Mr Tamlin, who will only be in the role until October, will not be in the driver’s seat when the final decision is made on the future of the pools. He will, however, have a significant role to play in the continuation of the Place Based Plan process and maybe, if the time line is maintained, the establishment of Township Facility Plan committees.
The selection of personnel for each of the TFP committees, which will make recommendations to council on the future of vital council-owned buildings, has been significantly enhanced with the recent announcement of the shire’s Asset Management Plan.
That plan identified several buildings for disposal, among them several town halls and the home bases of groups such as senior citizens, Scouts and similarly community-based organisations.
Mr Tamlin admitted one of the most important aspects of his five-month term was being able to provide a “smooth transition’’ for the new chief executive, whose appointment will be well before the March 2023 deadline for a decision on the future of the seven outdoor pools.
A community panel, the over-arching group tasked with the role of wading through the literature provided by both the PBP and TFP committees from each of the shire’s towns, isn’t expected to be formed until late in the year — maybe even 2023.
That 30- to 50-member group will have the power to rubber stamp, or throw out, any suggestion made by its preceding council-generated groups — then make final recommendations to council.
While the PBP and TFP will be formed by council, the community panel will be appointed by an independent consultant.
Mr Tamlin is no newcomer to interim roles; in fact, last year he spent spent eight months as the part-time chief of the City of Kingston — a south-eastern suburbs region of Melbourne with a population of 164,000.
That was after a nine-year term as chief executive of South Gippsland Shire Council.
In his short tenure at Campaspe he has won the approval of several staff members whom the Free Press has been in contact with — noting his friendly nature and early interaction with staff at the council head offices in Echuca.
It appears certain that his short stay will have some kind of impact on exactly how the local government authority does business with the community in the future — as PBP, TFP and, eventually, community panel groups deliver their hopes and dreams to the council.
Mr Tamlin, in conjunction with council officers and councillors, has the opportunity to put a structure in place for a community communication program that is in contrast to what was in place during the past 12 months.
While not prepared to comment on his predecessor, Mr Tamlin said he was attempting to work closely with officers, councillors and the community, where the opportunity arose, between now and October.
If my initial meeting with him is any indication then he may have the demeanour to remove — or at least reduce — the perceived ivory tower scenario at Campaspe Shire Council.
In the past 12 months, at least in my experience, the council’s top man has not been as accessible as one would expect — given the nature of the shire as a reflection of the community to which it is answerable.
In the past 12 months several decisions, such as the outdoor pools and much-debated Policy 161 — relating to management of shire-owned buildings by community groups — have been at odds with the wishes of the masses.
TIM TAMLIN FACT FILE
First job: As a cabinet maker in Adelaide’s south, a two-year stint in the early 1980s before the company went bankrupt. That was followed by a labouring role with an asphalt company.
Sporting prowess: An extreme sports fan, motorbikes, water skiing, roller blades and skateboarding were part of his youth. He grew up in South Australia’s Riverland, at Loxton on the Murray River, and is a regular at his brother's riverside shack at Morgan.
Last trip overseas: When COVID hit he and his wife of 34 years, Terri, were on a cruise ship in New Zealand waters. They sat on the boat for an entire day as all passengers were tested and eventually sent back to Melbourne early.
Last golf score: While he admits being a fan of corporate golf days, he explained he has probably only ever had three rounds.
Beer or wine: He admitted to being partial to both, and any kind. He is a part-time home brewer with a label named after the property owned by his wife’s family.
Pets: He has a dog (ridgeback-Labrador cross), who was rescued from Keysborough animal shelter. Her name is Lexi.
A normal Saturday: Maintaining his two-acre property was number one on the list, along with his hobby of blacksmithing.
Parents: His father was a civil engineer — Mr Tamlin is an engineer himself and spent many years in senior roads roles but said his father’s job had nothing to do with him moving into the business.
First Echuca takeaway: Curry Club, and he explained it was a superb meal, ensuring he would be a returning patron.
Last trip to area: His mother told him he came to Echuca-Moama when he was eight.
Mr Tamlin has three children, aged 26 to 29: Craig, Vanessa and Roxanne.
