Central Highlands Regional Council to recruit new CEO

Central Highlands Regional Council is soon to begin its search for a new chief executive officer.

Mayor Kerry Hayes said finding someone for the council’s top job is a planned process initiated by last month’s resignation of Scott Mason who is taking an executive role at Townsville City Council.

‘The response we’ve had about Scott’s departure has been remarkable,’ the mayor said.

‘It leaves no doubt as to the contribution this young man has made to the region in the last eight years.

‘Scott came through the ranks of local government to take the reins of this council, but we recognise and accept that he still has places to go and a career trajectory to follow. We all wish him the best for his future.’

The challenge of a large city council provided the impetus for the Mason family move says Scott.

‘I’m driven to be challenged by a larger city council to round out my experience,’ he said.

Describing his time at Central Highlands as ‘one heck of a ride’, Scott Mason said he’s enjoyed the only home his children have known.

‘We started a family in Emerald, embraced the community life here and have made many and lasting friendships.

‘There’s no adequate way to concisely recount my time as CEO here, however, I do thank the councillors past and present for their faith in me and I’m entrusting an organisation of more than 450 talented people to the incoming CEO,’ he said.

The council has engaged the services of McArthur, a specialist in local government executive recruitment, to begin the search for someone to fill the position from 1 July 2021.

Mayor Hayes said the process would take ‘as long as it does.

‘Finding the right person for this critical role may take quite some time, but in the interim, we are fortunate to have secured the services of Michael Parker PSM to take the helm.

‘Mr Parker is very familiar to council having acted as CEO on a number of occasions and provided consulting and advisory services to us for many years,’ the mayor concluded.