AFTER over four years as an Upper Hunter Shire councillor, Joshua Brown has announced that he will resign as councillor in November 2020.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"I have accepted a new job in Western Australia which will take me away from Murrurundi and the Upper Hunter", Cr Brown said.
"As a consequence, I will leave Upper Hunter Shire Council in November following the recruitment of a new General Manager.
Cr Brown said that over the last four years he has done his best to represent the interests of the residents of Murrurundi and the wider Upper Hunter Shire, focusing on improvements to infrastructure and services, together with maturing the council's governance and accountability processes.
"Whilst there will be a variety of views on the success or otherwise of those efforts, I am proud of the achievements I have delivered and am confident that many outstanding projects will be delivered as a result of funding secured, including upgrades to Wilson Memorial Oval, the Rosedale Complex, the Murulla Street causeway and the renewal of Murrurundi's main street," he said.
"I am proud to have provided certainty for the King of the Ranges festival and stopped the encroachment of a large housing development onto their facilities.
"The job however has not been without its difficulties, frustrations and disappointment.
"Whilst I have undertaken the task with energy over the last four years, working full time and away from the Shire has presented many challenges in my capacity to do the job. It would be unfair to the Shire's ratepayers if I were to continue in the role whilst undertaking full time work on the other side of the country."
There will be no by-election as a result of Cr Brown's departure.
"I am confident that my councillor colleagues will continue to provide comprehensive representation on behalf of those ratepayers and residents who need it," he said.
"I do think it is vital however that Murrurundi be represented on the next council and would urge interested residents willing to stand up for our community to do so at the next local government election.
"I will be only too willing to provide guidance, encouragement and advice to those people willing to stick up their hands.
"I wish to thank my family, my friends and supporters, together with the community of Murrurundi for all their support and encouragement.
"I pay tribute to the Mayor and each councillor for their passion and efforts and wish them well for the future.
"The Council is in good hands and has an ambitious forward plan with a focus on the delivery of a significant number of game changing projects."