Tabulo reign over in Cairns

However, it’s understood Cr Manning wanted to tackle this term of council with a new CEO at his side and the man currently acting in the role, John Andrejic, is widely seen as the leading contender.

As chief financial officer Mr Andrejic has steered the turnaround of council’s finances since coming on board in August, 2013.

The Manning-led council inherited a financial deficit when it was elected in 2012 but in two years that was turned into an operating surplus and in June it delivered a $5.8 million surplus at the end of the financial year.

Mr Andrejic and Cr Manning, who are known to have a good working relationship, also have history with the pair working together at the former Cairns Port Authority.

But Mr Andrejic home and hosed.

Cr Manning said this week the council would not rush into appointing someone to the plum job – which would attract an annual salary in the order of $400,000 – and that it was still looking at its options.

The CEO role is the only position in council that can be is not appointed directly by mayor and councillors.

But council also has the option of advertising or “head hunting” for the position.

It’s understood former Cassowary Coast Regional Council CEO Terry Brennan, who was moved on from the Innisfail-based council in June, could be in the mix.

Mr Brennan and Mr Tabulo were not the only ones to fall victim to the councils “killing season” following the local government elections in February.

Tablelands Regional Council CEO Ian Church left that organisation on April 29 following a full changeover of the mayor and councillors in the election with the new mayor Joe Paronella striving for a “new strategic vision” for the council.

According to figures from the Local Government Association of Queensland, up to eight other CEOs across the state have so far received the same treatment. the