Mark Stapleton was voted into the role last month despite seven of the 15 councillors opposing his appointment.

He said that was all water under the bridge.

“I think you’ve got to roll with it,” Mr Stapleton said.

“We’ve got the luxury of having a super-passionate council — it would be worse if nobody was interested. They are all willing to have a go at each other one second and support each other the next. In my books that’s a working council.

“My first day on the job I got texts from all the councillors, even the ones who voted against my appointment, wishing me good luck.”

MAKING PARRAMATTTA HIS LIFE

Mr Stapleton, 47, was born and raised in Cork. He moved to Australia in 2007 and worked for the John Holland construction company, spearheading negotiations around the Deloitte building on Station St in the centre of Parramatta.

“I was driving past with the kids the other day and was able to point out the building. That’s the great thing about construction, you can see the results rise from the earth,” Mr Stapleton said.

The city is as much a part of his life as it is for his wife, Diana, and children Elana, 4, and Russell, 3.

“They are super excited and super supportive,” he said. “It’s very satisifying to know they couldn’t be prouder of the work we’re doing here.”

With a background in development, accounting, law, health and safety and strategy, Mr Stapleton is steadfast when he says he was the right person for the job leading the city.

“They landed on the right person. I think I’m definitely there to deliver,” he said. “I’d say that, like anybody, stepping up in an organisation you’ll get contention.”

After a stint working for Leighton Holdings in Perth to help facilitate some of Western Australia’s biggest projects, Mr Stapleton returned to Sydney last year to take on the role of director of property and significant assets with the council.

“It got quiet in Perth,” Mr Stapleton said. “I like to be challenged and Parramatta has that challenge in spades.”

CHALLENGES AND SUSPENSIONS

Those challenges arrived earlier this year when he was suspended from his council role for eight weeks. He was reluctant to say why he was suspended other than “contractual issues” regarding the Parramatta Square development.

“There was a lot of confusion at that time,” he said. “It is a $3 billion project, so there were always going to be uncomfortable moments, I just happened to be the uncomfortable one at that time. But I’ve never left anything mid-flight, so I wanted to come back in.

“When I was cleared I was ready to get back to it, although I did do a lot of stand-up paddle boarding during that time off.”

Not long after ordering Mr Stapleton’s suspension, chief executive Greg Dyer resigned. Sue Coleman, the director of city services, was acting CEO until Mr Stapleton’s appointment.

Mr Stapleton said he was honoured to be offered the position and looked forward to helping lead the city through an exciting time of growth.

SUPPORT

“Parramatta Square was and is a big project, but it’s running like clockwork now,” he said. “I want to shift my focus to this term ‘livable’ and make Parramatta capture everything that means and take that into the wards, because as of now it’s not there.

“This council has a huge job, and I wouldn’t be in this job if I didn’t love Parramatta. I’m super humble and know I couldn’t be in a more fortunate position.”

He has the support of Lord Mayor Andrew Wilson.

“I am confident that Mr Stapleton will bring great enthusiasm and passion to this critical role and will guide the city through a time of unprecedented change and great opportunity,” Cr Wilson said.