Greg Matthews, Allan Smith and Mathew Dickerson released a joint press statement on the matter on Friday morning, less than 24 hours after news of the move broke.

The statement described Mr Riley, who has been in the job for 13 years and had recently been granted a three-year contract extension, as a ‘faithful and loyal servant of Dubbo’.

Until the amalgamation of the former Dubbo City and Wellington Shire councils, Mr Riley’s entire time as general manager had been served with those three men as mayor.

“Over my 25 years in local government I was lucky enough as mayor and as country vice-president of the NSW Local Government Association to see not only Dubbo City Council’s general manager but general managers from throughout the State carrying out their duties on council,” Mr Smith said.

“I would have no hesitation in putting Mark Riley in this State’s top five per cent of general managers.”

Mr Matthews was also keen to throw his support behind the embattled general manager.

“As Councillor Mentor for NSW I deal with many councillor concerns regarding general managers,” he said.

“Having gained the knowledge of how GMs work around the State I can honestly say that, in Mark Riley, Dubbo had one of the best General Managers in NSW and I am shocked at the way this inexperienced council has treated him.”

The last mayor of Dubbo City Council, Mr Dickerson said Mr Riley’s leadership would be missed.

“In my time as a councillor and, in particular in my time as mayor, I valued and trusted his opinion,” he said.

“He would offer his sage advice and discuss ideas at length and I always knew that Mark had one intention. In every scenario he wanted to ensure the best possible outcome for Dubbo.

“They may not realise it now, but councillors will miss the incredible leadership and direction he has provided.”