Knox CEO steps up to new role

By Casey Neill
KNOX CEO Graeme Emonson will play a key role in Victoria’s bushfire recovery over the next three months.
Mr Emonson has accepted a position on the Victorian Bushfire Recovery and Reconstruction Authority (VBRRA) as the senior local government representative.
The authority approached him two weeks ago about the 29 June to 5 October position. “The devastation caused by the bushfires was some of the worst on Victorian record,” he said. “I feel very privileged to have been offered this opportunity to contribute in a significant way to help Victorians rebuild their lives post the February fires.”
Mr Emonson will be the key interface between the authority and the 16 councils hit hardest by the flames. “The role councils play in the recovery and reconstruction phase is a critical one,” he said.
He will also help develop policy from a council perspective.
Mr Emonson told the Mail he was looking forward to the challenge and was pleased to help.
He said his long history in senior local government positions and experience in both rural and metropolitan areas were important attributes for the role.
“The fact that Knox is also in a fire prone area and is a large and significant area has undoubtedly contributed to them inviting me to the role,” he said.
Premier John Brumby established the authority to oversee reconstruction in 29 communities ravaged by the February bushfires.
Engineering and infrastructure director Ian Bell will serve as acting CEO in Mr Emonson’s absence.