Cairns mayor, Amy Eden, distributes anonymous letter to councillors attacking current chief executive, Ken Gouldthorp

Cairns Mayor Amy Eden has circulated an anonymous letter undermining the city’s top executive to her fellow councillors, sparking concerns that the council could soon be looking for yet another CEO.

Cairns Regional Council mayor Amy Eden and CEO Ken Goulthorp who was named to the role late last year. It’s understood that the pair have a strained relationship. Picture: Brendan Radke

Leaked correspondence has revealed the Cairns mayor has been disappointed in her chief executive’s performance so far, arguing he has failed to meet key performance indicators.

But Mayor Amy Eden says council’s top boss has her “full support” despite a rocky start to their relationship.

In October, Ken Gouldthorp beat out Ms Eden’s former campaign adviser, John Andrejic, with councillors unanimously voting for the former North Sydney Council general manager as part of a process undertaken in partnership with recruitment agency Davidson.

John Andrejic, Amy Eden’s campaign adviser in the lead-up to the local government elections, was appointed as interim CEO soon after Ms Eden’s victory.

Ms Eden didn’t vote on the key civic posting after councillors cited conflict of interest concerns, due to her connection to Mr Andrejic, who had previously been acting in the role.

Following his appointment, Mr Gouldthorp and the mayor’s relationship soured with Ms Eden circulating an unnamed letter to councillors highly critical of his work history in December.

Cairns Regional Council CEO Ken Gouldthorp was named as the successful applicant, beating out interim chief executive, John Andrejic in October. Picture: Adam Yip / Manly Daily

The typed letter, which was not written by Ms Eden, contained multiple serious unsubstantiated claims regarding Mr Gouldthorp’s performance in other roles within local government and while working on major developments in the private sector.

Several councillors have fought back, privately challenging the mayor’s criticisms of the well-credentialled and highly experienced appointee.

The Cairns Post has seen the letter and is not suggesting any impropriety by Mr Gouldthorp or that he is unqualified for the role.

The long-time local government administrator, who has served as chief executive at Mackay and Toowoomba’s councils previously, is currently serving a six-month probationary period as Cairns’ chief executive.

Other councillors have privately defended the new CEO’s performance after taking on the job from his predecessor.

Cairns Regional Council chief executive Ken Gouldthorp at an ordinary meeting earlier this week. Picture: Brendan Radke

Since starting in the role, Mr Gouldthorp has inherited a council with significant infrastructure and staffing challenges as it undertakes the first stage of the $472m Cairns Water Security Project, set for completion in 2026.

The council must also now identify a plan to replace the Bedminster Resource Recovery Facility after the waste disposal centre was destroyed in a fire last week.

‘JOBS TO DO’

The mayor has also expressed her disappointment with Mr Gouldthorp’s work performance, arguing that he has failed to meet key performance indicators so far.

A disagreement between Mr Gouldthorp and a key staffer, who works closely with the mayor, has also been raised as an issue by Ms Eden internally.

Mr Gouldthorp didn’t respond to questions put to him by the Cairns Post but a council spokesman said “there is no issue” when asked about the conflict.

In November, Cairns Mayor Amy Eden said she was confident that she and the new CEO, Ken Gouldthorp could work together effectively. Picture: Brendan Radke

TROUBLED HISTORY

Last year, the Cairns Post exclusively reported that a whistleblower had referred the selection process to name Mr Andrejic as interim CEO to the Office of the Independent Assessor.

Local Government Minister Meaghan Scanlon later confirmed that matter had been passed on to the Crime and Corruption Commission.

There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Andrejic.

Cairns mayor shuts down press conference after facing Crime and Corruption Commission questions

In August, councillors went against the mayor, dissolving her CEO recruitment panel, engaging recruitment agency, Davidson, and carrying out the process independently of her, leading to Mr Gouldthorp’s appointment.

In an emailed response to multiple questions sent to Ms Eden regarding the letter sent in December, the mayor said: “Ken and I are working together for our great city, and we will not be distracted or derailed from the good work we have in the pipeline and are committed to delivering.

“Ken has my full support and with so many big projects and initiatives on the horizon we’re both focused on the future.

“We are both looking forward to working together on this year’s budget, the delivery of the $472 million water security stage 1 project, and we’re pushing for game-changers for our city like a visitor levy, trunk infrastructure funding and Priority Development Area for the Mt Peter growth corridor and the potential redevelopment of the Showgrounds precinct.

“There will always be the need for confidential discussions at a mayor and councillor level, as there is within state and federal cabinets.

“It is always deeply concerning when that confidential information no longer remains confidential due to the leaking of such matters.”

The mayor has worked with two CEOs and two acting or interim CEOs during her tenure.

Councillors and Mr Gouldthorp attended the council’s first ordinary meeting of 2025 on Wednesday.

Mr Andrejic could not be reached prior to deadline on Tuesday afternoon.

Originally published as Cairns mayor, Amy Eden, distributes anonymous letter to councillors attacking current chief executive, Ken Gouldthorp