News
New Murray River Council chief executive focused on growth, culture
MURRAY River Council handed the reins to new chief executive Terry Dodds last week, who leaves behind an impressive legacy at Tenterfield Shire Council.
Hold tight - we’re checking permissions before loading more content
Mr Dodds has spent 30 years in local government, including as director of engineering six times and chief executive twice, and eight years in private enterprise.
Most recently at Tenterfield, in northern NSW, where the council had been deemed unfit for the future, Mr Dodds left it with a sustainable future.
“Tenterfield had a big problem with bridges, water and waste,” Mr Dodds said.
“In the last couple of years they’ve built or rebuilt 29 bridges in 22 months, the new water filtration plant starts getting built this month and they’ve got EPA approval to commence work on the new waste cell, which will last 25 years.
“In the middle of that there were four section 44 fires (code red), the biggest drought Tenterfield’s ever had and we almost ran out of water.”
So, what’s the secret to his success?
Perhaps his leadership style, where Mr Dodds describes himself as a transformational leader.
“In non-HR terms it means my job is to make myself redundant by coaching and training those below me and in doing so making my position more valuable,” he said.
“The more you can encourage those who report to you to do your job the more emphasis you can place on those above you to do their jobs.
“In this instance it means helping the mayor and councillors with their advocacy, forward planning and strategic planning.
“Because local government is an instrument of the state and at least 40 per cent of our income would come from grants, it’s very important as CEO to be working up not down.”
The new chief executive, who takes over from the retired Des Bilske, spent his first week on the job visiting staff and towns across the shire and has identified areas of focus as the community grows.
“Wherever you’ve got growth pressures, you’ve got those who liked it how it was before that don’t like change and then you’ve got people who want change because they see a need and opportunity,” Mr Dodds said.
“Working through the inevitable conflict and financial pressures will require me to work very closely with councillors and often work through some really technical, social and economic issues.”
As the community grows, Mr Dodds identified the need for a higher capacity water filtration plant, transport infrastructure and job development as key areas of focus, but also other exciting projects for the future.
“When the new bridge goes in, the Meninya St precinct is basically a blank canvas — it’s an opportunity to do something really special in the centre of town right next to the river,” he said.
“As soon as the bridge is done and the road goes from Transport for NSW control to council controlled, to me, council could not be in a better situation.
“It’s the biggest gift council will ever get.”
One of things Cr Bilkey said attracted council to Mr Dodds during the recruitment process was his focus on the culture of organisations.
“We had the amalgamation of two councils that didn’t want to be and resistance in both organisations, so we had a long way to go in the post-amalgamation period,” he said.
“We’ve made significant strides but I think we’ve got more to go.
“Terry talked about his approach to developing culture and building a culture that is productive and blame-free, so we’re looking forward to seeing some of that.”
Mr Dodds said the biggest killer for an organisation was conflict.
“Companies that are really good at understanding it’s not just the nuts and bolts, it’s what people feel about the nuts and bolts, and working on wellbeing and culture . . . particularly in local government, there’s not many people who get it right,” he said.
“When you fix the culture up, it’s like having 20 per cent extra staff, because not only does the productivity go up, the conflict and spinning the wheels goes down.”
Mr Dodds has moved to town with his wife, Fiona, and will soon be joined by their two Australian Shepherds, Cider and Pinot.
“We’re looking forward to being involved in community activities outside of council,” Mr Dodds said.
“I’ve fallen in the trap before where you’re so tied up with your position it becomes your life and you realise you’re living and working on an island.
“We want to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
More local news
NSW funding awarded to Moama's Horseshoe Lagoon
Abuse towards staff still too frequent at Echuca Regional Health