Wollongong City Council has a new leader at its helm.
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Greg Doyle, who has been acting in the role since the resignation of David Farmer in February, was deemed the best person for the role.
The appointment was made in a closed session of the council meeting on Monday night and then announced to council staff.
Mr Doyle thanked the Lord Mayor and councillors for putting their trust and confidence in him.
"I am just part of a team and I can't thank that team enough for their support," Mr Doyle said.
"Councillors have set a really an ambitious plan for the community and council staff are really excited about delivering it with them.
"This is an exciting time for Wollongong. Wollongong is a key regional city.
"We have a sound financial base and the council is dedicated to delivering key infrastructure for the community.
"The current staff are committed to Wollongong and I look forward to working with them to continue to support the needs of our community."
Mr Doyle's contract will be for four years and will begin on June 1.
He previously held the role of the council's director of infrastructure and works before acting in the general manger's position.
Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM said Greg Doyle was a strong candidate and the most suitable candidate to lead Wollongong City Council at this time.
"Greg has strong experience in local government having worked in leadership roles in the areas of community services and infrastructure. He understands the key role local government plays in building strong communities," he said said.
Mr Doyle beat out 32 other people who applied for the position.
A council report stated "the applications were of an exceptionally high standard with several interstate candidates applying".
"The candidates had experience in local government, private enterprise and government agencies," the report said. "The [Recruitment and Selection] Committee selected seven applicants to progress to interview based on reviewing the candidates' applications against the selection criteria and their relevant experience.
"Interviews were conducted on April 11 and 12."
On January 29, council established the committee to oversee the appointment and recommend the most suitable applicant to the all councillors for final decision.
Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery, Deputy Lord Mayor David Brown and councillors Tania Brown, Leigh Colacino and Mithra Cox were on the committee.
The committee presented the confidential General Manager Recruitment Report to councillors and recommended a preferred candidate for the general manager position.
The report outlined the key aspects of the recruitment, including how the position was advertised, the number of applications received and the extensive process which was undertaken to identify the preferred candidate.
Councillors then met with the preferred candidate on May 13.
Mr Doyle's predecessor had the top job for the past 11 years and left Wollongong to take up the role of executive officer of Ipswich Council in south east Queensland.
At the time Mr Farmer announced his resignation in December, Cr Bradbery praised Mr Farmer's achievements labelling him an "an exemplary person".
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 and the appointment of administrators.
Since then he worked with administrators and then elected councillors to rebuild the organisation's governance.
Mr Doyle is expected to give a press conference on Tuesday outlining his vision for the future of the council.