She announced yesterday she was to become the chief executive of Crown-owned agricultural research institute AgResearch.
Widely lauded for her leadership by colleagues after the announcement, Dr Bidrose said she would leave the council next month — her contract was due to run out in November — to start her new role in Christchurch at the end of July.
She said she took pride in "creating a culture" where people could excel in their roles, and in the values displayed by council staff.
She was inundated yesterday afternoon with emails and kind words from shocked staff .
Her final day at the council on July 17 would be an emotional, bittersweet departure.
"I’m really excited about the new job.
"I’m really excited about the potential.
"I see what AgResearch is doing ... but at the same time there’s people here who I adore," she said.
Dr Bidrose joined the council as a general manager 10 years ago, as the dust settled on an "incredibly rancorous time" — after the decision to move ahead with Forsyth Barr Stadium and construction on the stadium was under way.
Her predecessor, Paul Orders, began to switch focus to the council’s companies, "putting them on a firm footing", and when she took on the role of chief executive in 2013, she focused on the council’s processes.
In doing so, the $1.5million Citifleet fraud was uncovered in 2014.
Brent Bachop, the man at the centre of it, took his own life as pressure mounted on him about irregularities found within his department.
"It was very tough for staff, it was very tough for me, but we really did use it as a springboard to say, ‘We need to be better’," she said.
"This organisation kind of let him down. We should have had good processes. As a leader, your job is to make sure your organisation makes it as hard as possible for people to make silly choices. So, we’ve done that.
"We spent the next few years putting in place all the right policies and processes and changing expectations, and stepping up, having good values."
After entering the council on the heels of the stadium decision, there were projects in process she would end up "watching from afar".
As the cycleways had expanded, she had taken up cycling and it was "a bit of a shame" to leave before the road widening out to the peninsula was finished.
"And I think the George St work is critical for the future of the city. It is very hard in the space we’ve got between two rows of buildings to fit everything that wants to use that bit of George St."
She said yesterday she expected the council to continue its evidence-based approach and warned against "ignorant populism".
Some public attacks on council staff, including her, were abusive and "toxic" and could prevent people who cared about their work from taking up leadership roles in local government.
"When you do things with great intent and people react badly, and are awful, it is hard on your soul," she said.
"That kind of stuff is hard when you know you’re trying to make your city better," Dr Bidrose said.
"It feels personal. It only doesn’t feel personal if you don’t give a damn what people think."
Former Dunedin mayor Dave Cull, who was prominent in his opposition to Forsyth Barr Stadium before taking on nine years as the city’s mayor, said Dr Bidrose would be missed, but was leaving the organisation in "a very good state".
"She expected very high standards of herself and spread that throughout the organisation, and she showed everyone they were valued," he said.
Dunedin Mayor Aaron Hawkins called her departure "sad" but said because of her calibre, "it was inevitable people were going to come knocking and offer other opportunities".
A council statement yesterday said the appointment of an acting chief executive would be on the agenda at the council’s June 30 meeting.
The replacement process was already under way.
— Additional reporting Emma Perry
Timeline
- 2010 — Joins council as services and development general manager.
- 2013 — Appointed chief executive.
- 2014 — $1.5million Citifleet fraud revealed.
- 2015 — South Dunedin flooding.
- 2020 (March to May) — Covid-19 arrives.
- 2020 (June) — Resigns and accepts new job with AgResearch.
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Comments
Sue have you ever asked yourself why people don't know? Maybe it is the lack of suitable communication, If such information was provided in an easy format that was easily accessible maybe just maybe you might not get these 'abusive emails' You are one of these people you speak about when you have failed to answer certain councillors emails on topics, Cull was the same and the current mayor is as well. You say the mayor is very smart, is he really if he was as 'smart as you say he would be open and transparent and provide such answers when asked for them, but he doesn't and it looks like it is all being swept under the carpet. That is why you get such emails or social media comments that are not so positive, People are hanging out for answers. You have ingored repeated emailed questions from CR Vandervis, he has had to put you on the spot and called you out publicly. IMHO the people of Dunedin are starting to realise that he isn't a 'Bully as you, Cull and Hawkins have said he is challenging you with the why why why questions those being questioned don't like it, The Mayor, CEO and some Councillors still fail to provide suitable answers, IMHO Sue that is why.
Wow. Everything is out on the open and you think there is still more at play.
What is a fact is that people like yourself will still think that the world is against you with the next person who takes on this job. You should really be ashamed of yourself.
Humble is as Humble writes.
Ms Bidrose is on record as avoiding comment threads, so you have done your dough addressing her on this forum.
