Young Town Hall in the Hilltops region, where Hilltops Council is based. Anthony O’Reilly has resigned as the council’s general manager after six years in the role. Photo: Edwina Mason.
Hilltops Council general manager Anthony O’Reilly has resigned after six years in the role, with Mayor Brian Ingram crediting him with helping steer the organisation through a period of stability and major infrastructure delivery.
Mr O’Reilly tendered his resignation on Monday (1 June), citing personal reasons. He will remain on leave until his employment officially concludes on 20 July.
Cr Ingram said the resignation was entirely voluntary and there were no broader issues behind the decision.
“The letter of resignation stated that it was for personal reasons,” he said.
Mr O’Reilly joined Hilltops Council in 2020 after previously serving as director of corporate and commercial services at Eurobodalla Shire Council.
At the time of his appointment, councillors highlighted his strong financial management background and expected him to help guide the newly amalgamated council through its next stage of development.
Reflecting on his tenure, Cr Ingram said Mr O’Reilly had delivered on the task he was brought in to perform.
Anthony O’Reilly. Photo: Hilltops Council.
“Anthony was brought on board to stabilise the ship, basically, and he did that,” he said.
Cr Ingram said the general manager had been involved in a number of significant infrastructure projects across the region.
This includes the current Young Trunk Drainage Upgrade – designed to improve stormwater capacity and help prevent flooding in the town centre during major weather events – which Cr Ingram said had been more than a decade in development.
“It was one of the first committees I sat on when I was first elected to Young Council in 2012 or 2013,” he said.
Cr Ingram said Mr O’Reilly had worked alongside council to secure funding and drive the project forward.
“We worked together and worked out how we could fund it and do that and we finally got there,” he said.
Cr Ingram said while the works were causing disruption for businesses and motorists, the upgrade was critical infrastructure for the town’s future.
“It’s crucial infrastructure that had to happen,” he said.
He also pointed to the proposed Boorowa water security project, which has been under development for about 10 years.
“That’s also something Anthony worked hard on,” Cr Ingram said.
While travelling to Sydney on Tuesday for talks with NSW Water Minister Rose Jackson about funding the project, Cr Ingram said the proposal remained a major priority for council.
Hilltops Council director of corporate and community services Sarah Karaitiana has been appointed acting general manager while recruitment begins for a permanent replacement.
Ms Karaitiana is a member of the council’s executive leadership team and has previously filled the role during periods of leave.
Cr Ingram said council would take its time to find the right candidate.
“We intend to do it diligently and timely and make sure that we start our recruitment process that enables us to get the best candidates to apply for the job,” he said.
Despite the leadership change, he said residents could expect business to continue as usual.
“As I said, we’ve been here before,” Cr Ingram said.
Original Article published by Edwina Mason on About Regional.
