Council & Politics
2 June, 2026
CEO resigns
Ararat Rural City Council Chief Executive Officer Dr Tim Harrison has resigned half way through his five year contract. Dr Harrison will conclude his tenure on 30 November 2026, bringing to a close more than eight years in the job. Dr Harrison was appointed CEO in 2018, bringing with him a background in engineering, local government leadership, social enterprise, and academic research. He was reappointed to a five-year term in January 2023.
Mayor Bob Sanders said Dr Harrison's contribution to Ararat Rural City had been significant and lasting. "Dr Harrison has been a thoughtful and principled leader throughout his time as our CEO," he said.
"His commitment to getting the fundamentals right - our roads, drainage, community facilities, and long-term financial sustainability - has positioned Ararat Rural City Council strongly for the future.
"Tim brought a rigorous, considered approach to everything he did. The infrastructure and plans he leaves behind will serve this community for decades to come, and for that we are genuinely grateful. On behalf of Council and the Ararat community, I thank Tim for his dedication, and wish him every success in what comes next."
During his time as CEO, Dr Harrison oversaw a sustained period of capital works investment across the municipality, including road reconstruction and renewal, urban drainage upgrades, housing stock growth, the introduction of a four-bin waste system, and a range of recreation and community facility improvements.
Under his leadership, Council's proposed 2026/2027 capital works program reached $15.8 million - the highest in the organisation's history.
Dr Harrison departs with the organisation on strong financial footing.
The adopted 2026/2027 Budget projects a comprehensive operating surplus of $4.624 million, a marked improvement from the adjusted underlying deficits of -5.7 per cent recorded in 2017/18, the year before he took the helm.
Dr Harrison said leading Ararat Rural City Council had been a privilege.
"It has been an honour to serve the Ararat community in this role," Dr Harrison said. "I am proud of what the organisation has achieved. The infrastructure we have built and the long-term plans we have put in place will benefit this community well into the future.
"I leave with enormous respect and gratitude for the Councillors I have worked alongside, the dedicated staff across the organisation, and the Ararat community itself. This is a community that cares deeply about its future, and I am confident it is in good hands."
Council will confirm arrangements for the transition to a new CEO, in the coming months.
Succession planning has been long underway, and an internal and external recruitment process will follow in due course, with full transparency.
Council operations will continue without disruption during this period.
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