No, bud. Abuse is never justified. Moreover, Sue's moving to better things, whereas you, and usually myself, are Not.
I have never had any trouble whatsoever getting information in the public domain from chief executive Sue Bidrose and her staff. On the contrary, she, and her governance staff particularly, have always been extremely helpful and reasonable. And Dr Bidrose knew very well that, as a council 'watchdog', I was scrutinising DCC processes and, if I caught them out not following correct and lawful processes, I would say so (in the almost inexplicable absence of a residents' and ratepayers' group in a city the size of Dunedin). In fact, she once very generously said to me: 'You make us better.'
Don't give a toss about anything she has to say. Just glad to see she is going. That said, guarantee the hiring criteria will be the same. Not the most qualified, the most politically correct candidate will be hired. White males need not apply!
Quoting Sue - "It feels personal. It only doesn’t feel personal if you don’t give a damn what people think."
The 'people' are the voting public. You don't give a damn what they think? Really? Yet you are paid to represent the wishes of the public? When you attempt to implement changes that the population isn't keen on you will get backlash. If you are convinced that YOUR way is the best way, after being told repeatedly not to proceed, then of course harsh critisism will plague you Sue.
As for Hawkins, his personal 'vision' for the city isn't what the people want. How a city is managed and improved should NOT be the personal vision of any one person. That is why Dunedin ratepayers are so frustrated, we're PAYING for personal visions at the expence of basic infrastructure maintainance. You ask why people are so harsh? We're not interested in PERSONAL VISIONS. You lot have no idea how people actually work or live, but you just love spending our money on pet projects and idealism. Make a good job of the basics, if there is any change left, apply it to genuine improvements.
Anyway, off to the next office Sue....I bid you well.
What would you know what the people want? You speak for yourself and a narrow demographic that feels entitled enough to criticise, moan and winge about everything that represents change.
That would be a very broad brush you weild. Your statement, "what would you know what people want". Does that somehow make you more 'advised or entitled' than anyone else? The majority of people I speak to in the day aren't happy at all with the current, and for that matter, the recent past actions of the DCC. You may wish to see it otherwise, you are entitled to your opinion. Yes, I do speak for myself, I, as you, have an opinion. Right now, you are moaning and whingeing.......about those that have any sort of critisism at all.
Read the history of some of the councillors, look at the actions of the past. Can you blame people for being annoyed at what the future may hold?
And while I'm at it Mikenette. Let's get this patently clear. In your personal assumption of my critisisms. I'm NOT against change. I'm against a council that refuses to address the basic needs of the city. The drains, roads, rubbish, electricity, traffic flow, erosion, public transport......
For a city of it's size, the services are appauling. The house is not in order, it's a mess, governed by poorly qualified self interested seat warmers on very high pay...paid by us all, the ratepayer. The secrecy, 'old boys network' and disception is appauling.
Titles handed out for theory with no coal face experience, and everyone bowing in awe. The sooner smart business people who have knowledge of tough times and hard work are running the DCC books the better. This lot are busy trying to fund fancy facades on rotting foundations.
I pay my jolly rates, I studied the candidates, I voted.....I will say how I feel about it all. Oh, and I pay my jolly ODT subscription....what you consider a narrow demographic is actually a very large demographic that has almost given up, mostly remaining speechless because they lose hope for a city they love and see no point in speaking up, or voting.
Think you might be a little confused there mate. YOU represent the minority. WE are sick and tired of the lack of accountability and representation by the DCC. The silent majority is silent no more. WE are here to implement change and representation of the people. YOU don't have to be with US. All you need to do is what you've been doing all along...nothing! YOU are part of the problem. No worries, WE plan on saving the city and seeing competent, professional governance. Join US or get out of the way. Save the city!
Too funny. Your telling someone that they don't know what the people want. Like you do??? Your telling someone they are in the minority because you are speaking on behalf of the majority??? Lastly, you're telling someone they are moaning and winging about change; because they don't want the change that you want. Ironic don't you think? Sorry, you lost all credibility in my book. Do you think you might be just a wee bit of an authoritarian? Obviously, you work for DCC.
Dr Bidrose I'm very sorry to see you go. You have quite simply been the best chief executive I can recall. I've valued your positivity, clarity, and always striving for the best for Dunedin. AgResearch is lucky to have you. To "Buzz" - it seems you've misunderstood Dr Bidrose - she said "it feels personal" precisely because she does care what people think. Anyone in public life will be criticised - you can't please everyone. In any case it's the councillors who make the political decisions, and the chief executive carries them out, so any feedback about the council's direction and decisions should go to them. All the best Sue and thank you so much for all your hard work over so many years. We'll miss you!