ANDREW Roach – the young man who has guided the fortunes of Blayney Shire Council for the past five years – has resigned to accept the position of general manager of the Port Macquarie-Hastings Council.
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“My appointment to the position of general manager five years ago was a brave move for the then council,” Mr Roach said yesterday. “I was the youngest general manager in NSW and broke the status quo of local government management in the state.”
The son of the current Bathurst City Treasurer, Bob Roach, Mr Roach will be leaving to work on the North Coast in a council with 500 employees and a budget of about $120 million.
Blayney Mayor, Scott Ferguson said yesterday the appointment of Mr Roach at Port Macquarie showed that Blayney was a great organisation for providing professional talent in local government.
“While Port Macquarie-Hastings Council has had some adverse publicity over the past six months, I think Port Macquarie-Hastings had gained a positive and energetic professional in Andrew ... their gain is our loss,” Cr Ferguson said.
During his time with Blayney Shire Council, Mr Roach managed a succession of surplus budgets, something the council has enjoyed over seven straight years.
He also developed a safe workplace ethic in a council that went for one whole year without any lost time injuries, with a record of 446 days without injury.
Mr Roach saw the Central Tablelands Livestock Exchange establish regional saleyards in Blayney Shire, development of a new works depot, approval to develop a new Community Centre, strong industry growth and many other community amenities.
Blayney council will discuss the recruitment process for a replacement for Mr Roach at an extraordinary meeting on July 28 when an acting general manager will be appointed.
