By Kath Gannaway
Yarra Ranges Council will have a change of leadership following the resignation this week of CEO Glenn Patterson.
Mr Patterson will take up the position of CEO at the City of Casey in September.
With a population of 327,380 as at 2017, Casey is more than double Yarra Ranges’ population of 156,982, but in a vastly more condensed landscape of 409 square kilometres compared with Yarra Ranges’ 2470 square kilometres.
Mayor Len Cox confirmed Mr Patterson’s resignation, saying he had been with Yarra Ranges for 10 years.
“I am disappointed that Glenn is leaving … from a strictly selfish point of view, and all the council is of the same mind,” Cr Cox said.
He said that with the help of the council, Mr Patterson had turned Yarra Ranges Council around.
“The place is running extremely well and a lot of it is due to Glenn’s ability,” he said.
“Not only has he the ability to run staff, but to speak to anybody at any level. He relates to people very well.
“He has been quite an asset to Yarra Ranges Council.”
Mr Patterson served as CEO at the Colac Otway Shire and Baw Baw Shire councils before joining Yarra Ranges.
Announcing Mr Patterson’s appointment on Wednesday 25 July, Casey Mayor Geoff Ablett praised his passion, leadership and vision.
“His extensive experience in local government and his strong commitment to community shone through,” he said of the unanimous appointment.
Mr Patterson is quoted in the release as saying he is “excited by the challenge of leading the organisation in an exciting future”.
Cr Cox said the next step for the Yarra Ranges was to find a replacement.
“We will meet on Tuesday (31 July) to decide who to use to help us find a CEO and to discuss other arrangements for an interim replacement when Glenn leaves,” he said.
A new CEO is not expected to be appointed before the start of next year.
