Call for CEO to spend and slash

Jessica Benton
City Hall’s next chief should spend up on infrastructure projects while trimming fat from the bureaucracy, according to Geelong business leaders.
The executive directors of Committee for Geelong and the city’s chamber of commerce said council faced a crucial decision in choosing the next chief executive officer.
Former chief Kay Rundle finished her six-year reign earlier this month after announcing in March that she would resign to take the top job at City of Port Philip.
Committee for Geelong’s Peter Dorling said council must “choose a CEO for the times”.
The next council boss must deliver major projects, he said.
“Former CEO Kay Rundle was specific to settle the organisation down and do long-range, strategic planning.
“We’re now looking for a CEO with a track record in delivering major projects and upcoming infrastructure projects like the new cultural precinct and urban expansions like Armstrong Creek.
“It’s now time to deliver these major projects.”
Mr Dorling said the recession put extra pressure on council to stimulate investment and jobs with major projects.
“It’s incumbent upon all levels of government during times of recession to get out there and generate employment,” he said.
“This means spending, particularly on infrastructure, and I hope council continues with development opportunities to stimulate the economy.
“They can’t go into a shell.”
Mr Dorling advised council to scour similar growth corridors in Melbourne, Western Australia and Queensland to find a qualified leader.
“There are CEOs in and around Australia who have managed growth and they’re the sorts of people that should apply,” he said.
“These areas all have similar mixes to what Geelong has: traditional industries under stress but new housing and industry developments growing rapidly.”
Geelong Chamber of Commerce’s Lawrie Miller hoped council chose a chief with a “lean and mean” approach to cutting fat at City Hall.
But the next chief would also need a “complex set of values”, he said.
“Whoever is going to be running the city needs to be a good advisor to council and needs to be able to deliver equal advice,” he said.
“They need to be able to actively lobby all levels of government and work with the region’s stakeholders, understanding how all of the networks work.”
Mr Miller said the next chief must also recognise the “values of the Geelong region” and how to capitalise on its assets.
City Hall has appointed a selection panel of five councillors to work on the process.
The panel is investigating potential recruitment agencies to advertise the $300,000-plus-a-year position.