Shire of Collie on the hunt for new chief executive with Stuart Devenish departing to waste management council

A South West shire is on the hunt for a new chief executive after he accepted a position running waste services in Perth’s western suburbs. The Shire of Collie accepted Stuart Devenish’s resignation at a special council meeting last week, who will depart in June to take on the role of chief executive at the Western Metropolitan Regional Council. Shire president Ian Miffling said Mr Devenish had made his mark on the shire and would be missed. “He’s been able to steer his troops between all of the ins and outs of the planning matters, he’s been very active in all of the tasks in which he’s undertaken,” he said. “Of course he leaves a big hole but we just have to live with that and go through the motions, which we’re doing now. “We’re sorry to see him go of course but we wish him well and he’s going on to a new challenge in Perth.” Mr Devenish joined the shire in November 2020 from the City of Kalgoorlie-Boulder, where he worked as infrastructure and environment general manager. Development services director Matthew Young has been appointed to take over the chief executive role in an acting capacity from June 10, though Mr Devenish will not officially leave the council until June 28. He put in his resignation letter on April 19, with the new position being revealed three days later. The Western Metropolitan Regional Council manages waste services for local governments in Perth’s western suburbs, including the City of Subiaco, Town of Cottesloe and Shire of Peppermint Grove. Chair Paul Kelly said the regional council is looking forward to working with Mr Devenish on revitalising its operations. “The selection committee was impressed with Stuart’s style, experience and leadership skills,” he said. Mr Devenish expressed his excitement for his new role. “I am looking forward to building on WMRC’s strong foundations in waste management and customer service and preparing the organisation for a robust future in the changing waste management landscape,” he said. The Shire of Collie has appointed a chief executive selection panel to find Mr Devenish’s permanent replacement, which will consist of Cr Miffling, deputy shire president Joe Italiano, Cr John Kearney and independent member Michael Murray. It is the second council in the region looking for a chief executive, with the Shire of Donnybrook-Balingup voting last month to extend acting chief executive Garry Hunt’s contract until the end of June.