Deputy Mayor Takes on New Environmental Role

Scenic Rim Deputy Mayor Nadia O'Carroll has been appointed to a board focused on meeting the challenges facing the region's natural environment.

Cr O'Carroll will fill a vacancy on the board of the South East Queensland Catchments Members Association (SEQCMA), an alliance whose members include representatives of the region's traditional owners, urban industry, rural industry, local government, research and education, integrated catchment management and landcare, coastal and marine communities, and the sport, tourism and recreation sectors.

Council's Corporate and Community Services Chair, Cr Virginia West, said Cr O'Carroll's appointment to the SEQCMA board followed her recent endorsement as Scenic Rim's representative on the Queensland Climate Resilient Councils program.

"Cr O'Carroll is one of five representatives of the member councils of the Council of Mayors on SEQCMA which works closely with project teams to identify and develop solutions to improve the resilience of South East Queensland's natural environments," she said.

Other local government representatives who will work alongside Cr O'Carroll on the board include Cr Nancy Sommerfield of Toowoomba Regional Council, Somerset Mayor Graeme Lehmann and Lockyer Valley Mayor Tanya Milligan.

"Cr O'Carroll has a long-standing commitment to protecting the Scenic Rim's environment, rural values and unique lifestyle and a wealth of experience to offer as a representative of SEQCMA, an owner/member of Healthy Land and Water.

"She is a former member of the Council of Mayors South East Queensland Waterways and Environment Committee and continues to be involved in biodiversity and marine surveys, water monitoring and environmental programs.

"Cr O'Carroll is also a past member of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area Community Advisory Committee and has a keen appreciation of the issues impacting our unique natural areas."