Community Project Advisory Group

Working with the community

The Project Advisory Group’s role was to act as a conduit between CSIRO and the Innisfail community enabling two-way communication about the project and its activities. Members represented a cross-section of the community and they:

  • were informed of the progress of the project
  • provided local knowledge and feedback regarding the engagement and communication efforts of the CSIRO team, along with general feedback about the study itself
  • guided the project team on whether it believed there was overall community consent to undertake studies in the Cassowary Coast.

Member Profiles

Cr Jeff Baines (Chair)
(Cassowary Coast Regional Council – Division 5 Councillor)

Jeff is a resident and Councillor for the Innisfail, Vasa Views, Flying Fish Point, Coconuts and Innisfail Estate areas. As Chair of the Governance and Environment Committee, Jeff is very supportive of Debug Innisfail and is Chairperson of the research’s Project Advisory Group.

Jeff is very proud that the Cassowary Coast Region is at the forefront of this research, a first in Australia and only the second trial internationally. He believes it not only has the potential to improve the health, safety and wellbeing of residents in the Cassowary Coast but also has the potential to expand into regions far beyond.  Jeff commends the research team and all community members who have dedicated their time and efforts.

Wayne Thomas (Deputy Chair)
(Manager – CANEGROWERS Innisfail)

Wayne is a Belvedere resident and has had a trap associated with the project for some time. He represents the farming community on the PAG and wants to help promote the project through his networks. He thinks that this will contribute to a healthy community overall.Wayne is the Deputy Chair of the Project Advisory Group.

Ron Donges
(President – Innisfail Chamber of Commerce, Tourism and Industry)

Ron is interested to understand how this issue can affect our business community. He thinks we all need to have a clear understanding of this project to ensure it is successful within our community so it can be used worldwide.

Elaine Ridd
(President – Johnstone Ecological Society)

Having been involved in projects where she has fought losing battles against invasive species, Elaine is enthused that this project has the expertise and resources to succeed against an invasive mosquito species. Elaine is also keen to see the elimination of dengue in the area.

 Lorraine Maund
(Traditional Owner – MaMu Rainforest Aboriginal People)

Lorraine is a Traditional Owner representative as well as a Mourilyan resident. She thinks that being involved in this project and knowing that we could potentially eradicate dengue fever in our community will be a great achievement for all involved.

 

AlfJoyce
(Traditional Owner Elder – MaMu Rainforest Aboriginal People)

Alf is a Traditional Owner Elder of MaMu and a resident of Goondi. He thinks that a lot of research happens on MaMu country, and is happy to be involved in this project. Alf has participated in engagement with the research project from when the project team first briefed the community (October 2016) and continues to follow the work by being involved in the Project Advisory Group to give MaMu people the opportunity to be involved.


John Harrison
(Retired resident)

John is a Wangan resident and is interested in eradicating mosquitoes for health reasons. He worries about his grandchildren getting bitten and contracting diseases like dengue.  He thinks that he can do something about mosquitoes – the children can’t.


Cr Ben Heath
(Cassowary Coast Regional Council – Division 6 Councillor)

Ben is a resident and Councillor for the East Innisfail, Mourilyan, South Innisfail, Etty Bay and Moresby areas. Ben is very supportive of the project and is Chairperson of a local committee which brings members of the project team together with advisors from Queensland Health and the World Mosquito Programme (formerly Eliminate Dengue).