Revealed: The last words from council CEO Dale Dickson to staffers as he prepares to leave
Council CEO Dale Dickson in a farewell note to staffers has asked them not to reflect on the past but the future and “do your job with integrity”. READ THE FULL MESSAGE
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COUNCIL CEO Dale Dickson in a farewell note to staffers has asked them not to reflect on the past but the future and “do your job with integrity”.
Mr Dickson predicted the city would continue to “punch above its weight” and had the capacity to prepare itself for the next challenge, whether it was a sporting event like the Commonwealth Games or another pandemic.
The Bulletin understands he could be replaced by former Queensland top bureaucrat David Edwards as early as late next week.
Mr Dickson’s current contract stretches to September but he is expected to leave soon. Staffers on Friday, after the message was sent out, were still unsure of the arrangements.
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In his email to staffers, he wrote: “It is in such moments that we tend to look back, with a degree of nostalgia and talk of personal legacy.
“I’d prefer that we don’t do this, but rather look forward. There is of course a huge opportunity for all of you to be part of the Gold Coast story in coming years.
“Some of it will involve more change and adaptation in ways that are planned or not yet apparent. But it will be profoundly rewarding for those of you who live your working lives and contribute to an even better Gold Coast with the following in mind, as I know so many of you do:
* A sense of community pride and commitment to making life easier for residents, businesses and visitors.
* A sense of personal responsibility, rather than entitlement.
* An empathy for the physical and mental wellbeing of your colleagues.
* The importance of doing your job with integrity.
“The City of Gold Coast will continue to punch well above its weight because it serves a large, rapidly growing city, but also a large influx of visitors on any given day.
“What will also be important is the City’s huge capacity to galvanise when the opportunity or moment demands it – the next pandemic, natural disaster, major sporting event, and more.
“The depth and breadth of the many proposed actions which are being developed or implemented to improve the liveability of our city, and further future-proof it, is also something to behold.
“I wish you all well and thank you for your pride in, and service to, this magnificent city.”
EARLIER: MAYOR’S EMAIL TO STAFF
COUNCIL CEO Dale Dickson is expected to leave City Hall soon with his successor likely to be announced by Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate in the next 48 hours.
Councillor Tate has told staff about the road map ahead for the city’s administration leadership after the Bulletin on Tuesday revealed Mr Dickson would not get a contract extension.
>>>LATEST: NAME OF NEW COUNCIL CEO REVEALED
Mr Dickson’s current contract extends until September. He was not reappointed after a nationwide advertising campaign saw more than 80 people apply for his job.
In his email to staff Cr Tate said councillors conducted interviews for the five most outstanding candidates at a special meeting on Monday.
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“At the end of those interviews, council resolved to offer the position of CEO to a new applicant, rather than offering another contract of employment to the current CEO,” he wrote.
“I will hopefully be able to tell you more about the next CEO within 48 hours and I am working hard to finalise documentation, contract execution etc.
“I will also confirm that Dale will be finishing up in the near future and further announcements will be forthcoming.
“Dale is on leave at the moment, but I phoned him yesterday to confirm the outcome of the recruitment process and to thank him for his great service.
“Dale has been an excellent CEO for this city since July 2003 serving under three mayors and being at the helm as the city has grown so remarkably.
“I would like to thank all staff for your continued hard work and service to the city. Changes in leadership can be unsettling for staff so I want to assure you that all councillors are very grateful for your efforts for the city.”
WHAT’S NEXT AFTER CEO’S SHOCK EXIT
THE 18-year long career of the Gold Coast’s top bureaucrat is finished with contract negotiations being finalised with his replacement.
The Bulletin can reveal Dale Dickson, whose current contract of more than $600,000 is due to expire in September, will leave City Hall.
Speculation was rife among staff in the council administration building on Tuesday about whether their boss had secured an extension to his job after he and four other candidates gave presentations to councillors behind closed doors.
Councillors cannot speak about the confidential staffing matter but sources outside council, aware of the nationwide advertising recruitment process, confirmed Mr Dickson was not the successful candidate.
In the final tense countdown, Mr Dickson had faced two standout rivals, making it a difficult choice for Mayor Tom Tate and his 14 councillors.
“The calibre of the candidates presenting was outstanding,” a source outside council said.
During the interview process, two candidates competing with the CEO for his position were viewed as being very close in terms of their credentials.
One was considered to be “strong on paper” with their CV while the other “more ideologically aligned” to a council big on development.
The favoured candidate is a top bureaucrat renowned for work on major tourism and resort projects.
Mr Dickson was known to have strong support among some loyal councillors but some wanted a change.
His failure to secure an extended contract will send shockwaves through the bureaucracy, where he has built up strong and trusting relationships with senior officers.
The council is not commenting other than to say an announcement will be made “in the next couple of days”.
Mr Dickson had to endure a political storm in the lead-up to the selection process after the Mayor’s media advisor, Warwick Sinclair, made a complaint to the state’s corruption watchdog.
The Crime and Corruption Commission had investigated allegations that Mr Dickson had misused his authority to target Mr Sinclair and delay the start of his job causing him financial losses.
Mr Dickson late last week was cleared of all allegations on the eve of presenting with other candidates on Monday to councillors.
After a closed session that went from 9am to 5.30pm councillors backed a recommendation that council resolve to “appoint the preferred candidate” and that the successful person be identified in a confidential attachment.
The appointment is “subject to the successful negotiations of the terms of the contract of employment”.
Mayor Tom Tate is to negotiate the terms of the contract including “the performance standards to be met” and conditions “including renumeration”.
The Bulletin is seeking a response from Mr Dickson and the council.
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