BATHURST Regional Council will review its senior management structure to ensure it gets the best outcome for the role when it begins the search for a replacement for its director of environmental planning and building services.
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The Western Advocate revealed exclusively yesterday of the resignation of the long-serving David Shaw after decades in the role.
He will leave the vitally local government town planning role in mid-July.
While Mr Shaw is on leave this week and unavailable for comment, council’s general manager David Sherley said yesterday he had been outstanding in his role over a very long time.
“Mr Shaw was involved in any number of major projects that have helped set the city up for the vibrant place it is today,” he said. “Looking back I would have to say the raising of the Ben Chifley Dam wall in 2000 was a huge achievement. It effectively doubled Bathurst’s water supply at a time when water was such a crucial resource as a decade-long drought followed shortly after the completion of this project.
“There was also the transition to a regional council back in 2004 that he played a major role in bringing to fruition.”
Mr Sherley said that council would look closely at its management structure to ensure the replacement for Mr Shaw is able to best deliver services to the wider community.
“Council will, as it always does when a senior staff member leaves, look closely at the structure of the role when it comes to filling that position,” he said.
“This is a significant role that also involved economic development and we will look at what it involves to get the best result for the city. I will be working with the councillors to see what direction the role will take and how it aligns with our Community Strategic Plan 2036.”
Mr Sherley said Mr Shaw had ensured continued growth for the region during his time with council.
“He was a very good planner for the city and was involved in many big projects including the raising of the Ben Chifley Dam wall,” he said. “He also helped attract big businesses to the city of the likes of the Masters development at Kelso.
“There was also the new cinema complex, the Bathurst City Centre shopping complex and the new motel at Mount Panorama, to name a few.”
Mayor Gary Rush said yesterday Mr Shaw brought skill and expertise to his role and was served Bathurst particularly well in the town planning role.
“The town planning role, in conjunction with the elected council representatives, really does have impact on what a community ends up looking like and which direction it takes for the future,” he said.
