Wyndham council chief executive officer Kerry Thompson has resigned.
Mayor Peter Maynard announced Ms Thompson’s resignation on Monday afternoon, saying she was leaving the council to take on the role of chief executive at the Lost Dogs Home.
Ms Thompson was appointed to the council’s top job in July 2010, after seven years leading Maribyrnong council.
She has worked in local government for 35 years, having also held directors positions at Geelong and Melbourne councils.
Ms Thompson said it was a difficult decision to leave Wyndham council but she was looking forward to a move to the not-for-profit sector.
“I have absolutely loved my time at Wyndham city. I feel that over the past five years, we have achieved a lot and I think seeing the opening of Aquapulse, Encore Events Centre and the stage one completion of Eagle Stadium in the last few weeks, a great deal of hard work has come to fruition,” she said.
“The staff at Wyndham city are so committed and community focused and it has been a pleasure to work alongside such a talented team of people.
“After 35 years in local government, I am looking forward to a new challenge and the Lost Dogs Home presents a great opportunity to combine my interest in animal welfare with an organisation that operates in a very challenging space.”
Ms Thompson’s time at Wyndham council has not been without controversy, with more than 100 staff members passing a vote of no confidence in her in October 2013.
The vote came just days after the Australian Services Union called for Ms Thompson to be sacked for spending almost $355,000 to hire a private investigator to spy on staff and fight unfair dismissal claims lodged by five parks and gardens workers who were sacked on the investigator’s word.
Cr Maynard said Ms Thompson had been an “outstanding leader” for the council organisation and would be a great loss.
“As one of the fastest growing cities in the country, Wyndham city presents many challenges and Kerry has maintained a strong focus on forward planning and providing the appropriate services and infrastructure for our growing community,” he said.
The council will meet in the coming day to work through the process for recruiting a new chief executive.
It is believed that the council’s top job comes with a salary of about $376,000.
It is expected that Ms Thompson will leave in the council in mid-August.
