By NOEL MURPHY
Geelong City Hall staff are smarting from a mayoral dressing down as advertisements for a new business-savvy $500,000 a year CEO hit situations vacant columns.
Mayor Darryn Lyons came under attack from the Australian Services Union after calling in last week’s Independent for City Hall bureaucrats to stop putting up barriers against potential investors in Geelong.
But the ads for the new chief have called for an entrepreneurial, commercially-minded executive who will potentially overhaul City operations.
“This role will conduct a review of the organisation, identifying efficiencies, considering more commercial approaches to current service delivery models whilst also exploring new partnerships and revenue channels,” the advertisement said.
The advertisement referred to a “step change” to ensure City Hall was “highly responsive” to the “needs and aspirations” of Geelong residents.
“Promoting a culture of proactiveness, council will see improved capital program completion rates and an increase in ‘shovel ready’ projects, all underpinned by a supportive partnership with council,” the ad stated.
“A highly successful senior executive, you bring exceptional leadership and relationship management skills enabling you to relate to all levels of seniority across community, government and industry.”
Cr Lyons has told the Independent the next chief executive officer, on pay as high as $500,000, would need to “take quick action” against the City Hall culture.
“Either that or it’s a waste of time me being mayor,” he said last week.
“I want change for the people who voted for change and it’s not just me. All the departments have to work hard and deliver exceptional customer service.
“We have to take on our opportunities with both hands or they’re straight out the back door.”
Former chief Stephen Griffin vacated his $320,000 job for the same role at State Emergency Service. His resignation followed other senior departures including general manager of corporate services Jeff Wall and former planning strategy and economic development manager Terry Demeo.
Australian Services Union lashed out at Cr Lyons’ comments in last week’s Independent, accusing him of “pop-gun outbursts that have absolutely no basis”.
“If business is scared away from the town, it’s because the mayor has his strategy wrong,” union assistant secretary Richard Duffy said.
“Blaming others for it won’t attract investment and certainly offers no solution.”
