Kyogle Council in northern NSW votes to terminate contract of long-time general manager Graham Kennett

A northern NSW council has had a fiery end to the year, with a general manager dismissed, seemingly out of the blue. One councillor, a former mayor, has lashed the move as “appalling”.

Councillors say Kyogle Council is in turmoil after longstanding general manager Graham Kennett was sacked from the northern NSW organisation seemingly out of the blue.

Tensions ran high at Monday’s council meeting when Mr Kennett was dismissed during a closed council session.

Mayor Kylie Thomas, alongside councillors Maggie May, Rob Cullen, Tom Cooper and James Murray voted to terminate Mr Kennett’s contract.

Former Kyogle Council GM Graham Kennett.

Councillor and former mayor Danielle Mulholland hit out against the sacking.

In a widely shared Facebook post, she wrote: “I do not understand why this vendetta has been relentlessly prosecuted.”

Speaking to NewsLocal on Tuesday, she said she was “appalled” by the decision.

Councillor and former mayor Danielle-Mulholland.

“It’s appalling behaviour in people who are supposed to be leaders in community,” she said.

Cr Mulholland said she was concerned about the effect the firing would have on council staff.

“(Mr Kennett) was committed to the job and what we are seeing here is … a group of councillors trying to lobby council rather than lead the council,” she said.

“Instead of putting motions forward, they are blaming the staff for inaction when they’ve failed to provide direction to the staff.”

Kyogle Council chambers.

She said there was a lack of transparency and the new general manager Brett Kelly was recruited “without any mandate”.

“They might call that democracy but I don’t, I call it autocracy,” she said.

But Mayor Kylie Thomas hit back at notions the vote was not democratic, stating all proper procedures were “followed to the line”.

“It’s the opposite of autocratic because the majority made a decision,” she said.

“When you disagree it doesn’t mean you change the rules of the game.

“As soon as they (the councillors who voted against the sacking) come in line, the better they will serve their own community because they are doing nothing but harm by spruiking and reacting poorly as they are doing now.”

Mayor Kylie Thomas.

She said the decision to terminate Mr Kennett’s contract was due to the council needing a change in leadership.

“We wanted to bring an independent, flexible person who has ability to shift culture and apply appropriate leadership that best meets the needs and expectations of our community,” she said.

Mr Kennett worked for Kyogle council for more than 20 years.

He will receive 38 weeks pay in lieu of notice and will be immediately replaced by Mr Kelly.

He has previous experience in the agriculture industry, having worked as chief executive officer for Norco and the Australian Mango Industry Association.