Ousted City of Parramatta Council CEO Gail Connolly has broken her silence following her sacking late last night.
Councillors voted last night to remove Connolly from her position after months of speculation about her future.
She said she was “immensely proud” of what has been achieved in her two-and-a-half-years at Council.
“During this time, the organisation faced significant leadership challenges, including the election of four different Lord Mayors and several councillor resignations,” she said.
“Yet despite the turbulence, we worked together to build a strong and resilient organisation that has been recognised as an employer of choice and a leader in workplace reform. Staff satisfaction levels have almost doubled to record levels, the average length of tenure of employees increased substantially, and a culture of performance and wellbeing has been embedded.”
She paid tribute to the staff she leaves behind.
“I am grateful to the outstanding staff who represent the new heart of the organisation. Their professionalism and commitment have been the driving force behind its renewal and success. I also extend my sincere thanks to my colleagues on the Executive Team for their support and their frank and fearless service to the community. Their dedication and long hours of hard work have been instrumental in achieving the strong track record of delivery and transformation that I am proud to leave behind,” she said.
“Among many highlights, the Parramatta 2050 strategy that I initiated and delivered in 2024 has laid the groundwork for major city-shaping improvements in planning, infrastructure and liveability. It was an honour to work with business and community leaders to bring that vision to life, and I look forward to seeing it continue to evolve.
“Leading a major policy, planning and service delivery organisation is not for the faint-hearted. In public life, leaders have a duty not to remain silent on issues such as inappropriate behaviour and corruption. I encourage my local government colleagues to continue to speak out for the sake of the sector and our local communities.”
Troy Dodds is Parra News' Managing Editor and Breaking News Reporter. He has more than 20 years experience as a journalist, working with some of Australia’s leading media organisations. In 2023, he was named Editor of the Year at the Mumbrella Publish Awards.