newy.com.au – Lake Macquarie City Council’s new chief executive has put financial sustainability and economic diversification at the top of his agenda after beginning a four-year term.
David Hughes started in the role on Monday, August 10, after serving as the council’s director of Built and Natural Assets.
He succeeds Tony Farrell, who has returned to his previous position as deputy chief executive after leading the council since Morven Cameron resigned as CEO in September 2025.
Mr Hughes said his first task would be to oversee a smooth handover before reviewing priorities across the council’s services and operations.
“We’re now less than four years away from 2030, and we need to ensure our assets, our services and our organisation are fit for the future,” he said.
Financial sustainability would receive increased attention, although Mr Hughes did not detail any new savings or revenue measures.
“We are in a solid financial position, but we need to be across external opportunities and risks to maintain that position,” he said.
Mr Hughes will also oversee the council’s response to the longer-term economic transition facing Lake Macquarie as coal mining and power generation become less dominant.
The industries have supported generations of skilled and well-paid workers across the city, but Mr Hughes said Lake Macquarie needed to attract new employers capable of using the region’s existing skills.
“Looking at our city and its economic future, we need to continue diversifying beyond our current economic drivers of coal mining and power generation,” he said.
“These industries have provided generations of our residents with highly skilled and highly paid careers, but as they transition, we need to attract other industries that can capitalise on our high-skills base and provide new jobs and career paths.”
Mr Hughes, who was raised in Lake Macquarie and has held senior roles in the public and private sectors, said he would spend time building relationships across the council, city and wider region.
Mayor Adam Shultz said Mr Hughes’ familiarity with the council and Lake Macquarie would help as the city navigated growth and economic change.
“David brings a strong mix of strategic leadership, operational experience and local knowledge to the role, and I’m confident he will help guide Lake Macquarie through a period of significant growth and change,” Cr Shultz said.
