Bruce Devereaux fires back at critics of Gympie council CEO exit

Outspoken Gympie councillor Bruce Devereaux has fired back at criticism he was ‘monopolising the microphone’ when it comes to talking about the shock exit of the council’s newest CEO.

Councillor Bruce Devereaux (left) has fired back at critisicm from outspoken community member Merv Wlech (right), who called for the council to explain why former CEO Shane Gray (middle) resigned at the start of 2022.

Gympie councillor Bruce Devereaux has fired back at criticism he had “monopolised the microphone” in the wake of the shock departure of Gympie council CEO Shane Gray as questions continue to swirl.

Mr Devereaux’s comments posted on Facebook followed criticism from outspoken resident Merv Welch who said the council had a “clear obligation” to explain why Mr Gray had left.

“The council leadership do themselves no favours by allowing Cr Devereaux to monopolise the council microphone,” Mr Welch said in a letter to the editor to The Gympie Times on Monday.

“They have a clear obligation to explain to ratepayers the reason for the CEO’s resignation and their endorsement of it,” he said.

Not doing so would “undoubtedly undermine public trust and confidence in the council.”

Mr Devereaux said it was a misconception the council had allowed him to take over the debate.

Shane Gray resigned after less than two years in the council’s top job. Photo: Elizabeth Neil

“They don’t. They would, I feel certain given the general overriding theme at a series of meetings and assorted phone calls, very much like me to join the others in a show of silent solidarity when it comes to speaking out on social media,” Mr Devereaux said.

“Ultimately, I simply try to be the sort of councillor who, as a resident (and) ratepayer for coming up to 30 years, I wanted to represent me.”

Mr Gray quit the council’s top job on January 7, after less than two years in the role.

Councillors debated the matter behind closed doors for almost five hours, finally voting to accept the resignation by a six-votes-to-three margin.

Mr Devereaux, Dolly Jensen and Shane Waldock were the dissenting voices.

Merv Welch said in a letter to the editor the council would undermine public trust and confidence if it failed to provide more details on Shane Gray’s resignation. CONTRIBUTED

Regarding the exit, Mr Devereaux said the former CEO “did resign” for “reasons that are only truly known to him”.

“Further to this... as he no longer works for GRC (Gympie Regional Council) he is no longer required to answer residents’ questions,” Mr Devereaux said.

Mr Welch said it was unfortunate that “so far … we have heard only from Councillor Devereaux who, in a wordy, polysyllabic defence of Mr Gray’s performance, describes him finally, in something of an anti- climax, as a ‘ … really rather sensible man’”.

Mr Devereux said Mr Welch might one day “appreciate the fact I do comment on things which I think are important, or feel require more than a one sentence quote in a media release, instead of trying to twist a narrative to ensnare me in my own attempts to do a better job at being communicative than, as he points out himself, the eight other councillors”.

He did share one point of concern with Mr Welch.

“I agree with Mr Welch’s concerns about public perception and potential for an actual setback to our endeavours,” Mr Devereaux said.

“Mostly on the later point, I hope I’m wrong.”