NWQROC Welcomes appointment of new chair

NWQROC Executive, Greg Hoffman PSM and Deputy Chair and Treasurer, Mayor Janene Fegan, welcome new Chair, Mayor Barry Hughes. 

The North West Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NWQROC) has welcomed Councillor Barry Hughes, Mayor of Etheridge Shire Council as its new Chair.

Mayor Hughes will take the helm of the group of the 11 local governments of North West following his election at NWQROC’s Annual General Meeting held last week in Julia Creek. 

Councillor Janene Fegan, Mayor of McKinlay Shire Council was returned as NWQROC Deputy Chair and Treasurer.   

Mayor Hughes said he would ensure the voices of all member councils would be heard around the table and that NWQROC was now well placed to get on the front foot in strong advocacy for the region.

“I am acutely aware of the importance of economic development to sustain the communities and industries across the vast region of North and Northwest Queensland,” Mayor Hughes said.

“I believe collaboration and partnerships are vital across Local Government jurisdictions to capture and leverage opportunities on matters such as strategic road upgrades, water infrastructure development, tourism networks and the like. This will ensure that a higher socio-economic profile is attained for the wider region.”

We extend our sincere thanks to outgoing Chair Councillor Jack Bawden, Mayor of Carpentaria Shire for his leadership during his tenure as Chair. Cr Bawden had held the position for eight years and did not seek re-election.

Mayor Bawden has steered NWQROC through an era of change and growth for the organisation, and times of challenge and opportunity for the region, including: the 2019 floods; leading the first NWQROC delegation to Canberra in 2018 which kicked off our first election campaign for the 2019 Federal Election; the formation of the Western Queensland Alliance of Councils; the COVID response with our colleagues across Western Queensland; and growth of NWQROC from 8 to 11 member councils.

We look forward to continuing to work together to continue to advocate for and shape the future of our region.