NORTHERN Grampians Shire will not hurry to appoint a replacement for outgoing chief executive Justine Linley.
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Council expects to appoint a new chief executive by September, with current directors Vaughan Williams, Sanjay Manivasagasivam and Michael Bailey to fill the role in the interim.
At a meeting on Tuesday, councillors voted to appoint the three directors to the acting chief executive role with the shire’s director of corporate services Vaughn Williams to be given first crack at the job.
Councillors rejected a recommendation to appoint an acting chief executive officer not currently employed with the shire.
Ms Linley will depart the council on May 20 to take up her new role as chief executive of the City of Ballarat.
Mr Williams will begin the acting chief executive role on May 14, a week before Ms Linley’s departure.
He will act in the role until July 10 when council’s director of infrastructure and environment Sanjay Manivasagasivam takes over.
Mr Manivasagasivam will in turn fill the role until September 4 when the director of economic and community development Michael Bailey takes charge.
A council spokeswoman said the shire had started recruiting for a new chief executive.
“We’re beginning that process now. Council has appointed a consultant to commence the process for engagement of a replacement chief executive officer,” she said.
“We anticipate it will be a number of months until an appointment is made.”
Following Ms Linley’s resignation, Northern Grampians Mayor Murray Emerson praised the outgoing chief executive for what she had achieved during her time with the council.
He said she had made the right decision to move on.
“We are very disappointed Mrs Linley is leaving us of course,” he said.
“However, from the council’s point of view, Justine is taking on the role as chief executive at Ballarat for all the right reasons; a promotion, family, development.
“Of course we all wish her the best of luck and all the best for her future.”
Ms Linley starts her new role with the City of Ballarat on May 23.