Council boss to vacate top slot

By Tania Martin
FOR Rob Hauser after more than 14 years working in local government, it’s time for a change.
The Shire of Yarra Ranges chief executive officer last week announced he would be stepping down in October.
Mr Hauser said he is now looking forward to starting a new chapter in his life.
He will step away from the shire after nine years in the top job.
According to the council, Mr Hauser has played a key role in significantly helping to reduce the shire’s debt, while delivering on record funding for important community services and infrastructure.
Mr Hauser led the council in a strategy that saw the shire’s debt decreased from $25 million in 1996-97 to $5 million this year.
The debt reduction has also enabled the council to spend more than $193 million over the past 10 years on roads, new community facilities and rebuilding aging infrastructure.
Mr Hauser said he was also proud to be a part of implementing the council’s climate change commitment and working on protecting areas of natural environment.
But he says now it is time for a change after nine years at the shire.
Mr Hauser said he would now go on to finish his Masters in Planning Design at Melbourne University.
He also plans to look for another job but said he has no intentions of holding down a CEO position anywhere else.
Mr Hauser said he was unsure of the direction he now wished to take but that it would be an adventure.
“I am sure whatever I do it will probably include some local government associated work,” he said.
Mr Hauser said it had been a privilege to serve the Yarra Ranges community as the CEO and that he was immensely proud of all that had been achieved in the past nine years.
He also paid tribute to the shire’ staff and the current and past councillors.
“I have been inspired by the work and dedication of shire staff who, with limited resources, deliver outstanding services with an enormous amount of passion and compassion,” Mr Hauser said.
Mayor Tim Heenan said even before he became a councillor, he had been impressed by Mr Hauser’s dedication to the region and the people living in the shire.
“Rob has not only been a truly great CEO, he has been a passionate advocate of the Yarra Ranges, its people and the environment,” he said.
Mr Hauser will leave the top job on October 3.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed working in the Yarra Ranges and the people and councillors I have worked with,” he said.
“I am leaving thinking what a wonderful organisation this is and what a great place Yarra Ranges is to live and work.”