City of Greater Bendigo director appointed CEO of Mount Alexander

The City of Greater Bendigo has lost another of its most senior staff members.

Mount Alexander Shire Council today announced Bendigo’s presentation and assets director Darren Fuzzard as its new chief executive officer after its councillors passed a resolution to appoint Mr Fuzzard at a special meeting of council last night. 

His departure is the latest in a string of senior staff in Bendigo council departing to pursue new opportunities, which the city’s chief executive officer last week told the Bendigo Advertiser had precipitated an internal review. 

Since last July, four of five city directors in the city’s executive team have now resigned to pursue career opportunities outside of Bendigo. 

Mount Alexander Shire mayor Christine Henderson said Mr Fuzzard would come to the job with a strong background in leadership and major project management in the local government and road transport sectors.

“Council decided Mr Fuzzard was the best candidate in a very competitive field,” Cr Henderson said.

“Mr Fuzzard impressed councillors with his energy, enthusiasm and considerable skills and experience as a senior staff member in two of our neighbouring councils, large and small.

“He has demonstrated a genuine interest in working with the local community to ensure council’s efforts are focused on the right things.

“Council acknowledges the strong work completed by previous CEO Mr Phil Rowland in establishing a broad strategic base for the organisation.

“We also thank Ms Vicky Mason for taking on and continuing the role of acting CEO until Mr Fuzzard commences on 18 July.”

That council released a statement saying Mr Fuzzard had overseen and led the delivery of more than $400 million of works and services across many areas including engineering and public space, parks and natural reserves, construction and maintenance, waste management, environmental sustainability and major projects during the last five years at the City of Greater Bendigo.

Prior to that Mr Fuzzard was operations director at Loddon Shire Council and held several different roles at VicRoads.

Mr Fuzzard said he was looking forward to the opportunities which lay ahead as Mount Alexander continued to deliver on its vision and budget, while navigating the challenges of increased demands on services.

“I was born in Bendigo but spent most of my childhood growing up in a small rural town in northern Victoria,” said Mr Fuzzard.

“While several towns in Mount Alexander Shire are much bigger than where I grew up, that same sense of being a welcoming and friendly community, has struck me whenever I visit.

“Add to that the beautiful heritage buildings and a magnificent landscape, the opportunity to be part of a very positive future for the shire was a combination too good to miss.”

Mr Fuzzard, who currently lives in Bendigo, has a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from RMIT and a Graduate Diploma in Management.