Berrigan Shire general manager retires after 23 years

Recruitment to replace him has started, with council appointing recruitment consultants Blackadder Associates to help with the search.

Mr Perkins’ departure will see a slight change to the role, which will be referred to as chief executive.

Three other long-serving Berrigan Shire staff will also retire this year, which Mr Perkins said prompted his decision to bring his retirement forward by a few months.

Also announcing their retirements were engineering services manager Fred Exton, development manager Laurie Stevens and environmental engineer Alan Kay.

‘‘I always planned to retire around June,’’ Mr Perkins said.

‘‘But several key staff members made the decision to retire, so I thought it best to leave the hiring of their replacements to the next general manager.’’

Mr Perkins leaves behind a proud legacy with Berrigan Shire, including a 23-year tenure as its general manager.

After retiring, the long-time public servant hopes to fill his days with leisure.

‘‘Berrigan Shire has a sustainable and highly performing council; this is the legacy we leave behind,” he said.

‘‘I hope to travel, but who knows when that will be able to happen. For now, I will travel domestically.

‘‘I will essentially do all the things I haven’t been able to, until now.’’

Mayor Matt Hannan said Mr Perkins has been very open with the councillors about his plans to retire.

Cr Hannan said he would be missed, but council was excited for what the future might hold under new leadership.

‘‘Rowan’s legacy of 23 years as a general manager is something that’s unique in his field,’’ Cr Hannan said.

‘‘He’s been a valued servant of the Berrigan Shire and the community as a whole, and we thank him for his service, and appreciate the efforts he has gone to over a long period of time.

‘‘His retirement will create opportunity for someone else to come in to a fiscally well-managed council, and four towns that are continuing to grow.

‘‘There are a few challenges there with some senior staff retiring, but I see it as an opportunity to take Berrigan Shire into the next phase.’’

Cr Hannan said the desired qualities of the new chief executive will ‘‘be the same as most’’.

‘‘Berrigan Shire is unique in that it has tourist towns and agriculture,’’ he said.

‘‘Understanding that, and understanding how to work and be innovative, and having some economic foresight going forward to create opportunities will be important.

‘‘We must also continue to expose Berrigan Shire as a great place to work, live and invest.’’

Council hopes to conduct interviews in April and have a candidate appointed by early May.

Corporate services director Matt Hansen will serve as acting chief executive if there is a gap between Mr Perkins’ departure and the new chief executive starting.