Mark Riley will continue to lead Dubbo Regional Council.
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Mr Riley has signed a contract to take on the role of general manager of council for the next three years, beginning Monday. The contract has a total remuneration package of $305,000 for the first year.
Mr Riley was the general manager of the former Dubbo council. He was then appointed as acting general manager of the new entity.
Phone calls were made to the Daily Liberal complaining the position for general manager was not advertised. But council administrator Michael Kneipp said the position for acting general manager was advertised when the former Dubbo and Wellington councils were merged last year.
At that time, Mr Riley was appointed by the NSW government to lead the merged entity, alongside the administrator.
When Mr Riley’s year-long contract as acting general manager was drawing to an end, Mr Kneipp said he wanted to continue with the former Dubbo council’s path and retain Mr Riley as the general manager. Before the council’s were merged, the general manager was in the middle of a four-year contract with Dubbo City Council, Mr Kneipp said.
“I had no hesitation in offering him another three-year contract,” Mr Kneipp said.
Mr Riley’s contract was extended in a recent closed meeting of council.
The newly-appointed council directors will also begin Monday. The appointment of the senior staff was completed externally in May.
Natasha Comber will lead the economic development and business division, Craig Giffin is director corporate services, Melissa Watkins will continue as planning and environment director and Murray Wood will head up community and recreation.
The role of director infrastructure and operation has been re-advertised.
The positions for staff under the directors will be determined in July.