Council head resigns

THE man responsible for Gold Coast City Council’s major projects is quitting.

Leading bureaucrat Darren Scott has told staff in private emails and will finish on the same day CEO Dale Dickson faces a September 15 deadline to save his own job.

Mr Scott has played a major role in helping the Coast prepare for the staging of the Commonwealth Games.

“It has been an amazing time working with you all, professional people who have focused on making the city a better place,” the council’s economic development and major projects director wrote in a private email.

“I will always remember the privilege.”

The Bulletin understands councillors became aware of Mr Scott’s decision to quit on Tuesday. Mr Scott has been a key player in helping Mayor Tom Tate deliver major projects like the planned cruise ship terminal and the cultural centre. He did not return calls yesterday.

“He is off to greener pastures. He has had (the last) five years of service driving major projects for the mayor,” a council insider said.

“There’s the CEO’s review happening in economic development that the mayor has called for. He’s driven that directorate for a good period of service. Darren is well regarded. In recent years he’s been working on the CST, the cultural precinct and the health and knowledge precinct.”

A decision on Mr Dickson’s future will be made after he presents a reform plan next month. Councillors will vote on whether he gets a new threeyear deal. His current contract expires at the end of the year.