Playford Council appoints acting chief executive Sam Green as its new boss on $300,000 a year
A former town planner will replace former grand prix boss Mal Hemmerling as the head of one of Adelaide’s biggest councils — and will stay on his existing salary to do the job.
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Playford Council has decided to appoint former town planner Sam Green as its new chief executive.
Mr Green, 42, will continue to receive his existing salary package of $300,000 to replace Mr Hemmerling, who was paid $372,978.
Mr Green has been acting as chief executive since elected members suspended Mr Hemmerling last September over a sexual harassment complaint.
Councillors decided in December to terminate his contract after receiving confidential reports from human resources consultants which detailed a culture of bullying within the council.
The council met behind closed doors on Monday night and Wednesday night to decide on a new chief executive.
The position attracted 45 applications from across Australia, with 13 candidates short-listed for interview.
Playford mayor Glenn Docherty said Mr Green had been chosen from a strong field during an “exhaustive recruitment process”.
“Council has decided that Sam was the right person to lead the City of Playford into the future,” said Mr Docherty.
“Throughout the process, Sam established himself as a strong candidate and his excellent knowledge and deep understanding of our community was evident.
“He brings extensive leadership experience and sector-wide knowledge to the organisation, adding immense value that will help Council drive Playford into the future.”
Mr Green, a former director of planning at Prospect Council, said he was looking forward to continuing to provide strong leadership at Playford, one of the fastest growing council areas in Australia.
“I will be working closely with the mayor and councillors to continue providing high-quality service to our community that reflects the needs and desires of our ever-growing Council area,” he said.
“For me, it is business as usual.
“The City of Playford is in an important and significant growth area and the next ten years is critical in setting up this community for the following 50 years.”
Mr Green last year took sick leave at the height of a crisis which engulfed the council over the sexual harassment complaint lodged against Mr Hemmerling.
Mr Hemmerling was suspended while lawyers and human resources consultants conducted an investigation.
Reports presented to councillors during secret meetings detailed how the council was besieged by bullying within its senior ranks before Mr Hemmerling was sacked.
Mr Hemmerling subsequently took legal action against the council which was settled out of court two months ago with a confidential payment.
Defence documents lodged by the council with the Supreme Court detailed allegations against Mr Hemmerling by seven female staff members.
Elected members also voted to lodge a code of conduct complaint against Mr Docherty over his involvement in the saga.
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State Ombudman Wayne Lines dismissed the complaint, saying there was nothing to justify an investigation.
Mr Green’s appointment comes as Playford Council continues to pursue a strategy of capital investment which has attracted criticism from ratepayers.
The multimillion-dollar strategy was developed by Mr Hemmerling, with the active support of Mr Docherty and Mr Green, who was his deputy.
It involved the construction of new sporting facilities, office buildings, a private hotel, carpark, health precinct and ice arena.
While some of the projects have been completed, others have yet to begin construction or been shelved. The $40 million ice arena was rejected by councillors in March.
Playford has a debt of $148 million, the highest of any council in South Australia.
Mr Green, who has been working to get the council back into an operating surplus, has signed a contract for the next five years.