Date: 2008-03-24
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The Queensland Government has appointed Mr Allen Cunneen OAM, who managed the recovery effort following Cyclone Larry for QBuild, to oversee the maintenance work on Queensland Health facilities and staff accommodation in the Torres Strait.
(Media-Newswire.com) - The Queensland Government has appointed Mr Allen Cunneen OAM, who managed the recovery effort following Cyclone Larry for QBuild, to oversee the maintenance work on Queensland Health facilities and staff accommodation in the Torres Strait.
Health Minister Stephen Robertson said Mr Cunneen was instrumental in QBuild’s response to the devastating impact of Cyclone Larry in far north Queensland in March 2006. He was awarded the Order of Australia Medal for his leadership role in the Cyclone Larry response.
“Mr Cunneen’s expertise since joining the Department of Public Works in 1973, including his involvement in the construction of the medical aid posts throughout the Torres Strait and the response to Cyclone Larry and recent flooding in Emerald and Mackay, will be invaluable,” Mr Robertson said.
“Yesterday, Mr Cunneen and I visited four Torres Strait islands to inspect the work. I am satisfied with the progress being made to date.”
“However, to have someone of Mr Cunneen’s experience and leadership will be critical to ensuring the maintenance work is done, that it is done professionally and it is completed as soon as possible.”
Mr Robertson said he planned to return to the Torres Strait late next week to inspect the maintenance work on facilities on other islands.
During the Cyclone Larry recovery effort, Mr Cunneen liaised with special task forces initiated by the Disaster Management teams and coordinated an enormous number of logistical issues, the workforce, volunteers and other resources.
He worked with all government agencies to ensure that government infrastructure was returned to normal as quickly as possible, including the high-priority reopening of 156 schools. All but seven of the schools reopened within the first week after the cyclone.
Mr Cunneen said Cyclone Larry was the most intense project he had ever been involved in.
“It really called upon all my organisational skills to coordinate all activities, from the initial response to the assessment of government infrastructure, as well as planning, coordinating and reporting the recovery rebuilding process,” Mr Cunneen said.
22 March 2008
Media contact: Kirby Anderson (Minister’s office) 0418 197 350