TWEED Shire Council has a new general manager after the shock sacking of David Keenan this week.

Less than 24 hours after Mr Keenan's contract termination, Technology And Corporate Services director Troy Green was acting in the top job.

The council had already stopped Mr Keenan's work email and updated its website by 4pm.

Speaking about the sacking, Tweed mayor Barry Longland said: "If you like it's a little bit like marriage and sometimes it doesn't work."

Cr Longland tabled the motion to dismiss Mr Keenan on Thursday, with four councillors voting in favour and three against.

Those for were councillors Longland, Michael Armstrong, Katie Milne and Gary Bagnall, while Warren Polglase, Carolyn Byrne and Phil Youngblutt voted against.

Cr Longland fronted a press conference at the council chambers yesterday afternoon, claiming most councillors supported the dismissal.

"This was not an easy decision. It was not taken lightly but it was one that councillors believed was in the long-term interests of the shire," Cr Longland said.

"The relationship between the general manager and the elected body was fractured. It was no longer functional and was considered to be irretrievable."

Cr Longland said the relationship had deterior- ated over a period of months.

"It wasn't about a personality issue at all," Cr Longland said.

"There is an expectation that exists on both sides of the relationship. The majority of councillors felt that the expectations were not met."

When pressed, Cr Longland refused to give further detail.

Cr Polglase said he was shocked by the sacking.

"What we have here is a personality clash between the general manager and the mayor," Cr Polglase said.

"I'm furious. The issues could have been addressed."

Cr Polglase said several councillors were aware of the mayor's intentions, but not all.

"Some of my colleagues were taken aback.

"There are those (in the community) that will call for the sacking of the council."

Cr Byrne said there was absolute outrage from the community at the move.

"It is a deplorable situ- ation for the ratepayers of the Tweed," Cr Byrne said.

"Last night (Thursday) was the first opportunity I was made aware that there were issues between the general manager and the mayor."

Crs Polglase, Byrne and Youngblutt put in a rescission motion yesterday to reverse the decision at an extraordinary council meeting but, after an hour of debate, it failed.

Mr Keenan couldn't be reached for comment yesterday.

Crs Milne, Bagnall and Armstrong did not return calls from the Daily News.

Mr Keenan had been GM since April 30, 2012.