In this wrap:

• City of Rockingham names new CEO
• Ben Rimmer departs City of Melbourne
• Administrator appointed at Ipswich
• Freight Watch Integrity Advisor appointed
• Deborah Anton named data commissioner

City of Rockingham names new CEO

The City of Rockingham is now under the leadership of Michael Parker, who was appointed chief executive officer earlier this month.

Previously Mr Parker was CEO of the Shire of Harvey for 15 years, and prior to that was chief executive at the Shire of Wagin.

He was a previous board member and state president of Local Government Managers Australia.

Ben Rimmer departs City of Melbourne

City of Melbourne CEO Ben Rimmer has announced he will be leaving the council in December 2018.

Mr Rimmer, who worked to deliver projects such as the Queen Vic Market and the Munro development, said the decision was both planned and “strengthened” by the investigation into the inappropriate behaviour of Robert Doyle.

“I am proud of how my team and I have handled the unprecedented circumstances of the investigation, and the fairness and transparency which we brought to the process,” he said.

Administrator appointed at Ipswich

Greg Chemello has been appointed administrator at embattled Ipswich Council this week, after the dismissal of the council just days earlier.

Mr Chemello’s appointment, alongside a team of six experts, was announced on Wednesday, with Local Government Minister Stirling Hinchliffe saying the appointment took effect on Thursday.

Mr Chemello is currently the general manager of Economic Development Queensland and brings 35 years’ experience in the public and private sector, including working at Brisbane City Council.

He is experienced in governance, change management and commercial negotiations – all vital attributes needed to lead Ipswich in this challenging period, Mr Hinchliffe said.

Freight Watch Integrity Advisor appointed

Former NSW Farmers president and Corowa farmer Derek Schoen will lead the NSW Government’s monitoring of the Freight Watch program and freight prices.

Mr Schoen, a respected farmer and agribusiness leader, will work between government and industry as an independent advisor looking at the price pressures faced by farmers as a result of increased demand on stock feed.

Mr Schoen said he was looking forward to helping to ease the pressure off farmers battling with drought conditions.

Deborah Anton named data commissioner

Deborah Anton has been appointed as the interim National Data Commissioner.

Ms Anton will be responsible for implementing a streamlined public data sharing framework to help government maximise the benefits of data.

For the previous two decades, Ms Anton has worked in the APS over a number of areas including legislation, regulation, policy and program delivery.

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Last issue’s Noticeboard: Randwick GM Ray Brownlee exits

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