A new senior role in the South Australian Government has been created to help rebuild Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills in the wake of devastating bushfires.
Margot Forster was appointed to the new role of State Lead Disaster Rebuilding and Resilience and will work closely with the SA Premier Steven Marshall, senior government officials, local recovery coordinators and key stakeholders.
With 38 years of military and defence experience, Forster will focus on ensuring an integrated rebuild of both the Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Hills communities and economies.
Forster said she is honoured to have been asked to take on the role to implement the blueprint for the rebuild.
“It’s vital that the rebuild restores and strengthens the economic and social infrastructure of Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Hills to enhance the communities resilience to future threats,” she said.
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“An important task will be engaging directly with the affected communities to understand the priorities and expectations for their future social and economic infrastructure.”
Forster will oversee coordination of Federal, State and Local Government funds and liaise with major non-government donors to support rebuilding in both regions.
SA Premier Steven Marshall said Forster’s appointment was crucial to facilitate Kangaroo Island and Adelaide Hill’s economic and social recovery.
“Kangaroo Island and the Adelaide Hills communities are dealing with extraordinary tragedy and loss right now – but South Australia is rallying behind them and we will be with them every step of the way,” Marshall said.
“You only need to drive through some of our Adelaide Hills towns or look at an aerial view of Kangaroo Island too see the immense impact to our communities – the rebuild task ahead is huge.
“There will be many ideas as to how best to assist the economic and social rebuild of the affected communities and Margot Foster will have an important role in assessing the viability of those suggestions.