Former Burnside Council chief executive Paul Deb appointed acting infrastructure director at Port Augusta City Council
A former council boss sacked over a controversial dispute with an elected member which cost ratepayers hundreds of thousands of dollars has found a new position on a regional council.
East, Inner Suburbs & Hills
Don't miss out on the headlines from East, Inner Suburbs & Hills. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Burnside Council chief executive says he was unfairly dismissed
- How to make the most out of your Advertiser subscription
A large regional council has employed a former council chief executive taking legal action over his sacking to manage projects worth hundreds of millions of dollars.
Former Burnside Council boss Paul Deb has been appointed by Port Augusta City Council on the recommendation of a human resources consultant who mediated during a controversial dispute between him and a former councillor before writing a report supporting Mr Deb known as The Hines Report.
Port Augusta chief executive John Banks has confirmed Theressa Hines – who joined the council last year as its director of strategy and outcomes – had included Mr Deb on a shortlist of candidates for a vacant position as its director of infrastructure.
Mr Banks said the $209,818-a-year position had been offered on a temporary basis to Mr Deb while Ms Hines continued to oversee a recruitment search for a permanent replacement.
Mr Banks said he had personally offered the job to Mr Deb – with no influence from Ms Hines – on the basis of his extensive experience within local government, particularly the management of large capital works projects.
Current projects at Port Augusta include the state and federally funded $200 million duplication of the Joy Baluch Bridge, remediation of contaminated Bird Lake, several major road upgrades and an engineering audit of the city’s community wastewater management system (CWMS).
“I’m very happy that Paul has been able to take up a short-term appointment while we undertake the recruitment process,” said Mr Banks.
“We have a number of major projects underway or due to start so we needed someone with his capacity to pick them up and run with them straight away.”
Mr Banks – who is on a $261,476 package which includes a $15,000 vehicle allowance, 77 cent per km mileage allowance, fuel card and professional memberships — said he had spoken to Ms Hines about her previous involvement with Mr Deb as a result of inquiries by The Advertiser.
He said he was confident there had been no undisclosed conflict of interest.
“I asked Theressa Hines if anyone was available for immediate start up and she supplied me with a list of candidates,” he said.
“Paul Deb was on that list. I selected him purely on my own volition based on his experience with planning and infrastructure at Burnside.
“I have never met Paul and only spoke to him for the first time on the telephone today (Friday).”
Mr Banks said he was unaware of Ms Hines’ involvement in the lengthy dispute between Mr Deb and former councillor Lance Bagster until contacted by The Advertiser.
“When I selected Paul Deb from the listing of persons who had indicated that they were available for the interim role (based upon his resume), I had a brief phone discussion with Theressa Hines who said something to the effect: “Just to let you know, I know Paul Deb from my work with Burnside City Council,” he said.
“Theressa Hines did not advise specifically in respect to the nature of her work, and my understanding was that it would be in the field of human resource consulting. The Hines Report was not raised or discussed.
“I’ve since raised the matter with Theressa Hines and I’ve read the Hines Report and I’m happy to proceed with the interim appointment.”
Mr Deb’s lawyer, Greg Griffin, confirmed proceedings had been lodged in the Supreme Court for unfair dismissal and breach of natural justice over his sacking.