Inner West Council GM Brian Barrett quits over Darcy Byrne stoush

Insiders have told of shambolic scenes as the Inner West Council lost its second general manager in six months over a stoush with the mayor.

Inner West Council has lost its second general manager in the space of six months in what staff have described as a “shambolic” situation behind the scenes.

Acting GM Brian Barrett sensationally emailed staff this week to inform them of his resignation over what he said was mayor Darcy Byrne’s “enormous betrayal” to have staff investigated over delays to opening the Dawn Fraser Baths at Balmain.

The veteran public servant cited an ongoing stoush with the mayor as his reason for leaving the post early.

“It will come as no surprise to all of you that the mayor’s unilateral decision to write to the Auditor-General in relation to the Dawn Fraser Baths project was for me an enormous betrayal of the executive and staff,” sources confirmed Mr Barrett emailed staff.

One council source who spoke on condition of anonymity described the situation behind closed doors as “shambolic” with the historic baths delayed due to a series of bungles now resulting in the resignation of its general manager.

Mr Barrett said the decision by mayor Darcy Byrne (pictured) to call in the auditor general as an “enormous betrayal”.

They said the stoush over the baths had left the running of the council “a shambles” behind the scenes.

It is understood the council has missed out on thousands of dollars of revenue from punters over the swimming season because of the delays.

Balmain councillor John Stamolis said locals in the suburb were outraged about the Dawn Fraser Baths situation.

“What the mayor did is totally unacceptable. The level of concern from councillors about his behaviour is high,” he said.

“It is very clear to me that he wants to take ownership (of the baths success) but doesn’t want to take responsibility for the loss of two seasons of swimming now being cancelled and three significant delays.

The Dawn Fraser Baths in Balmain when it was last open in 2019.

“He is deflecting and blaming the organisation.”

Cr Byrne was contacted for comment.

The council this week finalised its preferred candidate for Mr Barrett’s permanent successor who is understood to currently work for the neighbouring City of Canada Bay Council.

Canada Bay is currently at the centre of a month-long ICAC hearing into the lobbying efforts of Drummoyne MP John Sidoti on the council.

An email sent to staff there this month detailed that several current and former workers and councillors were set to be hauled before ICAC to give evidence and warned not to speak to the media.

Mr Barret’s resignation comes after the Inner West’s last general manager Michael Deegan left amid a tumultuous 18 months at the helm.

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