Sunshine Coast Council executive leadership changes proposed

Some of the council’s highest paid positions could be scrapped after an internal review found a need to focus on new challenges such as climate, housing and public transport.

The Sunshine Coast Council’s executive team is in for a shake-up with a proposal to scrap chief of staff and strategy positions.

Chief executive Emma Thomas instigated the internal review in a bid to help the council tackle its “challenging” new responsibilities.

Changes have been recommended including not replacing two current vacant positions and creating a new executive group.

The review found a need to streamline and focus on priorities such as housing availability, climate change and public transport.

If implemented, the executive leadership team would be reduced by three over coming years.

Sunshine Coast Council's CEO Emma Thomas.

It would not result in additional costs, but the council would not confirm what savings would be achieved.

Councillors will vote on the proposal at its July, 2022, ordinary meeting.

The meeting agenda said it was proposed to not fill vacant positions of executive manager – formerly Brendan Hogan, now Wishlist’s general manager, and director major projects and strategic property – formerly held by Debra Robinson, who took on another leadership position at council.

Chief of staff, a position held by Craig Matheson, and chief of strategy would also not be replaced once those roles were vacant.

According to the annual report the four positions had salaries of between $200,000 to $300,000.

Sunshine Coast Mayor Mark Jamieson and council chief of staff Craig Matheson.

Under the proposal new positions would be established for “CEO Support Services” and a Civic Governance group would be created.

It said there were “no significant effects” for most contract and award-based employees.

Consultation was done with employees and councillors, the report said.

It said the Sunshine Coast Council’s role changed to respond to impacts of climate change and the need for public transport solutions and housing availability.

Sunshine Coast Council’s former director major projects and strategic property Debra Robinson has been appointed to the position of customer engagement and planning services group executive.

“Council has had to take a leadership role in an array of social, economic and environmental matters which may not have historically been the province of local government,” it said.

“Council needs to be appropriately supported … to best enable the organisation to fulfil its increasingly complex suite of responsibilities.

“While it is possible some employees may not be supportive of the proposed organisational changes, it is considered there will be little disruption to daily working arrangements.”