who’ll be dedicated to the city,” Mr Andrews said.
“A family person who’s prepared to settle in because you do just as much out of the office as you do in the office, you’ve got to do it for the love of the city.”
For Mr Bolton and his eventual successor, Mr Andrews had a few words of wisdom after his long career in local government.
“I really wish them luck, the main thing to remember is that they are part of a team that consists of the staff and the elected people,” he said.
Stephen Mudd
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
Stephen Mudd is a journalist for Fairfax Media west of the great divide. He loves music, dogs and travel.
