Corporate Structure

Rob Williams

Rob has been a Local Government Senior Manager since 1994. This experience has been gained both in New Zealand serving the communities of Wellington City, Kapiti Coast, Taupo District, the Thames-Coromandel District and Australia with Narrabri Shire, NSW before joining Bundaberg Regional Council as Chief Executive Officer.

As a Chartered Engineer of the Institution of Civil Engineers, UK, Rob has nearly 40 years of professional management experience including the successful completion of a wide range of infrastructure and community related projects in both the private and public sector.

Michael Ellery

Michael is an urban and regional planner with a drive for representing the regions. Having started as an administration trainee in 1992, Michael has had an extensive local government career with roles at Ipswich City and Fraser Coast Councils before commencing in his current role with the Bundaberg Regional Council. Michael is also a Registered Planner and has served for a number of years as the Planning Institute of Australia’s Branch Convenor for the Wide Bay Burnett region.

Michael heads up Council’s Development Group, which is responsible for land use planning and building matters. Apart from processing planning and building applications, the team also undertakes land use planning, policy development and regulatory enforcement. The team works with all parts of Council is to ensure that land use planning integrates with other planning including infrastructure, open space and finance.

Gary Everson

Gary leads the Infrastructure team with a wealth of experience in providing essential public assets and services within Local Government. Commencing his career with the military as a mechanical engineering tradesperson prior to studying mechanical engineering and information technology, Gary transitioned to State Water Projects prior to moving to SunWater, leaving as a Regional Manager for the far north of the state. His shift to Council commenced in the tropical north in 2009 holding senior management roles in both the Cassowary Coast and Cairns Regional Councils in which he managed asset engineering, civil construction and maintenance, water, waste and facilities teams. Gary also has significant experience in disaster management response and recovery having managed events such as Tropical Cyclone Yasi and Jasper.

Gary heads up Council’s Infrastructure Operations and Delivery team, which is responsible for transport, drainage, parks, natural assets, water, wastewater, waste and recycling, infrastructure planning and project delivery.

Kate McLean

With diverse experience in Human Resources, general and executive management spanning almost 25 years, Kate commenced her career in Local Government working with Burnett Shire then Roma Town Council. She then spent time raising a family while working in private business, consultancy and healthcare before joining the Bundaberg Regional Council executive leadership team in 2022. As General Manager People, Community and Connection, Kate oversees a broad portfolio which includes Arts, Events, Tourism Venues, Human Resources, Payroll, WHS, Training, Organisational Development, Governance, Executive Services, Disaster Management, Communications, Community Services, Community Development, Venues & Facilities and Libraries.

Kate has a Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management), Graduate Diploma of Management, Graduate Certificate in Hospital and Healthcare Management and a Master of Leadership.