Federation Council General Manager Adrian Butler has announced three new Director appointments to the organisation’s senior leadership team.
The selections that have been made follow Council’s new organisation structure which was announced last November and will be effective upon all the Directors commencing in the three new positions in mid-April this year.
Mr Butler said after an extensive recruitment process, Jo Shannon had been appointed to Director Corporate and Community Services, Susan Appleyard to Director of Development and Environmental Services, and Steve Carmichael to Director of Engineering Services.
“The new structure allows a greater focus on Engineering and Planning, by splitting this directorate as it is currently one, as well as a stronger focus and better alignments in the areas of Economic and Community Development and Tourism, Financial and other Corporate services functions by bringing those under the one directorate” he said.
“Jo, Susan and Steve are outstanding respected senior leaders and advocates across their various fields and their combined talents, knowledge and experience will be a great asset to Federation Council in this exciting period of growth.”
Jo Shannon brings to Federation Council over 20 years’ experience in financial management and corporate governance in the local government and tourism sectors. Ms Shannon has been the Director Community and Corporate Services with Towong Shire Council for the last five years. In this role she has been responsible for the delivery of an extensive range of community services, including libraries, kindergartens, child care, maternal and child health service, youth programs and cemeteries, whilst also being responsible for behind the scenes operations such as finance, information technology, corporate governance, human resources, and occupational health and safety. In this role she also led the secretariat team for Rural Councils Victoria Inc. to provide a focus on broader rural council and rural community sustainability challenges.
Susan Appleyard, Council’s new Director of Development and Environment also brings over 20 years’ experience in Local Government with 18 years in the Riverina region where she has previously worked for Deniliquin Council, Jerilderie and is currently at Murrumbidgee Council.
“Ms Appleyard holds a Graduate Diploma in Urban and Regional Planning, as well as being an accredited Building Surveyor, and is a recognised heritage advisor,” Mr Butler said.
“She has also been the Manager of Planning and Environment at Murrumbidgee Council, (the merged Council of Jerilderie and Murrumbidgee Shire Councils) for the past 12 years, which has given her a great ability to deliver successful outcomes working through complex planning challenges at town and regional scales.”
Mr Butler said the permanent appointment of Steve Carmichael, who is currently acting in Federation Council’s Director of Infrastructure and Environment role was also a positive result for Council.
“Steve Carmichael has extensive experience in the local government engineering sector with a career spanning more than 40 years across Local Government and also in State Government and Project Management roles,” Mr Butler said.
“His previous positions include both Brewarrina and Temora Shire Council’s as their Engineering Director, and prior to the current acting Director role he holds with Federation Council, he has been Manager of Infrastructure and Utilities, where he has supported his sector to continue to deliver an unprecedented amount of road and infrastructure projects across the Federation region.”
The restructure was a result of Council being required to review the organisational structure within 12 months following an election under the Local Government Act 1993. A high level externally facilitated organisational review was undertaken last year on the draft new structure proposed, which led to a final structure endorsed at the November 2018 Council Meeting. The new structure reflects feedback from staff including the annual staff survey, and extensive consultation with staff and Councillors throughout the review process.
Mr Butler said the new senior structure was determined on the basis of:
- Ensuring the most effective alignment of functions to deliver Council’s ‘Our Community – Our Opportunity’ 2018-2028 Community Strategic Plan;
- Providing Federation Council with a senior structure that is able to best deliver on the many demands on Council, and one that reflects the feedback of staff and Councillors;
- Maximising opportunities to continue to ensure Federation Council is future focused and sustainable;
- A stronger focus on community outcomes, innovation, decision making and delivery, and clarity of roles and reporting lines.
In closing, Mr Butler highlighted the tireless work and great efforts made since the formation of Federation Council by the existing senior leadership team.
“I sincerely thank our current Directors for their great efforts in providing executive leadership and direction to the organisation since the merger, and I also thank the Councillors and all staff for their participation and patience throughout this process,” he said.