Goulburn Mulwaree planning director Louise Wakefield has finished her employment with the council.
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The Goulburn Post understands staff were advised of Mrs Wakefield’s departure on Monday in an email from general manager, Warwick Bennett.
It advised that she was no longer working for the organisation, “effective immediately,” and thanked her for her work.
On Tuesday, Mr Bennett declined comment on the matter. Mrs Wakefield could not be reached for comment.
Mayor Bob Kirk said it was inappropriate for him to comment on staff matters and the circumstances of Mrs Wakefield’s departure.
“I found her very helpful, informative, knowledgeable and positive,” he said.
“She was cooperative and helpful to me, but it’s a personal issue regarding her employment. I wish her every success and happiness.”
Mrs Wakefield was appointed as planning director in November 2014, a role that was restructured into Growth, Strategy and Planning in recent years. She was the first female to hold the senior position.
In 2014 Mr Bennett welcomed her “fabulous mix of private enterprise and local government experience.”
“She should be a fabulous asset to drive this organisation forward in the way that the community has been seeking for some time,” he said.
“I am delighted that Louise has accepted the position because she is a person with a great positive attitude and a knowledge of this local area that can only enhance Council’s commitment to providing a great service and being easy to do business with.”
She leaves at a critical time when the council is undertaking major reviews of several planning strategies and embarking on a CBD plan.
Her departure comes on the back of Utilities director Grant Moller’s resignation. He is leaving on May 8 to take up a role with Veolia Environmental Services at Lake Macquarie.
Asked whether he was concerned about the the loss of two directors in such a short space of time, Mr Bennett said in a statement: “One of the things Goulburn Mulwaree Council is blessed with is very good staff, and I am confident we have the quality people within this organisation to maintain services at a high level until such time as replacement directors are appointed.
“Other than that, staffing issues are operational and our focus is delivering services for the community. I won’t be discussing individual staff issues through a media process.”
However, he did issue a statement about Mr Moller’s time at the council, where he had been employed on and off over 12 years. He has been utilities director for the past three and a half years.
“Grant has achieved a lot in his time as director, through great leadership and quality project management, delivering upon a new Wastewater Treatment Plant for Goulburn, which was a $35m project,” Mr Bennett’s statement read.
“Grant has also overseen the full upgrade of the water supplies in Goulburn and Marulan and has commenced the planning for new Waste Transfer Stations in the region.”
“I am saddened to see (him) leave, as his staff management and overall leadership in Utilities has been exceptional. However, I wish him well as he undertakes a sea change with his family, and I thank him publicly for his contribution to Goulburn Mulwaree.”
In January, economic development officer Debbi Rodden left to take up a similar position with Port Stephens Council to be closer to family.