Welsh takes a new track

By Paul Dunlop
DEPARTED Cardinia Shire Council chief executive officer Don Welsh is expected to start a new career with government business enterprise VicTrack.
Mr Welsh, whose separation from the council became official last week, is understood to have accepted a senior position within the public transportrelated organisation.
VicTrack owns all land and infrastructure in Victoria used for the purposes of public train and tram based transport. It leases these assets to private transport operators through the Director of Public Transport.
VicTrack also pursues opportunities to create and add value to these assets in areas other than transport such as telecommunications, advertising and property development.
The Gazette believes Mr Welsh’s skills as a negotiator and experience in local government and business were highlyregarded by the custodian of Victoria’s rail assets and telecommunications.
The move comes after several weeks of speculation about the future of the council’s longserving CEO. Circumstances surrounding the split, first reported in the Gazette last month, have never been made public.
Both parties were said to have finalised a ‘mutually acceptable’ separation agreement.
Council’s official statement, released last Wednesday, read:
“Cardinia Shire Council would like to announce the departure of chief executive officer, Mr Don Welsh. Mr Welsh’s employment with the council ended on 17 February in accordance with the terms of his contract. Mr Welsh has been employed as Cardinia’s CEO since April, 1998. The council is currently reviewing its strategic direction and expects to invite applications for the position shortly. In the meantime, council’s general manager of corporate services Garry McQuillan will continue in his current position of acting CEO. The council wishes Mr Welsh well in his future endeavours.”
The official announcement came after several weeks of negotiations between council and its CEO.
Mr Welsh’s future has been an issue of discussion ever since the upheaval at the November elections.
Although a reason for the separation has never been officially given, there is little doubt the changed dynamic on council was a major factor in shaping the decision.
The fractious history between Councillor Bill Ronald and Mr Welsh meant it was always going to be difficult for the pair to coexist harmoniously as mayor and CEO.
Cr Ronald last October pleaded guilty in Dandenong Magistrates’ Court to assaulting Mr Welsh during a confrontation in a Melbourne car park.
The new mayor’s relationship with the CEO, coupled with a council claiming a mandate for change, is believed to have prompted both parties to agree that separation would be best.
Mr Welsh, who was on leave for several weeks before last Wednesday’s announcement, has declined to comment on the issue.
Cr Ronald has also been reluctant to speak beyond official statements.
Cr Bill Pearson said both council and Mr Welsh had the best interests of Cardinia Shire at heart.