It would be nice to think the powers-that-be pay attention to this column though it is perhaps more likely that Wednesday's latest news on the flood recovery was merely coincidental.
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I'm referring to Prime Minister Scott Morrison's announcement about the set up of the board for the North Queensland Livestock Industry Recovery Agency.
The news came just a few hours after I wrote about how more detail was required on the government's $2b flood recovery package.
The NQLIRA, to give the new agency its acronym, represents the federal government’s long-term commitment to rebuild the region long after the flood waters have receded.
It is responsible for working with farmers and other stakeholders to develop and coordinate the delivery of a long-term plan for the recovery and reconstruction of the northern livestock industry and until Wednesday all we knew about it was that it would be chaired by former NT first minister Shane Stone.
The new news is that fellow members of the Advisory Board are:
Tracey Hayes – former CEO of the NT Cattlemen’s Association and board member of Council for the Order of Australia
Don Heatley OAM – former Chair of Meat and Livestock Australia
Greg Campbell – Mayor of Cloncurry Shire Council
David Galvin – former Chair of LiveCorp
Daryl Quinlivan – Secretary, Department of Agriculture and Water Resources
The stand-out information from that list is the inclusion of Cloncurry Mayor Greg Campbell on the Board.
His local knowledge - as a mayor and as a cattle producer directly affected by the floods - will help inform the decisions the Board will have to make in the coming weeks.
Mr Stone said the Board will play a vital role in providing expert advice to the Agency, especially as a long-term recovery strategy is developed.
The Advisory Board held its inaugural meeting in Townsville on March 12, where they set their priorities for the next three months, including visiting communities most affected by the flooding.
Derek Barry
Derek Barry
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
Editor of the North West Star Mount Isa since January 2016. Prior to that, an editor at several regional southern Queensland newspapers. Passionate about telling local stories. Comes with a strange accent to due an Irish accident of birth.
