Adelaide City Council boss Mark Goldstone resigns after months of sick leave

The council’s chief executive has resigned for health reasons nearly five months after taking sick leave.

Mark Goldstone has resigned from Adelaide City Council. Photo: Naomi Jellicoe

Mark Goldstone has resigned as chief executive of Adelaide City Council after taking months of sick leave.

In an email to staff after 5pm on Wednesday, Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor said Mr Goldstone – who has been absent from the council since January – was resigning to “take the time to focus on … health challenges”.

Mr Goldstone, who has remained on his full pay of about $380,000 while he has been on sick leave, was granted an extension of his leave earlier this month until June.

Friday will be his last day with the council.

Clare Mockler, who has been acting chief executive since Mr Goldstone went on leave, will continue in the role pending a recruitment process.

His illness is not known.

In the email to staff, Ms Verschoor said Mr Goldstone “joined the City of Adelaide as CEO in 2015, and brought with him more than 25 years’ experience in local government interstate and here in South Australia, including with Clare & Gilbert Valleys Council and the City of Prospect”.

Lord Mayor Sandy Verschoor at a recent council meeting. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“He leaves behind a highly engaged team striving to deliver great outcomes for our customers and for a City that is one of the most liveable in the world.

“We wish Mark all the best for his future.”

A confidential CEO briefing was held with councillors on Thursday, April 15.

A special council meeting was held behind closed doors the following Tuesday to discuss Mr Goldstone, at which the council received confidential legal advice.

Minutes of that meeting reveal the council entered into a deed, however, the terms of that document have also been kept secret.

Mr Goldstone’s resignation followed a tumultuous few months for the council.

A confidential investigation by Adelaide law firm EMA Legal recently raised concerns about bullying, intimidation and harassment of staff caused by elected members.

The report is understood to have detailed the extent of those problems, as well as examining dissatisfaction among staff with the overall administration of the council and the behaviour of some councillors.

The report, which also examined regular conflict between councillors at meetings, will be kept secret until at least 2028.

The council is also facing a record $100m debt after sustaining operational deficits for the past three years, compounded by losing millions in income during the pandemic.

Mr Goldstone did not respond to a request for comment.

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