City of Rockingham chief executive Andrew Hammond (right) with Mayor Barry Sammels and Minister for Local Government David Templeman at the launch of Rock Port.
Camera IconCity of Rockingham chief executive Andrew Hammond (right) with Mayor Barry Sammels and Minister for Local Government David Templeman at the launch of Rock Port. Credit: Supplied/Supplied

City of Rockingham CEO to leave post

Gabrielle JefferyWeekend Kwinana Courier

CITY of Rockingham chief executive Andrew Hammond has resigned, citing the time is right to move on.

Mr Hammond announced his resignation yesterday stating his last day in the role will be on April 30 next year.

In his 10th year as chief executive, Mr Hammond felt he would leave with the council in a better position than it was in when he began.

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“It’s been a privilege to be the CEO in such a large City; there certainly have been some challenges,” he said.

“But we have also achieved a great deal and any CEO likes to leave a place in better shape than they found it.”

“It’s just the right time.”

He said his future remains in local government.

“I’ll certainly take some time out and I’m still looking to stay on in local government, although in more of a part-time, consultant role to help those councils with the trickier aspects of local government.”

He understood his decision had come as a surprise to mayor Barry Sammels and councillors.

“Barry was genuinely surprised,” he said.

“I’ve had a really good relationship with the mayor and councillors.”

Cr Sammels said Mr Hammond had been pivotal to the City.

“Andrew has done an outstanding job for the City and for the Rockingham community and he will be difficult to replace,” he said.

“He has made significant and very beneficial changes to our organisation during his tenure, overseeing a time of regional growth and change that required astute management skills.

“While his financial management of a growing council budget has been a strong point, his people skills and ability to build his administrative team into a cohesive unit has been a major factor in his success as a leader.

“Andrew’s contribution to Rockingham, and to the City of Albany before he joined us, has won him acclaim not only in local government circles in WA, but nationally.

“Finding a replacement will be a challenging but interesting project for us and one that we will treat as an urgent priority before Andrew departs.”

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