Island’s CEO quits in wake of difficulties

PALM Island council’s chief executive has resigned, revealing the stress of recent Crime and Corruption Commissionrelated arrests and the loss of senior staff had contributed to his decision.

Ross Norman had been the chief executive of Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council for eight years and tendered his resignation at a council meeting this week.

He will finish on October 4 and an interim chief executive, yet to be announced, will take his place.

The State Government in July appointed two officials to steer the embattled council out of crisis after its head of finance and a former accountant were charged with alleged fraud following a commission investigation.

This month the Townsville Bulletin revealed two key council executives had quit.

Mr Norman noted the recent crisis, and while he could not comment as he had assisted the commission investigation, he said it had “certainly contributed” to his stress.

“I knew I had to work with people that I knew were being investigated, and at the same time, results of what has occurred has put further stress on me not just workwise but emotionally,” he said.

“It happened while I was chief executive officer … and as a result of losing some senior people as well, and the pressure on me to fill those gaps, I really think it was time to go.

“They needed a new person at the helm to implement the changes that need to happen in the coming months.”

Mr Norman plans to head home to Cairns where he will transition into retirement.

Mayor Alf Lacey said the resignation was disappointing and Mr Norman should take credit for a list of good infrastructure projects that had been built or were slated for Palm Island.

“He’s really achieved a lot here on Palm,” he said.

“The growth in this community in the last 10 years has been really good because of the development that we see around the town.”

Mr Norman said there had been significant change on Palm Island since he began, including the construction of three new housing subdivisions, 117 homes, the new retail precinct and the upcoming ferry terminal redevelopment.

Cr Lacey, who has been the Mayor of Palm Island since 2008, confirmed he was “undecided” about whether to stand for re-election in the 2020 local government elections.