CEO, shire to split

By Paul Dunlop
CARDINIA Shire Council and chief executive officer Don Welsh are poised to part company.
The council and the CEO are believed to be in the final stages of negotiations over a ‘mutually acceptable’ separation agreement.
The bombshell revelation comes after mounting speculation about Mr Welsh’s future in the wake of the shake-up at the November council elections.
Mr Welsh has been on extended leave since the start of the year and is not expected to return to the position he has held since 1998.
Circumstances surrounding the CEO’s impending departure have not been made public, although an official announcement could come within days.
Council staff were advised of the situation at a special staff meeting on Friday.
Mayor Bill Ronald and councillors attended the meeting where Cr Ronald delivered the following statement:
“Cardinia Shire Council is currently negotiating a mutually-acceptable separation with chief executive officer Don Welsh and we are confident that the matter can be finalised in the near future.
“We will keep staff informed of the outcome of these negotiations as soon as they are completed.
“General manager of corporate services Garry McQuillan will continue as acting CEO. Councillors and senior management will be meeting to determine the strategic direction of the Cardinia Shire Council over the next three years.
“I would like to assure all staff that the day to day operations of council will continue as usual. The council is proud of its valuable staff and a close working relationship between councillors and staff, and staff and the community, is our aim.
“I fully expect that officers’ loyalty is to the organisation and that this change of CEO will have minimal impact on your service to residents and ratepayers of Cardinia Shire.”
Cr Ronald did not wish to speak further on the issue and Mr Welsh could not be contacted for comment.
But there is little doubt the changed dynamic on council after the dramatic election result was a major factor in shaping the decision.
The fractious history between Cr Ronald and Mr Welsh meant it was always going to be difficult for the pair to co-exist harmoniously as mayor and CEO.
Coupled with the new power base on council, it is believed the general feeling was that something had to give.
It is likely that the details of the separation agreement will remain confidential. Cr Bill Pearson said both council and Mr Welsh had the best interests of Cardinia Shire at heart.
The long-serving CEO’s likely departure was met with disappointment by former mayor Max Papley.
Mr Papley said Mr Welsh had played a major role in shaping the development of Cardinia Shire over the past several years.
He said it would be a “sad day” if a person of Mr Welsh’s calibre and vision was lost, both for the council and the wider community.
Mr Papley said Mr Welsh would be very much missed, by council staff and further afield.
“It’s not easy to find people of Don’s quality and capability,” Mr Papley said.
“That sort of person does not come around too often. His only fault, if he has one, is that he doesn’t tolerate fools lightly.”