Councillors to decide new Shire chief this week

It is expected a new Shire Chief Executive Officer will be imminently announced following the scheduling of a confidential Special Meeting of Council at 10.30am on Friday 5 April 2019 to formally appoint the position. The intent of the Special Meeting is to resolve to provide an offer of a contract to the preferred candidate, with public announcement of the new chief pending return of the signed final contract offer. Shire of Augusta Margaret River President Pam Townshend said she is hoping the announcement could be made as early as Friday afternoon or Monday morning. “Council is very happy to be nearing the end of what has been an intensive and rigorous process of selecting the right local for the administration, and for the community it serves,” she said. “We had a number of very high calibre applicants with five candidates selected for interview from the 45 applicants. “We are now eagerly awaiting the commencement of the selected candidate and look forward to working alongside them as the new Shire administration leader as we continue partnering with Augusta Margaret River’s vibrant, engaged and sustainable community. “We will make the public announcement as soon as we possibly can.” The CEO’s position description and the selection criteria are based on the core principles listed in the Shire’s guiding document, the Community Strategic Plan 2036, which are listed as sustainability, financial viability, access and equity, climate change, social justice and technology and innovation. The Shire’s previous CEO, Gary Evershed retired from the role in November 2018, with Acting CEO Dr Dale Putland providing interim leadership until the permanent appointment is commenced.