Toowoomba council’s planning, development general manager Stewart Somers delays retirement until replacement found
An experienced and powerful public servant within the Toowoomba Regional Council has delayed his retirement by months. It comes as his department struggles with shortages – find out why here:
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One of the Toowoomba Regional Council’s most experienced and powerful bureaucrats has delayed his retirement while the organisation tries to find a suitable replacement.
News that planning and development general manager Stewart Somers has extended his exit date with the council comes as his department struggles with staffing shortages that have reportedly affected performance.
Mr Somers, who has been in the role since the amalgamated council was founded in 2008, revealed in March he would retire in August.
Now into October, council CEO Brian Pidgeon confirmed Mr Somers would remain in place amid a prolonged recruitment process.
“General manager of planning and development Stewart Somers has agreed to continue in his role until such time as a suitable replacement is appointed,” he said in a statement.
“An announcement on that replacement is expected in coming weeks.”
It is unclear whether Mr Somers’ replacement will come from within the current department or outside it.
Figures within the industry have suggested development services manager Danielle Fitzpatrick, who is a staple at council meetings with Mr Somers, as a suitable successor.
Planning staff have regularly informed councillors at meetings this year of the workforce shortages affecting the department, with Mr Pidgeon revealing there were more than 25 vacancies as recently as three months ago.
“TRC is working diligently to reduce vacancies across all areas given the challenging and competitive job market,” he said.
“Vacancies have decreased by almost 50 per cent in the past three months in the planning and development team.
“Council continues to fill planning and development vacancies, with 14 vacancies currently open, nine of which are in an advanced stage of recruitment.”
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