New Douglas Shire Council boss Rachel Brophy hits ground running
A new Far North chief executive has been described as a force to be reckoned with as she begins life in a tropical role.
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NEW Douglas Shire chief executive officer Rachel Brophy will “be a force” for the local council as she begins life in the Mossman and Port Douglas hot seat.
That’s according to Mayor Michael Kerr, who said the former North Burnett Regional Council boss has hit the ground running with more than 15 years experience in similar roles behind her.
She replaces Mark Stoermer in the role, who quit the post last year and who went on to file a $250,000 defamation case against a local publisher following his resignation.
Cr Kerr said it was great “to have some stability again” following Ms Brophy’s appointment.
“She is the epitome of the ultimate professional and she is already showing that she is going to be a force for the Douglas Shire and the council,” he said.
“With her years of experience dealing with both state and federal governments she is well connected and well versed in the operators of a local government”
It comes as the first-term Mayor cautioned against any talk of a quick bounce back from Covid despite the worst appearing to be over.
The Mossman-based council’s bottom line has taken a major hit throughout the pandemic.
“I don’t think the future is going to be much easier on us,” he said.
“There is lots of things post-Covid that are going to come back to us.
“We are going to catch up on moneys that we have lost and the budget has grown from dealing with Covid issues.
“So there is a hard road ahead but as a council we are certainly in a very good position compared to a lot of other councils.”
Ms Brophy, who has qualifications in law, financial management, marketing, and business management, indicated she would work in the background and let the councillors be the public faces of the council.
She has been “excited” about the move to Port Douglas and regularly carried a book of the Daintree Rainforest around before winning the role.
“I am delighted to be collaborating with (the) Mayor, councillors and staff to continue to deliver positive outcomes for the Douglas community”, she said.
Originally published as New Douglas Shire Council boss Rachel Brophy hits ground running
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