COUNCIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER TRANSITION

Published on 19 June 2026

Balonne Shire Council will immediately commence an executive recruitment process following the resignation of current Chief Executive Officer Michelle Clarke due to family reasons.

Michelle Clarke began her tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of Council on 5 December 2024 and tendered her resignation at the Council meeting on 18 June 2026 citing a desire to be closer to her family in north Queensland following the birth of her new grandson.

Michelle has provided strong organisational management of Council throughout her term as CEO and in her previous position as Director of Finance and Corporate Services since 2016.

Michelle will remain in her position until 7 August 2026. Balonne Shire Mayor Samantha O’Toole thanked Michelle Clarke for her management of Council during her 18 month tenure as Chief Executive Officer.

“Michelle has been an outstanding leader as CEO and a highly valued team member within Council since her original appointment as Director of Finance and Corporate Services in 2016,” said Mayor O’Toole.

“I would like to sincerely thank Michelle for her guidance of Council during her tenure as CEO and former Director and wish her all the very best in her future endeavours.

“Council will be immediately commencing a recruitment process for the appointment of a new Chief Executive Officer.

“The appointment of a Council Chief Executive Officer, and their subsequent contract, is a decision of Council as prescribed in the Local Government Act 2009 and will be commenced immediately.

“While this recruitment process is being finalised, Council will appoint an Interim Chief Executive Officer at the end of Michelle’s tenure on 7 August 2026 and will advise the community once the Interim CEO is in place.

“In the meantime, I would like to assure all residents that the day-to-day operations of Council will continue business-as-usual while this transition occurs.”