Joe McCabe announced as Townsville City Council’s permanent CEO

Townsville City Council’s acting CEO has been permanently locked in to the top job, speaking out after Mayor Troy Thompson called for his resignation saying he’s “focused on serving the council”.

Acting CEO Joe McCabe. Townsville City Council general meeting. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Townsville City Council’s acting chief executive officer has had his role become permanent, announced on Friday morning to be locked in for the top job.

Deputy Mayor Paul Jacob named “highly experienced local government leader” Joe McCabe as the successful applicant for the role, saying he brought a wealth of experience in managing local government and would shape the organisation’s future.

Mr Jacob said a nationwide search saw three people short-listed, with the panel ultimately choosing Mr McCabe as the successful candidate.

Set to start in the role officially on October 21, Mr McCabe said he was very proud and privileged to be selected, after serving five months in the acting role.

“I am really excited,” he said.

“I’ve been here for five months and I’ve really experienced a lifestyle for the city.”

When asked about his rollercoaster five months working with Mayor Troy Thompson, Mr McCabe said: “In terms of the mayor I’m here to work with 11 councillors, which I have been doing for the last five months”.

“I don’t see that changing,” he said.

Joe McCabe was announced as the permanent Townsville City Council CEO on Friday. Picture: Jami Roberts

“I’ve got a really good working relationship with the councillors and I’ve been really impressed with their passion for the city and their ability to make difficult decisions.

“We’ve been working really, really well together, which is fantastic.”

Following calls from Mayor Thompson last month for Mr McCabe to resign, accusing him of leaking confidential information and misleading the public which Mr McCabe strongly denied, he said he has “moved on”.

“I think my reputation stands on its merit from what I have done in 35 to 40 years in local government,” he said.

“I was quite upset with that so I had to make a public statement, but I am confident my reputation holds that in good stead.

“I have moved on and I’m really focused on serving the council.”

On his main focus stepping into the role, he highlighted financial stability, the economy and housing as key priorities.

“We need to attract federal and state government funding to try and open up the housing,” he said. “It’s not just a matter for Townsville, but it’s an issue for Australia.”

Acting CEO Joe McCabe during a Townsville City Council meeting. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Hoping to build Townsville’s economy and growth as an events and tourism must-see destination, Mr McCabe said confidence needed to grow in the commercial sector.

He said the impending arrival of major cruise ships into the city would help boost Townsville’s tourism and marketability but said more quality hotels were needed.

“The likes of Ardo, The Ville, we can get more of these,” he said.

“We need more high level accommodation so that we can attract more people to the city, the big spenders.”

After the announcement of John Oberhardt as Townsville City Council’s adviser, stepping in to help guide council back on track following instability from Mayor Troy Thompson’s controversies on misleading the public on his education achievements and miliary background, Mr McCabe said Mr Oberhardt began on Tuesday and has met with councillors and the executive.

“I think it’s all positive in terms of the adviser position,” he said.

“I am looking forward to working with John and getting some advice in terms of policies and procedure.”

Acting CEO Joe McCabe. Townsville City Council general meeting. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Hoping to use Mr Oberhardt’s experience as an “improvement opportunity”, Mr McCabe said the adviser role could evolve over the six months he is planned to be here.

“As well as looking at those relationship-building matters, he can also give me some assistance in terms of some of those organisations issues,” Mr McCabe said.

Before taking on the role of acting chief executive officer in May this year, Mr McCabe held interim director-level positions at Alice Springs Town Council and was a member of the independent external member risk and audit committee at the City of Darwin.

He worked for more than 30 years at the City of Gold Coast Council, including nine years as chief operating officer, which included periods of acting CEO.

Originally published as Joe McCabe announced as Townsville City Council’s permanent CEO