Announcing his resignation on Friday, Mr Hyde stated family reasons, which require him and his wife to relocate to southeast Queensland.

Mr Hyde will leave Wingecarribee Council on August 7.

Accepting his resignation, Mayor Duncan Gair said he would be sorry to see Mr Hyde leave, but understood his need to relocate.

Cr Gair said he had enjoyed a solid working relationship with Mr Hyde across the organisation.

“He is a very knowledgeable general manager who has been both helpful and forthright on issues, and I have certainly appreciated his input,” he said.

“I wish Mike, Philippa and their family the very best for the future and thank him for his contribution to Wingecarribee Shire during these past three and a half years.”

Mr Hyde first joined Wingecarribee Council as general manager in January 2006 after having spent the previous five years as Director of City Services at Wollongong City Council.

Before moving into local government he was with the Sydney Olympic Co-ordination Authority as a senior director of site services at Homebush Bay, and before that had a 27-year military career which included service in the Gulf War, a United Nations commission with the PLO in Southern Lebanon and culminated in retiring as a Colonel after completing that chapter of his life as the commanding officer of the School of Engineering based at Moorebank.

In his letter of resignation to the Mayor on Friday, Mr Hyde said it was with “deep regret” that he had tendered his resignation.

“It is unfortunate that I must leave at this point, but I do have family commitments and requirements that necessitate me seeking employment in South East Queensland,” he wrote.

“I have enjoyed my past three years working with you, our councillors and the excellent staff at an excellent council in a wonderful part of Australia.

“I wish you, your fellow councillors, and all the staff safe travels and every success for all future endeavours.”