George’s River has appointed its second general manger since its troubled amalgamation, with David Tuxford to take the reins from Gail Connolly after acting in the role.

Mr Tuxford has been acting GM since Ms Connolly resigned last year to launch a consultancy business.

Starting his career as a cashier at Wollondilly Shire Council six months out of school, Mr Tuxford gained qualifications in accounting and local government management and climbed the local government executive ladder in councils across NSW.

He was elected Vice President of Local Government Professionals Australia in 2021.

For the last 25 years Mr Tuxford worked as a senior executive in corporate and community roles and metropolitan and regional councils including Fairfield, Liverpool, Georges River, Wollondilly, Hawkesbury and Southern Downs.

He was general manager at Kyogle Council before joining Georges River.

Mayor Nick Katris described Mr Tuxford as a top-tier local government executive.

“Our organisation and community will benefit from having him lead our Council through Georges River’s next chapter,” he said.

Mr Tuxford said it was privilege to be appointment as Georges River’s next GM.

“My mission is to work on being the best leader I can be for Council, staff and all levels of government to support the growing Georges River community, shape the local government area and continue to provide high-level services,” he said.

 “I am firmly committed on working with all 15 Councillors to plan and guide the organisation towards a shared vision to meet the community’s needs.”

Cr Katris said Mr Tuxford’s appointment followed a competitive process undertaken by Local Government NSW, with the selection panel impressed by his corporate governance, financial, capital planning and human resource management experience.