Departing council CEO tells staff: look forward, not back

THERE IS OF COURSE A HUGE OPPORTUNITY FOR ALL OF YOU TO BE PART OF THE GOLD COAST STORY IN COMING YEARS

OUTGOING council CEO Dale Dickson has asked staff not to reflect on the past but the future and “do your job with integrity”.

In a farewell note on Friday, Mr Dickson (above) predicted the city would continue to “punch above its weight” and had the capacity to prepare itself for the next challenge, whether it was a sporting event like the Commonwealth Games or another pandemic.

The Bulletin understands he could be replaced by former top Brisbane bureaucrat David Edwards as early as late next week. Mr Dickson’s contract stretches to September but he is expected to leave soon. Staff on Friday, after the message was sent out, were still unsure of the arrangements.

In his email to staff, the CEO of 18 years wrote: “It is in such moments that we tend to look back, with a degree of nostalgia and talk of personal legacy. I’d prefer that we don’t do this, but rather look forward. There is of course a huge opportunity for all of you to be part of the Gold Coast story in coming years.

“Some of it will involve more change and adaptation in ways that are planned or not yet apparent. But it will be profoundly rewarding for those of you who live your working lives and contribute to an even better Gold Coast with the following in mind, as

DALE DICKSON

I know so many of you do:

A sense of community pride and commitment to making life easier for residents, businesses and visitors.

A sense of personal responsibility, rather than entitlement.

An empathy for the physical and mental wellbeing of your colleagues.

The importance of doing your job with integrity.

“The City of Gold Coast will continue to punch well above its weight because it serves a large, rapidly growing city, but also a large influx of visitors on any given day.

“What will also be important is the city’s huge capacity to galvanise when the opportunity or moment demands it – the next pandemic, natural disaster, major sporting event, and more.

“The depth and breadth of the many proposed actions which are being developed or implemented to improve the liveability of our city, and further future-proof it, is also something to behold. I wish you all well and thank you for your pride in, and service to, this magnificent city.”