The new Council elected to Kempsey Shire in September will be paired with a new General Manager after Craig Milburn announced he will step down from the role after 7 years.
On Monday, Mayor Kinne Ring accepted Mr Milburn's request to commence his retirement, with his last day at work set for Friday 13 December.
Mr Milburn said he had been planning for his retirement for some time and he was confident he was leaving the organisation in the very best of hands.
"I believe it is a good time to step aside and allow the new Council to appoint my successor who can lead the organisation on its next chapter," said Mr Milburn.
"The time is right for my wife Karen and I, from a family perspective, to focus on things outside of work. This is a very personal decision. The recent election has delivered a robust group of Councillors and a strong new Mayor and I am relieved to leave the organisation in such good hands. It is a good time to step aside and allow the new Council to appoint a successor.
"My nearly 7 years here have been both very challenging and very rewarding. As an organisation I believe we are in a far better position than when I commenced."
Mr Milburn took on the role of General Manager in February 2018 and has led the organisation though a significant transformation program over that time. In that time he has lead the organisation through droughts, fires, floods and a pandemic as well as significant changes in the organisation and the community.
Council has delivered record levels of capital works over those 7 years, seen significant development across the shire, and provided much needed ongoing services and programs that have supported the residents, businesses and visitors to the Macleay. Internally he has overseen an organisational restructure, including a financial sustainability program, significant improvements to the reporting and compliance requirements of Council and the building of a strong organisational culture.
Kempsey Shire Mayor Kinne Ring paid tribute to Mr Milburn's outstanding contribution to the organisation and the shire.
"I would like to thank Craig for his contribution to the organisation and wish him and Karen all the best as he enters his retirement," said Ms Ring.
"I have had the pleasure of working with Craig first as an external business partner at the Country University Centre, then as a Councillor and now as Mayor. Craig has always provided outstanding service and care for the community.
"In due course I will lead the organisations process for the recruitment of a replacement. In the interim, Steve Mitchell will act as General Manager."
Mr Milburn paid special tribute to the present and former staff he has worked with at Council.
"It has been a genuine privilege to have led this organisation over this time and I am thankful for the opportunity this has provided me," said Mr Milburn.
"I could not have asked for a better team of staff/colleagues to have worked with. Their dedication, drive and commitment to serving the community throughout his period has been outstanding."
Council's Director Corporate and Commercial, Stephen Mitchell, we take the role of Acting General Manager from Monday 16 December 2024.
The staff and community of Kempsey Shire thank Mr Milburn for his outstanding service.
