Ms Nichols took up the role in April 2018 following a tumultuous period for the council.

New general manager wants to get council back on its axis

Dungog had an acting general manager for more than six months prior, when Craig Deasey, who had held the position since 2005, resigned following the (then) council voting against his recommendation for a voluntary merger with Port Stephens Council.

Mr Deasey's decision to walk prompted a mass exodus of councillors from the council with only four remaining until the election.

Mayor Tracy Norman said Ms Nichols had made an "invaluable"contribution to Council over her tenure.

"In her time in the role of Dungog Shire Council general manager, Ms Nichols has had a major positive impact both within the organisation and in the wider community and region," she said.

"Under Ms Nichols' tenure, council has been declared 'Fit for the Future', which has a number of positive outcomes, including access to T-Corp loans, which has already amounted in savings of hundreds of thousands of dollars in interest.

"Coralie's empathy, intelligence, out of the box thinking, communication skills and self-belief have made her an outstanding and inspiring leader in our community and she will be sorely missed."

Ms Nichols, who will leave the position at the end of the month, said she has enjoyed her time at the council and was pleased with the progress the organisation has made.

"It has been a pleasure to work with such a committed team of staff at Council," she said. "I have also enjoyed a very productive professional partnership with the mayor. Together, we have achieved some great outcomes for our community, which I am particularly proud of."