Mr Farmer has been in the top job at council for the past 11 years and will be leaving Wollongong at the end of January to take up the role of executive officer of Ipswich Council in south east Queensland.

Cr Bradbery said he was not surprised Mr Farmer had been “headhunted” by Ipswich Council because he would be suited to the challenge of repairing the finances and reputation of the council.

“In the time I have worked with Mr Farmer in the past seven years, he has been an exemplary person and his skills and intelligence has been the subject of my admiration,” he said.

“The council has been fortunate to have him lead it.”

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Mr Farmer started in the role in June 2007, a few months after the council offices had been raided by the Independent Commission Against Corruption, 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.

“I had a rocky start but also a deeply satisfying journey at Wollongong over the past decade or so,” Mr Farmer said.

“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.”

Mr Farmer’s appointment comes after all Ipswich city councillors were sacked and an administrator put in place in August this year after damning allegations of corrupt behaviour by several Ipswich councillors and executives spanning decades were revealed.

On Thursday the former chief executive officer of Ipswich City Council and three others plead guilty to corruption charges in the district court in Brisbane following an investigation by the Crime and Corruption Commission.

“There are definitely some similarities in Ipswich, most importantly the need to restore public confidence and trust,” Mr Farmer said.

“I wanted a role where I could bring my skills to bear on something significant.

“The combination of governance and growth issues in Ipswich present that challenge.”

Mr Farmer said he was proud to have been at the helm of the council when several major projects were completed.

These 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.

“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.”

“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.”

The Lord Mayor said he will meet with the deputy mayor David Brown 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 the council is of the highest calibre and the direction of council and its service to the community will continue unchanged,” he said.