Incoming Lake Macquarie City Council chief executive officer David Hughes said he plans to drive a culture of innovation and a "community-first" approach when he takes charge of the Hunter's biggest local government area.
Mr Hughes, who has been part of the council's executive team as the director of built and natural assets for the past eight years, was unveiled on Thursday as the man to replace former CEO Morven Cameron.
Lake Macquarie councillors voted for Mr Hughes' appointment in an extraordinary meeting on Monday night.
He will formally begin in the role on August 10.
Mr Hughes grew up in Belmont and told the Newcastle Herald he was passionate about the city and its future.
"It's such a great community and it's a magnificent part of the world to live in," he said.
"To have the opportunity to lead it forward is a golden opportunity. I wouldn't pass it up for anything."
The former Belmont High student and father of three was chosen from a field of candidates that included applicants from interstate and from New Zealand.
"David's been director here for eight years; he's well-known to councillors; he's got a track record of delivery and implementation," Lake Macquarie mayor Adam Shultz said.
"He's not afraid to have a difference of opinion, but he's transparent. He's open, he's honest, he's accountable, and he loves and breathes Lake Macquarie."
Mr Hughes began his working life as an electrical fitter mechanic at the Newcastle steelworks before working for BHP in Lake Macquarie and Port Kembla.
During that time he obtained a Bachelor of Engineering (Electrical) and a Masters of Business Administration at the University of Wollongong.
Mr Hughes later worked for poker machine gaming company Aristocrat Technologies as chief supply officer and as a general manager of mining and power with Tomago-based electrical engineering firm Ampcontrol.
"Working in the commercial world, you're very focused on how you improve and innovate for the commercial reasons," Mr Hughes said.
"That's not so much the DNA in local government, but it's something that I can bring to local government.
"So, where we look in the commercial world, you might be focused on growing market share. One of the key things for us in local government is that the community now doesn't have a choice to be our customer, so if we're not delivering what they need, or we're too expensive, then they just lose trust.
"They'll lose trust in what we do. So, we have to continue to improve and adapt for those reasons."
Mr Hughes' ascension to the chief executive role comes at an important point for Lake Macquarie. The city holds a pivotal position in Australia's ongoing energy transition and its response to the housing crisis.
Eraring Power Station supports 1800 jobs and contributes 15 per cent of Lake Macquarie's economy. The coal-fired power station is scheduled to close in 2029.
At the same time, western Lake Macquarie is earmarked for the biggest residential growth in the Hunter. It is forecast that by 2046 the area's population will grow from 18,093 people in 2021 to 32,322.
"Mining and power generation are declining and we've got to lobby state and federal government and as many investors as we can to start investing in our economy, making sure that we're liveable, that people really want to live here and stay living here," Mr Hughes said.
"We've got a magnificent natural environment, but we need to ensure that we've got the assets and the infrastructure to support housing growth.
"Council, at the end of the day, we're only here for the community, and we provide about 160 different services to the community. As the community changes, we need to adapt and change with it."
Deputy Tony Farrell, who did not apply for the top job, will continue to serve as the acting chief executive until Mr Hughes takes charge in August.
Mr Hughes said Mr Farrell has indicated his intention to continue as deputy.
"I haven't even had a chance to sit down and talk with my team yet about what everybody's plans are and whether they want to change portfolios and do something different or if they're very happy with where they're at," he said.
"That'll take a little bit of time to work through."
Mr Hughes replaces Morven Cameron, who resigned last September after an eight-year term which included being named the Business Hunter's Business Leader of the Year in 2019 and receiving a Minister's Award for Women in Local Government.
In 2024 Lake Macquarie was also named the 2024 AR Bluett Memorial Award winner for the best city or regional council in NSW.
