Shire planning chief opts for early exit MORNINGTON Peninsula Shire’s planning and building director David Bergin resigned last week. Mr Bergin, one of the council’s highest paid “key management personnel” was with the shire for five years after stints at Swan Hill, Boroondara and Mitchell Shire and local government in the UK. Shire staff learned of his “immediate resignation for a variety of personal reasons” in a farewell email to staff on Thursday 18 February. Mr Bergin said CEO Johan Baker had “kindly allowed me to end my contract early”. Reward for effort: Noah Jackson and Megan Holt celebrate achieving their Queen Scout He was leaving the shire “having awards. Picture: Supplied followed and displayed all our values, including courage, openness, respect, excellence and, at all times, I have maintained my integrity”. It is made up of four components – the TWO Mornington Sea Scouts have come Mr Bergin said he “had achieved a so far to win the highest award in Scouting Community Involvement area, the Advensignificant amount over the past five turous Activity area, the Personal Growth that a little disruption called lockdown years, including the planning services area, and the Leadership area. could not dampen their spirits last week. review, green wedge management Group leader Linden Jackson (or “WalInstead of Noah Jackson, 17, and Megan plan, housing and settlement stratrus”) said the Government House presHolt, 18, being presented with their Queen egy, Tootgarook wetland management entation – which was held over last year Scout awards at Government House, plan, industrial land review, on-line Saturday 13 February, they had to make do because of the first COVID-19 lockdown lodgement of planning applications, – had to be cancelled again this year. Plans with a private celebration for family and registration process for pool barriers, to move it to Gilwell Park Scout Camp at fellow Scouts at Camp Niall, Tuerong, the and conversion to electronic docuGembrook on the same day fell through week before. ments for flood assessments.” because of last week’s lockdown. The 2nd Mornington Sea Scouts Ventur“I have to admit not all of these “Noah and Megan have battled so many ers gained a range of skills and studied project/system improvements were obstacles to get this completed in the past diligently to individually achieve the peak implemented smoothly and mistakes 12 months that it is a credit to them,” Mr award in Scouting which is realised by were made, however, you need to aconly a small number of their peers because Jackson said. knowledge and listen to problems. In Stephen Taylor of the work – up to 300 hours – required. some THE ‘LARGEST’ SHOEinstances, STORE I decided to go back
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DAVID Bergin
on my original decision, due to informed and evidence based feedback. As the previous COO (Alison Leighton) once told me it takes a lot of courage as a leader to admit you made a mistake.” Mr Bergin thanked all “current and past staff who have contributed to my successes and delivery of our services over the past five years”. The shire said it had contacted Mr Bergin on behalf of The News but “he really doesn’t want any news item about his resignation and has asked for you to respect his privacy”. The shire did not answer ques-
tions regarding the timing or reason for Mr Bergin’s departure. However, it appears that his resignation coincides with a “restructure” of staffing positions within the shire. Mr Bergin is believed to be one of four shire executives on a salary of $280,000 to $329,000. The shire’s annual report states how many officers are paid within specified amounts but does not identify them or their positions. The annual report shows that one officer, presumably the CEO John Baker, receives $440,000$449,999. Stephen Taylor and Keith Platt
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