Budget review reveals what Lismore’s GM was paid when her contract was terminated

A quarterly Budget review has revealed the payout given to Shelley Oldham when her contract at Lismore’s general manager was terminated in February.

The amount paid to Lismore’s former general manager Shelley Oldham when her contract was terminated has been revealed.

A payout fee of $239,000 to former Lismore council general manager was confirmed in the March quarterly budget review.

Shelley Oldham’s contract with Lismore City Council was terminated in February after councillors voted in a confidential session to end her employment.

They implemented the no fault clause, meaning Ms Oldham was entitled to a redundancy payout of 38 weeks’ pay.

At the time, a council spokesman said the general manager’s employment was terminated according to the Department of Local Government’s Standard Contract of Employment.

“Lismore City Council terminated the contract of former general manager Shelley Oldham in accordance with 10.3.5 of the Standard Contract of Employment,” he said.

This contract says an employee must be paid 38 weeks’ pay if their employment is terminated without being given 38 weeks’ written notice of termination.

The true value of that payout was revealed in the review, which was presented at the council’s May meeting this week.

The mayor Vanessa Ekins laid blame on a number of variables including “a tough two years,” and COVID-19 behind the decision to terminate the former general manager.

Michael Donnelly was appointed as the interim general manager – Mr Donelly was originally appointed for a period of 12 months, but councillors have since elected to recruit a permanent general manager sooner.

The position was currently advertised, and applications close on May 25