New council business manager to ‘kick local business into gear’
By Sharon Webb
A FORMER spokesman for Launceston businesses has described his new role with Meander Valley Council as being to ‘kick business into gear in the Meander Valley’. This month Launceston Chamber of Commerce executive Neil Grose will fill the newly created position of manager of business and economic recovery, which pays an annual salary of around $80,000- $100,000 for two years. Mayor Wayne Johnston boasted on ABC Radio of personally ‘headhunting’ Mr Grose although a Meander Valley Council spokesperson confirmed Mr Grose unsuccessfully applied for an advertised position with the council earlier this year. ‘The manager of business position was filled considering an existing order of merit for a previously advertised role that was subject to a full selection process,’ the council spokesperson said.
On ABC Radio last month Cllr Johnston said, ‘We’re pretty stoked to secure Neil from the Launceston Chamber of Commerce. Considering there’s not many good news stories about, this will be a good one for Meander Valley. ‘We aim to look at what our strengths are: tourism, agriculture, getting some manufacturing back into Westbury industrial site. ‘I guess it’s pretty open slather for the new role. We’re hoping to come out of this really well. ‘We’re pretty much a glasshalf-full kind of council, not half empty, and we thought we needed someone with the nous and ability to talk to all walks of life.’ In a more formal media statement Cllr Johnston said the new role expands existing support for small business and will work with community and regional organisations to bring new jobs, people and prosperity to Meander Valley. Response to the appointment has been mixed, with some residents commenting on the ‘bad look’ of the highly paid appointment, and two similarly-paid council job ads coming during the COVID-19 period when households and businesses are struggling.
But the Great Western Tourism Association welcomed the appointment, saying they look forward to working with the council and Mr Grose on building the visitor economy in the Meander Valley. ‘A strong local economy with a secure population base is vital to the way of life we enjoy in the Meander Valley,’ association spokesman Mark Flanagan said. ‘This is even more important as we weather the unforeseen storm brought about by the COVID-19 crisis.’ The president of anti-prison group WRAP, Linda Poulton, said not advertising the job was disappointing. ‘This practice lacks transparency and promotes nepotism. We believe this type of cosy practice is partly responsible for where we find ourselves with the prison.’ Ms Poulton also said WRAP had been concerned Mr Grose’s appointment could potentially be related to him running as a high profile candidate for the Liberal Party at the next state election.
‘Neil dismissed this outright on ABC Radio recently which we were relieved to hear.’ Mr Grose led the Launceston Chamber of Commerce for almost three years. Previously he was economic development manager at Dorset Council. Before that he edited the NE Advertiser in Scottsdale. Earlier in his working life he ran a guided fishing tourism business in the Central Highlands, with some time writing for a fishing magazine. He also spent three months doing communications for former Liberal Senator David Bushby and has UTAS degrees in education and fine arts. Launceston mayor Albert van Zetten commented, ‘Neil has been and remains a passionate advocate for small and medium business in Launceston and I have no doubt that whatever role he fills in the future, he will continue to be a positive and supportive voice for the region.’
