By Cam Lucadou-Wells
City of Casey chief executive Mike Tyler’s position will be formally advertised after he stepped down suddenly last week.
Mr Tyler had “mutually agreed” with Casey that “now is the right time to move on,” according to a statement by the council on 21 February.
He left the job the next day.
In his place is acting chief executive Sheena Frost until a replacement is formally recruited.
Ms Frost is Casey’s corporate services strategic director.
The council has stated it will advertise the vacancy in newspapers throughout Victoria as required in the Local Government Act.
Two years ago, Mr Tyler’s reign was extended for four years – until 2020.
The re-appointment was made by a previous term of councillors, who controversially chose not to advertise the $350,000-plus annual position.
Councillor Wayne Smith said the council would offer a public farewell function for Mr Tyler – as was befitting for his years of service.
“It’s up to him whether he takes it up or not.”
Speculation had swirled around Mr Tyler’s tenure recently, intensified by his unexplained absence at a Casey general meeting on 20 February.
A closed meeting involving councillors and council officers followed that night.
Now there is speculation around his departure, given the lack of formal explanation about why he left.
Cr Smith stressed that Mr Tyler had not been “pushed” and that “there’s nothing untoward”.
“I don’t want people to think that was not the case.
“There are always grievances between management and councillors but nothing out of the ordinary.
“It was a mutual parting. It was a good time for him (to leave) and a good time for us.”
Councillor Rosalie Crestani thanked Mr Tyler for his service and putting Casey in “good economic stead”.
“He was a man of vast knowledge in the area.
“I’m thankful for his advice to me at times and wish him the best for the next chapter of his life.”
Mr Tyler had served as the council’s one and only chief executive for 23 years, overseeing a municipality that rapidly grew from 130,000 residents to more than 300,000.
He’d worked for Casey and City of Berwick for more than 36 years.
Now, Mr Tyler says it is time to move on and allow other leaders to shape the council’s future direction.
“I am going out on a high,” he said.
“I can look back with a lot of pride at what has been achieved and Council and I have come to a fair agreement.”
