Helen Beaumont. Photo:
Christchurch City Council has confirmed the resignation of its head of three waters.
Helen Beaumont had been out of office since February this year, with colleague Brent Smith temporarily taking on the role in her absence.
Council chief executive Dawn Baxendale said Beaumont had made a huge contribution to the city and the council wished her well.
Baxendale said Smith would continue as acting head of three waters.
Beaumont joined the council in 2013 as the unit manager for natural environment and heritage, before becoming head of strategic policy in 2016.
In 2018 she worked as a programme manager in the water supply department, and was appointed as the temporary head of three waters in early 2019.
In July 2019, the appointment was made permanent.
Questions were raised during Beaumont's absence from the role, with the council's infrastructure, planning and regulatory services general manager Jane Davis also off work.
Both women were briefly removed from the council's phone and email lists during their time off, which was described as a "technical glitch" by council.
Beaumont had been responsible for overseeing the response to the fire at Bromley's wastewater plant, which broke out in 2021.
The site of the fire caused a putrid stench over Christchurch's eastern suburbs that has bothered residents for two years.
Staff would not reveal the reason for their absence when asked in March this year.
In a statement sent today, Baxendale said there would be no further comment on Beaumont's resignation.