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A former CEO of a regional Queensland council has been appointed to head up Newcastle Council's administration, as it struggles to deal with a growing operational debt.
The former CEO of Toowoomba Council Ken Gouldthorp has been appointed as Newcastle Council's interim general manager.
He will take on the role left vacant by former GM Phil Pearce, who quit just 18 months into a five-year contract.
The council is currently facing possible insolvency if it does not rein in growing debts of around $20 million and Mr Gouldthorp says he is up to the challenge.
"My background leading into CEO roles is a CFO, or Chief Financial officer," he said.
"I've got a strong financial background and I think that's why the councillors at Newcastle were keen to get me on board."
Mr Gouldthorp managed a massive council restructure during his time in Toowoomba.
He says he is looking forward to working alongside the lord mayor Jeff McCloy and is impressed with the attitude of councillors.
"Obviously it's too early for me to make any comments about what may or may not happen, but I'm certainly looking forward to the challenge," he said.
"One of the things I found very positive, one of the reasons that I'm prepared to take up the role, is I was very impressed with the council members as part of the panel.
"They're obviously people that are very committed to trying to progress Newcastle city and I'm looking forward to trying to assist them to do so."
He plans to start work in the job next week.
Topics: local-government, newcastle-2300
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