New CEO is sealed with a shake
MAYOR Tom Tate has confirmed top Queensland bureaucrat David Edwards will be the council’s new chief executive.
On Wednesday, the Bulletin detailed how Mr Edwards had beaten incumbent chief executive Dale Dickson for the Coast’s top bureaucratic job, worth about $600,000.
“I have met up with David Edwards and we went through the documentation and the contracts,” Cr Tate said.
“And at the end of my meeting in my office I put my hand out and said ‘Have we got a deal?’ and we shook on it.
“Now it is up to the lawyers to basically finalise the document. It wouldn’t surprise me if it would be signed off by David and I before the end of the day.”
Cr Tate said he was first impressed by Mr Edwards having links to the Coast, then his connections and ability to consult on major projects like the Queens Wharf casino resort development on the Brisbane River.
“I think, first up, his link to the Gold Coast. His grandfather owned a house in Labrador. It was first up. It was a 1½hour interview, so there were a few other things,” he said.
“Look he’s just not a Queenslander, he has links to the Gold Coast and he loves the place.
“Apart from that he’s a very senior bureaucrat and the capability of doing very complex issues. And I would put to you the Queens Street Wharf is the biggest property tourism infrastructure in Australia.”
Cr Tate said the Brisbane project, unlike the global tourism hub planned for Southport, saw no negativity or protests and Mr Edwards was “instrumental” in gaining that goodwill.
He said it showed Mr Edwards’ consultative skill to the wider community.
“We want a CEO who listens to the wider community and delivers the elective wing’s wishes and matters we took to our election,” Cr Tate said.
Asked about his current chief executive, Mr Dickson, the Mayor said the council had voted to test the market.
“David was the best choice for the city at this time,” Cr Tate said, adding that Mr Edwards was “relatively flexible” on starting and he would “work that through with Dale”.
He said Mr Dickson, after being told of the result, was “understanding” but there was obvious disappointment.
“I said ‘Reflect on the legacy you have delivered to the city and you can be so proud that post, your position here, you have helped shape the liveability of our city, you have delivered a lot of projects I brought to you’,” Cr Tate said.
“There’s a lot of things he has added value to our city.”