Former MP Rachel Nolan joins Ipswich council’s search to fill CEO position

It is a lucrative position, paying up to half a million dollars a year, and one that is not expected to be filled for at least another two months.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding outside the council’s new administration building. The organisation has officially kicked off its recruitment campaign to find a new CEO.

FORMER Labor MP Rachel Nolan has joined forces with Ipswich City Council and LNP Mayor Teresa Harding as the organisation officially starts its search for a new CEO, more than three months after former council boss David Farmer departed.

It is a lucrative position, with the previous CEO’s salary ranging between $450,000-$550,000, and one that is not expected to be filled for at least another two months.

Cr Harding said it’s “no secret” the council has had a “tumultuous past” with the role; with former council CEO Carl Wulff jailed for corruption in 2019 and Jim Lindsay charged and still awaiting trial in the hope of clearing his name.

No date has been set for Mr Lindsay’s trial.

Former Ipswich MP Rachel Nolan has been named on the recruitment panel to find a new CEO for Ipswich City Council.

Mr Farmer, who was appointed under former administrator Greg Chemello, announced his resignation in March after two years in the position.

He is now at the $7.5 billion Central Coast Council in New South Wales, which is under administration.

“I have worked at councils under administration at Wollongong for three-and-a-half years and at Ipswich for 12 months, and am familiar with how this will work,” he told Coast Community News in May.

“In some ways it is easier working alongside just one person, as opposed to elected councillors, as you don’t have to wonder how the numbers will fall.”

Long term public servant Sonia Cooper has been serving as acting CEO since.

Ms Nolan is on a recruitment panel to find a new leader for the organisation alongside Cr Harding and first-term councillors Andrew Fechner, Marnie Doyle and Jacob Madsen.

The recruitment campaign kicked off on Thursday and will run for three weeks with advertising to be run across a number of channels including Seek and LinkedIn.

Specialist recruitment company Davidson has been selected to facilitate the process.

The final appointment will be a decision considered by all councillors.

David Farmer departed Ipswich City Council in April.

Ms Nolan told the Queensland Times in an extensive interview earlier this year she “reluctantly involved” herself in the council’s downfall upon her return to the city after spending time living and working overseas.

She supported Cr Harding’s bid for mayor despite the pair being on opposite sides of the political divide.

But she made it clear all three levels of government needed to have a “clearer vision” for the rapidly growing city.

Ms Nolan was Ipswich MP for 11 years and served as minister for transport, natural resources, finance and arts under former Premier Anna Bligh before losing her seat in 2012.

It is understood Ms Nolan has offered the council a reduced consulting rate and is expected to be paid about $3,300 for her contribution to the two-month project.

“She’s very passionate about Ipswich and I think she’ll bring a lot to the table,” Cr Harding said.

“Rachel’s name just stood out. She was born and raised here. She’s a former cabinet minister so she understands the strategic opportunities here in Ipswich and the challenges.

“I think she has a very good reputation.”

Former Ipswich MP Rachel Nolan gives her concession speech in 2021.

The relationship between a mayor and CEO is a crucial factor in a council implementing change.

Ipswich City Council is looking to set higher standards after a difficult few years in which the organisation’s dirty laundry was aired in front of the country.

“We’re expecting a large pool (of applicants),” Cr Harding said.

“We have this real focus on transparency and integrity. We need a CEO whose ethical standards are very high.

“The previous CEO’s salary was in the range of $450,000 - $550,000, but the salary for the incoming CEO will depend on the level of expertise and experience of the successful applicant.

“We’re on a journey of cultural change here in Ipswich City Council. We need a strong leader to continue that. But also how do we have sustainable growth going into the future?

“How do we keep our community spirit and what is Ipswich and how we grow?

“The CEO does lead the organisation. It’s my job as mayor, and also the councillors, to hold the CEO to account.

“Council will direct the vision and the budget and say how things should be. The CEO then implements that and makes sure it happens.

“It’s our jobs as the mayor and the councillors to ensure that the CEO is accountable and if the organisation doesn’t perform the CEO is responsible.”

Cr Harding said Ms Cooper was not involved in the recruitment process in the event she applied for the role permanently but could not confirm whether she had done so.

Read more stories by Lachlan McIvor here.