The man who was appointed administrator at Walgett Shire Council after the whole council was stood down in 2004 is the new Acting General Manager for the council.

Mr Hugh Percy served two years at that time, so brings with him some knowledge and experience of the district and local communities.

In a controversial and divisive move the council sacked its previous General Manager, Mike Urquhart at their ordinary council meeting on 28 March.

Councillors are not required to show cause and a general manager is not protected under unlawful termination legislation. 

All that is needed is a majority of councillors.

Mr Urquhart was dismissed after five of the nine Walgett Shire councillors voted in support of a motion that he no longer continue in the role.

Mr Hugh Percy. IMAGE: Enterprise Plus

Mr Percy, who is based in Queanbeyan, has over 50 years’ experience working in Local Government and as an active member of the Local Government Managers Association.

Throughout his career he has undertaken various roles including General Manager of the former Queanbeyan Shire Council and assisted Walgett Shire Council during their period of Administration in 2004-2006.

He is the Secretary/ Public Officer to Respite Care for QBN Inc. and a Board Member of the Queanbeyan Australian Football Club and Enterprise Plus.

Mr Percy was appointed at an Extraordinary Meeting on Tuesday 4 April.

The local government veteran has come out of retirement to take on the role.

He will remain as Acting General Manager until such time that Council appoints a permanent General Manager.

"I want to help out all the communities of the shire," he told the Western Plains App.

 "One of the biggest challenges is getting more workers into the area".

Otherwise, he said he was taking some time to evaluate what the major issues are and look at how the funding needs currently sit.