McKinlay Shire Council has accepted the resignation of Chief Executive Officer Peter Fitchat effective from close of business Friday, June 22.
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Mr Fitchat had been under investigation by Council since a special meeting on June 5 which resolved to engage an independent investigator to look into “internal matters” concerning its CEO.
The council engaged workforce group Peak Services to do the investigation and they reported back to council at another special meeting a week later on June 15.
The Council discussed the Peak Services report into the CEO in a closed session before opening up the meeting who were engaged to complete an investigation into internal matters concerning the Chief Executive Officer.
It produced the recommendation that “that after careful consideration of the report presented by Peak Services Council request that the Mayor discuss with the Chief Executive Officer matters relating to continuing employment in this position.”
Mr Fitchat resigned a week later.
Cr Murphy told the Star she could not comment on the investigation other than it was an “internal staff matter absolutely nothing to do anything untoward or corruption.”
In McKinlay Shire’s a statement the mayor paid tribute to Mr Fitchat’s work at the Council, saying the community had benefited greatly from his time at the helm.
“The Council wishes to record its appreciation of Peter’s time as CEO and acknowledge the infrastructure investment he attracted to the Council and community as well as the significant improvements he has made to governance and operational practices,” Cr Murphy said in the statement.
“The community has seen a range of projects completed or making considerable progress due to Peter’s stewardship.”
Cr Murphy said these included new road works, Works for Queensland projects, Drought Infrastructure Projects and a significant Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) submission for the 2018 flood event.
“We are enormously grateful for the contribution he has made.”
She said Mr Fitchat said he has enjoyed the challenge of guiding the Shire and was confident the community would reap the benefits from the changes he has introduced.
“On behalf of all the Council, I wish Peter and his family all the best in their future endeavours,” she said.
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
