Dubbo Regional Council (DRC) has appointed it’s permanent CEO, following a competitive recruitment process.
Murray Wood will be stepping into the role, after acting as interim CEO since June 2021.
Mr Wood has previously worked in various senior roles with Dubbo Council between 2003 – 2018, including as Director of Community and
Recreation, before moving into a role with the NSW Government as Director of Industry Development – Mining, Exploration and Geoscience within the Department of Regional NSW.
The selection panel for the CEO recruitment process was made up of Dubbo Mayor Stephen Lawrence, Deputy Mayor Anne Jones, Councillor Jane Diffey, and an independent third-party appointed by Local Government NSW.
Councillors held an extraordinary council meeting to deliberate over the final two applicants, and unanimously decided to offer the position to Mr Wood after a lengthy discussion.
Mayor Jones said, “As mayor I would like to congratulate Mr Woods on his appointment and reiterate the confidence that councillors and the community have in his ability to lead the organisation.
“He is the ethical and kind leader that the council needs at this moment and into the future. His wealth of experience will provide a level-headed and expert approach to the management of Council services and the conducting of the important relationship with the elected body.
“The community can be confident that Mr Wood will act in the best interests of residents.”
Mr Wood said he’s looking forward to moving into a new era with DRC, acknowledging the turmoil Council has been through in 2021.
“The community, and indeed our staff, have been so patient this year, as we have gone through many changes in leadership and been under an incredible amount of scrutiny.
“However, I’m confident that we have now turned a corner, and I feel very honoured to be able to lead DRC into this new chapter,” Mr Wood said.
During his time as interim CEO, Mr Wood oversaw the enforcement of a Performance Improvement Order issued by the Office of Local Government, and implemented new policies and procedures as a result of an independent investigation into how DRC has handled previous Code of Conduct complaints.
Mr Wood says he’s now looking forward to getting on with the job of providing stable leadership.
“With the Local Government Elections just around the corner, my job now will be to focus on the general day-to-day operations of Council, ensuring the community comes on this journey with us,” Mr Wood said.
“I want residents to feel assured that they will be more involved and more included in the decision-making processes of Council, getting back to that grassroots level of government that Councils provide.
“This grassroots governance will be underpinned by exceptional management of Council’s assets and businesses and I am looking to the challenge of ensuring long-term financial sustainability for DRC.”
