A restructure has been put forward by the recently appointed general manager Graeme Faulkner and the plans were passed by council at Monday night’s meeting.

Several key recommendations were suggested in the general manager’s report to council to emphasise the priorities of economic development for the wider community and financial security for the council.

“We’ve got to make sure that Lithgow City Council is financially secure because that’s the base that we need to rely on to go out and help businesses in the community and provide the services at an affordable rate for those who are living in our community,” Mr Faulkner said.

To help Lithgow council become financially viable in the long term, a new Finance and Assets Department will be created and be headed by a Chief Financial and Information Officer (CFIO).

The CFIO position is currently being recruited for on a three year fixed term.

Another new position will be established to push for positive financial growth in the Lithgow area, a Director Economic Development and Environment.

The current Group Manager of Environment and Development, Andrew Muir, will immediately fill this role. Council will review this position after 12 months.

An economic development officer will also be employed to secure opportunities for economic and business development.

The general manager’s report recommended the restructure occur “over the next 12 months so that the desired change facilitates retention and training of existing staff and minimises cost in the very difficult financial environment that council is experiencing.”

Mr Faulkner said all affected staff members had been consulted about the proposed changes. No adverse impacts on staff have been identified at this stage with council management planning to make use of natural attrition to avoid redundancies in the restructuring process.

“We want to keep people employed in the organisation so that money continues to go through the economy… It will have to be a very carefully managed process,” Mr Faulkner said.​