Ballina councillors split 7-2 over interim general manager plan

Unconfirmed minutes record Kelly Brown’s appointment as acting general manager from Paul Hickey’s resignation on 20 November, after councillors rejected a proposal to delay the appointment and rotate directors through the role.

Council: Ballina Shire Council

Meeting: 10 Nov 2026

Recorded status: approved


BRIEF

Unconfirmed Ballina Shire Council minutes record a seven-to-two split over its leadership transition. Kelly Brown is to become acting general manager when Paul Hickey’s resignation takes effect on 20 November, after councillors rejected a proposal to delay the appointment pending a recruiter’s appointment and rotate directors through the role.


KEY FACTS

- The minutes record Paul Hickey’s resignation as Ballina Shire Council general manager taking effect on 20 November 2026.

- The recorded decision appoints Kelly Brown as acting general manager from Hickey’s resignation until a new general manager starts, for up to 12 months, or until a further council resolution, whichever occurs first.

- If Ms Brown is on leave before a new general manager or different acting general manager is appointed, the Mayor may temporarily appoint a council director for that leave after consulting the Deputy Mayor.

- The proposal to defer the appointment pending a recruiter’s appointment and rotate directors was rejected seven votes to two, with Cr Simon Chate absent and not voting.

- Ms Brown’s remuneration will be based on Mr Hickey’s former total remuneration on a pro-rata basis.


ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD

- The record shows a clear difference between the adopted named appointment and the rejected proposal for directors to rotate through the role while awaiting recruitment.

- The minutes specify a maximum acting period of up to 12 months but do not give a timetable for recruiting or appointing a permanent general manager.

- The public record reports the recommendation and vote after the personnel discussion was held confidentially, but does not provide the discussion itself.


QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING

- When will Ballina Shire Council begin recruitment for a permanent general manager?

- What total remuneration figure will be used to calculate Ms Brown's pro-rata payment?

- If Ms Brown takes leave, which director, if any, will the Mayor consider appointing temporarily?


RECORDED NEXT STEPS

- The unconfirmed minutes record Paul Hickey's resignation taking effect on 20 November 2026.

- Under the recorded resolution, Kelly Brown is to begin as acting general manager when Hickey's resignation takes effect, with the stated term limits and leave contingency.

- The Mayor may seek Local Government NSW assistance to prepare Ms Brown's temporary employment contract.


SOURCE PASSAGES

Recommendation CF101126/5 records Paul Hickey's resignation taking effect on 20 November 2026 and provides for Kelly Brown to become acting general manager from that resignation until a new general manager commences, for a maximum of 12 months, or until a further council resolution, whichever occurs first.
"DID NOT VOTE - Cr Simon Chate CF101126/5 RECOMMENDED (Cr Damian Loone/Cr Michelle Bailey) That: 1. Council notes the correspondence from Mr Paul Hickey (General Manager) to Cr Sharon Cadwallader (Mayor) dated 22 October 2026 confirming his resignation as General Manager of Ballina Shire Council (Council) with effect on Friday 20 November 2026. 2. Council acknowledges the significant contribution Mr Hickey has made to the Council and to the Ballina community over his approximately 20 years as General Manager and wishes him all the best for the future. 3. Pursuant to sections 336 and 351 of the Local Government Act 1993, Council appoints Ms Kelly Brown to be the Council's Acting General Manager from when Mr Hickey's resignation takes effect until the commencement of a new General Manager (for a maximum period of up to 12 months) or until further resolution of the Council, whichever occurs first." (Recommendation CF101126/5, items 1–3)

An amendment moved by Cr Erin Karsten and seconded by Cr Kiri Dicker proposed deferring the interim appointment pending a recruiter's appointment and rotating directors through the acting role in the meantime. It was lost, with two votes for and seven against.
"MAYOR b. The Mayor may seek the assistance of Local Government NSW with preparation of Ms Brown's temporary contract of employment as Acting General Manager. An Amendment was moved by Cr Erin Karsten and seconded by Cr Kiri Dicker That Council defer the decision on the appointment of an Interim General Manager until the recruiter has been appointed to February 2027 and that in the meantime the Directors rotate in the Acting General Manager role. A Motion was moved by Cr Phil Meehan That the Motion Be Put to the vote. The Motion was CARRIED FOR VOTE - All Councillors voted unanimously. ABSENT. DID NOT VOTE - Cr Simon Chate The Amendment was LOST FOR VOTE - Cr Erin Karsten and Cr Kiri Dicker AGAINST VOTE - Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Michelle Bailey, Cr Simon Kinny, Cr Damian Loone, Cr Therese Crollick, Cr Eva Ramsey and Cr Phil Meehan ABSENT." (Amendment and recorded vote)

