Stephen Mclean took over from acting general manager Jeff Austin and will work with administrator Hugh Percy in the day to day running of the council.

Mr Mclean is 31 and has moved to the Walgett shire from Narrabri, where he worked at their council as the Fleet and Supply manager.

His wife Jodi and his two-year-old son will follow him to the area after Christmas.

Mr Mclean said he was looking forward to getting down to business and bringing some much-needed unity to the council.

"I think that's the most important thing. If you've got divisions in council you're not going to achieve anything."

Mr Mclean has read the Department of Local Government reports into the council and said he thought one of the biggest concerns was the social divide between Walgett and Lightning Ridge.

"We need to establish the unity that hasn't been in council, make sure there are clear lines, and that everyone knows what's going on before the new council's elected.

"It's always going to be an issue.

"I think the best you can do is let both the farmers and the miners know where they stand, and the LEP (Local Environment Plan) is going to assist with that."

Mr Percy said he had confidence Mr Mclean would be an asset to the council.

"He is a fresh start, he's a young fellow, but the idea is it doesn't matter how young or old you are, if you're able to do the job you do the job.

"He will have my support, so there's 12 people."

A mentoring system will be established, one of the recommendations of the Department of Local Government, to help guide Mr Mclean and answer any questions or concerns he might have in his new position.

"That doesn't mean someone is going to tell him what to do, but there will be somebody there to talk about processes and someone to talk to about issues.

"The position of general manager is the most lonely position you can ever find," Mr Percy said.