Goulburn Mulwaree Council appointed Aaron Johansson as its CEO in 2022 following a nationwide search. Photo: Supplied.
The CEO of the Goulburn Mulwaree Council has resigned after just over two years in the role, but council has moved quickly to appoint two senior staff members to take over his role before a replacement is found.
It is the third time a high-ranking council official in NSW’s South East has stepped down in about a month.
On 6 November, Goulburn Mulwaree Council announced Aaron Johansson had resigned, effective from five days earlier.
He started in the role in July 2022, ending the nationwide search to find council’s new chief executive after the sudden departure of Warwick Bennett earlier that year.
The former CEO of Charters Towers Regional Council in Queensland had been given a five-year performance-based contract.
After his resignation was announced, council said its operations would continue as normal and an extraordinary meeting was scheduled for last Thursday (7 November) to appoint an interim CEO.
“I want to assure everyone that there will be no disruptions or impact on service delivery,” Mayor Nina Dillon said at the time.
“Council has a highly capable and committed team of directors and staff.”
The mayor also expressed gratitude for Mr Johansson’s service.
“We would like to extend our thanks to Aaron for his leadership over the past two and a half years and wish him all the best in his future endeavours,” she said.
Gouburn Mullwaree Council’s director of utilities Marina Hollands will take over the role in January. Photo: Goulburn Council.
At last Thursday’s extraordinary meeting, council appointed two senior staff members to undertake the role of acting CEO during the upcoming months.
The director of planning and environment, Scott Martin, will serve as acting CEO from 7 November 2024 to 12 January 2025.
Afterwards, the director of utilities, Marina Hollands, will take on the role from 13 January to 1 March 2025.
“These appointments are in line with the operational needs of the council and will provide leadership and continuity until a new permanent CEO is appointed,” a council spokesperson said.
“Both directors have extensive experience in local government and will bring their knowledge and expertise to the role.
“Goulburn Mulwaree Council staff and the community can be assured that both Scott Martin and Marina Hollands are well positioned to ensure the continued effective operation of council services during this period of transition.”
Goulburn Mulwaree Council’s director of planning and environment Scott Martin has already stepped up into the role as acting CEO. Photo: Goulburn Council.
These arrangements will be reviewed and further decisions on council’s leadership will be made at the February 2025 council meeting.
Earlier this month, Mayor Dillon initiated the recruitment process for a new CEO. The process is expected to take about three to five months.
To the south, senior Yass Valley Council director Lynette Safranek quit her job suddenly on 6 November, surprising colleagues, including her boss.
After Region reported on the situation at Yass Valley Council, its reporters were told that the last council meeting had heard there were about 16 vacancies and 25 unfunded positions.
As the full-time staff equivalent was about 120, this meant there was a vacancy rate of around 30 per cent.
Snowy Monaro Regional Council’s CEO David Hogan resigned in October after the recent local government election. This was followed by chaotic scenes at the council’s first meeting.
During September’s council elections, Mayor Dillon’s ticket received the majority of first preference votes in the early counting, enough to prompt her to stand for mayor once elected.
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