The decision on new GM was unanimous for ‘standout’ candidate

After a tumultuous few years for Lismore council, a new leader will take the helm, and it’s hoped he will be the person to bring some stability to the organisation.

CLEAN SWEEP: Lismore's new mayor Vanessa Ekins introduced the interim general manager Michael Donnelly at a media conference at council's Goonellabah offices on Wednesday February 10, 2021. Photo: AlISON pATErson

Lismore’s new general manager has been unveiled.

Michael Donnelly has been acting as the caretaker general manager since February, and has now been officially offered the full-time role.

Mayor Vanessa Ekins said Mr Donnelly was the stand out candidate and the decision of the councillors was unanimous.

“Council has now officially made the offer to Michael and he will be officially appointed once the necessary recruitment process is complete,” Ms Ekins said.

Mr Donnelly said he was looking forward to introducing more efficiencies at Lismore City Council.

“I am very humbled to be the preferred candidate and look forward to the next four years. I know this area well as I grew up here and I look forward to the role,” Mr Donnelly said.

“Since taking up the acting position in February, as a council, we have achieved a lot but there is still more to be done to provide better services and meet the community’s expectations,” he said.

Ms Ekins said it had been an exhaustive process to ensure they selected the right candidate after a “tough” four years at council, and felt Mr Donnelly was the right person to help focus on the future.

“Since Michael took up the role of acting general manager earlier this year, he has ‘steadied the ship’, and ensured council delivers the services our community needs in a cost-effective way,” Ms Ekins said.

“He also oversaw the most transparent budget and budget process that I have been part of in 17 years on council. This has helped restore the community’s faith in our council, and I thank him for that,” she said.

“Michael will now implement council’s continuous improvement process that we can better meet the needs of our community.”

Mr Donnelly was an engineer and holds a Masters of Law degree.

He has previously been the chief executive of state-owned trading corporation which had a 3000-strong workforce and revenues of $500 million, as well as the regional director of NSW Public.

Mr Donnelly will be contracted on a four-year contract.

Mr Donnelly had been acting as general manager since February when the contract of then general manager Shelley Oldham was terminated suddenly under a no fault clause.

Former general manager Shelley Oldham’s contract with Lismore City Council was terminated in February.