Council pays tribute to Arun Pratap’s service after more than a decade in the role

Toowoomba Regional Council has farewelled a well-respected member of its executive leadership team.

Toowoomba Regional Council has farewelled general manager Arun Pratap after more than 10 years of service.

Mr Pratap, who finished up at the council on Friday, is heading in a new career direction as the CEO of a private sector waste to energy firm.

TRC CEO Brian Pidgeon acknowledged Mr Pratap’s service and financial stewardship during his time with the council, noting he was a “key member of TRC’s executive leadership team”.

Mr Pratap was the general manager of the council’s finance and business strategy group and most recently undertook a specific project as GM of Service Delivery and Sustainability.

“Arun can be proud of the service he has given to his fellow executive team members, staff, councillors and the ongoing growth of our region for more than a decade,” Mr Pidgeon said.

“Arun brought his considerable financial acumen to council at a crucial stage of the organisation’s development following amalgamation and oversaw annual budgets in the order of more than $500 million.”

During Mr Pratap’s time at the council, its financial standing has consistently been rated as “sound with a neutral outlook” by the Queensland Treasury Corporation.

“Arun can take great credit for helping council maintain this solid financial footing and positioning the organisation to face future challenges. This work underpins how council will deliver and fund future projects,” Mr Pidgeon said.

“He can be very proud of his legacy that will ensure better service delivery, financial sustainability and the capacity to embrace opportunities that ultimately benefit residents.

“His achievements of note include, assisting our region through recovery and rebuilding after the 2011 floods (the impact of the 2010/2011 floods resulted in a local road network reconstruction program worth more than double the cost of council’s annual capital and maintenance works program), improvements to our corporate processes and systems program, and most recently, our focus on financial, environmental and social sustainability through the Service Delivery and Sustainability Program.”

Much of Mr Pratap’s work was behind the scenes, but it set the right platform to help the council serve residents more efficiently long into the future, Mr Pidgeon said.

“On behalf of council, I wish Arun and his family every success in his new role,” Mr Pidgeon said.