General Manager
Paul Bennett
Paul originally hails from Armidale where he embarked on a Local Government career straight out of high school. His career has now spanned 24 years and six councils across NSW. At one point he was the youngest General Manager in the State when at 33 years old he was appointed GM at Narromine Shire Council. He left Dubbo City Council to join Tamworth Regional Council and has stated on many occasions that this appointment is by far and away the highlight of his career so far.
Paul has a Bachelor of Financial Administration (Accounting) and is two thirds of the way through an MBA doing a double major in Public Sector Management and Human Resource Management. He is currently the NSW Vice President of the Local Government Managers Association and also sits on the National Board of that organisation. He maintains a passion for local government and the important role it has on the everyday lives of our local communities. He believes that the quality of any organisation is determined by the quality of its people, and that the attraction and retention of quality people can only be achieved through effective leadership.
Paul is married to Gail and has three children - Joe, Eliza, and Owen.
Mr Paul Bennett
Phone: (02) 6767 5441
Fax: (02) 6767 5499
Email: trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Director Business and Economic Development
Paul Sullivan
Originally from Sydney, Paul moved to Coffs Harbour and has now relocated to Tamworth.
Paul owned his own company consulting to over thirty (30) Local Council’s in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia, Queensland and Tasmania as well as State Governments in New South Wales and Queensland. He has undertaken strategic and business plans in the areas of Economic Development, Tourism, Sports Development, Venue Management and Commercial Mitigation. Paul has received awards at the highest level (State and National) for his innovative work in tourism and regional development.
Paul previously consulted to Tamworth Regional Council, undertaking the Economic Justification of the Tamworth Sports Dome and the Sports Development Audit. Paul brings much experience to TRC's Commercial and Community Enterprises Directorate, formed in 2011.
Mr Paul Sullivan
Phone: (02) 6767 5283
Fax: (02) 6767 5499
Email: trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.a
Director Corporate and Governance
Robert Charlesworth
Robert is a Tamworth born and bred local on the Executive Management Team. Robert has been employed with Tamworth Regional Council since 2000 within the Corporate and Governance directorate as the Administration and Governance Manager. As a progressive step Robert was appointed Director Corporate and Governance in November 2011.
Robert and his wife Cynthia have two children, one of whom is a teacher at New England Girls School, Armidale and the other an accountant with a local Tamworth accounting firm. Robert is also a proud grandfather.
Robert is responsible for overseeing the corporate services that council provides including Council meetings, business papers and minutes, Council elections, community committees, access to documents held by Council, Information Technology, Financial Services, Citizen Services, Customer Service, Corporate and Community Property and commercial lands.
Mr Robert Charlesworth
Phone: (02) 6767 5442
Fax: (02) 6767 5499
Email: trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Director Planning and Community Services
Jackie Kruger
Jackie joined Tamworth Regional Council in June 2012.
Originally from South Africa, Jackie and her family have lived and worked in New Zealand’s South Island for 15 years. She held a community planning and policy position in local government, a social service planning and policy position in central government and, prior to the move to Australia, a regional operations management position with a community-based health and social service.
For eight years Jackie was an elected representative of Invercargill City Council, her final two years as deputy mayor and finance and policy chairman. She also served as an accredited hearings commissioner/chairman on the Council panel that determined development applications.
Jackie’s formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Science (Forestry) at Stellenbosch University and a Masters in Environmental Education at Rhodes University.
Jackie is married to Graeme and they have two children, son Stuart (21 years) and daughter Lindsey (19 years).
According to Jackie, living in a progressive and exciting region like Tamworth is a real privilege and she enjoys contributing to realising the community’s vision for ‘a region of opportunity and prosperity – a place to call home’.
Jackie Kruger
Phone: (02) 6767 5555
Fax: (02) 6767 5499
Email: trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Director Regional Services
Peter Resch
Peter joined Tamworth Regional Council in 1988, after moving from the former Yallaroi Shire Council. Peter completed his Master of Engineering while at Council and has held several positions such as Manager Waste Services and Manager Parks & Gardens before being appointed as the Director Regional Services in 2005. Peter is married to Sandy and their three children, Kurt, Kimberley and Tegan, have all grown up in Tamworth. Sandy is a School Teacher at Tamworth South Public, Kurt and Kimberley are currently studying at university and Tegan is attending Oxley High School. Peter is a keen lawn bowler and fisherman. He claims they are similar recreational pursuits because the enjoyment of participation far outweighs the results, particularly when you see his results.
Peter has played an important role in the growth of Tamworth Regional Council since its inception in 2004. The Regional Services Directorate is responsible for the delivery of a wide range of services to our community, such as civil construction, roads maintenance, parks and sporting fields, waste services, asset management and infrastructure planning. Peter and his staff are committed to a continual improvement in the quality of those services.
Mr Peter Resch
Phone: (02) 6767 5003
Fax: (02) 6768 1530
Email: trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Director Water Enterprises
Bruce Logan
After graduating as a civil engineer, Bruce worked for 4 years at Moree Plains Shire Council before moving to Tamworth in 1991. Bruce held a number of roles across roads and drainage, and water and wastewater areas before being appointed to his present position in 2005.
With almost 20 years living in Tamworth, Bruce and his wife Dimity are convinced that this is the best place to raise their two children, Pia and Blair and that Tamworth offers the best of country living while offering city services.
Bruce is responsible for ensuring water and wastewater services provided by Council are sustainable, comply with legislative requirements, are provided efficiently and effectively and will meet the needs of individual communities into the future.
Mr Bruce Logan
Phone: (02) 6767 5811
Fax: (02) 6767 5499
Email: b.logan@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Director Human Services
Marie O’Connell
Marie made the move from Ireland to Tamworth early 2011. Over the past 20 years Marie has worked across a number of private sectors in both Human Resource and Organisational Development roles. Her role prior to joining Tamworth Regional Council was as the Head of Human Resources for Europe with a United States multi-national.
She has visited the region many times to spend time with family. The mix of city and country living provides the perfect environment for her children Evan and Kate.
Marie enjoys being part of Local Government and the important contribution it makes to the region. She is passionate about creating a culture that people are proud of and is keen to promote career opportunities in Tamworth Regional Council.
Ms Marie O'Connell
Phone: (02) 6767 5443
Fax: (02) 6767 5499
Email: trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au
Assistant General Manager and General Counsel
Peter Thompson
The Tamworth region is home to Peter, with the past four generations of his family living and working within 30 kilometres of the city. He loves the region and the people and he believes that it is the ideal place to settle into a rural lifestyle and enjoy a close family life.
Professionally, Peter is qualified in both science and law and is accredited by the Law Society of New South Wales as a specialist in Local Government and Planning Law. He is also a Notary Public. With 7 years experience in private practice, together with subsequent employment with the NSW Environment Protection Authority as a Senior Operations Officer and the Department of Land and Water Conservation, Peter provides a strong technical and practical approach to the role of Assistant General Manager and General Counsel.
Peter considers that working with a progressive Council is a privilege and he is guided by a goal of delivering the best possible professional service to facilitate practical outcomes for Council and the community it serves.
Mr Peter Thompson
Phone: (02) 6767 5284
Fax: (02) 6767 5499
Email: trc@tamworth.nsw.gov.au