Resolution 101126/6 adopted the confidential-session recommendations with seven votes for and two against. Cr Simon Chate was absent and did not vote.
"DID NOT VOTE - Cr Simon Chate Adoption of Recommendations from Confidential Session 101126/6 RESOLVED (Cr Damian Loone/Cr Simon Kinny) That the recommendations made whilst in Confidential Session, be adopted. FOR VOTE - Cr Sharon Cadwallader, Cr Michelle Bailey, Cr Simon Kinny, Cr Damian Loone, Cr Therese Crollick, Cr Eva Ramsey and Cr Phil Meehan AGAINST VOTE - Cr Erin Karsten and Cr Kiri Dicker ABSENT. DID NOT VOTE - Cr Simon Chate MEETING CLOSURE 7.28pm The Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 10/11/26 were submitted for confirmation by council on 26 November 2026 and amendments (if any) are contained in the confirming resolution." (Resolution 101126/6 and its voting record)

The recommendation permits the Mayor, following consultation with the Deputy Mayor, to temporarily appoint a council director as interim general manager for Ms Brown's leave if it occurs before a new general manager or different acting general manager is appointed.
"Provided that if Ms Brown is on leave prior to Council appointing a new General Manager or appointing a different Acting General Manager, the Mayor, following consultation with the Deputy Mayor, may temporarily MINUTES OF THE EXTRAORDINARY MEETING OF BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL HELD IN THE BALLINA SHIRE COUNCIL CHAMBERS 40 CHERRY STREET BALLINA, ON 10/11/26 AT 6:00 PM Page 5 of 5 of the Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting of Ballina Shire Council – 10/11/26 ................................................. MAYOR appoint one of Council's directors as Interim General Manager for the period of such leave. 4. In furtherance of the above: a. The total remuneration payable to Ms Brown in the position of Acting General Manager is to be based on the total remuneration that was payable to Mr Hickey as General Manager, paid on a pro-rata basis." (Recommendation CF101126/5, item 3 leave contingency)

The recommendation bases Ms Brown's acting general manager remuneration on Mr Hickey's total remuneration, paid pro rata, and permits the Mayor to seek Local Government NSW assistance with her temporary employment contract.
"MAYOR appoint one of Council's directors as Interim General Manager for the period of such leave. 4. In furtherance of the above: a. The total remuneration payable to Ms Brown in the position of Acting General Manager is to be based on the total remuneration that was payable to Mr Hickey as General Manager, paid on a pro-rata basis. b. The Mayor may seek the assistance of Local Government NSW with preparation of Ms Brown's temporary contract of employment as Acting General Manager. A Motion was moved by Cr Damian Loone That the Motion Be Put to the vote." (Recommendation CF101126/5, items 4(a)–(b))

The record states that the minutes were submitted for confirmation and signed by the Mayor at a meeting on 26 November 2026.
"DID NOT VOTE - Cr Simon Chate MEETING CLOSURE 7.28pm The Minutes of the Extraordinary Meeting held on 10/11/26 were submitted for confirmation by council on 26 November 2026 and amendments (if any) are contained in the confirming resolution. Such Minutes were signed by the Mayor at the meeting on 26 November 2026." (Closing confirmation and signing statements)


SOURCES

https://ballina.infocouncil.biz/RedirectToDoc.aspx?URL=Open/2026/11/OC_10112026_MIN_EXTRA.PDF

https://minutesradar.com/news/ballina-infocouncil-extraordinary-council-10-nov-2026-10-nov-2026-minutes-ballina-councillors-split-7-2-over-interim-general-manager-plan/


Prepared from public council minutes using automated drafting and checks. No meeting attendance or interviews are implied. Check the original record and seek comment before republishing claims or analysis. Illustrations are generic, not depictions of actual projects.