Edward River Council Mayor, Ashley Hall says the organisation has emerged “stronger, more united” at the conclusion of a Performance Improvement Order (PIO) issued by the NSW Minister for Local Government in July last year.
The closure of the PIO follows the submission of the Council’s third and final compliance report in February, which confirmed that all required actions had been successfully implemented.
“The PIO process has challenged us to reflect, reset, and rebuild,” said Mayor Hall.
“We’ve emerged stronger, more united, and more focused on delivering for our community. I thank our Councillors, staff, and community for their support and commitment throughout this process.”
The PIO was issued in response to conduct issues and governance concerns related to the previous Council. Since then, the previous and current Councils have worked closely with Temporary Advisor, Mark Ferguson and interim leadership to implement a comprehensive
improvement plan, the Mayor said.
Minister for Local Government, Ron Hoenig, acknowledged the Council’s substantial progress and confirmed that the PIO would not be extended or varied.
The Council said the appointment of Jack Bond as Chief Executive Officer in late 2024 has been a key part of the organisation’s transformation.
“The PIO provided a clear framework for improvement and accountability. It helped us build stronger internal systems, improve communication, and foster a more collaborative culture,” said Mr Bond.
“We’re committed to working together to ensure this positive momentum is maintained.”
