Andrew Roach, 35, comes to Port Macquarie from Blayney Shire Council on the state’s Central Tablelands where he was been general manager for the past five years.

Before that, he was the council’s financial services manager.

Mr Roach, who has 17 years’ local government experience, said he saw Port Macquarie as a great opportunity to take on a big challenge.

Among the challenges, he said, was getting behind the staff team and moving forward.

He said the $43m Glasshouse entertainment centre also was high on his agenda.

“I can’t change what has happened in the past but I can certainly start to look forward and make sure the end result of the Glasshouse will be a facility of regional renown and provide the community with a first-class facility,” he said.

Mr Roach started his local government career at Bathurst on the Central Tablelands, before moving to the North Coast town of Maclean, and then Blayney where he spent the past nine years.

He said Port Macquarie was attractive for many reasons.

“It’s a council that was on the radar for myself wanting to be there at some stage in my career,” Mr Roach said.

The father-of-three is looking forward to being part of the community and bringing about “good change”.

Mr Roach was named the successful candidate at Wednesday’s council meeting after a nationwide search which yielded 40 applications.

David Mead stepped in as the interim general manager when Bernard Smith resigned from the top job in April.

Mr Roach starts his new job on August 25.

Port Macquarie-Hastings Council administrator Dick Persson said: “Mr Roach is an outstanding candidate and his achievements as the general manager of Blayney Shire Council are very impressive.

“While Port Macquarie-Hastings Council will be a step up for Mr Roach, the selection panel had no doubts about his abilities in that regard and made the unanimous decision to appoint him.”

Mr Roach is married to Amy, who he describes as a “super mum”.

They have three children - Patrick, 5, Sian, 3, and one-year-old Lara.

He holds a Bachelor of Business degree and is interested in rugby, cricket, hockey and music.

August 22 will mark Mr Roach’s last day at Blayney before he starts at Port Macquarie-Hastings Council on August 25.