WEST WIMMERA Shire Council's chief executive wants to progress the West Grampians Rural Pipeline and a corporate restructure, after recommitting for two years.
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DAVID Leahy will be the council's top executive until at least January 31, 2023, after councillors resolved to offer him a new contract, which he has signed.
"That (pipeline) is a project that I think the pandemic has stalled because of the inability to actually meet with key personnel in Melbourne and Canberra face-to-face," he said. "You can lose a bit of to and from in a Zoom meeting environment, so that's something I'm keen to see through.
"We also undertook a corporate restructuring last year, and because of the pandemic, we haven't had the opportunity to bed that down. The last thing I want to do is facilitate a restructure and just walk out."
Mr Leahy said GWMWater was making minor adjustments to the pipeline's business case. He said a part-time position had been added to the council in the restructure, while some existing roles had been given more responsibilities.
When he took on the role in 2016, Mr Leahy said he wanted to work with community groups to understand their needs. He said he had not done this "to the level I would like".
"I have tried to get a senior staff member on all the progress associations, and I still attend the Harrow Discovery Centre committee, but sometimes appointment clashes and time prevents it," he said.
"If I had my time again, it would be nice to have a greater regional presence for West Wimmera. That is a focus (going forward), and a key plank in our council plan."
As a chief executive for a council covering border communities, Mr Leahy said his role had become about helping people decipher two sets of rules - South Australian and Victorian - during the pandemic.
"When they first shut the border quite harshly, we rustled together a group of people that developed an intake program, and we distributed a 1300 number (13 WWSC) for people having issues with the border crossing, whether that be getting into the healthcare serices or border permits," he said.
"You can feel on your own a little bit."
Mr Leahy lives with his family in Edenhope, and has a son that works in aged care in Naracoorte.
From July 1 2021, the employment and remuneration of council chief executives will be governed by the new Local Government Act )2020). The new council will then have six months to prepare and adopt a new CEO Employment and Remuneration Policy, meaning the latest date for adoption will be the December 2021 Council Meeting.
In a statement, mayor Bruce Meyer said: "Providing Mr Leahy with a further two-year contract will provide stability and continuity for the newly elected Council in November 2020, allowing them to focus on important work such as the development of the new Council Plan."
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Alexander Darling
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
Alexander has been a member of the Wimmera Mail-Times' editorial team since December 2018, covering politics, business and property among other rounds. He is a passionate St.Kilda and rock and roll fan, and has previously worked as a radio reporter in Port Macquarie and Gosford, NSW.
