Kelly Brown to lead Ballina council administration after Paul Hickey’s departure

Unconfirmed minutes record a 7-2 vote to adopt an Acting General Manager arrangement beginning on 20 November, rejecting a proposal to rotate directors through the role.

Council: Ballina Shire Council

Meeting: 10 Nov 2026

Recorded status: approved


BRIEF

Unconfirmed minutes record that Kelly Brown will become Ballina Shire Council’s Acting General Manager when Paul Hickey’s resignation takes effect on 20 November 2026. Councillors adopted the arrangement 7-2, rejecting a proposal to defer the interim appointment and rotate directors through the role. Brown’s remuneration will be based on Hickey’s former total remuneration, paid pro rata.


KEY FACTS

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

- The unconfirmed minutes record Kelly Brown’s appointment as Acting General Manager from when Hickey’s resignation takes effect until a new General Manager starts, for up to 12 months, or until a further council resolution, whichever occurs first.

- Brown’s remuneration will be based on Hickey’s former total remuneration and paid pro rata.

- A proposal to defer the interim appointment decision and rotate directors through the role was lost.

- The confidential-session recommendations were adopted by seven votes to two, with Simon Chate absent and not voting.


ANALYSIS OF THE RECORD

- The recorded appointment ends when a new General Manager commences, the 12-month maximum is reached or council makes a further resolution, whichever occurs first.

- The supplied minutes report the recommendations made in confidential session and their adoption in open council, but do not reproduce the detailed personnel discussion.

- The record does not give a date for a permanent General Manager appointment or an amount for Brown's remuneration.


QUESTIONS FOR FOLLOW-UP REPORTING

- What timetable will council use to appoint a permanent General Manager?

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

- If Brown takes leave, which director, if any, will the Mayor consider for the temporary role?

- Will any confirming resolution amend these minutes?


RECORDED NEXT STEPS

- Hickey's resignation takes effect on 20 November 2026.

- Under the recorded resolution, Brown's Acting General Manager appointment is to begin when Hickey's resignation takes effect, subject to the specified term limits.

- The Mayor may seek Local Government NSW assistance with preparing Brown's temporary employment contract.

- If Brown is on leave before council appoints a new General Manager or a different Acting General Manager, the Mayor may, after consulting the Deputy Mayor, temporarily appoint a director for the period of her leave.


SOURCE PASSAGES

The recommendation records correspondence from Paul Hickey to Mayor Sharon Cadwallader dated 22 October 2026 confirming his resignation as General Manager of Ballina Shire Council with effect on Friday 20 November 2026.
"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." (5.1, CF101126/5, clause 1)

The appointment terms name Kelly Brown as Acting General Manager from when Hickey's resignation takes effect until a new General Manager commences, for a maximum of up to 12 months, or until a further council resolution, whichever occurs first.
"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." (5.1, CF101126/5, clause 3)

If Brown is on leave before council appoints a new General Manager or a different Acting General Manager, the Mayor may, after consulting the Deputy Mayor, temporarily appoint one of council's directors as Interim General Manager for the period of that leave.
"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." (5.1, CF101126/5, leave provision)

Brown's total remuneration as Acting General Manager is to be based on the total remuneration that was payable to Hickey as General Manager, paid pro rata.
"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." (5.1, CF101126/5, clause 4(a))

The Mayor may seek Local Government NSW assistance with preparing Brown's temporary employment contract as Acting General Manager.
"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." (5.1, CF101126/5, clause 4(b))

The amendment to defer the interim appointment decision and rotate directors through the acting role was moved by Erin Karsten and seconded by Kiri Dicker. It was lost, with Karsten and Dicker voting for it and seven listed councillors voting against it.
"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." (5.1, amendment and vote)

Resolution 101126/6 adopted the confidential-session recommendations, with seven councillors voting for and two against; Simon Chate 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." (101126/6 and adoption vote)

The text acknowledges Hickey's approximately 20 years as General Manager and his contribution to council and the Ballina community.
"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." (5.1, CF101126/5, clause 2)


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-kelly-brown-to-lead-ballina-council-administration-after-paul-hic-b6e42e74a0/


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.