Toowoomba council’s planning department sees more changes under GM Nikola Stepanov, as Heath Martin resigns

The clean-out of the council’s most polarising department under its new general manager has continued, with a “well-respected” officer departing. And it could impact the delivery of a project that could blow its budget by up to $4m.

Heath Martin; Nikola Stepanov.

Another senior public servant within the Toowoomba Regional Council’s most controversial department is gone, in a further sign of a clean-out under its new general manager.

Well-respected and experienced planning and development officer Heath Martin finished up with the department on Friday, making him at least the fourth notable face to leave in several months.

Two sources confirmed Mr Martin had left, with the decision reportedly not expected.

Former Toowoomba Regional Council land use and community principal planner Heath Martin.

As land use and community principal planner and a member of the council’s strategic planning team, Mr Martin was in charge of a number of forward-thinking projects within the organisation.

These included the rollout of the Toowoomba Region Futures program and work on the new planning scheme, the delivery of which is now in question after a timeline delay and costs projected to blow out to $11m.

Mr Martin, who was contacted for comment, was regarded by sources as a well-liked and respected planner within the department, with one calling him an “all around good person”.

He joins a growing list of planning and development managers or officers to have resigned or been let go since new general manager Dr Nikola Stepanov took over from previous GM Stewart Somers late last year.

These include longstanding strategic planning manager Michelle Milton, officer Kate Rosier and development services manager Danielle Fitzpatrick.

Toowoomba council planning and development general manager Dr Nikola Stepanov. Picture: Liam Kidston

The departure of Mr Martin has also raised questions about council’s delivery time frames on the new planning scheme, with the department already conceding it needs more time to complete the massive project that is tipped to cost $11m.

The council announced in May it had extended the delivery of the scheme by another year until 2026, with Dr Stepanov revealing the cost was much higher than the budgeted amount.

“Unfortunately, project costs have exceeded expected outputs,” she said.

“Estimates indicate $3m to $4m will be required over the next two financial years to complete the necessary work.”

This came after it had been revealed $7.3 million had already been spent on the scheme since it started work on the new planning scheme in 2020.

One source said there were “minimal backfills within the team” since Dr Stepanov started, which could pose a problem for the planning scheme delivery.

The planning department had a 17 per cent vacancy rate in May, with 25 positions unfilled at the time out of 142.

General manager responds to vacancy issues

In response to inquiries from News Corp, Dr Stepanov said the department’s vacancy rates had been dropping.

“Our vacancy rate is decreasing quickly as we have had great success attracting new employees to council, including from outside the region and from staff wishing to return,” she said.

“We have been delighted with the number of candidates who are seeking employment in the planning and development team.

“We have a ‘one team, people first’ culture where the wellbeing of our staff and the opportunity to create avenues for growth and success for our staff are a priority.”