– Shaun Inguanzo
GREATER Dandenong’s outgoing CEO hopes to pursue a failed plan to outsource council services to a private company when he moves to the Queensland city of Ipswich this July.
Mr Wulff handed his resignation to city mayor Peter Brown last Thursday.
He is expected to serve the next three months of his contract before commencing as Ipswich City Council CEO in mid-July.
Mr Wulff told Star that the decision to leave was not taken lightly, and he began searching for a job six months ago.
Mr Wulff said lifestyle and career goals were the two main reasons why he decided to leave Greater Dandenong.
“One significant factor is the lifestyle. We are going to buy a property and live on a golf course up there,” he said.
“And I felt I had reached the point where I probably couldn’t achieve any more in my career at Greater Dandenong.”
Contributing to the decision were recent developments, including the rejection of the Strategic Services Partnership (SSP) by councillors, the willingness by councillors to retain the Springvale council offices, and even information leaked to Star by councillors.
Mr Wulff said Ipswich was similar to Dandenong in that it was experiencing growth, but in many areas had greater potential.
“Only time will tell what (the challenges) are, but I think things like the SSP contract are eminently possible up in Ipswich,” he said.
“I have a sense the council of Ipswich is proactive, cohesive and wanting to take the city forward.
“It was not a matter of getting another job; this was about looking for the right job to utilise the skills I have to assist that city.”
Greater Dandenong mayor Peter Brown said Mr Wulff’s leadership and “business acumen” would be missed during major projects with VicUrban and the State Government.
He said the council would immediately begin the process of hiring an employment consultant to find a suitable candidate to replace Mr Wulff.
