Liverpool Plains Shire Council general manager from Northern Territory

Joanne Sangster was a unanimous choice for the shire's councillors and was selected from a competitive pool of 20 candidates from a number of states.

Ms Sangster is the chief executive officer of Victoria Daly Regional Council but will take up her new role at LPSC in December when current GM Ron Van Katwyk retires.

Read also:

LPSC said she demonstrated a significant alignment with the role and an energy which the council expects will take Liverpool Plains into the next phase of its development.

Her experience includes executive roles with the NT Department of Local Government and Community Services, NT Department of Attorney-General and Justice, and ministerial advisor to the NT Minister for Corrections, with the Australian Attorney Generals Department. She has also served for ten years as an alderman on Darwin City Council.

LPSC mayor Andrew Hope said it was "exciting" that the council was able to "attract a person of Joanne Sangster's calibre" to the role.

"Joanne has a strong community development background and whilst this will be of significant value in our efforts to engage with, and deliver valuable services to our community, it is her leadership, which highly impressed the council," Cr Hope said.

"This gives us confidence she will quickly build a very meaningful partnership with the councillors and staff and become a key part of our community.

"I know she will bring a high level of energy to the organisation and work across the community to drive performance and bring an excellence in service delivery."

Ms Sangster will settle with her four school-age children and four horses on a property near Quirindi.

"I am extremely excited by the opportunity council has given me to lead the organisation into the future and to continue to build on the great work that I can see has been achieved over many years," Ms Sangster said.

"This is an exciting time for Liverpool Plains with the projects ahead and the goodwill I have already experienced in speaking with business owners and residents. I have received so much encouragement from the mayor and councillors as part of this process and I am grateful for their trust and belief in me.

"I am really looking forward to meeting the staff team - they have a sound reputation and I am driven to help them achieve their professional goals, aspirations and support their growth.

"One of my first tasks will be to workshop with councillors to determine their priorities for the future so we can all work together in building a better and stronger Liverpool Plains."