Toowoomba council won’t reveal final payout of former CEO Brian Pidgeon following official retirement on January 10

The final payout by the council to its former chief executive Brian Pidgeon remains unknown as the council prepares to welcome an interim CEO.

Toowoomba Regional Council won’t disclose how much its former chief executive’s final payout was following his retirement last month.

Brian Pidgeon is officially no longer on the council’s payroll, with the CEO’s 11-year contract ending on January 10 after he went on extended leave late last year.

But in a statement, mayor Geoff McDonald said the council would not reveal how much Mr Pidgeon would be paid as part of his retirement.

“Mr Brian Pidgeon officially retired from his position at Toowoomba Regional Council on January 10, 2025,” the statement said.

“Council does not disclose individual employee matters.

“Details of financial arrangements of staff payments by bandwidth for executive remuneration are disclosed in the annual report.”

Toowoomba Regional Council CEO Brian Pidgeon during an ordinary meeting of council, Tuesday, May 28, 2024. Picture: Kevin Farmer

The latest annual report shows Mr Pidgeon earned between $400,000 and $500,000, though the exact figure has never been revealed.

This is in line with other councils such as the Gold Coast, which also follows a “bandwidth” approach to executive remuneration.

The councillors voted to appoint former Brisbane City Council chief executive Colin Jensen to be interim CEO for three months from February 24.

Despite questions to council, the exact date of the vote is not clear.

Speaking at the announcement on February 4, Mr McDonald said the council was delighted to have Mr Jensen steer the operational arm of council while a new CEO was appointed.

“It speaks volumes for the fact that we have someone of that calibre who can see they can add value to what we are doing,” he said.

“For us as a council, we will make sure that we are focused on the future – leveraging off the intelligence and intellect and experience of Colin and making sure that we set ourselves up for the full-time CEO when they are recruited.”

The chief executive’s position is not the only top role that needs to be filled, following planning and development general manager Dr Nikola Stepanov’s resignation to pursue a job near Cairns.

Originally published as Toowoomba council won’t reveal final payout of former CEO Brian Pidgeon following official retirement on January 10