OLG CEO Kiersten Fishburn has been announced as the new Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE).

Ms Fishburn, who was appointed to lead the Office of Local Government in May, moves into the role having spearheaded DPIE’s Planning Delivery Unit as Coordinator General.

“Ms Fishburn has an outstanding track record working across state and local government and will bring a wealth of experience to this new role,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said in a statement on Tuesday.

“She has proven to be a very efficient operator during her time leading the Planning Delivery Unit, accelerating more than 600 complex planning matters.”

Planning Minister Rob Stokes said Ms Fishburn is taking the reins at one of the most crucial periods in the state’s history. 

“The NSW Government’s pandemic response and planning reform agenda are in full flight, and I look forward to working with Ms Fishburn as we accelerate that work over the coming months,” Mr Stokes said.

Ms Fishburn previously worked as the CEO of Liverpool City Council and served as a board member across a range of sectors. 

She will commence the role of Secretary at the end of October, replacing Jim Betts who takes over from Tim Reardon as Secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet next month.

Local government minister Shelley Hancock said OLG will recruit a replacement for Ms Fishburn and an announcement regarding management of the office will be made in the near future.

Ms Fishburn will continue to act in her current role until the end of October.