Cairns Regional Council CEO, John Andrejic, has tendered his resignation.
In his seven years at Council, Mr Andrejic has helped steer the organisation though a particularly dynamic and prosperous period – his guidance and leadership has helped to deliver six consecutive balanced Budgets and at the same time record capital expenditure programs for the city.
He also been pivotal in guiding Council through some challenging times, including the unintended by decisive consequences of the Belcarra legislation, and currently steering the response and recovery of the city through the COVID crisis.
Mr Andrejic joined Council in 2013 as Chief Financial Officer and was elevated to the role of CEO in 2016.
Cairns Mayor Bob Manning paid tribute to Mr Andrejic's leadership and thanked him for invaluable assistance and counsel over the past seven years.
"I would like to personally thank John for his contribution to the organisation and to the city of Cairns, and wish him and his family well," Cr Manning said.
"John's background in financial and asset management, along with his understanding of local government, has provided a wealth of support to the elected Council, not only over the past four years in his role as CEO, but previously as the CFO.
"He has played a leading role in transforming this organisation into a financially prudent and resourceful Council.
"This has resulted in this Council keeping rate rises at or below CPI for the past seven years, while maintaining a high level of customer service and delivery record capital expenditure.
"John also placed a high priority on well-being of Council employees and was instrumental on introducing a new safety program that placed an emphasis on everyone 'going home safe today and every day,'."