Graeme Fleming to leave Council

General Manager Environmental Services Graeme Fleming is leaving Council to head up what is thought to be New Zealand’s biggest environmental project.


Graeme has been with Council for nearly 29 years, starting first as an environmental health officer, later working in environmental policy development before becoming a general manager 12 years ago.


His new role is with the newly formed Lake Taupo Protection Trust, which will have $100 million of funding from the Government, Environment Waikato and the Taupo District Council to improve the water quality of the lake.


Graeme says the uniqueness of the opportunity and challenge in the new position was the only thing that could have convinced him to leave.


“Obviously it will be a wrench for me to leave Council especially because of the many friends I have made here over the years. There is certainly some irony in the fact that I am leaving now with so many exciting things happening. But I believe the organisation is in great heart and has never been as well led as it currently is.”


CEO Michael Redman says he is very sorry to be losing such as valuable employee.


“I am taking some comfort in the fact that Graeme is leaving Hamilton City Council to take up such an exceptional position.


“I am sure people understand the contribution that Graeme has made here, having been involved in some very significant city projects during his time at Council. Not least of which was to head up the resource consent application for the V8 Supercars event. Graeme has other achievements which are too many to list at this time.”


“One of the measures of Graeme’s contribution at Council is the legacy he will leave with the quality people and processes established in his Group to ensure that business does carry on as before.”


Graeme will finish at Council in early May following the completion of the resource consent review of the first V8 event.