Mr McLeod has held the CEO position for more than 10 years.
"I have very much enjoyed the 10 years I have worked here, and that has largely been down to the people I have worked with, be it in the organisation, around the council table or in the community," he said.
Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the new role wasa wonderful opportunity to further his professional career.
"During his time as chief executive Ross has worked with many councillors and has developed a clear understanding of the council's vision, allowing him to deliver tangible results for the people of the Hastings District. I am grateful for his support and we wish Ross and his family every success for the future."
She believed he had worked tirelessly during the past 10 years, leading a strong team with dedication and competence.
"His continued support and focus on the district's business development has seen our economy grow and flourish, while at the same time he has overseen the efficient delivery of council's 40 core services."
Tukituki National MP and former Hastings mayor Lawrence Yule said he wasn't shocked upon hearing his decision, noting that Mr McLeod had talked to him about it all the way through.
"I've been part of his career development over time and I had a talk to him over the last three years probably about when he needed to move on to something better for his own career development."
He said the council receiving an A rating was mostly down to Mr McLeod.
"Like all of us, myself included, the Havelock North water inquiry was the biggest challenge we faced. I think he equipped himself admirably, got all the advice we could get, worked really hard to get to the bottom of what had actually happened even though some of that discovered some things that could have been done better.
"I just think he has given 10 great years to the Hastings community. He is a quiet achiever in the background. He is full of integrity, honesty and hard work and I think that is reflected in the rating that the council got earlier this year and I think a significant portion of credit for that goes to him. I wish him well in his future career."
Councillor Malcolm Dixon said the CEO had seen Hastings through some huge crisis situations and had done a "really good job when you know the amount of time and effort that he put in to achieving success in those roles. He took personal responsibility for doing it".
He believed the incoming CEO had a lot to live up to, as "Ross was probably considered one of the leading CEOs in New Zealand and a lot of people used to contact Ross for advice and guidance so New Zealand has lost a mentor by him moving overseas".
In hindsight Mr Dixon said he did an "exceptionally good job" in regards to the water crisis.
"I would just like to wish Ross and his family all the best for his future endeavours over in Sydney and thank him sincerely for the magnificent job he has done in the last 10 years."
Similarly, Hastings Deputy Mayor Tania Kerr was excited for Mr McLeod, and believed it was a "wonderful opportunity for him and his family".
"I will miss him as a mentor and support person for me personally and I look forward to these last three months with him. He has worked so hard for us here and he's given his all, especially in these last two years with the water crisis."
"I thought he was very brave to stay and make sure the ratepayers of Hastings got the best outcome they could."
