Revealed: Why lone councillor backed CEO Dale Dickson staying as top Coast bureaucrat
A councillor has revealed his decision not to support the appointment of the new council CEO was based on loyalty to top bureaucrat Dale Dickson.
Gold Coast
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A COUNCILLOR has revealed his decision not to support the appointment of the new council CEO was based on loyalty to top bureaucrat Dale Dickson.
Nerang and Pacific Pines-based councillor Peter Young, a strong environmentalist and one of the city’s most experienced representatives, was the only person on the floor of council not to endorse the appointment of tourism identity David Edwards.
The position of Cr Young echoes some community concerns with a Bulletin survey showing readers were divided about the CEO process.
Cr Young told the Bulletin: “Basically I don’t think there was any need to replace Dale. He’s an exceptional administrator who has a depth of knowledge about the city that can only be acquired over a period of his service.
“And that has enormous value to the community and the elected councillors.
“I feel that Dale has always conducted himself with very strong ethics, and think he’s carefully avoided entering into the political sphere. He did not politicise his position.”
Cr Young said he was extremely concerned about the council losing Mr Dickson’s experience.
He said he believed Mr Dickson, when his job was advertised nationally, would still win because he “had the runs on the board”.
Cr Young also believed Mr Dickson had “the strategies” to take the city forward during COVID.
The Bulletin had asked readers if council had “made the right call” on the new CEO after it first became public that Mr Dickson would not be reappointed. The appointment of Mr Edwards was announced later.
Of the 457 readers who have so far responded, 40 per cent agreed, 28 per cent said “no” and 32 per cent believed “time will tell”.
Some readers in their comments have expressed concerns about the council becoming more pro-development.
Mr Edwards has been the Queensland Tourism Department’s key bureaucrat guiding the Coast’s global tourism hub process and the Queens Wharf project in Brisbane.
Mayor Tom Tate predicted Mr Edwards would be a CEO who “listens to the wider community and “delivers the elective wing’s wishes”.
EARLIER:
MAYOR Tom Tate has confirmed top Queensland bureaucrat David Edwards would be the council’s new CEO.
The Bulletin in an exclusive report on Wednesday detailed how Mr Edwards had beaten council CEO Dale Dickson’s for the Coast’s top bureaucrat’s job which has a salary of more than $600,000.
“We have shook hands. I have met up with David Edwards and we went through the documentation and the contracts,” Cr Tate said.
“And at the end of my meeting in my office I put my hand out and said “have we got a deal” and we shook on it.
“Now it is up to the lawyers to basically finalise the document. It wouldn’t surprise me it would be signed off by David and I before the end of the day.”
Councillor Tate said he was first impressed by Mr Edwards having links to the Coast, then his connections and ability to consult on major projects like the Queens Wharf casino resort development on the Brisbane River.
“I think first up his link to the Gold Coast. His grandfather owned a house in Labrador. It was first up. It was a one and half-hour interview, so there were a few other things,” he said.
“Looks he’s just not a Queenslander, he has links to the Gold Coast and he loves the place.
“Apart from that he’s a very senior bureaucrat and the capability of doing very complex issues. And I would put to you the Queens Street Wharf is the biggest property tourism infrastructure in Australia.”
Cr Tate said the Brisbane project, unlike the global tourism hub planned for Southport, saw no negativity or protests and Mr Edwards was “instrumental” in gaining that goodwill.
He said it showed Mr Edwards’ consultative skill to the wider community.
“We want a CEO who listens to the wider community and deliver the elective wing’s wishes and matters we took to our election,” Cr Tate said.
Asked about Mr Dickson, he said the council had voted to test the market.
“David was the best choice for the city at this time,” Cr Tate said.
Mr Edwards was “relatively flexible’ on starting and he would “work that through with Dale”.
He said Mr Dickson, after being told of the result, was “understanding” but there was obvious disappointment.
“I said “reflect on the legacy you have delivered to the city and you can be so proud that post-your position here you have helped shape the liveability of our city, you have delivered a lot of projects I brought to you”.
“There’s a lot of things he has added value to our city,” Cr Tate said.
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