Bunbury chief keen to re-sign

Bunbury City Council chief executive officer Andrew Brien will negotiate a two-year contract extension, saying he has unfinished business.

The council discussed Mr Brien’s performance review in private at Tuesday night’s meeting.

Mayor Gary Brennan said the council had voted 11-1 to offer Mr Brien a new contract and negotiate key performance indicators.

Mr Brien said he wanted to stay on with the council, having moved from Queensland in 2011.

“I think the new contract is a positive thing, ” he said.

“I have been in Bunbury for three years and there is a lot of unfinished business I see I have to do. This is an opportunity to keep going with it.”

Mr Brien says this includes making sure the council is ready to be the second city in WA.

“While council provides the strategic direction I have a great opportunity to make that happen on the ground, ” he said.

One of his biggest priorities includes finding a new location for Lotteries House and offices for not-for-profit groups.

The council had investigated moving the offices to the Stirling Street Arts Centre, but this was abandoned because of community opposition.

The council is now looking to build the offices in two locations – in the carpark of the Bunbury Regional Arts Galleries and at Jaycee Park.

"We hope to see some significant progress in terms of design in the later part of this year, ” Mr Brien said.

Reflecting on his performance in the past three years, Mr Brien said the new council, elected in November, wanted him to consult more widely with the community on projects.

“I have taken that one on board, ” he said.

“We will certainly increase my personal focus in going out and engaging with the community on major projects and activities.”

Mr Brien was the chief executive officer of Fraser Coast Council in Queensland before coming to Bunbury.

If the council and Mr Brien agree to the new contract it will expire in 2017.