Secret talks over Gold Coast City Council CEO Dale Dickson’s job

The contract for arguably the Gold Coast’s most highly paid job is up, writes Paul Weston.

THE contract for arguably the Gold Coast’s most highly paid job is up.

Dale Dickson was first appointed council CEO in 2003. COVID-19 is about to deliver him another upgrade.

Only four years ago Mr Dickson’s future was in the spotlight after then Broadbeach councillor Paul Taylor, in a shock move, successfully pushed for a review of his contract.

Mayor Tom Tate at Evandale, being sworn in by CEO Dale Dixon as Gold Coast Mayor for a third term. Picture: Glenn Hampson

The city was preparing for the Commonwealth Games and in September 2017, councillors signed off on a three-year plus deal.

In late 2018, an annual report revealed Mr Dickson’s salary had jumped from the $600,001 to $700,000 bracket. News reports noted the Prime Minister was on $527,000.

The talk lately around the big end of town is about Mr Dickson’s contract.

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A source close to the Mayor suggests Councillor Tate will support a new deal for the CEO from October.

Several council insiders confirm councillors will not want the position advertised.

“The councillors haven’t talked about it (yet) but they all get along pretty well with Dale,” a council source said.

Even those councillors in the opposition camp to the Mayor remain strong supporters.

Approached for comment, hinterland councillor Glenn Tozer said: “In the current climate, retaining the CEO would be a prudent decision. Mr Dickson’s familiarity with the budget and strategic plan make him more valuable during these uncertain times.”

City of Gold Coast CEO Dale Dickson. Picture: Jerad Williams

Mr Dickson’s value has increased not just due to the pressures created by COVID-19.

The three major planks to his position are providing effective, efficient and economical management of public resources, managing and maintaining the health of the city’s workforce, and “providing the mayor and councillors with advice to assist them in the carrying out of their duties”.

The Mayor has lost two key staffers in recent years. His former chief-of-staff Wayne Moran was his bulldog who pushed through with the Mayor’s policy agenda.

Mr Moran and Mr Dickson never spoke, and their turbulent relationship was highlighted in the Crime and Corruption Commission’s report on council.

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Warwick Sinclair was the Mayor’s media officer, wrote his speeches, tested the climate on controversial policies and when necessary left Evandale to conduct prudent backburning to control local political bushfires that threatened to get out of control.

Luke Wallace is the Mayor’s current acting chief-of-staff. He is well respected by councillors. The Mayor has a strong and supportive communications team.

But there is a growing view from those who know Cr Tate that in his third term, with messaging so important given COVID-19, he needs a right hand person.

A special budget meeting at Gold Coast City Council chambers. CEO Dale Dickson and Mayor Tom Tate. Picture: Richard Gosling

All of this leads back to Mr Dickson, and a post-election address in April when the Mayor talked about eight key initiatives ranging from closing off car parks to the beaches, shutting down playgrounds and closing the libraries.

In the middle of the list was “asking the CEO to develop a draft budget that will provide a rate freeze for residents”.

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The Mayor spoke about “managing the city’s finances responsibly” and retiring $260 million in debt.

While the council has been responsible with ratepayers’ money, can Mr Dickson deliver on the Mayor’s recent election promise?

A council source close to the negotiations says: “Special budget sessions (held behind closed doors) have been interesting. You have the CEO and his staff trying to accommodate the Mayor’s promise for a rate freeze. You have Destination Gold Coast, Study Gold Coast, all knocking on the door for more millions of dollars.”

Can it be done?

“It’s just not feasible,” the source says.

The balancing act between giving financial relief to ratepayers and boosting tourism will be the test of this new council.