COUNCIL CEO STEPS ASIDE FOR HEALTH:
TOWNSVILLE CITY Council’s chief executive has taken immediate leave due to health concerns, putting her future in the role under a cloud.
The Bulletin understands an email was sent to council staff yesterday afternoon that said CEO Adele Young was taking sick leave effective immediately. A council spokesman confirmed Ms Young had stepped down from her role and the current director of infrastructure and operations Mike Chiodo had been appointed acting chief executive.
“The CEO ( Adele Young) has taken a period of sick leave,” the spokesman said.
Mr Chiodo already oversees the delivery of the Haughton Pipeline duplication project and is expected to continue prioritising the rollout of the pipeline as per Ms Young’s focus.
It is believed Mr Chiodo has undertaken to deliver the key policy priorities of the council to Ms Young’s standard until she returns.
However, the Bulletin understands it is not certain Ms Young will come back to her role following sick leave.
The sudden sick leave announcement came on the eve of the release of the Bulletin’s annual Top 50 Most Influen- tial list, in which Ms Young outranked Mayor Jenny Hill for the first time.
The list was formed following public nominations and votes by a panel of community judges. The unusual ranking demonstrated the high level of public support for the work of both the Mayor and CEO in developing and progressing the Townsville community.
Sources close to the council said Ms Young and Mayor Jenny Hill had “clashed” at times throughout the year but their relationship had significantly improved in recent months.
Ms Young started her role as CEO of the council in August 2016 having previously held senior executive positions in the Northern Territory and South Australian public sectors. Speaking about her appointment in 2016, Cr Hill said Ms Young had impressed the selection committee with her comprehensive understanding of local government.
“Ms Young was able to demonstrate a capacity to lead organisations through significant change and deliver real improvements in productivity through innovation,” Cr Hill said.