GREATER Dandenong’s engineering services director Bruce Rendall has resigned, accepting a director’s role at Mornington Peninsula Council.
Mr Rendall oversaw momentous projects such as the Dandenong municipal building complex and the Dandenong Market and Noble Park Aquatic Centre redevelopments.
He will become Mornington Peninsula’s sustainable organisation director – a role that will give him necessary skills towards becoming a council CEO, Greater Dandenong chief executive John Bennie said.
“The community can be assured that important projects which Bruce has driven, such as the ‘Great Bin Swap’, will not miss a beat with his resignation.
“We will certainly miss Bruce but this is a time to celebrate his contributions and wish him well on this next phase of a promising career.”
Mayor Jim Memeti paid tribute to Mr Rendall’s “significant impact” during his four-year tenure as director.
“It’s been a huge time for the city and Bruce has come through with each of these projects.
“He is still a young man. I’m sure he will become CEO of a municipality in the future.”
Last year, Mr Rendall faced stern criticism from councillors over a bungled footpath project in Noble Park.
The debacle led to a critical disabilty-access audit of the path and a controversial secret probe into councillors Maria Sampey and Peter Brown, who had lambasted the project.
However, with the recent opening of the transformative $65-million Dandenong library-civic centre complex, he leaves on a high note.
Mr Rendall departs the council on 4 July.
– Cameron Lucadou-Wells