New council GM named
TOOWOOMBA Regional Council has appointed the former Queensland Integrity Commissioner as the new general manager of its planning and development department.
Dr Nikola Stepanov was named in the role on Tuesday, following what council CEO Brian Pidgeon called a “highly competitive nationwide recruitment process”.
It comes just a few days after the council revealed her predecessor Stewart Somers had delayed his retirement by months while the recruitment process continued.
“Dr Stepanov has many years of experience advising and working with local governments at a strategic and expert level,” Mr Pidgeon said.
“Most recently, Dr Stepanov was the Queensland Integrity Commissioner where she provided advice to local governments on confidential matters, including issues related to planning and development.”
Dr Stepanov was a key player in the integrity crisis that engulfed the state government involving the Office of the Integrity Commissioner and the Public Service Commission.
The former commissioner’s claims laptops and mobile phones had been seized were referred to the Crime and Corruption Commission in September 2021.
Dr Stepanov also raised concerns the executive officer may have released confidential information. She remained in the role until July following her January resignation.
The state’s corruption watchdog determined in July the laptop’s removal was not a raid and “entirely ordinary”.
The CCC also found there was no evidence an executive officer within the integrity commissioner’s office had improperly disclosed information, or that current information security arrangements had not led to any inappropriate release of confidential information.
Mr Pidgeon said Dr Stepanov brought “tremendous value to our organisation”.
“Nikola’s extensive experience and skills will ensure that the Council’s Planning and Development Group and the development industry maintain a collaborative and constructive relationship that effectively balances economic and sustainable regional development,” he said.
“I’d also like to thank the outgoing general manager Stewart Somers for his service since 2008 and wish him all the best for his retirement.”
Her appointment was welcomed by Urban Developers Institute of Australia Toowoomba president Edward Hodge, who said he looked forward to seeing her address key issues affecting the region.
“The UDIA is looking forward to working with Dr Stepanov to build on the efforts that have been made this year to address housing supply shortages and other important issues in the development industry,” he said.
Major developer Denis Wagner, who has been major critic of the council’s planning department in recent years, said Dr Stepanov’s appointment would allow for a “fresh set of eyes”. “It’s good they have moved forward with the appointment of another planning general manager.”