Cantillon takes up new Frankston job
Baw Baw Shire’s director who led council as interim chief executive officer for six months has resigned.
Community assets director Phil Cantillon resigned last week after five years service with the organisation.
Mr Cantillon has been appointed community assets director at Frankston City Council where he will lead a new directorate responsible for the engineering services, assets and capital works planning and delivery.
Mr Cantillon said he was leaving Baw Baw Shire with a “heavy heart.”
“It has been a real pleasure leading the community assets team and I am grateful for the opportunity to have worked so closely with the councillors and all staff at Baw Baw Shire,” Mr Cantillon said.
Mr Cantillon said the most satisfying part of his job was working with staff and the community on some great collaborative efforts that will provide lasting benefits for the shire and wider Gippsland region.
“Accepting the director role at Frankston City Council not only represents a great opportunity for me professionally, it is also one that will allow me to spend more time with my family.
“While difficult to leave, I am very proud of what we have achieved as a team during my time here and I believe that the council is now in a strong position to achieve such a bright future,” he said.
Under Mr Cantillon’s leadership, council has delivered a $137 million capital works program over the past five years including completion of the Drouin Civic Centre redevelopment, Trafalgar Landfill rehabilitation and Warragul Leisure Centre redevelopment.
The Warragul central business district streetscape project and West Gippsland Arts Centre redevelopment are currently underway.
Mr Cantillon was instrumental in setting up project reference groups to help shape and guide the development and delivery of the larger and more complex capital works projects.
Following the resignation of former ceo Helen Anstis in January, council appointed Mr Cantillon as interim ceo to lead the organisation for six months.
Chief executive officer Alison Leighton acknowledged Mr Cantillon’s “immeasurable contribution” to the shire and thanked him for his support during the ceo transition.
“In my short time here it’s been an absolute pleasure working closely with Phil”, said Ms Leighton.
Mayor Joe Gauci said it was a shame Mr Cantillon was leaving the organisation.
“His dedication and professionalism will be missed,” he said.
Mr Cantillon will finish on October 6.