Council
6 September, 2024
Relief as CEO quits
Community reaction to the sudden resignation of Horsham Rural City Council CEO Sunil Bhalla is mostly one of relief and hope - relief at the opportunity for change and hope that it may lead to better governance and the repairing of community trust.
And while some argue other leaders should still come under scrutiny, all are hopeful a new beginning may allow council to regain the respect and pride the municipality once enjoyed as Capital of the Wimmera.
A press release on Tuesday stated that Mr Bhalla and HRCC had "mutually agreed to part ways", effective from today, following a confidential meeting of council on Monday.
Former longtime HRCC senior manager David Eltringham said council's decline from one of the state's most highly respected to one of the least respected, was difficult to swallow.
"It's obvious that Horsham Rural City has lacked positive leadership in recent years," said Mr Eltringham, who spent almost two decades in a senior role with council.
"It's been very, very disappointing to see a once highly regarded council decline.
"Perhaps this will allow opportunity to also take other leaders to task.
"And it's hoped this will offer opportunity to again win back community respect. The CEO has to work with the community, the person in that role can't be isolated."
Former councillor Di Bell, who resigned after a relentless barrage from staff and councillors when attempting to resolve troubling issues, said Mr Bhalla's departure was "great news".
"I look forward to new beginnings for our community with a new council, guided by a reputedly good monitor," Ms Bell said.
"By then investigations into the HRCC workplace culture will be completed, and the necessary changes will allow the council and community to work side by side as happened until recent years.
"I also thank The Horsham Times for its open and unbiased reporting, which has been a beacon of light and support for our community, while also calling for accountability and change."
Kerryn Shade, CEO for 16 years, said Mr Bhalla "would probably be feeling pretty low just now".
"But I will say that it's called local government for a reason," he said.
"It's important to have someone who knows what's going on. But being the CEO can be a tough game at times."
Two-time mayor Mark Radford said Mr Bhalla's appointment in 2018 followed a lengthy search.
"He was tasked to update planning. Horsham had moved from a country town to a city and his leadership was critical," he said.
"I also discovered he was held in high regard by the other regional CEOs.
"I must say that I felt a twinge of disappointment when I heard the news of his resignation. I think HRCC is a much better place under his leadership.
"I wish him well in the future."
Longtime Horsham resident Peter Murray, who initiated a petition calling for the resignation of both the mayor and CEO, said he was pleased to hear of Mr Bhalla's resignation.
"But he was only part of the problem," Mr Murray said. "And he has been for too long.
"I prefer to have a CEO that lives in the area. I want a Wimmera person take on the role.
"And I would also like to see the mayor replaced quickly."
Former Dimboola businessman and farmer Brian Hedt said leaders set the tone and Horsham council had failed to set high standards.
He said they were also "profoundly out of tune" with their local community.
"There has clearly been undue influence from previous council leaders," he said.
"That's very unhealthy for an organisation."
Mr Hedt said he was also concerned at the money thrown at a few projects.
"There's been so much money wasted on 'shiny new projects' that the community has a giant hangover - money that should have gone on roads and other basics."
Meanwhile, the Australian Workers Union, which called for an independent investigation into Mr Bhalla's leadership following a 70-0 staff vote of no confidence in the CEO, said it was proud of its members and other HRCC workers in taking a principled stance against allegations of managerial misconduct.
And while it has reported claims of "psychosocial workplace hazards" at HRCC to WorkSafe Victoria, union secretary Tash Wark also said there was now opportunity for HRCC management to rebuild a relationship with its workers based on respect and recognition of workplace safety.
The Horsham Times made multiple calls to current councillors but none offered any comment.
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