Enterprise Whitsundays to restructure after funding cuts

When one door closes, another one opens.

This is the optimistic attitude Andrew Koeppen is taking after he was told his contract with Enterprise Whitsundays would not be renewed.

“I want to remain positive. My family and I moved from the Pilbara in Western Australia one year ago hoping for a long term future here in the Whitsundays,” he told the Guardian on Sunday.

“So yes while it is disappointing not to have my contract renewed . . . you don’t know what’s around the corner, what opportunities exist,” Mr Koeppen said.

EW’s CEO Mr Koeppen was given 60 days notice a few days after Whitsunday Regional Council adopted their 2012 budget which included funding cuts to several organisations including EW.

EW board chairman Jim Elder, who readers might recall was the former Deputy Premier to Peter Beattie some ten years ago, said after council’s decision to cut funding, EW would be reshuffling roles.

“It’s business as usual for EW. We will be moving from a CEO role to a broader scope for the new person for the role. We will be looking to hire a business manager within the next few months and plus the board will have a more hands on role in the organisation too.”

Mr Elder said it wouldn’t be fair to blame the council for the current economic climate and the decision to cut the funding.

“I have worked in government for many years and you have to make tough decisions. I am not saying I wouldn’t have rathered more money for EW but they have made their decision and we have to work with it,” he said.

The man hit hardest by this tough decision however is the outgoing CEO who this week is contemplating the best way forward for he himself, his wife and their son who is finding his feet at Whitsunday Christian College.

“I am disappointed the board have not taken a more positive view. My team and I have worked hard to build confidence in Enterprise Whitsundays and we feel we have accomplished a lot in only one year,” Mr Koeppen said, adding there was potential to raise additional grant funding and attract new support in the new financial year.

“I guess that responsibility now falls to the board and the remaining staff. Now more than ever, the Whitsunday region needs progressive economic development.

“As a result of the expanding resource sector, there are enormous opportunities heading this way. I sincerely hope the momentum we have generated over the past year is maintained.”