CITY of Ballarat's newly appointed chief executive Evan King has made clear he will lead by example in creating a healthy organisation culture.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Ballarat councillors voted unanimously on Wednesday night to appoint Mr King to lead the City in culture shift after the sacking of a scathing Ombudsman's report tabled in May. This report led to the sacking of chief executive officer Justine Linley.
Under inter chief Janet Dore's six-month leadership, every director at the City was replaced and a special investigation, commissioned into council culture, also delivered appalling findings..
Mr King said he had not yet read the culture review, led by former sex discrimination commissioner Susan Halliday, but expected to be briefed on it soon. He said Ms Dore had set up a new high-performing executive team.
But King said his important first move was to lead by example.
It's worth understanding a little bit about Evan King. I'm a person of really high ethics, really high standards. I believe good governance is the basis for everything that we do
- Evan King, newly appointed City of Ballarat chief
"It's worth understanding a little bit about Evan King. I'm a person of really high ethics, really high standards. I believe good governance is the basis for everything that we do," Mr King said.
"The City of Ballarat has some wonderful staff here that come to work and do an incredible job. I'm really excited about working with them and bringing my style, my ethics, my governance.
"I'm committed to transparency and I'm committed to delivering value for money to the community."
READ MORE
Mr King has been appointed to the role on a three-year contract with optional two-year extension.
He arrives with a decade's experience in executive roles for local government, including two and a half years as Hepburn Shire chief, and an extensive background in major businesses, welfare organisations and sport.
Mr King said one of his top priorities was to work with the newly-elected council to develop and deliver their four-year plan for what the community needed. He said one of the biggest challenges and also opportunities would be in the region's COVID-19 recovery.
"I've spent a significant amount of my career working in large business, I've dealt with financial crises. I've dealt with floods, fires...COVID has impacted businesss differently," Mr King said.
"It's about listening to them and working with them and supporting them so we can come out the other side. There will also be some fantastic opportunities that come out of COVID for the City of Ballarat and we want to make sure we take advantage of those."
Hailing from the small Southern Mallee town of Beulah, Mr King is a long-time Ballarat resident. This is where he is proudly raising his family.
Collaboration in the region is one key principle Mr King values as vital. He felt his experience, particularly working for the Hepburn and Pyrenees shires, meant he understood the region well and the City of Ballarat's role within the region.
Big projects, such as resource sustainability, he said were important projects to tackle regionally.
"The region needs a high-functioning city and the city needs a really healthy region as well. I'm really passionate about continuing my work with our neighbouring shires to make sure we work together," Mr King said. "My knowledge an great advantage to really get on and start to deliver."
City of Ballarat mayor Daniel Moloney said it was important to acknowledge 2020 was a tough year for council and the wider community. In doing so, Cr Moloney said the City could move forward with a positive approach.
Mr King starts at City of Ballarat on February 15.
IN OTHER NEWS
If you are seeing this message you are a loyal digital subscriber to The Courier, as we made this story available only to subscribers. Thank you very much for your support and allowing us to continue telling Ballarat's story. We appreciate your support of journalism in our great city.