THE Redland Investment Corporation (RIC) has announced the appointment of Wade Oestreich as its new Acting Chief Executive Officer, following the resignation of Anca Butcher.
Mr Oestreich brings a wealth of experience spanning more than two decades in both local and state government, with a strong track record in economic development, public policy, and strategic leadership.
He most recently served as Executive Officer to Redland City Mayor Jos Mitchell and has held several senior roles within Redland City Council, including Acting Group Manager for Economic Development and Investment, and Service Manager for Strategic Partnerships.
Mr Oestreich’s extensive public sector career also includes key leadership positions within the Queensland Government.
He served as Deputy Director-General in the Department of Environment and Science and the Department of National Parks, Sport and Racing, where he led significant reforms in tourism, environmental policy, and racing industry governance.
He was also the Queensland Policy Manager at the Property Council of Australia and has run his own consultancy, WJO Consulting, providing strategic advice on tourism and environmental approvals.
RIC Board Chair Phil Hennessy thanked Ms Butcher for her significant contributions during her time as Acting CEO and General Counsel and wished her well in her future endeavours.
“The Board would like to welcome Wade Oestreich to the team as Acting CEO,” he said.
A recruitment process to appoint a permanent CEO is now underway.
Ms Butcher, who has been Acting CEO since December 2024, will bow out in mid-June.
She is understood to have accepted a senior role at Gold Coast Council, where she currently resides.
Redland City Council established a proprietary company, Redland Investment Corporation, in 2014 to identify alternative revenue sources for Council and new business opportunities for the Redlands community.
This business is wholly owned by Council and operates under the Local Government Act 2009 (QLD), Local Government Regulation 2012, Corporations Act 2001 and Auditor-General Act 2009.
Executive functions of the corporation, including recruitment, are matters for RIC’s independent Board
of Directors, who are responsible for setting the strategic direction of the company.
Mr Oestreich’s appointment has been arranged as a temporary secondment, and he has not resigned from Redland City Council.
As he remains in his Executive Officer role, he has advised that it would not be appropriate to provide personal comment at this stage.
