About Us
About Us
Cr Kerry Hayes
Central Highlands Flood Recovery Coordination Chairman
“The 2010 flooding event that has just passed came at a time when many in the region were only just showing signs of recovery from 2008.
It was my role after the 2008 event to lead a recovery team to help the Central Highlands through that disaster and implement some measures of resilience for the future and it is my great honour to accept that role again.
Fortunately, many of the lessons we learnt back then stood us in good stead during this latest event, however the scale of the damage in 2010 is greater and more widespread.
The new recovery group that has been formed and functioning since mid-January is now working through the challenges that a natural disaster of these proportions poses to our people, our properties and our future.
Once again we have called up strong community representatives to Chair the Recovery Sub-groups of Community Support and Wellbeing, Economic Recovery and Employment, Roads Transport and Infrastructure and the Environment. A special Housing and Construction Group has also been activated to assist those who have been displaced or will require temporary accommodation as we restore our homes.
The effort required for Recovery will be long and difficult and will require many resources from Local State and Federal Governments.
Most importantly however will be our commitment as a community to participate in our own recovery and I took forward to playing my part in building that better future.”
The Recovery Committee has been formed to guide the recovery process in the Central Highlands region. Here is a who is involved:
Lyle Harman- Recovery group coordinator
Sandra Hobbs– Economic Sub group Chairperson
Kelly Uhr– Health & Wellbeing Sub Group Chairperson
Michael Wotherspoon–Roads/Infrastucture Sub Group Chairperson
Megan Daniels– Environment Sub Group Chairperson
Lyle Harman
Recovery Group Coordinator
“I have been working in Local Government for the last 38 years. I was with the Fitzroy Council for 29 years, the last 8 years before amalgamation I was the CEO of the Shire.
After the council amalgamation I worked as the Senior Manager of the Rockhampton Regional Council.
In my role as the recovery Group Coordinator I oversee the recovery process and co-ordiinate the activiies of the four Sub-groups that have been set up under the Implementation Plan
I also provide advice to council and government of the needs and responses of the affected individuals, communities and other sectors and co-ordinate the ongoing government services aspects of community recovery.
I have worked in the community since June 2010 and have observed a tremendous sense of community in the area. This has been demonstrated very clearly with the response that has occurred as a result of the recent flood event.
I look forward to working with the community and the Recovery Group to build a better community and one that can respond to the very significant challenges that are placed before it”.
Sandra Hobbs
Economic Recovery Sub Group Chairperson
“I have worked predominantly in the Community Services sector over the past 30 years in government, not for profit organisations and as a private consultant.
As well as chairing this committee I am the General Manager of the Central Highlands Development Corporation (CHDC). The CHDC is a not-for-profit organisation advocating for economic growth for the Central Highlands through positive marketing and promotion of the Central Highlands as a locality of choice. We also aim to enhance the skills base of the Central Highlands and stimulate business development as well as sustain and refresh our organization. It is this experience which has led my approach to the economic recovery of our community.
The CHDC was established to coordinate and promote economic development initiatives in the Central Highland region and is currently providing information and support to 1660 members identified on its Business Register.
As Chair of the Economic Recovery Group, my role is to coordinate planning and implementation of economic and financial recovery recommendations for the impacted areas of the region on behalf of the Central Highlands Regional Council. The group is made up of representatives of the rural, business and industry sectors as well as key government departments.
I am looking forward to continuing to work with other community representatives to support businesses to build resilience for recovery process and the future”.
Kelly Uhr
Community Support, Health and Wellbeing Subgroup Chairperson
“I have lived in the Central Highlands for the past 20 years and Emerald for the last seven. My back ground is in counselling and I have been involved in the Central Highlands Humans service sector since I moved to the area. My recent interest has been in the field of Critical Incident Response along with studying for a Masters in Social Work.
My involvement in the Central Highlands community response to flooding extends back to my involvement in 2008and has now evolved to now n my current role of chair of the community support, health and wellbeing subgroup in the 2010 and 2011recovery program.
Our subgroup’s aim is to ensure the there is a community lead approach to the recovery of our local safety and well-being, physical and psychological health and social aspects and I am on hand to lead this response.
We incorporate the input of Community agency representatives from the Central Highlands region and meet weekly to discuss social concerns and assess the impact of the flooding is having our community. It is my role as chair to ensure these issues are identified and responded to accordingly, to encourage resilience and capacity building within the region.
If anyone does have some concerns relating to the flooding I can reached on 0448717428.
I look forward to continuing to work to make our community event stronger after this tough time”.
Michael Wotherspoon
Roads and Infrastucture Sub group Chairperson
“I grew up in the region and studied business at CQU in Rockhampton. I am an Accountant by degree and am a member of CPA Australia. All of my working life has been spent in an industrial environment and after spending 10 years in the sugar industry in Bundaberg I returned to the region in 2007 to work for BMA Broadmeadow Mine (Moranbah).
I moved to Emerald at the start of 2010 with my wife and two boys and I am now the Commercial Manager at BMA Gregory Crinum Mine which sees me accountable for delivery of the finance, contracts and information management functions across the mine site.
As Chair of the Roads, Transport and Infrastructure Group, my role is to facilitate and coordinate planning and implementation of roads, transport and infrastructure recovery and future mitigation recommendations for the impacted areas of the region on behalf of the Central Highlands Regional Council. The group is made up of representatives of the rural, business and industry sectors as well as key government departments.
I look forward to continuing to work with our group representatives to support all of our community, industry and business stakeholders in the recovery process and identifying and implementing strategies that secure our assets and infrastructure for the future”.