Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council begins search for next CEO
An NQ council has chosen to end the employment of their current CEO, who’s been at the helm for four years in a community still mistrusting after a CCC investigation.
Townsville
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Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council have chosen to end the employment of their current CEO, who’s been at the helm for four years in a community still mistrusting after a CCC investigation.
In a public statement posted on Friday, May 30, Palm Island mayor Alf Lacey said council had resolved to not offer an employment contract extension to current CEO Michael Bissell.
“He will conclude his tenure at the close of business,” Mayor Lacey said.
“Council extends its sincere thanks to Michael for his service to the Palm Island community and wishes him the best for the future.”
Mr Bissell had served as Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council’s CEO for over four years, assuming the role in November 2020.
Before that, Mr Bissell worked at Townsville City Council as a general manager of construction, maintenance and operations.
There were mixed responses to the new from locals.
“Hope council pushes for a Bwgcolman (Palm Island) person this next round,” Zina Prior said.
“We watch CEOs come and go, come and go, and we are still here!” Andy Kyle said.
“Why is there no plan put in place from day one when we employ these people to build our capacity so when they go, we just step right in.”
Astrid Bligh said the decision “just puts us back 10 years”. “And we better hope the next ones does more. But I doubt it,” she said.
“Yes, time for change,” Liz Geia said.
Mr Bissell’s exit comes after a CEO performance review in April which was conducted by the mayor and deputy mayor.
In the interim, capital works manager Stephen Martin has been appointed acting CEO.
Just like Mr Bissell, Mr Martin has work for Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council since November 2020, and also came over from Townsville City Council.
When Mr Bissell stepped up as CEO in 2020, Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council was tied up in a Crime and Corruption Investigation involving fraud charges against two former council staff members - including deputy CEO John Mugambi.
The CEO at the time was Adele Young, who spent less than a year in the job, taking over from CEO Ross Norman who’d resigned after 14 years in the job, citing stress from recent CCC arrests and a loss of senior staff.
Palm Island is the largest Indigenous community in Australia with approximately 4000 residents located on the island, and more who travel to and from the mainland.
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Originally published as Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council begins search for next CEO
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