Lake Macquarie City Council's new CEO has hit the ground running with a commitment to increase the organisation's financial sustainability and drive ahead with the city's economic transformation.
David Hughes, Council's former Director of Built and Natural Assets, started a four-year tenure in the new role from Monday 10 August, taking the reins from Tony Farrell, who returns to his previous role as Deputy CEO.
Mr Hughes congratulated Mr Farrell on his achievements in the top job since Morven Cameron resigned as CEO in September 2025.
"My first order of business will be to ensure there is a smooth transition in the CEO role from Tony, who has done a fantastic job," Mr Hughes said.
"Then it will be a question of understanding the collective priorities and opportunities across our organisation and ensuring we're in the best position to capitalise and deliver on those for the Lake Macquarie community."
"We're now less than four years away from 2030, and we need to ensure our assets, our services and our organisation are fit for the future."
Mr Hughes added that he was intent on increasing Council's focus on financial sustainability.
"We are in a solid financial position, but we need to be across external opportunities and risks to maintain that position," he said.
"I'm also keen to get around the organisation and more broadly around Lake Macquarie and the region to develop relationships with those I haven't had the opportunity to work closely with previously."
Lake Macquarie Mayor Adam Shultz said he looked forward to working more closely with Mr Hughes.
"It's fantastic to have a new CEO who is already so familiar not only with our organisation, but with our city and where it is headed," Mayor Adam said.
"I know we both have the city's best interests at heart, and I'm looking forward to working with David as we continue delivering the projects and services our community expects."
"David brings a strong mix of strategic leadership, operational experience and local knowledge to the role, and I'm confident he will help guide Lake Macquarie through a period of significant growth and change."
Mr Hughes said that pushing ahead with the city's economic diversification, and aligning Council's services with community needs and expectations, were among his other top priorities.
"Looking at our city and its economic future, we need to continue diversifying beyond our current economic drivers of coal mining and power generation," he said.
"These industries have provided generations of our residents with highly skilled and highly paid careers, but as they transition, we need to attract other industries that can capitalise on our high-skills base and provide new jobs and career paths."
Mr Hughes, a born and bred Lake Macquarie local who has held senior executive positions within the public and private sectors, said the city's location, environment, people and skills base were its greatest strengths.
He described himself as a leader who was "accessible and transparent, dedicated, deliberate and accountable, commercially disciplined and customer service-focused".
"I've always had a mindset focused on improvement and innovation, and I'm a big believer in developing other leaders in our organisation and working together with them," Mr Hughes said.
"This is an exciting time for our city and our organisation, and I'm proud to be leading us through it."
