Mr Stone was meant to arrive in Deniliquin this Sunday and officially step in to the role with council on Monday.
The former Snowy Valleys Council director has a permit to cross from Victoria to NSW to start his new job, but he’s being told he must first quarantine in a Sydney hotel for 14 days.
Edward River Council Mayor Norm Brennan said while Mr Stone would be required to isolate before joining the office anyway, he argues he should be allowed to isolate in Deniliquin instead.
He said he is ‘‘exhausting every avenue’’ to see if Mr Stone would be eligible for the same permit which allows state and federal politicians to cross the borders.
‘‘Either way Phillip would have to work remotely for the first two weeks, but if he’s in Deniliquin it would be far easier,’’ he said.
‘‘I have raised the issue with Cross Border Commissioner James McTavish every day this week, and will do again at our 9am meeting (today).
‘‘We have also sought assistance from New South Wales Local Government Minister Shelley Hancock, who told us it would be added to her list to take to the premier.
‘‘I am making as much noise as possible to get a ministerial exemption.’’
Cr Brennan said the new general manager was intending to come to Deniliquin from Warragul, in the Baw Baw council area.
Baw Baw has only had 12 cases of Coronavirus since the pandemic began, with five still active.
Mr Stone was one of 38 candidates for Edward River’s top job, with applicants based in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand.
He is a permanent replacement for Adam McSwain, who left council in early April for family reasons.
Retired general manager John Rayner has been filling in as interim general manager during the recruitment process, and will spend his last day with the council today.
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