Who is the Gold Coast’s $600,000 man as ratepayer groups complain about obscene salaries
THE Gold Coast City Council’s draft annual report reveals that one well-known employee is earning more than the Prime Minister. Find out what he’s on.
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CITY council CEO Dale Dickson is earning more than the Prime Minister, with his salary blowing out to more than $600,000 despite failing on his key goal to cut the council’s payroll.
A draft of the Gold Coast City Council’s annual report 2017-18 confirms Mr Dickson’s salary has jumped to the $600,001-$700,000 bracket. By comparison, the PM earns $527,852.
The Bulletin understands the contract can have a built-in allowance, up to $40,000 and non-taxable, which can cover new clothes, dry cleaning and meals at functions.
In August last year Mr Dickson’s position looked precarious unless he came up with a plan to cull council staff.
His reform “road map” after negotiations with Mayor Tom Tate saw him secure a new three-year deal.
Gold Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association president Tom Bleier yesterday told the Bulletin: “I think his salary his obscene. This Mayor, when he became mayor for the first time, promised to bring this person under control.
“He made campaign promises. He was looking at firing him. Then they obviously had negotiations through the Mayor’s first term.
“Now it’s a runaway troop train. I think his salary should be lowered and any increases in pay should be based on his performance.”
The draft annual report shows the council’s directorates currently employ 3419 permanent staffers and 450 temporary employees, with the turnover decreasing by 2 per cent compared to 2016-17.
During 2017-18 there had been 37 permanent positions closed and almost 59 approved to be created, with the net increase just above 21 FTE positions.
Mr Dickson yesterday declined to provide details of his salary, how it had increased and whether his contract covers weekly expenses like clothes, meal allowances and dry cleaning.
“The terms of all senior executive contracts are confidential, including remuneration details. The total remuneration package is disclosed as required in the annual report,” he said.
Mr Dickson said it was “utterly incorrect” that he had to come up with a plan to cull jobs to save his own.
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“Further, there is no key performance indicator (KPI) in my contract requiring a culling of staff positions,” he said.
Mr Dickson said FTE positions had increased by 21 from a total workforce of 3149, which represented an increase of .63 per cent.
“At the same time, our city’s population has increased by around 15,000 which is around 3 per cent higher than the year prior,” he said.
“A growing city demands greater services from its council and we are delivering that while maintaining an engaged and competitive workforce.”
Cr Tate yesterday took aim at Mr Bleier, accusing him of “misquoting me”.
“The 2012 mayoral elections had seven candidates. The other six were adamant they would dismiss the CEO immediately, if elected,” Cr Tate said.
“I publicly stated that I would take the first six months to assess if we could work together. It’s called a fair-go policy.
“My focus for the past six years has been on lower rates, lower debt and value-for-money in every aspect. The only runaway train in this city is the light rail and it’s also a huge success.’’
The CEO’s contract is part of a probe by the state’s Crime and Corruption Commission after a complaint by the Save Surfers Paradise group alleged Cr Tate misused his authority to nominate himself, during a closed council meeting, to negotiate the deal.
Mr Dickson at the time had sole responsibility for dealing with the sale of council land in Surfers Paradise on the old bowls site, opposite the Bruce Bishop car park, to Cr Tate’s development group.
At the time Cr Tate chose not to respond to Bulletin questions about the complaint, respecting the confidentiality of the CCC. Mr Dickson responded by saying: “I welcome an independent investigation regarding my personal conduct by the CCC … or any other relevant external body.”
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