Mr Young has joined council after a three year stint as chief executive officer at Balonne Shire, based around the Queensland town of St George.

Prior to that Mr Young had almost 10 years at Crows Nest Shire (on the edge of Toowoomba), eight years at Inverell Shire Council, and 19 years with North West County Council based at Inverell.

Balonne Shire has a population similar to Gloucester Shire, around 5000, but the similarities end there. It covers some 31,000 square kilometres, Gloucester is one tenth of that area; irrigation is a major industry with irrigated cotton and small cropping specialists ranging from rockmelons to table grapes.

There is also broadacre farming focusing on both cattle and sheep.

Mr Young said while the drought had hit the region hard the community was continuing to move forward with the council continuing to guide growth in the area’s economy and oversee the development of new infrastructure.

He said it was time to move on, and when he saw the ad for the position in Gloucester, that was the impetus needed.

“I knew Gloucester from my days in NSW,” he said.

Mr Young said with the local government election just days away his appointment prior to the September 13 poll would give him time to settle in before the new council was inducted.

“I’m in the chair prior to the new council, and we’ll all have to find our way together, “ he said.

Mr Young said his transition into the position was being smoothed by council’s staff.

“I’ve got wonderful staff with a wealth of knowledge and skills, with the ability to provide me with guidance,” he said.

He said he was looking forward to working with the new council to get the best results for the community.