Mackay council CEO Scott Owen restructures administration

It’s the biggest shake-up for Mackay Regional Council since new CEO Scott Owen took over the reins. Here’s what it means for ratepayers.

Mackay Regional Council CEO Scott Owen. Picture: Contributed

Mackay council CEO Scott Owen has promised ratepayers more efficient services in a dramatic administrative restructure that will merge departments and create “end-to-end” accountability.

The restructure will merge the engineering and commercial infrastructure and capital works directorates into a single entity, called infrastructure and operations, and create a new organisational and capability risk directorate.

Mr Owen said the merger would deliver a single line of accountability.

“Currently in the structure, multiple functions are spread across different directorates, which makes it difficult to have a source of accountability or ownership,” he said.

“So merging the two together really just enables that end-to-end flow.”

Mackay Regional Council's new administrative structure. Photo: MRC

The new risk directorate will contain a “business improvement team” that assesses the efficiency of the council’s operations.

“It will really focus on ensuring council has the appropriate processes in place that are streamlined to enable delivery,” Mr Owen said.

The administration will now have five overarching directorates, namely corporate services, infrastructure and operations, planning, growth and sustainability, community services and organisational capability and risk.

Mr Owen said there would be no reduction in salaried staff in the restructure.

The new structure will be put to the councillors for approval in July.

“A successful business is one that has a continuous improvement mindset, not just resting on our laurels,” Mr Owen said.

“I think this is a very positive step forward for council.

“It really puts us with the future in mind.”