Brown takes on Colac CEO role
Former Horsham Rural City Council chief executive Peter Brown will relocate to Victoria’s south-west to take on the same role at Colac Otway Shire.
Mr Brown departed the Horsham council in December last year to ‘pursue other interests’ after seven years in the chief executive role.
He will take over as Colac Otway Shire chief executive on July 2 after the council formalised his appointment at a meeting last week.
Mr Brown has more than three decades of experience in local government and brings strong economic and management qualifications to the role.
Colac Otway Shire Council mayor Joe Mccracken said Mr Brown would bring a strong set of skills and experience to the role with his background in economics and social development.
“Peter’s combination of skills and experience in local government, economics and management make him ideal for the role of chief executive with Colac Otway Shire Council,” he said.
“He has had leadership and management roles within regional centres and is experienced in dealing with the unique challenges regional communities face.”
Mr Brown said he looked forward to moving to the Colac Otway region and the new challenges that awaited him.
“I’m very pleased to be taking on this role, this is a beautiful part of the world,” he said.
“Colac Otway Shire is on the cusp of exciting times. The duplication of the highway brings us closer to Geelong and to Melbourne. This will bring important economic opportunities.
“We can already see the increased demand for housing and there is potential for the whole shire to benefit from the visitor economy.
“Colac Otway Shire is highly regarded for its primary industries and value adding and well placed to take advantage of the increasing confidence in the future of agriculture generally, notwithstanding the current issues in the dairy industry.”
Mr Brown said he looked forward to becoming a part of the greater Colac Otway community.
“I am keen to get around and meet people when I start and find out more about the shire from our residents,” he said.
Cr Mccracken said the council was pleased to welcome Mr Brown to the role and region.
“We’re very excited by Peter’s appointment and all that he will bring to the Colac Otway Shire,” he said.