Council
24 January, 2026
Council CEO assures community
The Horsham Rural City Council has responded to the appointment of former executive Kevin O'Brien as Director of Community and Landholder Relations at WIM Resource, assuring the community that all current and former employees remain subject to their legal and contractual obligations.
The Horsham Rural City Council has responded to the appointment of former executive Kevin O'Brien as Director of Community and Landholder Relations at WIM Resource, assuring the community that all current and former employees remain subject to their legal and contractual obligations.
HRCC chief executive Gail Gatt stated that while the council does not determine where former employees work, all individuals are still required to meet their legal and contractual responsibilities.
"All current and former Council employees are required to comply with their legal and contractual obligations," she said.
"Council uses a sector standard senior executive officer contract when engaging executives.
"Such a contract includes clauses pertaining to the protection of confidential information and intellectual property while working with Council and after leaving Council."
When Mr O'Brien was the council’s Director of People and Places, the HRCC and WIM Resource signed a Memorandum of Understanding in July 2022.
This agreement included plans for both groups to work together on the proposed Avonbank Mineral Sands Project at Dooen, if it received full approval from the Victorian Government.
But as landowners and farmers grew increasingly concerned about the mine’s environmental and economic impacts, the council decided to review its position.
In March 2025, HRCC put the memorandum on hold while it conducts a further review.
Councillors voted to suspend the agreement because they felt it needed to be reassessed.
"Council has been very transparent with both WIM Resources and the community regarding its position on the Avonbank project and is advocating for the best community outcome possible if this project were to go ahead," Ms Gatt said.
"This appointment has no impact on the Council’s position on the project."
Ms Gatt said the council acknowledged Mr O’Brien’s resignation and thanked him for his contribution.
"We wish him well in his future endeavours," she said.
