Engineering, Planning and Corporate management, deemed our most critical branches of local government here, have all had their heads severed in a matter of weeks.

This is an unparalleled waste of accumulated talent and no amount of blather about eventual savings can ever hide the fact that many, many tens of thousands of dollars have been squandered in experience lost and frantic recruitment for replacements.

This says nothing about the shock-waves sent through the entire organisation.

Witness the recent debacle after respected finance controller Doug Neville wisely called it a day. We are told his "hot-shot" replacement, no doubt recruited by the same team that will fill the upcoming vacancies, lasted a couple of weeks and returned from whence he came .

Councillor James Mauger asked general manager Jason Gordon at the latest meeting if could be confident any future appointees would stay the distance after the finance controller left.

Mr Gordon, wisely, said he could not ... now he has four positions critical to the operation of our council at every level to fill in order to give we ratepayers and residents, plus his big staff, comfort in his ability to manage the present crisis.

His response will inform the continuation of his management style, here and wherever else his undoubted abilities take him in the future.

MAC COTT

Mittagong