Ronald Potter appeals dismissed claim against Gympie council

A former Gympie council manager lost a seven year fight for workers compensation after suffering a psychiatric episode, but his fight is not over. Read the latest.

A former Gympie Regional Council manager, who lost a seven-year fight for compensation over claims the council was negligent, has appealed the decision in the Supreme Court.

Ronald Potter accused the council of failing its duty of care after he claimed he developed severe depression and psychotic symptoms from being suspended from his job in 2014.

The suspension came following negative performance feedback from an internal staff survey in 2013, followed by an independent investigation into serious misconduct claims against him.

His compensation claim was then heard in the Brisbane Supreme Court in 2022, but was dismissed after a six day hearing.

Now, less than six months later, he has appealed the decision.

Ron Potter (pictured here in 2013) has appealed a decision to dismiss a compensation claim, after he was suspended from his role and suffered a medical episode and could not return to work due to stress. Photo Lynlie Cross / Gympie Times

Mr Potter was scheduled to appear in the Brisbane Supreme Court of Appeal on Tuesday, July 26, for his hearing against Gympie Regional Council.

In his first hearing, the Supreme Court heard the negative feedback came after the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Gympie floods, where Mr Potter worked as both the local laws co-ordinator and the local disaster co-ordinator.

He claimed the negative feedback stemmed from his role as disaster co-ordinator, which took priority over the other role during the disasters.

The court heard Mr Potter’s confidence in his work was shattered after receiving a letter during a 2014 performance review. He was suspended three weeks later following allegations of serious misconduct.

These included an allegation of blackmail against a team member; though Mr Potter was later exonerated of this claim.

He was, however, found to have engaged in lesser misconduct in the way of “inappropriate and reckless” jokes made about the same staff member.

In 2015, Mr Potter suffered a medical episode and was admitted to hospital for psychotic symptoms and possible alcohol abuse.

Ronald Potter claimed he suffered immense stress from the investigation and subsequent suspension, and therefore could not return to work.

Mr Potter claimed he suffered immense stress from the investigation and subsequent suspension, and therefore could not return to work.

In her judgement, Justice Susan Brown said the court heard Mr Potter was an “extroverted and happy employee” prior to the events, and had not suffered any psychiatric issues prior to the performance review.

There was no evidence Mr Potter’s role was a “particularly stressful one”, either.

Justice Brown rejected claims Mr Potter was subject to bullying, intimidation and threats during the performance review.