CEO Ben Milligan was formerly a manager at Glencore’s George Fisher Mine in Mount Isa, but on Tuesday, October 4, started leading the Cloncurry Shire Council staff.

Mr Milligan said he still mingled with people in the mining industry. 

“It certainly helps to a point,” he said. 

“It certainly helps having those relationships to smooth things or push things along than to be stuck in bureaucracy.” 

He would also be able to advocate community groups in town that may seek funding. 

“Glencore and Ernest Henry have always historically been supportive of Cloncurry, and I know the senior people over there look for opportunities to help Cloncurry,” Mr Milligan said.

Mining leases contribute almost half the shire’s rates, according to a graph shown at a recent Cloncurry community meeting. 

Mr Milligan said working for a mining company was different to working in local government because the former was more commercially focused.  

“At times you have a little bit more freedom and ability to make things happen a little quicker. Local governments at times have processes enforced with legislation you wish you could streamline and make quicker, but you can’t.” 

A benefit of working in local government was the contact with the community, and working with residents’ concerns. 

Mr Milligan has been learning about his staff and what their projects were since he began.

“It helps me form a picture of what is going well and what maybe isn’t going as well as we like." 

Mr Milligan said views of council staff were aligned well with the agenda of councillors, and believed mayor Greg Campbell’s knowledge was “a great resource to tap into”.

Councillor Campbell said that the chief executive started with a “high level” of energy. 

“He’s a dynamic individual, exactly what we’re looking for in the leader of the operational side of council,” the mayor said. 

“I’m over the moon with Ben’s performance. It’s only the start, we’re going to have a long and prosperous council with Ben and I working together.”