With change comes opportunity.
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Tuesday, May 28, 2019, will herald a significant change for the Wollongong City Council.
With that change will come an opportunity for the city to chart a fresh course.
On this day the Wollongong City Council will announce a new general manager.
The search for the new general manager has deliberately been a long and thorough process, as it should be for one of the city's most important positions.
This appointment comes on the back of two significant elections which have again left the city wedged as a Labor heartland with Liberal state and federal governments.
We are a growing regional area and the likelihood is we are going to have to shoulder much of the growth and development on our own.
The previous general manager of the council David Farmer, who resigned in December to take up a position with the embattled Ipswich Council in Queensland, had served this city for 11 years.
Mr Farmer will have the challenge of doing with Ipswich what he did with Wollongong - repairing its reputation and bring finances into line.
Mr Farmer started in the role in 2007 just months after the council offices were 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.
From those foundations he lead the restoration of the organisation's reputation.
The Wollongong City Council is not only a significant organisation for the city, it is a significant employer with over 1000-plus staff.
Now, with the ship's balance restored, it is time for a new leader to chart their own course for our council.
This is a thriving and vibrant community just waiting to be taken on the next journey.
This community now needs - scratch that, demands - their new leader be a facilitator and a communicator.
One who can help guide this city onwards and upwards to a bright, prosperous future.