Mr Swift-McNair resigned on June 4 and will take up a new appointment as general manager at Woollahra Municipal Council in Sydney. His final day is July 1.

Mr Sharp has stepped into the acting GM role on numerous occasions, including back in 2011 when the contract for the then general manager Andrew Roach was terminated.

Mr Sharp will assume the role on his return from leave in July and remain until a new general manager is appointed.

Craig Swift-McNair was named Port Macquarie-Hastings Council's new general manager in 2014.

His appointment followed the dismissal of former general manager Tony Hayward - a decision made after a unanimous vote of the then council.

Mr Swift-McNair returned to Port Macquarie-Hastings Council as the corporate and business services director in early 2012 after a two-year stint at Greater Taree City Council.

He had earlier worked at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council as manager of business services.

Mr Swift-McNair led council's renamed commercial services and industry engagement division with responsibilities spanning economic development and tourism, The Glasshouse, environmental laboratory, business services and financial services.

He said it has been a "rollercoaster ride" but has enjoyed providing service to his community.

Deputy mayor Lisa Intemann moved that the GM provide advice to councillors on the proposed process for recruitment, with a view to ensuring that all councillors are involved at each key stage of the process.

Cr Intemann said Mr Swift-McNair has shown great professionalism during his tenure as general manager.

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The GM will also 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.

At the June 17 council meeting, Mr Levido was thanked 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. He worked behind the scenes on several major project steering groups including the Indoor Stadium, Stingray Creek Bridge, airport terminal upgrade and new business park, and the completion of the Small Villages Sewerage Scheme.

"Justin would like to be remembered as someone who worked tirelessly behind the scenes," Cr Rob Turner said.

"His philosophy is that local government is a serious job and it is all about making people's lives better. he contributed immeasurably in that regard."

Cr Geoff Hawkins said Mr Levido was an articulate and well-prepared councillor.

"He made decisions on the basis of what he thought was best for the whole 86,000 people in our local government area, and not necessarily those who were the most vocal on any issue and that's not always easy."

Cr Hawkins said it is a significant achievement for council under the leadership of Mr Swift-McNair and with Cr Levido as part of the elected body, that council was the winner of the AR Bluett Award in 2017 for being the most progressive council in the state.

"It's a very hard fought for award and a council that's under-performing just can't win that," he said.

"The summary report of the latest Micromex Community Satisfaction Survey has also been released where Port Macquarie-Hastings Council rated very highly and in particular, we have a rating of 90 per cent community satisfaction. It's a very high and fine result and it's something that both Craig and Justin, and all of us, should be pleased and satisfied with. It's a recognition from the whole community."

Cr Lisa Intemann acknowledged the detailed involvement that Mr Levido gave to council matters and his commitment to good governance at all times.

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