Council extends CEO’s contract term to 2025
Fraser Coast Regional Council today resolved to extend the contract of employment for Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ken Diehm to 30 June 2025.
Mayor George Seymour said Mr Diehm had more than 35 years’ experience in local government and had done a great job as the Fraser Coast Regional Council CEO over the past three years.
“Ken arrived in the wake of, and during, a very difficult time for the Council and he has worked hard to drive positive change within the organisation,” Cr Seymour said.
“Under Ken’s leadership, Council staff developed and adopted the TRAITS (Trust, Respect, Accountability, Initiative, Teamwork and Service) change management program, which has helped ensure Council is a more effective organisation and a better place to work.
“Council’s performance using the Australian Business Excellence Framework has risen from being among the lowest 10 per cent of benchmarked Councils in 2017 to the top 10 per cent this year.
“Ken and his family have made the Fraser Coast their home over the past three years and we are keen to see him continue as CEO to help us build better communities, grow the economy and maintain our unique lifestyle.
“Today’s decision provides stability for our community and stability for our Council.”
Mr Diehm thanked Councillors for their support and vowed to continue to work hard to ensure the Council was delivering the services and infrastructure the people of the Fraser Coast needed and deserved.
“We’ve achieved a lot over the past three years, but there is a lot more to do. We’re overhauling our IT and information systems to improve our efficiency, and have made changes to meeting procedures that mean we’re the most open and transparent Council in Queensland,” he said.
“We’re delivering a record capital works program and Council will be delivering major projects that have been on the drawing board for decades as part of the five year Hinkler Regional Deal.
“The next five years will see the Fraser Coast region thrive and grow stronger than ever before, and I’m excited about the opportunity to continue as CEO of the Fraser Coast Regional Council.”
Council resolved to delegate Mayor George Seymour, Deputy Mayor Darren Everard and Councillor David Lee to negotiate the contract extension and conditions with Mr Diehm in line with a standard executive employment contract.
Additional background
Ken Diehm has been the CEO of Fraser Coast Regional Council since June 2017.
Ken has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, a Master’s Degree in Dispute Resolution, a Graduate Diploma from the Australian Institute of Company Directors, a Certificate IV in Real Estate Agency Practice, and is a Prince2 Certified Project Management Practitioner.
Prior to becoming Fraser Coast Regional Council CEO, Ken worked as CEO of the City of Greater Geraldton in Western Australia for four years, was the Director of Water and Waste at Townsville City Council for five years and served as CEO of NQ Water for six and a half years.