Mount Gambier Council chief executive resignation comes as no shock, according to councillor
“I don’t think many of us were surprised”: Mount Gambier Council holds a special meeting and appoints an acting CEO after two major resignations last week.
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Mount Gambier Council’s general manager for community wellbeing, Barbara Cernovskis, will fill in as acting CEO from Tuesday, November 3 after its chief executive resigned last week.
A selection panel was also established at last night’s special meeting to undertake the recruitment process and recommend a preferred candidate.
The panel will include Mayor Lynette Martin, Cr Sonya Mezinec, Cr Frank Morello, Cr Paul Jenner and a still-to-be-decided independent consultant.
The special meeting was called to discuss the “future direction” of the council amid the fallout of chief executive Andrew Meddle’s resignation after just 18 months in the role.
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Mayor Lynette Martin announced last week Mr Meddle decided to leave the top job to return home to his family in Murray Bridge.
It was followed by the announcement that general manager city growth Judy Nagy would be retiring.
With Mr Meddle’s family life a 400km drive from Mount Gambier, Cr Christian Greco earlier raised concerns saying the chief executive position should not be a fly-in, fly-out role.
“I don’t think many of us were surprised,” Mr Greco said.
“It’s frustrating to have to go through finding another CEO of course.
“We’ll find someone else who will soldier on.”
Cr Greco wanted to see a local or someone wanting to relocate to Mount Gambier step up to the role.
“I’d rather someone that’s in it for the long haul,” he said.
“I want someone to commit to coming to Mount Gambier and investing here and staying here.
“It’s a must, the person needs to be involved in the community just as much as what us elected members are.
“You don’t really understand a community or its people if you’re not living in it.”
In a statement, Mayor Martin said Mr Meddle had accepted a position with the Department of Environment and Water and praised his work on the controversial Community and Recreation Hub project.
“Andrew has decided to put his family first and return to Murray Bridge,” the statement read.
“On behalf of Council I thank Andrew for his contribution to our city.
“Andrew provided strong leadership throughout the COVID-19 pandemic to assist our residents and businesses and encourage a firm recovery.
“He was instrumental in enabling council to achieve and execute a fixed price contract for the Community and Recreation Hub project and has set council up for success to build the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Mount Gambier.
“Council has a strong project management plan and an independent team in place to deliver the transformational facility for the community in 2022.”
It was reported in August the final cost of the two-storey flagship sporting and leisure centre in Mount Gambier had blown out by as much as $25m.
The council conceded construction of its Community and Recreation Hub, which will boast multiple sports courts and an indoor pool, has blown out from $37m to $57m.
All councillors were contacted for comment with the majority wishing to wait until the special meeting on Tuesday, October 13.
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Contact Jessica Ball at jessica.ball@news.com.au
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