Mr Rawlings will finish up on June 12, and Council has already commenced discussions on his replacement.

As the recruitment process will take several months, the Council is looking to employ a temporary General Manager to fill in the period while advertising and selection take place.

This is the same process as was used six years ago when the Council was last looking for a new General Manager.

Council will place advertisements where people with the relevant qualifications and experience will see them to attract as many applicants to the position as possible.

Once the positions close the Council will review the applications received and undertake interviews to see if a suitable candidate can be appointed to the position.

The entire process is expected to take around eight to ten weeks.

While Mr Rawlings expressed his excitement with the move to the new council, he said that he would miss the local area as well.

“During my time here I have worked with really great people, through staff, councillors and the community,” he said.

“The people who kept coming back to the community forums each year and were willing to work with Council really make the job worthwhile.”

Mr Rawlings believes that the Council is in a good position, with a clear set of projects for the future, and hopes that a good GM applicant can be attracted to improve the Council further.

“I would like to see another person with drive and enthusiasm come into the role to take Council even further along the path of improving how it relates to the community and provides services,” he said.

Mr Rawlings said that this was a good time for change, as the new Council are working well and are committed to achieving results.

“The councillors will be able to work with the new General Manager to shape the future of the Council,” he said.

“The councillors work well together and work well with the staff. This will give good results to the community.”

Kempsey Shire Council serves a population of over 28,000 people and the Council has a budget of around $40 million and staff of 278.

It is located on the Macleay Valley and has a mix of agricultural and tourism economies.

The shire area is known for being the birthplace of Slim Dusty and the home of Akubra Hats. Less well known is the fact that Milo was invented by a resident of the area.