Playford Council chooses replacement for sacked chief executive Mal Hemmerling
Playford Council has decided on a new chief executive to replace sacked Mal Hemmerling, once the highest paid bureaucrat in local government, in two secret meetings — but won’t reveal who yet.
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A new chief executive has been chosen by Playford Council during two secret meetings of elected members.
Councillors met behind closed doors on Monday night and Wednesday night to decide on a replacement for Mal Hemmerling, who they sacked last December.
The meeting on Monday was able to be attended by candidates for the position while Wednesday’s meeting received legal advice about contractual arrangements.
The identity of the successful applicant has not been disclosed, with a council spokesman saying an announcement was likely next week when contracts had been signed.
The recruitment process was handled by an employment division within the Local Government Association, a representative of which also attended Monday night’s meeting.
It is understood there were 47 applicants from across Australia, with 13 short-listed for interviews.
The council’s acting chief executive, Sam Green, who was Mr Hemmerling’s deputy, was among the applicants.
Mr Green last year took sick leave at the height of a crisis which engulfed the council over a sexual harassment complaint lodged against Mr Hemmerling.
Mr Hemmerling was suspended while lawyers and human resources consultants conducted an investigation which led to his $372,978-a-year contract being terminated.
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 mayor Glenn Docherty over his involvement in the saga.
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State Ombudsman Wayne Lines exonerated Mr Docherty, saying there were no grounds to investigate the complaint.
The appointment of a new chief executive 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 previous councillors.
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 while the $40 million ice arena was rejected by councillors in March.
Comment has been sought from the council on the appointment of the new chief executive.