Craig Swift-McNair new Woollahra council general manager
When change comes to the eastern suburbs sometimes things can get … shouty. New Woollahra Council general manager Craig Swift-McNair vows he won’t bow to the “loudest voices” when it comes to projects like the Rushcutters Bay skate park.
Wentworth Courier
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Council built projects like skate parks and sports courts should be determined by extensive community consultation not “the loudest voices” according to Woollahra Council’s first new general manager in more than two decades.
Craig Swift-McNair has replaced well respected GM Gary James who held the position for 22 years and spent a total of 33 years at the council.
Mr Swift-McNair has moved to Rose Bay from Port Macquarie where he headed up the council and oversaw its bushfire recovery. His wife Kerry ran the local RSPCA branch.
The local government area of Port Macquarie-Hastings is a sprawling 3680 square kilometres compared to the densely populated 12 square kilometres of Woollahra.
Mr Swift-McNair said since taking the top job two weeks ago it had already become clear development was one of the biggest issues the council faced.
When asked specifically about the almost finished netball courts at Christison Park and the yet to be constructed skate park at Rushcutters Bay Park which have attracted both vocal opposition and support, Mr Swift McNair was clear on the way forward.
“What we can’t do in any local government is allow the loudest voices to win,” Mr Swift-McNair said.
“It shouldn’t be about a win or a loss but in any case, projects can be waylaid.
“But if we have done broad and comprehensive community engagement then we will do them.”
During his six years at the helm of Port Macquarie-Hastings council, Mr Swift-McNair oversaw $310 million including a $10 million airport upgrade and the $26 million Stingray Creek bridge.
Although this is Mr Swift-McNair’s first time living in the eastern suburbs, the Victorian native is no stranger to Sydney.
He previously lived and worked in Sydney at the top end of multinational office products providers Winc, The Blue Star Group and The Smarter Office from 1988 to 2001.
After that, he did a stint as GM of catering company The Cabinet before moving to Port Macquarie.
Mr Swift-McNair said while development would likely be an ongoing issue, he was confident with tools such as the Local Strategic Planning Statement they would set the right controls.
“It’s all about finding the balance between what growth we can afford in the area and making sure it is in keeping with the character of the suburb,” he said.
Mayor Susan Wynne paid tribute to Mr James in a mayoral minute shortly prior to his retirement.
“There are many successful projects Gary has helped deliver during his time as general manager including fighting off over development in our commercial centres, supporting the council’s legal challenges, negotiating the sale of assets, restoring the historic Redleaf Council Chambers and site,” Mayor Wynne said.
Mr James spent an incredible 50 years working in local government starting out in 1970 at Cowra Municipal Council.