July 2025 Mayor's Message

Published on 23 July 2025

This month Berrigan Shire Council says farewell to our CEO, Karina Ewer, who is leaving us to take up a position at Charters Towers Regional Council to be closer to family.

I would like to thank Karina for all of the work she has done here in Berrigan Shire.  Arriving in 2021 mid-pandemic, Karina has gracefully traversed a number of challenges including workforce shortages and connectivity issues. 

In my view, Karina’s greatest achievement has been the digital transformation program that she set in motion.  When she first joined us we did not even have broadband internet of suitable speed and quality at our offices.  Since that time, we have not only uplifted digital infrastructure but invested in a program that will not only improve services for our community but make them more efficient into the future.

Karina has also been a great advocate for our region.  Her participation in the Country University Centre initiative, which proposes a centre in Finley, and the Digital Connectivity initiative in partnership with other local councils, to improve mobile and high speed internet coverage, holds us in great stead for the future. Rest assured that we will continue to advocate to see these projects through to fruition.

Finally, I would like to thank Karina for the support she has provided to our staff and Councillors over these past four years.  She has been responsible for numerous submissions to numerous enquiries. She has sat with me at many hearings where we have made sure that the voices of our people, the people have Berrigan Shire, are heard.  Thank you.

In the interim, I would ask that you all welcome Mark Dupé who has taken on the role of Interim CEO while we undertake recruitment of a permanent CEO.