Newcastle City Council General Manager Lindy Hyam has shocked her council colleagues by tendering her resignation.
Ms Hyam has been behind a massive reform program at the council since taking up the position in September 2008.
She informed Lord Mayor John Tate of her intentions around 5PM on Thursday.
Ms Hyam says she’s leaving to take on a position with a US based company, but will remain in the Hunter. She’s had a strained relationship with the Lord Mayor over the past 12 months.
The strained relationship between the Lord Mayor and General Manager escalated when Cr Tate was forced to formerly apologise to Ms Hyam after negative comments were made in an interview about the allocation of council funding to the city’s surf clubs.
Councillor Aaron Buman who’s long been at odds with the Lord Mayor has told NBN News, councillors are disappointed Ms Hyam has resigned. He says all councillors will be at a press conference this afternoon at which they’ll vent their frustration about “the Lord Mayor’s leadership.”
Ms Hyam will finish in early January.
