Operations and budget
Council operates on a committee system. Each committee has an adopted Terms of Reference and is a standing committee with delegated authority to resolve matters tabled at its meetings.
Operating a budget of more than $287 million (2016/17) and with $3.5 billion in assets, Cairns Regional Council is a significant local economic driver. It is also one of the region's largest employers with a workforce of approximately 1250 staff.
Management structure
Cairns Regional Council has adopted a high level organisational management structure, with six departments headed by General Managers and all reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer. Daily operational responsibilities rest with the Executive Team, headed by the Chief Executive Officer. The Executive Team is devolved the responsibility to implement adopted Council policy and the Operational Plan, and oversees Council's operations with the assistance of branch managers.
Executive Team
Council's Executive Management Team is made up of:
 | Chief Executive Officer, John AndrejicCouncil's Chief Executive Officer has six General Managers reporting directly to him as members of the Executive Team. Read more about the CEO. |
General Manager Community, Sport and Cultural Services, Linda KirchnerResponsibilities: Creative venues and facilities including Tanks Arts Centre and Civic Theatre; arts and cultural development including the Regional Arts Development Fund and Cairns Festival; delivery of sport, recreation and leisure facilities and services including caravan parks, camping grounds, swimming pools, footpaths, cycleways, Cairns Botanic Gardens and Sugarworld Parklands, environmental management of Cattana Wetlands and Cairns Central Swamp; natural area revegetation and pest management; management of Cairns Esplanade, City Place, Munro Martin Park; provision of library services; community development services and support. Read more about the Community, Sport and Cultural Services Department | |
| Chief Financial Officer, Lisa WhittonResponsibilities: Finance, Information Services, Cairns Shared Services and Procurement. Read more about the Finance Department |
General Manager Human Resources and Organisational Change, Christine PosgateResponsibilities: Human resource management, marketing and communications, corporate services management, organisational change, industrial relations, work health and safety, Disaster Management. Read more about the Human Resource and Organisational Change Department | |
 | General Manager Infrastructure Services, Bruce GardinerResponsibilities: Capital works preconstruction and delivery; infrastructure planning; works investigations; construction of roads, drains and minor works; maintenance of roads, drains, parks, foreshores, buildings and minor works; management of the Partnership Cairns program; design and survey services; disaster management; and management of Council's fleet and mechanical services. Read more about the Infrastructure Services Department |
 | General Manager Planning and Environment, Kelly ReastonResponsibilities: integrated development assessment; development engineering; strategic land use planning; regional planning; environmental planning; building regulation and certification; environmental protection; public and environmental health; property and administration, FNQROC, mosquito and vector control; cemeteries; Local Laws; regulated parking. Read more about the Planning and Environment Department |
| General Manager Water and Waste, Graham O'ByrneResponsibilities: Water treatment and reticulation; wastewater treatment and reticulation; collection, treatment and disposal of waste; infrastructure planning, design and project delivery; corporate and external reporting. Read more about the Water and Waste Department |
