Speculation that departing executive Roger Teale’s payout could be six months of his salary

A controversial Melbourne City Council worker who was at the centre of conflict of interest claims is believed to have scored a lucrative ratepayer-funded payout.

Roger Teale (right) is believed to have secured a payout on at least part of his remaining contract term.

Two more senior executives have departed Town Hall including a controversial former general manager who was at the centre of conflict of interest claims.

Roger Teale, who headed up the city’s property, design and infrastructure portfolio, left in recent days and is believed to have secured a payout on at least part of his remaining contract term.

A council spokesman refused to answer questions about Mr Teale’s departure and whether it included a ratepayer-funded payout.

However, speculation is rife within Town Hall that the payout could be around six months of his salary, which was $420,000 last year.

The council is refusing to answer questions about Roger Teale’s departure.

Mr Teale ran his own private consultancy and was also working as an external consultant during his employment at the council, raking in more than $140,000 in 18 months, as revealed by the Herald Sun in September.

Mr Teale’s business interests were then referred to the state’s anti-corruption watchdog but it decided not to investigate the matter.

The former LendLease executive announced late last year he would be stepping down as Town Hall’s property boss, but would take up a “special projects” position within the chief executive’s office. The council repeatedly refused to provide details on the proposed job description or release its salary.

Mr Teale was on leave before Christmas and his LinkedIn profile now states: “Currently taking a break and travelling!”

The inaugural chief executive of Invest Melbourne – an economic growth unit set within the council – Peter Armstrong has also left in recent weeks.

The council refused to disclose details around his departure or who would be stepping in to run Invest Melbourne now Mr Armstrong has left the role.

The latest departures add to a growing list of senior executives that have left Town Hall in recent months, with claims that the culture inside the organisation is getting increasingly toxic as chief executive Alison Leighton ramps up her restructure.

At least nine senior managers have either left the organisation or announced they will leave their roles since September, with discontent growing about the decision to let go of so many high ranking staff so quickly.

“We have sold 2024 as the year of doing what counts but we might not have the right people to count on to get it done,” a senior Town Hall source said.

“With so many new people in senior roles, they will need time to get their head across what are in charge of delivering and that is very likely to lead to further delays on projects.”

Another Town Hall source was scathing of the council’s record of delivery in this term under Lord Mayor Sally Capp’s leadership.

“If 2024 is meant to be the year of delivery, what have we been doing for the community in the past three years?”

The Herald Sun attempted to contact Mr Teale but he did not answer the phone.