New CEO hints at Darwin Council changes

NEW Darwin Council chief executive Scott Waters is tasked with recruiting employees for a number of new executive positions as one of his first duties

New Darwin City Council CEO Scott Waters yesterday Picture: KERI MEGELUS

NEW Darwin Council chief executive Scott Waters is tasked with recruiting employees for a number of new executive positions as one of his first duties.

It indicates the shape and direction of council will be undergoing significant change in the coming months despite no changes in the elected-members department.

“We have this really great opportunity in the Territory to be able to take forward growth and development, we need people who are wanting to take that step as well,” Mr Waters said.

“(We want) somebody that is inspiring and wanting to be inspired, that’s a really key component for is,” he said.

The new chief executive has officially started his tenure in the top job, which will see an economic mindset at the fore.

Mr Waters’ financial experience will be a huge asset to the council, having worked in a number of aviation roles in his home state of Queensland, including heading the Rockhampton airport – the state’s largest local government owned airport. Mr Waters said his time at the Whitsunday Regional Council gave him significant knowledge of running local councils.

“(My time in the Whitsundays) not only gave me the opportunity to head up my local government career, but also have that commercial slant, which is really important for what we’re doing with local government.”

Lord Mayor Kon Vatskalis applauded his experience in economics and governance.

“We are going to make some significant agreements with the university, and other areas in our city,” he said.

“We need this financial experience to be able to deal with it – we’re elected members, we’re not financial councillors, we’re not bankers, we’ve got a broad level of understanding of the city, but we need somebody with clear financial understanding.”