QUEANBEYAN general manager Gary Chapman has resigned from the top Council job this week following three months of stress leave.
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Council issued a statement announcing the news on Wednesday, and acting general manager Hugh Percy will continue in the role until a new candidate is appointed by councillors in the coming weeks.
Mr Chapman told The Queanbeyan Age this week that he had enjoyed his 14 years with Queanbeyan Council, including eight as general manager, but said "the time was probably right" to move on.
"I'm 60 in February next year," he said. "I'd always contemplated retiring in the next few years ... I was in two minds I suppose with the events of the last 12 months around cinemas and a whole range of things that maybe the timing's right.
"And there's definite discussions around mergers with Queanbeyan and Palerang, and it's probably not a bad time for someone to come in new who can carry that through to its conclusion. So I think for me it's a good time, and I'm looking forward to doing some other things."
It marks a thirty-year stint in local government for Mr Chapman, including time spent working at Yass Valley, Wyong, Wingecarribee and Shoalhaven shire councils.
He said there were many highlights during his time at Queanbeyan, including the planning stages for Googong and the Ellerton Drive Extension, and seeing The Q come to fruition, among others.
"There's quite a number of things [I'm proud of]. "We've done quite a lot of work in organisational development over the last five years which has put us at the leading edge as far as local government is concerned.
"And I was chair of the Googong development committee for many many years, and it's now pleasing to see that taking shape and Googong progressing.
"And I was project director for the building of The Q, from really early thinking to its completion. So that was also a very satisfying time for me.
"Even getting the mens' shed up- it was a very small project ... but we had a small shed available to give them a space.
"So it's from big projects like that right down to some little stuff where you can make a difference.
"So I've enjoyed it. It's been a wonderful time as far my career is concerned, and the organisation is in good hands... There's a very motivated and loyal workforce there. So for me, the timing's right."
Meanwhile, Councillors will appoint a new general manager to the role in the coming weeks.