Saturday, November 9, 2024

Goulburn announces ‘immediate departure’ of GM

Goulburn Mulwaree Council this afternoon announced the “immediate departure” of General Manager, Warwick Bennett after eight years with the Council.

Shortly before 4pm today, a media released stated that Mr Bennett (pictured) “has finished with the organisation effective immediately.”

“Council will tonight consider a Mayoral Minute, recommending that clause 7(b) of the Deed of Release be enacted, effective immediately. As part of this clause, the General Manager is to perform no work at all from this date,” the Council said.

Mr Bennett remains a contracted employee until the 8th July 2022, however today’s decision allows Council the opportunity to move forward with a new direction, it said.

Council will tonight – also in closed session – appoint a consultant in order to undertake recruitment of a new General Manager.

“This process will begin immediately, and be fast-tracked,” it said.

“Councillors would like to thank Warwick Bennett for his eight years of service to this organisation  and community.”

Mr Bennett tendered his resignation from the General Manager role in February.

At the time, Council said Mr Bennett’s July departure date would allow him time to complete a number of key initiatives, including the Community Strategic Plan, the next Delivery Program, and the 2022/23 Operational Plan and Budget.

Mr Bennett has spent more than 45 years within the Local Government sector, starting as an accountant/rates clerk in New Zealand. He has served 39 continuous years as General Manager/Chief Executive in six different Councils throughout Australia and New Zealand.

“I am particularly proud of my eight years of service with Goulburn Mulwaree Council, and what we as an organisation have achieved,” Mr Bennett said at the time of his resignation last month.

“This organisation has performed exceptionally well during this time, changing the face of Goulburn Mulwaree forever by providing new and improved community infrastructure, as well as significantly improving our core services of roads, bridges, reserves, waste management, water and sewer.

“In addition we have completed many new plans and policies that have determined the future design of our region. Throughout this period of great progress we have retained a strong focus on financial sustainability at all times.

“The staff at Goulburn Mulwaree Council are some of the best I have had the privilege of working with throughout my career, with a strong team culture and a focus on working for the betterment of our region. I am grateful for the opportunity to lead this organisation over the past eight years, and incredibly proud of what we have achieved.”

Mr Bennett told Council he was looking forward to the future with other career opportunities and planned to continue to live within the region.

Latest Articles