At its meeting of 29 January 2020, the Huon Valley Council supported the recommendation to offer the General Manager (GM), Mr Emilio Reale, a contract of employment for a period of five years. Mr Reale’s new contract commenced on 14 March 2020.

Huon Valley Council Mayor Bec Enders said, “Mr Reale had received strong and positive feedback for his leadership in Council through peer and councillor review. The consistent feedback supported Mr Reale securing a five-year contract. For the first time, Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) targets and stretch targets were introduced.”

The agreed KPIs developed by the General Manager Performance Review Committee and GM include significant areas of responsibility such as financial sustainability; delivering projects of community significance; customer service experience; economy; planning; health and wellbeing of workforce; capital projects; grant funds and cost control.

Cr Enders said, “Mr Reale has certainly had his challenges since November 2018 in supporting a Council of eight new councillors and one returning councillor, not to mention managing the Council during a demanding bushfire season in January to March of 2019 and now the pandemic, COVID-19.

“Emilio has always been professional, approachable and accessible to Councillors; an essential requirement for good leadership.”

“COVID-19 has certainly thrown up some challenges. Mr Reale will not be seeking any salary increase for 2020/21 and the Committee is now working with him to remodel the agreed KPIs so they are more agile and responsive in a COVID-19 economic operating environment.”

The General Manager Performance Review Committee meets monthly. They meet with the GM quarterly and report back to the full Council in closed session of council. The Committee’s roles and function include monitoring the performance of the GM and undertaking the annual performance review of the GM in accordance with the GM’s employment contract.

Cr Enders said, “On behalf of my fellow Councillors, we congratulate Mr Reale on his appointment and look forward to working with him, so that he can continue to provide leadership and direction in the implementation of the strategic directions of Council.

“Throughout this time, Emilio has always been professional, approachable and accessible to Councillors; an essential requirement for good leadership.”