Cairns Regional Council CEO Mica Martin’s sudden departure

A major change in the Cairns Regional Council executive team has been revealed, after councillors were called in to a snap meeting behind closed doors this afternoon.

Cairns Regional Council Mayor Amy Eden chairs the special meeting on April 12. Picture: Emily Barker.

Cairns Regional Council has lost its embattled chief executive with Mica Martin tendering her resignation at a snap closed meeting.

Councillors formalised the top executive’s depature on Wednesday afternoon with staff informed of Ms Martin’s exit soon after.

It’s understood a committee will be formed to appoint the council’s next chief executive with a strong financial background and local knowledge looked upon favourably by current councillors.

Following new mayor Amy Eden’s runaway victory in March, speculation was rife that Ms Martin would be among the first casualties of the former city councillor’s tenure with insiders describing the pair’s relationship as “untenable”.

Cairns Regional Council CEO Mica Martin will tender her resignation on Wednesday. Picture: Brendan Radke

“The most important relationship in council is between the mayor and its CEO,” a council insider said.

The Cairns Post contacted all nine councillors on Wednesday but the elected representatives remained tight-lipped about the meeting’s agenda.

Ms Eden did not respond to multiple calls or texts on Wednesday, but in her first interview with this publication after her election, the new mayor said the chief executive and herself were both “very keen and willing” to deliver for Cairns.

“The mayor and the CEO have to have a great relationship, so that’s imperative,” she said on April 4.

“We’re both professionals. We both want the best for Cairns, and we’ll do what we need to do to deliver for Cairns.

“Mica has got to deliver for the staff, I’ve got to deliver for the councillors … we’re both very, very keen and willing and able to do that. So that’s what we’re going to do.”

Cairns Regional Council mayor Amy Eden. Picture Emily Barker.

In a statement released after the snap meeting that described the resignation as a “mutual agreement”, Ms Eden wished the outgoing CEO the “very best in her future endeavours”.

“During her time, Mica was instrumental in maintaining operational stability during some difficult times – none more so than the recent flooding,” she said.

“On behalf of council and the city’s residents, I extend my sincere gratitude to Mica for her service to Cairns and wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.”

Ms Martin said the decision to leave the organisation was made after careful consideration.  

“My commitment has always been to the best interests of the Cairns community,” she said.

“It is with mixed feelings that I have decided it is time to say goodbye and close this chapter of my life. I am proud of our achievements and progress we made during my tenure.

“I extend my best wishes to the council, staff and Cairns community who will continue to shape the future of our wonderful city.”

Ms Martin’s departure could pave the way for the rise of one of Ms Eden’s closest allies, former chief executive, John Andrejic who quit council last term following disputes with ex-mayor Bob Manning.

Mr Andrejic volunteered and served as a key advisor for Team Eden during their campaign despite being involved in a “profanity-laden” confrontation with Mr Manning after placing a corflute outside Mr Manning’s home.

Appointed to the role in 2021, Ms Martin has been at the helm of one of the region’s biggest employers with about 1250 staff and an annual budget of more than $312m under her directive.

While Cairns Regional Council special meetings are livestreamed the staff matter was the only item listed on the agenda and was held in closed session.

The notice for Wednesday’s meeting was signed off by acting chief executive officer Christine Posgate.

A report that will pave out the CEO recruitment process will be tabled at the next ordinary meeting on May 1.

Local government and standing committee meetings are open to the public, except when they resolve that matters are inappropriate to be discussed in a public meeting.

A meeting may be closed to the public if its councillors or members consider it necessary to discuss the appointment, dismissal, or discipline of employees or industrial matters affecting employees.

Originally published as Cairns Regional Council CEO Mica Martin’s sudden departure