Councillors fear for projects' future

Bunbury city councillors have spoken of their concern that the resignation of top council director Geoff Klem will put major projects on the back burner.

Mr Klem was one of five of the city’s executive directors who report directly to the CEO and was in charge of some of the council’s biggest projects.

He was overseeing the multi-million dollar expansion of the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, the revamp of the Leschenault Inlet and an overhaul of the South West Sports Centre.

Cr Karen Steele said she was concerned the council’s plans for the inlet would be put on ice.

“I don’t want it to be forgotten,” she said.

Cr Steele said Mr Klem had been a great asset to the council.

“A lot of directors don’t actually live in Bunbury, it was an asset to have one who had lived in Bunbury for a number of years,” she said.

City of Bunbury chief executive officer Andrew Brien said staff who had been working on Mr Klem’s projects would continue until the plans were redirected to senior staff.

“No one does a project in isolation, there were other staff involved and they will continue,” he said.

Cr Brendan Kelly said the council had lost a high class executive.

“The council needs to work very hard to devise a strategy to continue the good – no, excellent – work he has done to ensure it is not lost,” Cr Kelly said.

Mr Klem joined the city in 2006 after working for years in Geoff Gallop’s Department of the Premier and Cabinet.

Mr Klem told the Times this week he was optimistic and hopeful for the city’s future.

“When I look over my time at the city, I’ve worked with really good people over the years, high quality people and I’ll take that away with me,” Mr Klem said.

He said the “train was in motion’’ for other staff to complete his projects.

Cr Murray Cook said he felt a responsibility to “push through’’ many of the improvements Mr Klem had begun.

“The major one of these is the vast and comprehensive improvements Geoff had foreshadowed for the Leschenault Inlet,” he said.