Resignation of Council’s General Manager

Wollongong City Council’s General Manager for the past 11 years David Farmer today announced his resignation. Mr Farmer will leave at the end of January to take up the role of CEO of the City of Ipswich in south east Queensland.

Mr Farmer started in the role in June 2007, a few months after the Council offices had been raided by the ICAC, and before the February 2008 public hearing that led to the dismissal of the Council, the appointment of Administrators, and made headlines around the world. Since then he has worked with Administrators and then elected Councillors to rebuild the organisation’s governance, finances and service delivery capability.

Mr Farmer said “I had a rocky start but also a deeply satisfying journey at Wollongong over the past decade or so. Ultimately success is a function of a team effort, and would like to pay my respects to the Councillors I have worked with over the period and also to thank the 1,000-plus staff at Wollongong City Council who make it happen every day.”

During Mr Farmer’s tenure major projects undertaken by Council have included the Blue Mile foreshore upgrade project, incorporating the Tramway and Bathers Pavilion refurbishment, the development of the Thirroul Library and Community Centre, the upgrade to Bald Hill and the completion of Stage One of the Grand Pacific Walk. He also oversaw the start, after over 30 years of discussion, of the construction of Fowlers Road to Fairwater Drive Bridge.

Mr Farmer said that “Some of the major strategic and economic activities that have occurred during my time in the role included the West Dapto Urban Release area, the growth of the City’s evening economy and developments in cultural planning. We have seen a huge shift in the Wollongong’s nightlife over the past decade with many new small bars, restaurants and cafes opening up. A decade ago alcohol-related violence in the Wollongong CBD was a regular media story. Now it barely gets a mention”

“We have a thriving cultural scene and enhanced streetscape due to projects such as Wonderwalls. Employment is strong and we are winning major international events to the city such the Wigan v Hull Super League Game, Corona Sunsets and the 2022 UCI World Road Cycling Championships.”

He said, “Restoring the Council’s finances took almost a decade, but has meant that we can now adequately care for the assets the community uses and loves. We have tripled our capital program since I arrived and that has meant we’ve invested in long neglected assets such as roads, footpaths, community building and pools”

“The three achievements I am most proud of are getting the organisation’s finances in shape, delivering world-class infrastructure like the Blue Mile Tramway Link and the first stage of the Grand Pacific Walk and restoring the trust of the community. The last three community surveys show satisfaction at all-time highs.”

Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said “David Farmer has done an outstanding job in the interests of our city.  I wish him all the best in his future in local government in Queensland. We value David’s skills and experience and we’re sorry to see him go.  I know that David will embrace the challenge ahead when he takes up this significant position at Ipswitch Council.”

“I will meet with the Deputy Mayor shortly to prepare a recruitment strategy so that we can start the process to find a new General Manager early in 2019. In the meantime, the leadership team at Council is of the highest calibre and the direction of Council and its service to the community will continue unchanged.’’

Mr Farmer will move to the City of Ipswich, which now faces the challenge of a recently dismissed Council following charges being laid against a number of former Councillors, staff and contractors.

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