New CEO appointed to Queensland Reconstruction Authority

• Major-General Jake Ellwood has been appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Reconstruction Authority 
• Major General Ellwood led the recovery from last year’s SEQ floods as State Recovery Coordinator
• The Queensland Reconstruction Authority is the state’s lead agency responsible for disaster recovery and resilience. It was the first of its kind in Australia and has responded to over 100 disasters since 2011

The Palaszczuk government has announced the appointment of Major General Jake Ellwood (Rtd) to the role of Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Reconstruction Agency.

Major General Ellwood was State Recovery Coordinator for the 2022 South East Queensland flooding disaster, one of the biggest disasters to impact the State. 

Major General Ellwood served as Commander of the 1st Division, based in Brisbane, and as Deputy Chief of Army.

He was national coordinator for the Australian Defence Force’s response to the Black Summer bushfires in 2019-20 and has served in Kosovo, Iraq, Afghanistan, and on two tours in East Timor.

Major General Ellwood was appointed QRA CEO by an independent panel. 

His appointment comes after former QRA CEO Brendan Moon took on the role of Coordinator General of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) late last year.

The Queensland Reconstruction Authority was established following the unprecedented damage caused by the 2010-11 Queensland floods and Tropical Cyclone Yasi and was made a permanent part of the Queensland Government in June 2015. 

QRA was the first agency of its kind in Australia and since 2011 has help Queensland recover from 103 natural disaster events. 

Quotes attributed to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk: 

“Major General Ellwood was responsible for coordinating one of the biggest recovery operations our state has ever seen following last year’s flooding event,” the Premier said. 

“I was aware of Jake’s significant achievements when I appointed him as recovery coordinator and I welcome his appointment as CEO of the leading reconstruction authority in Australia.”

Quotes attribute to Deputy Premier and Minister responsible for the Queensland Reconstruction Authority (QRA) Steven Miles: 

“Major General Ellwood has proven himself to be an asset to disaster recovery," the Deputy Premier said. 

“His appointment to the role of CEO will ensure QRA continues to support Queenslanders following disasters through recovery, reconstruction and resilience works and funding.

“Jake’s success in the role of State Recovery Coordinator and his long and distinguished career in the Australian Army makes him the ideal candidate to lead the QRA.

“I look forward to working closely with Jake to support the recovery of Queensland communities and to build greater disaster resilience across our state.”

Media contact: Amy Hunter 0423 651 484