Cr Jack Bawden

NWQROC Chair, Mayor Carpentaria Shire Council

Cr Jack Bawden is the Mayor of Carpentaria Shire Council, Chair of NWQROC and a member of the North West Queensland Regional Roads Group. In his day job Jack runs a mechanical work shop in Normanton in the Carpentaria Shire. He is very familiar with the opportunities, possibilities and challenges of our region having lived in North West Queensland all of his life. Born and bred in Boulia (Maryvale Station) and educated in Boulia, Mount Isa and Charters Towers he has lived and worked in Mount Isa, Richmond, Karumba and Normanton and worked in most areas of the North West Region. This practical exposure to the challenges faced by the communities gives him a perspective that could not be acquired by academic qualifications.

He actively promotes the needs of our region at every forum and level of government and believes that a common sense approach to development of the right infrastructure at the right time is needed to increase the sustainability and viability of the key industries such as tourism, agriculture, transport and mining in our region. These key industries build the prosperity of the communities and vital infrastructure such as roads/rail, power, water and communications are priorities that he actively advocates for.

He believes that sustainable economic development that contributes to the environment and communities, rather than exploiting them is how economic prosperity can be assured.