Cairns council‘s Ed Johnson named to replace Nikola Stepanov Toowoomba council planning, development general manager
One of Cairns’ top public servants has been named to head one of the Toowoomba Regional Council’s most contentious departments. Here’s why he got the job:
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A top bureaucrat within the Cairns council will take over one of the most contentious public service positions in Toowoomba from next month.
Ed Johnson has been named the new general manager for planning and development at the council, transferring from a similar role up north.
A former town planner with more than a decade of industry experience, Mr Johnson will fill the shoes left by former GM Dr Nikola Stepanov — who ironically moved to North Queensland earlier this year.
Writing online, Mr Johnson thanked the leadership team at CRC for its support for the three years he had been in the role.
“I’m humbled to share that I’ve been appointed as the new general manager of planning and development at Toowoomba Regional Council,” he wrote on LinkedIn.
“Reflecting on my time in Cairns, I’m immensely grateful for the opportunities and the incredible colleagues who made the experience truly enriching.
“As I transition to Toowoomba, I’m excited to collaborate with the dedicated councillors, CEO and executive team at TRC and contribute to the region’s growth and development.
“I can’t wait to start this new chapter and the challenges and opportunities it brings to work with amazing people at one of the best places in the great state of Queensland.”
Mr Johnson’s appointment comes as the Toowoomba region continues see pressure placed around housing availability.
He also inherits a department that had been heavily restructured by Dr Stepanov since 2023, which delivered strong internal survey results as well as improved relations with the development industry.
Mr Johnson will be tasked with seeing through to completion the council’s long-overdue new planning scheme, which has been in development hell for years to replace the original document from 2012.
Interim Toowoomba council chief executive Colin Jensen said Mr Johnson’s background and experience in both the private and public sectors were partly behind his appointment.
“With a strong background in strategic land use planning, development assessment, infrastructure co-ordination, and environmental resilience, Ed is known for driving innovation and collaboration across all levels of government and community,” he said.
“Having worked in leadership roles within the public and private sector over many years, he brings well rounded perspectives to challenges faced within the industry.
“Throughout his career, Ed has consistently demonstrated a commitment to community engagement, evidence-based policy, and integrated planning approaches.”
Mr Johnson starts from June 30.
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Originally published as Cairns council‘s Ed Johnson named to replace Nikola Stepanov Toowoomba council planning, development general manager
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