Council appoints new general manager from within its ranks

LISMORE City Council has appointed Eber Butron as its new general manager after his fourth month filling the position in a temporary role, following the sudden departure of Jon Gibbons.

Mr Gibbons resigned for personal reasons in March with Butron signing a four-year contract after being voted in by council at its July meeting.

He is the sixth general manger to hold the role in an interim or fulltime position since 2018.

Lismore City mayor Steve Krieg was part of the recruitment panel with a uniramous vote at the meeting.

“During his time at Council, Jon Gibbons, laid the foundations and created the framework to improve the efficiency of Council operations and develop a long-term financial plan to plot a pathway back to financial stability,” Cr Krieg said.

“Eber will now carry on this work as council embarks on the biggest rebuild this city and local government area has seen. I know council and the community will be in good hands.”

Mr Butron said a focus on fixing roads and helping council push ahead in its flood recovery with support from the CSIRO would be his major focus for the next 12 months.

He joined Lismore City Council as Director of Partnerships, Planning and Engagement in 2021 before being appointed Chief Community Officer.

“Lismore has a great future, and I am looking forward to playing a part in delivering it,” Mr Butron said.

“In terms of my career goals, I was attracted by the professional challenge of coming to Lismore and taking on a directorship with the council, and from a lifestyle perspective I enjoy living in the Northern Rivers having previously worked at Tweed and Richmond Valley councils.

Jon Gibbons, John Walker (interim) Michael Donnelly, Shelley Oldham and Scott Turner (interim) have all held the general manager role since 2018.