GLADSTONE Regional Council CEO to retire in July

GLADSTONE Regional Council chief executive officer Graeme Kanofski has resigned from the council's top job and will finish up in July this year.

The announcement was made at yesterday's council meeting and The Observer broke the news online at 11am.

Mayor Gail Sellers announced at the meeting that Mr Kanofski had tendered his resignation.

Mr Kanofski said it had been an honour and privilege to work for the council.

“It is a special opportunity bestowed on only a few to lead a council like this,” he said.

Major highlights in the region he was proud of were the Boyne Tannum Memorial Gardens Crematorium project and the Gladstone Airport reconstruction project.

“The airport project was the biggest project I've been involved in, and the most difficult. We were trying to build a new airport and keep the old one operating – it's not like we could close the airport for 18 months,” he said.

Mr Kanofski said he served during a period of historical change, with amalgamation, and was sure there would be some challenges for his successor.

Cr Sellers told the meeting that amalgamation went through smoothly because of Mr Kanofski's leadership.

Cr Craig Butler said he'd worked with Mr Kanofski for 15 years and it had been an absolute pleasure.

“You are a strong CEO, with strong leadership and respect of a lot of staff and indeed, the council,” Cr Butler said.

He said one of Mr Kanofski's greatest attributes was his integrity, and that he never compromised it

“He knows when to cut through the bureaucracy and get on with delivering projects and getting the job done,” Cr Butler said.

Upon retiring, Mr Kanofski plans to take about 12 months off to “smell the roses”.

“We're building a new house out at Calliope and we might head out in the caravan for a while,” he said.

Mr Kanofski said it was time for some “new blood” at the top of the organisation.

Fast facts

Graeme Kanofski's career in local government began in 1975 as a cadet local government clerk.

During his 36 year career he worked for five different councils.

He guided the council through amalgamation in 2007.

(Source: Gladstone Observer, 2nd March 2011)