A new general manager has been announced for Lismore City Council – the fourth person in that role in less than two years.
Controversial General Manager Shelley Oldham was sacked in February 2021. Oldham was replaced by interim General Manager Michael Donnelly and he was replaced by interim General Manager John Walker in February this year.
Council announced today that Jon Gibbons has been appointed as Lismore City Council General Manager, for a five-year term effective from 9 February.
Cr Krieg said Mr Gibbons was the stand-out candidate during a rigorous recruitment process and the unanimous choice of councillors.
‘Mr Gibbons has a long history in local government and is currently Executive Business Performance and Governance at Gold Coast City Council.
‘He previously served four years as the Chief Executive of Scenic Rim Council, as well as Chief Executive at Norfolk Island and Carpentaria councils.’
Jon Gibbons was appointed to the role of CEO at Scenic Rim in March 2018 but was voted out of office (4 to 3) by councillors after a five-hour of debate behind closed doors in November 2021. His employment at the Scenic Rim ended in August this year.
Mr Gibbons’ next position was as Executive – Business Performance and Governance at the City of Gold Coast, a position which he has held since October this year.
Mr Gibbons said he was looking forward to taking up his new role.
‘I look forward to the opportunity to build a strong partnership with the mayor and councillors, the employees and members of the Lismore community in the delivery of our services.’
Mayor Krieg said councillors were impressed with Mr Gibbons’ depth of experience and look forward to working with him.
‘This has been a very tough year for our community and Council,’ said Cr Krieg.
‘I would like to thank and acknowledge our outgoing [interim] General Manager who in 12 short months dealt with the aftermath of the most devasting natural disaster to hit our community, stabilised Council and set us on the course for financial sustainability.
‘I remain committed to rebuilding Lismore and look forward to working with Mr Gibbons to continue the work to build back better.’
Mr Gibbons holds an MBA and qualifications in Urban and Regional Planning, Environmental Health, Local Government management and Project Management.
At long last it now appears that the LCC has a GM that our green counselors actually like! (Reportedly Mr Gibbons was the ‘unanimous choice’ of Council). Perhaps they may even work with him to benefit our Community. But I wonder how long this Utopian ideal will continue during his 5 year term? Hopefully partisan politics will now be foresweared, with the re-building of the CBD & ratepayer services being paramount.
First job – fix the stuff-up that is the new Keen St drainage …?
Really, I thought the reason for the whole ugly unnecessary rebuild WAS the drainage improvement- I liked the stainless steel grates the red and green stencil and the bollards now it’s just hideous people dash concrete
Well I don’t want to jinx John Gibbons but poor Mr John Walker has performed exceptionally well – the ones that haven’t have been those damn green councillors who have messed up the careers of so many people, and for what, nobody knows, it’s all behind closed doors every time and they make out they’re saving us from the Worlds most corrupt GMs every time.
Like everyone I hope this one stays the course, but I doubt it.
W J G has nailed the has pinned the GM problem on the wrong people, of course.
Ms Oldham ‘self destructed’, R Donnelly was punted by the current Mayor’s mob and, I am only guessing, but I think Mr Walker had had enough of Big Rob’s pedantry so did not enter the contest.
Mr Gibbon gets around; let’s hope for the Lismore ratepayer’s sake he can last the distance.