Mr Anson’s new three-year contract, which will see him in the role until January 2019, was confirmed at a confidential meeting of all councillors on Monday night. 

He said he was thrilled to be reappointed and was looking forward to delivering on the next projects the council had planned. 

“We’ve done a lot of work over the past four years and completed major projects like Horne Road, Coghlans Road and opening up more residential and industrial land,” he said. 

“But now we are preparing for new projects. The city centre revival, a new learning centre with South West TAFE, the harbour and tourism are all keys. 

“We also need to support the hospital in lobbying for their second stage redevelopment and we need to make sure the Midfield development is bedded down and that growth in employment can get started.” 

He said trade opportunities with Chinese sister city Changchun, implementing a new economic development strategy and figuring out how to best encourage increasing numbers of tourists to the Twelve Apostles to continue through to Warrnambool were also important.

He said the Point Ritchie/Moyjil Aboriginal site was an exciting opportunity to work with the state government to help tell the story of Indigenous heritage, linking with Budj Bim at Condah and Tower Hill. 

“There is no shortage of work to do. Council goes through a cycle of planning projects, adopting those plans, sourcing funding and then delivering on key projects,” Mr Anson said. 

“We have to keep the city and our population growing. 

“There is no shortage of enthusiasm from myself, councillors and senior staff to get all this work done.” 

Before the full council vote, a committee tasked with reviewing Mr Anson’s performance had recommended to reappoint the CEO. 

The committee includes Mayor Michael Neoh and councillors Jacinta Ermacora and Kylie Gaston with Rod Coutts acting as the independent chairman. 

Councillors Peter Sycopoulis and Brian Kelson have previously served on the committee, but both resigned saying their views were not being listened to. 

Cr Sycopoulis has long advocated for all councillors to sit on the committee.

All councillors are on Moyne Shire’s review committee while Corangamite Shire’s committee comprises the mayor, two councillors and an independent consultant as required. 

EARLIER: Bruce Anson will serve as Warrnambool City Council’s chief executive officer until at least 2019, after being officially reappointed on Monday night. 

Councillors voted on the reappointment at a confidential committee meeting on Monday night. 

Notification of the intention to reappoint Mr Anson, without advertising his position, was made earlier this month as required under the local government act. 

Before the full council vote, a recommendation to reappoint was made by a committee tasked with reviewing the CEO’s performance. 

The committee is comprised of Mayor Michael Neoh and councillors Jacinta Ermacora and Kylie Gaston with Rod Coutts acting as the independent chair.  

Mr Anson has served as CEO since 2008 and said he was thrilled to be reappointed to the role. 

“It’s a great honour to serve as Warrnambool City Council CEO. My passion for helping the council advance our great city and its small towns remains undiminished,” he said via a statement. 

Cr Neoh said the appointment provided continuity at the council and ensured the organisation had an experienced operational leader with a comprehensive understanding of major council projects and advocacy issues.

“We’re pleased to retain Mr Anson for a further three years,” Cr Neoh said.

“It’s an exciting time in Warrnambool’s history with many major projects on the way and advocacy well advanced on a number of issues such as rail services.”