Pictured is John Giorgi
Camera IconPictured is John Giorgi Credit: Supplied/Will Russell

Contract call ‘costly’

Staff ReporterEastern Reporter

He said the decision was not logical and predicted council would have to pay out Mr Giorgi’s full contract.

Mr Catania, who served as mayor from 2001 to 2011, said he expected Mr Giorgi would leave before this date.

‘What is the use of having him stay until the end of December when halfway through next year, Vincent is going to be dismantled?’ he said.

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‘Council is going to have to pay him out, which I think could cost the City half a million dollars.

‘They are then going to have to pay a new chief executive to do a year-and-a-half of work.’

Mayor John Carey said council was required to make a decision on Mr Giorgi’s contract by June 30, which was brought forward to this month at the chief executive’s request.

Mr Carey said Mr Giorgi remained an employee of the City and council would continue to work with him in regards to his contract.

He said he could not comment on the reasons why Mr Giorgi’s contract was not renewed because it was a confidential matter.

At this year’s first council meeting, Mr Giorgi spoke out about councillors putting ‘significant stress’ on him in requesting more work be done for its local government reform campaign.

‘You’re putting so much work and pressure on me,’ he said.

‘I am at absolute capacity.’

In response, Mr Carey said the amalgamation process was stressful for everyone.

‘We are all under enormous pressure to deliver for our community,’ Mr Carey said.

Perth MP and former Vincent Mayor Alannah MacTiernan said it was the right time for a change in leadership at Vincent.

‘They are going through a change process and, as I understand from what I have heard, council is looking for a chief executive who is able to manage that change and ensure that the structures of the new entity are those that will properly deal with the issues of the community,’ she said.

‘I think in any organisation, it is very unusual to have a single person at the helm for 20 years.’