The Queensland Government has today appointed Stuart Mackenzie OAM as the State Recovery Coordinator to lead recovery efforts in western Queensland following once-in-a-generation flooding.
Mr Mackenzie (pictured) is a grazier based in western Queensland who has also served as a Councillor, Deputy Mayor and Mayor of the Quilpie Shire Council. He is also the previous Chair of the Outback Queensland Tourism Association and founder of the non-profit, charitable public company Outback Gondwana Foundation Ltd.
Mr Mackenzie said he would make timely, coordinated activity the focus of the role, building on the efforts of local, district and state disaster management groups to date.
“This flood event has greatly affected the communities in north and western Queensland and while they are resilient and determined people, the recovery will undoubtedly prove challenging,” he said.
“My focus remains on making the recovery process as easy as possible for those who have been impacted, and I look forward to delivering this alongside the Premier, the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and importantly, local stakeholders.”
The Government has also announced Queensland Police Service’s Chief Superintendent, Emergency Management and Coordination Command, Troy Pukallus as the Deputy State Recovery Coordinator.
Chief Superintendent Pukallus brings more than 30 years of policing experience – including as the State Coordinator for the Rural and Stock Crime Squad – to the role.
Both State Recovery Coordinator and Deputy State Recovery Coordinator will provide strategic advice to government agencies, making regular updates about recovery operations, and leading the development of a State Recovery Plan.
Premier, David Crisafulli said both Coordinators would ensure affected communities recovered as quickly as possible.
“Many people in western Queensland have lost everything and these appointments make sure they get the local support needed to guarantee there is no daylight between response and recovery,” Premier Crisafulli said.
“With Stuart Mackenzie OAM and Chief Superintendent Troy Pukallus leading recovery efforts, we have appointed two people with decades of experience who know and understand what locals need best.
“Western Queenslanders are resilient, and this is about matching that attitude with action to ensure they can recover and rebuild as quickly as possible.”
Additionally, the role of State Recovery Coordinator works closely with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority – and its CEO Major General Jake Ellwood – providing leadership, coordination, direction and advice for the delivery of recovery efforts.
Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said Mr Mackenzie and Chief Superintendent Pukallus’s knowledge of regional Queensland would ensure impacted communities were in the best hands.
“This recovery process presents significant challenges and won’t happen overnight – fortunately, Mr Mackenzie’s understanding of the western regions makes him the ideal person to address the specific needs of the community,” Minister Leahy said.
“Mr Mackenzie’s expertise developed working alongside local governments and Queensland communities will prove crucial as we tackle the aftermath of this significant flood event.”
Queenslanders seeking information on disaster assistance can visit www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.
