Cessnock City Council's General Manager, Lotta Jackson, has tendered her resignation at last night's Ordinary Council Meeting, which the Council accepted in a confidential session. Ms Jackson will be taking a period of accrued leave before formally vacating the role on 6 May 2022.
Council's Director of Corporate and Community Services, Robert Maginnity, has been appointed to act in the role of General Manager until recruitment for an interim or permanent replacement occurs.
Ms Jackson said that with the borders finally being open, she has decided to plan to visit her close and extended family that she hasn't seen for years, and the experience of COVID has certainly assisted her decision. She also believes that this is the best timing with the newly elected Councillors having an opportunity to select a new General Manager early in their term.
"I wish to thank the Mayor and Councillors, senior colleagues and all staff during my time as General Manager, starting with bushfires, floods, the pandemic and more floods," Ms Jackson said.
"The community is in good hands with Mayor Suvaal and I know that the future is bright for Cessnock LGA and that it will be a continued growing and thriving place to live, work and visit."
Cessnock City Council Mayor, Jay Suvaal, thanked Ms Jackson for her service to both the council and the broader Cessnock community.
"Lotta had the difficult job of leading the organisation during a period of unprecedented challenges which have included catastrophic bushfires, major flooding and a once in 100 year pandemic, and always tried to put the community first," Mayor Suvaal said.
"I personally thank Lotta for the support she has shown me as Mayor and wish her all the best for her next endeavours."
Some of the key achievements during Ms Jackson's time as General Manager are:
- Completing Bridges Hill Park Playground
- Constructing Gingers Lane, and the Government Road and Hart Road roundabout
- Building Paynes Crossing Bridge
- Completing the Local Strategic Planning Statement
- Formalising the agreement with Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association
- Implementing the Buy Local campaign and undertaking many economic stimulus grants and community resilience grants that followed the bush fires
- Supporting the community during COVID with our libraries and youth services; and
- Supporting Council's committed staff. In 2020/21 alone, the Customer Service staff attended to 85,000 phone calls.
