Streaky Bay Council chief executive, Karina Ewer will depart South Australia to take up the role of Berrigan Shire Council CEO in June.
In a statement, NSW’s Berrigan Shire Council said that following a competitive recruitment process involving rigorous assessments and interviews, councillors had reached a unanimous decision to appoint Ms Ewer.
“Out of an impressive field of 18 applications, there was a very good mix of representation from government, local government and the private sector – one candidate from WA, two from South Australia, one from Queensland, four from Victoria, three from the Northern Territory, one from Tasmania, one from the ACT, and five from NSW.”
Ms Ewer will commence a five-year term in the role on 28 June.
Karina has been the CEO at Streaky Bay since May 2019 and was the Council’s Manager Corporate Services from April 2018. Her earlier roles were as Regional Manager Community Education of Queensland Ambulance, and in Human Resource roles with Queensland Ambulance from 2016 to 2018, and as a Senior Asset Manager with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines in Queensland.
“This is a very exciting period for Berrigan Shire with so many challenges and opportunities being addressed by the Councillors and staff. It is also exciting that we have been able to attract a person of Karina Ewer’s calibre to be our first Chief Executive Officer after the recent retirement of our highly regarded General Manager, Rowan Perkins,” said Berrigan Mayor Matt Hannan.
“And, with her appointment being unanimous amongst my fellow Councillors Karina knows that she will receive strong support and encouragement in helping us advance the many exciting initiatives ahead.”
“Karina has a very strong public service background – her recent local government experience is complemented by helping the community through the ambulance service. She highly impressed the Councillors with her focus on community, and her very positive attitude towards the development and support of staff. She has an expertise in community development, staff development and asset management.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank both Matthew Hansen, Acting General Manager and Matthew Clarke, Director Technical Services for their continued support to Council during this interim process.”
Ms Ewer said she was keen to make the Shire her new home.
“I am extremely excited by the opportunity Council has given me to lead the organisation into the future and to continue to build on the great work that I can see has been achieved over many years,” she said.
“This is an exciting time for Berrigan with so many opportunities outlined in the Council’s Community Strategic Plan. I was energised about the projects ahead and the obvious enthusiasm of the Mayor and Councillors to bring to life those projects.
“I am really looking forward to meeting the staff team. I want to establish a very strong partnership across the departments – and I will be visiting the works staff as a first priority. I want to ensure staff have the resources to do their job effectively and to support their professional goals, aspirations and growth.
“One of my first tasks will be to get out and about and meet as many community members as I can. I want to hear what their Council can improve and they can be assured I am a good listener and will act upon my findings to build a better Shire.”
