Gold Coast budget 2021: CEO David Edwards’ exit and what it means

The Gold Coast City Council’s $1.7 billion budget will be delivered with a twist in 2021. FIND OUT THE DETAILS

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THE Gold Coast City Council’s $1.7 billion budget will be delivered without a CEO as councillors determine how to fill the vacancy after the shock resignation of David Edwards.

Councillors went behind closed doors at the Evandale Chambers in April at a special meeting to discuss the CEO’s position after being told a week ago that Mr Edwards will not continue for health reasons.

Councillors meet behind closed doors at a special meeting. Pic by Richard Gosling

Mayor Tom Tate later emerged to reveal a “super majority decision” meant chief operating officer Joe McCabe would remain as acting CEO until after the 2021-22 budget was delivered in mid-June.

Councillors can vote to appoint an acting CEO, and they believe the almost two-decade council veteran will steer them through the budget process. They also agreed to go to market for a new CEO. A final decision is now expected in September.

“This is a fresh approach. Anyone can apply,’’ Cr Tate said.

“Final nominations considered in the last application can re-apply. It may be that they only need to put in an expression-of-interest given they have previously applied but we will leave that with the recruitment company to determine.

“I expect the process will take several months and as such, we will continue with Mr McCabe as acting CEO for this period.’’

Mr Edwards was just three weeks into his appointment as the city’s top bureaucrat, beating 80 applicants including the council’s then long serving boss Dale Dickson.

Mr Dickson was CEO for 18 years heading up an administration team which each year frames the budget papers. The budget will de delivered on June 23.

Rather than go to market, councillors could have chosen one of the four other leading candidates, including a city bureaucrat.

The Bulletin understands there had been some uncertainty among council’s “leadership group” which includes Deputy Mayor Donna Gates, planning chair Cameron Caldwell and Robina councillor Hermann Vorster.

Cr Cameron Caldwell and Cr Hermann Vorster — uncertainty in the leadership group. Pic by Richard Gosling.

A council source told the Bulletin: “I think there is a view among some of the councillors that some potentially good candidates did not take part in the previous process due to respect for Mr Dickson. Now Dale is no longer in the picture.”

Councillors are also aware Mr Edwards’ appointment sparked a smear campaign about misconduct allegations forcing him to hire a defamation lawyer.

David Edwards at his first council meeting with Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Jerad Williams.

Mayor Tom Tate has since been in a fight with the Crime and Corruption Commission, calling for chair Alan MacSporran to be stood down after Logan councillors were cleared of fraud.

“We would be looking for someone in a secure job. All of this doesn’t paint a good picture,” the source said.

Mr Edwards’ council brief was to turbo-charge the city’s COVID-hit economy, but his first task was to frame the budget, to be delivered on June 23.

“Councillors will be engaging with an acting CEO. That will be interesting,” the source said.

Council CEO Dale Dickson — who will replace him. Photo: Jerad Williams.

In an extensive interview after his appointment, Mr Edwards told the Bulletin when asked about the budget: “It is a challenge. I’m the first to say I’m not across every aspect of the budget at this stage. But I have had a look at the previous budgets.”

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