Hepburn Shire Council has appointed experienced local government executive Janet Dore as Acting Chief Executive Officer following the departure of Bradley Thomas, who leaves office today (Friday).
Ms Dore will take up the role on 3 August for an initial three-week term until 23 August.
According to a Council media release, the appointment followed an external recruitment process led by the temporary independent Chair of the CEO Employment and Remuneration Committee, Rebecca McKenzie, with Cr Brian Hood and Cr Tim Drylie.
Ms Dore has extensive experience in both state and local government. She served as Chief Executive Officer of the Transport Accident Commission from 2007 to 2015 and has held senior local government positions including General Manager at the City of Newcastle and Interim Chief Executive Officer at the City of Ballarat. She has also served in a number of council monitor and administrator roles.
The temporary appointment comes as Hepburn Shire continues to face an unprecedented governance impasse. Five councillors are currently stood down while private prosecutions brought by local businessman David Penman proceed through the courts. Their absence means the Council is unable to achieve a quorum, preventing it from making a range of statutory decisions, including the appointment of a permanent Chief Executive Officer.
Under the Local Government Act, Mr Thomas is empowered to appoint an interim CEO for a period of up to 28 days.
Council said the short-term appointment would allow it to continue working with the Victorian Government to establish an appropriate decision-making mechanism. It said this could include extending Ms Dore’s appointment beyond 23 August if required.
Unless the current situation changes before then, the governance deadlock will need to be resolved by 23 August. That could occur if the stood-down councillors are able to return to office following the resolution of the legal proceedings, or if the Victorian Government intervenes by appointing an administrator or taking other action under the Local Government Act.
A Council spokesperson said the appointment would provide continuity during the current period of uncertainty.
“We are pleased Janet will lead the organisation during this period. She brings extensive local government experience, and her appointment provides a clear way forward while recognising that staff and the community are seeking certainty.”
Ms Dore said she looked forward to working with Council staff and supporting the organisation through the current governance challenges.
“I am pleased to accept the appointment and look forward to working with staff to focus on what matters to the community, including delivering projects and services and working closely with the Victorian Government to support appropriate governance and the return of elected representation.”
This article is based on a media release from Hepburn Shire Council.
