Call for a council director to act in GM's role

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann will put forward a motion that one of the four current council directors be appointed acting general manager until the position is filled.

They are Director Corporate Performance, Rebecca Olsen; Director Development and Environment, Melissa Watkins; Director Infrastructure, Dan Bylsma, and Director Strategy and Growth, Jeffery Sharp.

Craig Swift-McNair announced his resignation on June 4. He will be taking up a new general manager's role with Woollarha Municipal Council in Sydney. His final day is July 1.

Cr Intemann will also request the general manager provide advice to councillors on the proposed process for recruitment of a new GM, with a view to ensuring that all councillors are involved at each key stage of the process.

A recommendation will also be considered that the general manager write to the Minister for Local Government, Shelley Hancock, seeking application to dispense with a by-election to replace the casual vacancy left following the resignation of Cr Justin Levido on June 5.

Cr Levido's resignation falls within 18 months before the expected date for the next local government elections which have been set for September 4, 2021.

Further to this, Cr Rob Turner will put forward a motion that council places on record, its "deep gratitude to Justin Levido for his service to the Port Macquarie-Hastings community as a councillor".

Mr Levido served on the elected body between September 2012 and June 2020.

The June 17 council meeting will be streamed live via Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's YouTube channel.

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