ONE of Queensland's senior public servants has resigned after he accessed prohibited websites at work.
Seqwater’s chief executive Jim Pruss – who previously worked for Redland City Council – resigned after an audit of internet searches.
Mr Pruss worked at Redland City Council for 15 years and at Sydney Water.
He was back in the Redlands in September, announcing that Seqwater would not refit the gates to Leslie Harrison Dam, meaning it will operate at a much reduced water capacity.
A second Seqwater staff member has also resigned and a “handful” of other employees are being counselled after breaches were detected.
The Queensland government bans accessing such websites at work and Seqwater is a government statutory authority overseen by Water Supply Minister Mark Bailey.
Seqwater manages south-east Queensland dams, including Redlands small Leslie Harrison and the large Wivenhoe, Somerset and Hinze dams and the $10 billon water grid that connects them.
Mr Pruss resigned on Wednesday and Seqwater staff were informed. Seqwater chairman Dan Hunt confirmed the resignation.
“Mr Pruss used Seqwater work resources to access prohibited websites,” Mr Hunt said.
“While investigations have determined the breach was not illegal, we cannot condone or accept those actions.
“Nobody is exempt from the high standards we set for ourselves.”
Workers were reportedly shocked and upset after being told, because Mr Pruss was well-liked by staff.
Mr Pruss has 30 years experience in Queensland’s water supply industry before being formally Seqwater’s chief executive in January 2017. He had worked at Seqwater for 10 years.
Mr Pruss is one of Queensland’s most experienced water engineers, working in executive roles in Queensland water supply and sustainable water policy areas before being appointed chief executive.
Seqwater general manager Dan Spiller has been appointed acting CEO.
