JOHN Baker resigned as CEO of Mornington Peninsula Shire Council last Thursday (24 October) and will take up the role as CEO of Sunshine Coast Council in Queensland.
Baker was appointed shire CEO in 2018 after the departure of former CEO Carl Cowie, and spent six years in the role dealing with a myriad of challenges, both natural and man-made. His resignation will be effective from 6 December.
In a letter to officers, seen by The News, Baker said “It has been a privilege to serve as CEO of the shire and I want to thank you all for your trust, your guidance, and the opportunity to lead this exceptional organisation. I am committed to ensuring a smooth and seamless transition, and I look forward to working with the new council on the logistics of departure and supporting them in any way I can”.
“I will miss this beautiful part of the world, our stunning landscapes, our vibrant communities, and most of all, I will miss the people who make Mornington Peninsula Shire what it is. I’m leaving with mixed emotions but also a great sense of pride for all that we have achieved together.”
“When I joined back in September 2018, I could not have imagined the experiences we would share together. We’ve weathered some of the most challenging times especially the intense four-month [covid lockdown] stretch in 2020.
“But what stands out in my memory is not the hardship, but the unwavering strength, resilience, and camaraderie that every single person in this organisation displayed. I was deeply moved by how we coped, and I am endlessly proud of the team and council for pulling together to ensure we continued serving our community with dedication and heart.”
“There have been so many other cherished moments. I am particularly proud of the way our organisation worked with community and our emergency services colleagues to support the 2019 Black Saturday Mallacoota evacuation exercise and more recently our community focused response to what seems like ever increasing major weather events.”
“But for me, the greatest accomplishment has been the shift in our organisational culture. Watching us grow from a reactive to a proactive, success-driven workplace has been one of the proudest achievements of my career. Knowing that 81% of our people now love coming to work each day fills me with joy and hope for the shire’s future. You are all, councillors and officers the reason why this place thrives and will continue to improve.”
Baker’s departure comes after a busy year for the CEO having dealt with the contentious “Harry Potter: Forbidden Forest Experience”, and the controversial review that gave the shire the “all clear” for apparent governance failures (Potter report gives ‘all clear’ to shire governance, The News 24/9/24).
It also comes at a time where Baker had flagged a challenging time ahead with a “perfect storm” of rate capping, reduced federal government grants, and state government cost shifting “jeopardizing both the provision of essential services and the financial sustainability of local government” (Financial crisis looms for shire, The News 22/10/24).
A press release from Sunshine Coast Council states that Baker was “appointed from an original pool of 138 applicants following a rigorous process”. “He has been appointed for a term of five years, and while the terms of the employment contract are confidential, he will receive a remuneration package (including salary, superannuation contributions and a motor vehicle allowance) with a total value of $550,000.”
Baker will commence his role with Sunshine Coast Council on 16 December.
First published in the Mornington News – 29 October 2024
