Corporate structure
Operations and budget
Cairns Regional Council operates a budget of more than $312 million (2020/21) and a Capital Works Program worth $181 million. It is a significant local economic driver and is also one of the region's largest employers with a workforce of approximately 1250 staff.
Management structure
Council's six Directorates and their individual Directors, headed by the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), work together to implement adopted Council policy and deliver the Operational Plan.
Daily operational responsibilities rest with the Executive Leadership Team, headed by the Chief Executive Officer.
The Office of the CEO provides executive and administrative support to the Mayor and Councillors, drives strategic direction-setting to ensure the successful operation of Council, and effectively manages all organisational and legislative responsibilities.
The Office of CEO oversees:
- the operational responsibilities of the Disaster Management branch and Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (FNQROC), and
- leading the six directors of the Executive Leadership Team.
 | Director, Mr Nick MasassoThe Economic Development and Advocacy Directorate works to deliver a prosperous environment for business and industry, enabling growth and wealth creation for our residents by creating a strong, diversified and growing economy through:
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 | Director, Mr Destry PuiaThe Lifestyle and Community Directorate celebrates and strengthens our quality of life and community spirit by creating opportunities for residents and visitors to be active, informed and involved in the life of our region. It ensures our community resources such facilities, events, festivals, and activities - are safe, accessible and inclusive. Services and programs are delivered by this directorate’s three branches:
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 | Community Life branchExecutive Manager, Mr Brett Spencer Responsible for:
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 | Community Spaces branchExecutive Manager, Mr Tim Dendle Responsible for:
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 | Creative Life branchExecutive Manager, Mr Stephen Foster Responsible for:
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 | Director, Ms Lisa WhittonThe Finance and Business Services Directorate works across all areas of Council to ensure the effective procurement, financial sustainability and technological capability of our operations. Its four branches provide essential internal services that support the organisation to deliver services to the community:
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| Information Services branchExecutive Manager, Mr Melvyn Pensee-Arnold Responsible for:
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 | Finance branchExecutive Manager, Mr Jason Ritchie Responsible for:
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 | Revenue & Business Support branchExecutive Manager, Mr Steve Cooper Responsible for:
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 | Procurement & Payables branchExecutive Manager, Mr Geoff Burdon Responsible for:
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 | Director, Ms Christine PosgateThe People and Organisational Performance Directorate ensures the workforce is engaged to deliver Council’s vision of ‘Shaping the future’. It achieves this by recognising and building a contemporary workplace that prioritises the wellbeing, health and safety of our skilled and dedicated staff who are passionate about the community it serves. It comprises
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 | Marketing & CommunicationsExecutive Manager, Ms Ann Combe Responsible for:
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 | Wellbeing, Health & SafetyExecutive Manager, Mr Wayne Connors
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| Organisational PerformanceExecutive Manager, Ms Mandy Wise Responsible for:
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| Director, Mr Mark WuthThe Cairns Infrastructure and Assets Directorate is responsible for Council’s built environment portfolio, managing all stages of the community infrastructure program from planning and design through to construction, maintenance, and upgrades. The portfolio covers transport, stormwater, water and wastewater, resource recovery, buildings, facilities, plant fleet and marine assets, which are managed by two sub-directorates with four branches in each:
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| Service Delivery departmentAssociate Director - Gary Everson Responsible for:
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| Engineering Services departmentAssociate Director, Ms Sarah Stephen Responsible for:
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| Works branch (Service Delivery)Executive Manager, Mr Martin Perkowicz Responsible for:
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| Resource Recovery branch (Service Delivery)Executive Manager, Mr Steve Cosatto Responsible for overseeing Council's waste and resource recovery strategy, business and operations.
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| Utility Services branch (Service Delivery)Executive Manager, Ms Toni Veronese Responsible for:
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| Business Performance & Compliance branch (Service Delivery)Executive Manager, Ms Catherine Horne Responsible for:
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| Asset Services branch (Service Delivery)Executive Manager, Mr David Pollak Responsible for:
Mechanical maintenance |
| Project Management Office (Engineering Services)Executive Manager, Mr Ray Plasto Responsible for:
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| Strategic Asset Management & PlanningExecutive Manager, Tyron Curcuruto Responsible for:
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| Major Projects branch (Engineering Services)Executive Manager, Mr David Stevens Responsible for:
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| Director, Mr Ed JohnsonThe Planning, Growth and Sustainability Directorate advances the organisation’s contribution to better outcomes for people, places, environment and the economy. It does this by overseeing the planning and development process from end to end – long term strategic growth and environmental design, planning, assessment and regulation. The goal of the directorate is to protect and enhance our natural and built environment by planning, monitoring, applying and enforcing compliance with Local, State and Federal regulations and laws. This directorate’s three branches have a focus on liveability, sustainability and prosperity:
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  | Property & Compliance branchExecutive Manager, Ms Amy Patterson Responsible for:
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| Development & Planning branchExecutive Manager, Ms Claire Simmons Responsible for Development Assessment, Development Engineering and Infrastructure teams:
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| Growth & Sustainability branchExecutive Manager, Ms Fleur Anderson Responsible for:
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Last Updated: 26 April 2024
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