Gold Coast Council CEO's sudden resignation linked to 'personal attacks' by veteran councillor

A veteran councillor says he believes the sudden resignation of the Gold Coast Council's chief executive was the result of "a deliberate campaign of unrelenting personal attacks".

In a social media post, Peter Young said Tim Baker's departure from Australia's second-largest council was a "very bad outcome for the City".

"Although he and I have different political beliefs, I have found him to be a tremendously capable administrator, very honest and reliable and motivated," Cr Young said.

"As the person responsible for the implementation of Council's decision and directions, I have seen that Mr Baker has been wrongly accused of many wrongdoings."

Mr Baker abruptly announced his resignation yesterday, stating he was no longer able to commit to the role long-term after discussions with his family.

He had about two years left on his contract, which has an annual salary of more than than $700,000.

Cr Young and Mr Baker declined to comment.

Criticism during major reforms

Mr Baker oversaw a major restructure of the City of Gold Coast after he was appointed in 2021.

That included the formation of council-controlled entities like Invest Gold Coast, responsible for attracting new businesses to the city.

He also oversaw the ongoing development of the $1.6 billion Advanced Resource Recovery Centre, which if approved, will see the construction of Queensland's first waste-to-energy facility.

But he was also the focus of public scrutiny over his international travel expenses.

A report to council in February showed Mr Baker and a staff member spent $54,000 during a week-long trip to the United Kingdom in 2025, described by some councillors as "exorbitant" and "disproportionately high".

It was also revealed that an additional $46,000 had been spent on staff travel beyond what was initially disclosed.

But Councillor Glenn Tozer said on social media that Mr Baker "served the city with integrity and professionalism".

"Tim has been the subject of some misplaced criticism in my view over the past year," he said.

"Under his leadership we saw an environment department established (reconfigured), nature-based tourism program commenced, significant investment in sports and leisure facilities (Firth Park, and Mudgeeraba Aquatic Centre), and a general move toward greater promotion of the green behind the gold."

Independent review set to go ahead

Acting Mayor Mark Hammel announced earlier this month he would ask councillors to support an independent performance review of senior executive positions, including Mr Baker's role.

Today, Cr Hammel said Mr Baker sought external legal advice regarding that review, but there were "no issues" preventing it going ahead.

Cr Hammel said that review "is more important than ever" and should continue even as Mr Baker departs.

Councillors held an unscheduled meeting behind closed doors on Tuesday to discuss a confidential legal matter but Cr Hammel declined to provide further details.

"Details around the CEO's contract and any kind of settlement on that contract are definitely confidential," he said.

He said Mr Baker had raised the prospect of resigning with Mayor Tom Tate before the mayor went on leave overseas two weeks ago.

"There would have been a preference to make this announcement probably on the mayor's return," he said.

"[But] the rumour mill was probably in overdrive and the CEO felt it was important he got ahead of that."

A council spokesperson said Mr Baker will take leave after council's next full meeting on July 28 when an acting chief executive will then be appointed.