The Robe District Council has extended the contract of its chief executive James Holyman by a further four years.

Mr Holyman took up the administrative reins of the seaside council in mid-2019 following the retirement of Roger Sweetman.

Mr Holyman had previously worked as the corporate and community services director with the Port Pirie Regional Council.

According to the register published last month, Mr Holyman receives an annual salary of $155,000 and full use of a council-supplied vehicle and mobile phone.

Robe Mayor Alison Nunan explained the rational for the contract extension.

“Along with all other councils, we are working towards finalising some items and in our case, one of these is the contract for our chief executive,” Mayor Nunan said.

“The contract had to be dealt with before the caretaker period on September 6 to avoid being in breach of his contract which is a standard CEO contract.

“Mr Holyman has undergone a full independent review with input from some community members, current employees and the elected members.

“At a meeting on August 24, the elected members voted to renew his contract for four years which we are pleased to say he has accepted.”

Mayor Nunan said this provides ongoing stability for the community as it enters a period of change following the upcoming state-wide four-yearly council elections.

“There will be some new faces at Robe District Council too as the Manager of Corporate Services and Finance Kate Rayner has resigned from her position,” she said.

“William Pavia, our Finance Officer, had his last day this month and he will be moving to Adelaide to be with his family.

“They were a good team and the elected members thank them both for all of the effort they put into improving council’s processes and reports to ensure we were well informed for our meetings.”