Queensland’s new State Disaster Co-ordinator

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced the appointment of a new State Disaster Co-ordinator.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Shane Chelepy will assume the role from January 9.

He replaces Deputy Commissioner Steve Gollschewski who has been appointed Special Co-ordinator for Police and Emergency Services reform following the Commission of Inquiry into Police Responses to Domestic and Family Violence.

The Premier paid tribute to both men.

“One of the strengths of Queensland’s management of natural disasters is having a permanent State Disaster Co-ordinator,” the Premier said.

“Deputy Commissioner Gollschewski became a familiar face, standing beside Queensland during  some of our worst natural disasters including the darkest days of the pandemic when police protected our borders.”

Acting Deputy Commissioner Chelepy was responsible for the establishment and roll out of  vaccination clinics that saw the majority of Queenslanders vaccinated before COVID arrived.

“This included pop-up clinics at Rugby League games, door to door operations in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities – wherever the vaccine was needed, Shane Chelepy ensured it was there,” the Premier said.

Acting Deputy Commissioner Chelepy has previously held the role ofco-chair of the State Disaster Co-ordination Group.

He was also the co-ordinator of the State Disaster Co-ordination Centre leading responses to cyclones, floods and fires.