The following is a joint media release from Whakatāne and Ōpōtiki District Councils.

Ōpōtiki District Council Planning, Regulatory and Customer Services Group Manager Barbara Dempsey has joined the team established by the Whakatane District Council to manage the recovery from Cyclone Debbie.

Ms Dempsey has significant experience in Civil Defence management and, in particular, working with communities following natural disaster events such Cyclone Debbie. 

Recovery Manager Julie Gardyne says Ms Dempsey’s focus within the Whakatāne District Recovery Project will be to assist people and communities directly affected by the disaster to work through their challenges and concerns.

“As we transition from emergency response to recovery, we need to ensure we have a team of people ready and available to assist people in our community to restore their homes, while Council re-establishes the infrastructure that supports the community,” Ms Gardyne says. “Council is committed to supporting the community through this disaster, and Barbara will play an important role in that recovery.”

Ōpōtiki District Council Chief Executive Aileen Lawrie says that while Ms Dempsey’s absence leaves a considerable gap in the organisation, her Council is “pleased to support the recovery efforts within the wider Eastern Bay of Plenty community.”