KINGSTON Council CEO Julie Reid has departed the organisation after less than 18 months.
Ms Reid’s departure was announced on 12 January. Kingston mayor Steve Staikos said “we are disappointed to farewell CEO Julie Reid so soon, but we understand that this new role is an amazing opportunity, and we now look forward to working closely with her in this fantastic new role.”
Ms Reid has been appointed executive director of Local Government Victoria. “Julie will be a strong addition to Local Government Victoria and is well-placed to lead them into the future,” Cr Staikos said.
Kingston councillors held multiple votes relating to “CEO employment matters” behind closed doors last year. Council did not directly answer questions sent by The News last year asking what those matters were (“Serious issues aired behind closed doors”, The News, 3/6/20).
After those confidential meetings were held, then mayor Georgina Oxley said “ultimately we are here for our community, not for ourselves. We are here for the people who elected us. The fact I can’t share serious issues with the community, and what we are doing about it, is really bad.”
Following her departure, Ms Reid said “I have loved my time at Kingston and am proud to have led the organisation during such a challenging time.”
“I am excited to take up this new role to help further strengthen the partnership between the Victorian government and local councils, and I look forward to working with all councils to help them implement the new local government act and continue to serve their communities,” she said.
Councillors are expected to appoint a temporary CEO at their January meeting, before recruiting for someone to take over the job permanently.
First published in the Chelsea Mordialloc Mentone News – 13 January 2021
