MOREE Plains Shire Council general manager, Kelvin Tytherleigh, will spend Christmas in Queensland before returning to Moree in early January to finalise his term of employment.

He was  absent from council’s extraordinary meeting on Wednesday, when urgent, confidential matters regarding tender submissions to Ron Harborne Oval and community hall upgrades at Garah and Boomi were discussed in closed council.

Mr Tytherleigh spoke at last Thursday’s fiery open council meeting in front of a public gallery packed with concerned residents and ratepayers who wanted to know why the general manager was moving on.

“I want to express my thanks. It’s been an honour and a privilege to serve this community,” Mr Tytherleigh told council and the gallery.

Council has appointed Natalia Cowley to the position of acting-interim general manager, with all suitable delegations for the period commencing January 22, 2025 for “up to, but not limited, to six months”.

Mayor Susannah Pearse, in consultation with deputy mayor, Wayne Tighe, will negotiate and execute the contract, including a salary package as agreed.

Ms Cowley, the former City of Coffs Harbour general manager, was on November 14 awarded one of the highest honours in international financial leadership, when named the Outstanding Contribution to the Public Sector Award recipient from the Institute of Chartered Accountants Australia and New Zealand.

Two weeks later she resigned from the City of Coffs Harbour Council.

Natalia Cowley will begin her interim role as general manager at Moree Plains Shire Council on January 22 (Image: City of Coffs Harbour Council).

Moree Plains Shire Council appointed Darryl Fitzgerald to the position of acting-interim general manager, with all suitable delegations from January 4 until Ms Cowley begins her term.

It is well-documented how Cr Kelly James’ motion of no confidence in mayor Susannah Pearse fell well short at last week’s open council meeting.

Six councillors voted against the motion, with Cr Fred McGrady abstaining.

Cr Brooke Sauer, who seconded Cr James’ motion, spoke passionately in favour of Cr Pearse, saying “we need strong leadership within this organisation, more than ever”.

“I seconded this motion so we could openly debate and transparently debate in front of the public, the merits of the motion Cr James has put forward,” Cr Sauer said.

“Mr Tytherleigh has been a momentous leader for us. He’s been an extraordinary general manager and I am personally saddened that he will no longer be with us. He’s been incredible for the organisation and he’s been incredible for this town.

“However, it is by mutual agreement Mr Tytherleigh would like to depart from the council, and we must respect that decision.

“The mayor has been consistently transparent about the handling of the GM’s resignation and has always had the best interest of Mr Tytherleigh, Moree Plains Shire Council and the community at hand,” Cr Sauer said.

“Consistency is required by all of us, and we need to have faith in the leader we’ve put in place.

“I stand by my vote in Susannah Pearse as our mayor and therefore argue vehemently against this motion.

“There is no evidence the mayor has been anything but transparent and acting with integrity,” she said.

Ms Cowley will begin her interim role on January 22 next year.