UPDATE: City of Greater Bendigo CEO Craig Niemann has thanked long-serving director Stan Liacos for his decade of service at the council.

Mr Liacos was this morning announced by Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford as one of five new directors at Regional Development Victoria.

Mr Niemann said: “On the one hand, the city is losing someone with enormous talent who has worked tirelessly to change Greater Bendigo for the better.

“On the other hand, and on a very positive note, Stan’s elevation to this regional role will see him working with the highest levels of government to improve the whole region, including Greater Bendigo.

“Thanks to Stan’s leadership, passion and commitment, brand ‘Bendigo’ is now recognised across Australia and this is delivering real benefits for our community.

“Lifting our city’s profile nationally is about boosting confidence, jobs and growth and has significantly increased our level of influence at the negotiating table when attracting funds from other levels of government.”

Mr Niemann said some of his colleague’s greatest achievements included overseeing major projects such as the Edwards Street car park development, expansion of exhibition spaces at the Bendigo Art Gallery and the transformation of the former Bendigo Gaol into the 1000-seat Ulumbarra Theatre.

Member for Bendigo East Jacinta Allan also congratulated Mr Liacos on his appointment.

“Stan has been a terrific leader in the Bendigo council [and] within the Bendigo community,” she said.

“He’s really driven a number of key projects over the best part of the last decade in the city and so he’s a good fit for the new role.”

EARLIER: High-profile City of Greater Bendigo director Stan Liacos will leave his post to take up a new role in Regional Development Victoria.

Mr Liacos, who joined the council in 2006, was announced as the organisation’s regional director for the Loddon Mallee area.

Minister for Regional Development Jaala Pulford made the announcement in Shepparton on Wednesday morning.

She said the new regional director roles represent a “significant shift for RDV” and will provide “unprecedented levels of senior government leadership and accountability” across regional Victoria.

RDV will be headed by chief executive James Flintoft. Other regional directors appointed are Unni Menon (Barwon South West), Leigh Kennedy (Gippsland), Anthony Schinck (Grampians) and Matt Nelson (Hume).

Ms Pulford said: “Regional Development Victoria plays a key role in creating a strong regional Victoria through job creation, better infrastructure and new investment.

“The knowledge and experience of Mr Flintoft and the Regional Directors will be vital in leading RDV and delivering the government’s commitments to regional Victoria.”

Mr Flintoft said: “I’m excited to lead RDV’s new senior regional leadership team to connect with rural and regional businesses and support growth for the regional economy.

"The new senior team provides an exciting mix of business and local government backgrounds; and tourism and agriculture sector experience, significantly adding to our leadership capability."

Mr Liacos is currently the council’s city futures director. He has previously served in local government roles at West Sussex County Council in England and the cities of Essendon and Wyndham.

The new regional directors will start in their new roles over summer, with all appointees in place by January 27.