Council loses fifth CEO in two years, with latest sacked two months into role

Peterborough District Council loses fifth CEO since 2024 with latest sacked after two monthsBy George YankovichABC North and West SATopic:Local Government8m ago8 minutes agoTue 17 Feb 2026 at 2:12amDeirdre Albrighton (left) with Ruth Whittle. (Supplied: Peterborough District Council)In short:Peterborough District Council CEO Deirdre Albrighton says she has been fired after less than two months in her role, making her the Mid North council's fifth CEO in two years.Ms Albrighton was planning to recommend administrators be called in over budget shortfalls.What's next?Local Government Minister Joe Szakacs says he is "concerned about these latest developments" and is seeking further information from the council.abc.net.au/news/peterborough-district-council-sacks-ceo-deirdre-albrighton/106348454Link copiedShareShare articleA South Australian council mired in budget problems has sacked its fifth chief executive officer in two years.Deirdre Albrighton says she was sacked on Friday from Peterborough District Council after less than two months in the role.Over the past 12 months, the Mid North town of 1,500 has witnessed a cost-saving crunch that forced the closure of its main tourism attraction, the Steamtown rail museum, and the local Service SA agent.Locals were also slugged with a 10 per cent rate hike to plug a $524,000 deficit this financial year.Ms Albrighton's sudden dismissal, initiated in a closed doors meeting on Thursday, has prompted Local Government Minister Joe Szakacs to "demand an urgent explanation of events".The outgoing CEO alleges her dismissal was "without cause and whilst on sick leave".The ABC sent questions to Peterborough District Council Mayor Ruth Whittle about the grounds for Ms Albrighton's termination but did not receive a response before deadline.CEO says she requested 'financial crisis' meetingMs Albrighton became CEO on December 28, 2025, having previously worked for the council as a consultant.Following her sacking on Friday, she told the ABC she flagged her intention earlier in the week to recommend the appointment of administrators because of potential cashflow issues.Deirdre Albrighton was dismissed from her role after less than two months. (Supplied: LinkedIn)Two days earlier, Ms Albrighton said she spoke at length with a council staff member about the council's "financial crisis", including concerns that it would temporarily run out of cash in April.She says she intended to recommend administration – a power only exercisable by the state government.It was last used in 2019 on Coober Pedy Council, when elected members were dismissed and an external manager appointed to restore its finances.On Thursday at 2pm, a council meeting notice was circulated for an unspecified "HR matter".The details were redacted under section 90 of the Local Government Act.Ms Albrighton said she and the staff member "discussed at length the situation on Wednesday, what the meeting was regarding, and that I was about to advise her [the mayor] to contact the minister".Minister 'increasingly concerned'Mr Szakacs said he had sought more information about what transpired."I am concerned about these latest developments and can understand why locals would also be," he said."My office has made contact with council leadership to demand an urgent explanation of events and their plans to ensure stable and competent leadership that delivers the services residents and ratepayers deserve."Last August, Ms Albrighton's predecessor, Kristen Clark, reported "financial governance issues" to the minister shortly after stepping into the CEO position. He was in the role for around four months before Ms Albrighton took over in December 2025.The council closed the Steamtown Heritage Rail Centre last August as part of a cost crunch. (Supplied: Peterborough District Council)Mr Szakacs subsequently ordered the council to report every two months about its plans to reverse course.The February report mentions that council operations, including Steamtown, will move into one building and that $400,000 in overdue rates was "actively being pursued".A Local Government Association spokesperson said it was aware of Ms Albrighton's departure."We are advised that council is progressing arrangements to appoint an experienced local government leader to the CEO position as soon as possible," they said."LGA will continue to engage with council to determine how we can best provide appropriate support during this period."The council did not address Ms Albrighton's departure at its scheduled meeting on Monday night but called off its usual community question time "due to recent events and the termination of the A/Chief Executive Officer", according to a Facebook post.Posted 8m ago8 minutes agoTue 17 Feb 2026 at 2:12amShare optionsCopy linkFacebookX (formerly Twitter)PromotionTop Stories'You make your bed, you lie in it': Albanese's warning to 'ISIS brides' in Syria