July 29, 2013
Acting Toowoomba Regional Council CEO Brian Pidgeon has been confirmed in the role.
Mr Pidgeon has been filling in since the surprise resignation of former CEO Ken Gouldthorp in August last year.
A Council spokesman said the appointment of Mr Pidgeon followed “an exhaustive process” that included more than 150 registrations of interest from applicants around Australia and the world.
“Brian has performed in this function several times over recent years and has always maintained the highest standards – Council is fully confidant in his ability to lead the organisation,” Mayor Paul Antonio said.
“Brian has more than 30 years of local government experience.
“His involvement in a number of key positions including sitting on various boards such as Jondaryan Woolshed Pty Ltd point to the business community confidence in his appointment.”
Mr Pidgeon has a long involvement with Toowoomba council.
He was the Manager of Health Services at Toowoomba City Council for six years and was appointed Director of Community and Environmental Services in October 1998.
The role of CEO at Toowoomba has had a chequered recent history.
The last three CEOs at TRC have resigned before their contract’s completion.
Speaking at the time of Mr Gouldthorpe’s resignation, Mayor Antonio denied it was a “poisoned chalice”.
“Leading an organisation of more than 1700 staff across almost 13,000sq km with an asset base of around $3 billion is a very tall order,” he said.
Earlier this year Mr Gouldthorp took up a six-month contract at Newcastle City Council in NSW as acting general manager.
