”Ken is a colorful character, but Ken has a job at hand which is difficult,” Mr Guy said. ”He needs to make sure the organization is viable for the long term … I trust the board, I trust the direction the board is taking.”
Fairfax Media has reported that a $1.3 billion project spearheaded by Places Victoria to transform Dandenong into the bustling capital of Melbourne’s south-east may never be finished because of the sackings and a lack of interest from private industry.
Another project, to develop a high-rise precinct of 90,000 residents at Fishermans Bend, is steaming ahead despite limited planning controls while Places Victoria works on a draft master plan for the area.
Mr Fehily was appointed acting chairman in August, when chairman Peter Clarke stood aside. Mr Clarke is on full pay of about $80,000 a year while he faces civil action by the corporate watchdog ASIC over a matter not related to Places Victoria.
Mr Fehily has overseen a 90-day overhaul of the agency and last month admitted ”we weren’t doing a great job” at a meeting of the Property Council of Victoria. ”We became weighed down by incessant bureaucracy and processes … we should be trying to cut red tape rather than create it,” he said.
Ms West, a former Deloitte Australia partner, sits on four other corporate and charity boards.
A Places Victoria spokesman confirmed Ms West had resigned but said he would ”not comment on rumors relating to the board”.
”The Places Victoria board would like to thank Jan West for her outstanding contribution during her time served on the board and wish her all the best for the future,” he said.
Mr Fehily did not respond to a message left by Fairfax Media on his mobile phone.
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