FIONA Plesman loves being able to contribute to the community in a significant way.
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And, she will be able to do that as the recently appointed director of planning, community and corporate services at Muswellbrook Shire Council.
In February last year, she joined Muswellbrook council, focusing on business improvement and integrated planning.
Recently, she successfully applied for the director’s position.
Ms Plesman said her new venture was very exciting.
“This role is quite a large one because it looks after the planning department, community services, and all our corporate services – finance, human resources, IT,” she said.
“It’s quite satisfying in terms of being involved in a lot of the strategic land use planning; which is a big part of what we’re doing.”
Before arriving in Muswellbrook, Ms Plesman worked at Penrith City Council.
“[It is] a very large council, but going through a lot of development, and it was a big change to come here to the Upper Hunter,” she said.
“Muswellbrook Shire Council is doing a lot – it’s very active in terms of change, and making quite some big changes in the community.
“One of the most exciting things at the moment is our new local environment plan, our new development control plans; which will all come out later this year.
“And the Innovation Hub being set up in town, and the Tertiary Education Centre, stage two; that’s pretty exciting.
“As well as we will be putting together a rail abatement wall in town.
“I like to work with change and there’s a lot of change happening here.”