Melissa Watkins started in the role on June 18.

Mayor Peta Pinson put forward a mayoral minute at the June 20 council meeting to welcome Melissa and say thank you to staff.

“Melissa joins us from Dubbo Regional Council where she most recently held the role of director of planning and environment,” the mayoral minute said.

“I would like to take the opportunity to welcome Melissa to council and we look forward to working with her.”

The council welcomed Melissa on her formal commencement with the council on June 18 as the new director of development and environment.

The development and environment division encompasses  development assessment, environmental services, recreation and buildings and regulatory services.

The council also acknowledged Dan Croft for his dedication and commitment while acting in the position of development and environment director for the past eight months and acknowledged Clinton Tink for his efforts while relieving in the position of group manager development assessment for the past eight months.