General Manager and Managers
Acting General Manager - Phil Reid
Phil was appointed to the role of Acting General Manager in August 2024, following his previous appointment of Deputy General Manager in the lead up to introduction of a new model of governance for Norfolk Island.
An experienced private sector and government services professional, Phil has over 18 years’ practising in consulting, industry and government roles. He has worked across mainland Australia (NSW, QLD, ACT, WA) as well as in Europe, with a focus in planning, environment, regulation, community engagement and sustainability. Sectors have included government, infrastructure, mining and urban development.
With a background in the delivery of infrastructure and major projects, Phil holds a Master of Environmental Law (Sydney University) and Bachelor of Environmental Science (University of Newcastle), majoring in environmental management.
Phil is passionate about supporting communities to achieve sustainable development and strives to work with stakeholders to realise these objectives. He is resident of Norfolk Island, becoming part of the community originally in 2019 with his partner and two kids, and enjoys the outdoor activities and environment that Norfolk has to offer.
Manager Planning and Environment - Tara Patel
Tara was appointed to the Manager Planning and Environment role in 2024, following three years as NIRC’s Team Leader Biodiversity, and a twenty-year career spanning environment, natural resource management, bush regeneration, invasive species management, threatened species recovery projects, sustainability and community capacity building.
As Team Leader Biodiversity, she was responsible for leading, developing and overseeing the implementation of plans, strategies, programs and operations for managing Norfolk Island Public Reserves, working with volunteers, Pests and Noxious Weed control programs and the Argentine Ant Eradication Program.
In Australia, Tara worked for environmental organisations in the landcare, biodiversity and sustainable agriculture spaces, and has worked closely with stakeholders at a strategic level to develop, implement and manage environmental plans and projects.
During these roles, and also during her nine years as a natural resource consultant, Tara worked closely with stakeholders across all levels of government (Councils, National Parks, Local Land Services, Office of Environment and Heritage), private landholders, Landcare groups and First Nation People.
Arriving on Norfolk island in 2016, she became involved in the community through her work at the Norfolk Island Central School and involvement with the P&C and as a member of the Cheryl Tennis Club. Tara has established an extensive garden at her home, including a vegetable garden and fruit tree orchard, and can often be seen walking her dog through Norfolk’s Reserves, quieter streets and roadshas extensive management experience in remote area eco/nature based resorts and public sector tourism operations within World Heritage and protected areas spanning 30 years.
Manager Infrastructure and Services - Scott Hackney
Scott Hackney joined Norfolk Island Regional Council in August 2024, as Manager, Infrastructure and Services. His role is to oversee the safe and efficient delivery of the Island’s critical functions including, electrical, roads, the airport, firefighting, and facilities management.
In his previous role in Papua New Guinea, he worked on infrastructure and development projects. Prior to this he served with the United Nations in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Somalia, Chad and the Middle east. He was embedded with UK and US military forces on forward operating bases in Helmand Province, Afghanistan and served as Chief Engineer of the UN Mission in Haiti, following the devastating earthquake of 2010 and the subsequent cholera epidemic.
Holding a Bachelor of Mathematics from the University of Wollongong, a Bachelor of Civil Engineering from the University of Adelaide, and a Master of Engineering Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New South Wales, he is well qualified in his field. He is a prize-winning graduate of Oxford University where he read for a master’s in human rights law, specialising in the Law of Armed Conflict.
Scott was an officer in the Australian Defence Force and trained as an unexploded ordnance technician.
He was awarded the NATO medal for ISAF operations in Afghanistan and received a commendation from the Japan Self-Defense Forces for his role during and directly following the Battle of Juba in 2016.
Scott looks forward to being part of Council’s team and contributing to the Island’s unique community.
Disclosure of Interest Return:
Manager Customer Care - Cheryl (Sarlu) LeCren
Born on Norfolk Island and making it her home for most of her life, Cheryl (Sarlu) LeCren knows she lives on the best place on earth. Her role as Manager Customer Services means she can help make a difference to the people she shares the island with.
Sarlu brings a wealth of experience to her role, including 28 years working within the Norfolk Island public service sector and five years in New Zealand dealing with Maori land issues. She knows the workings of island administration through a wide-ranging working career that began in roles that included records, relief clerk, team leader water assurance scheme, EDP (IT), planning to land registry, GIS, rates officer, among others.
From this broad-based perspective, she brings an understanding of Council services to her role of Manager Customer Care. In addition, she holds several statutory appointments, including Registrar of Titles, Deputy Registrar of Motor Vehicles, Deputy Registrar of Liquor, Deputy Registrar of Associations, Deputy Registrar of Births, Deaths & Marriages, and Deputy Curator of Deceased Estates.
Over the years, Sarlu has been involved in many community and sporting associations on Norfolk Island, and in her spare time she enjoys travel to places like Australia, New Zealand, the Pacific, south-east Asia, USA and Europe.
Acting Manager Corporate and Finance - Roger Neilsen
Roger Nielsen brings thirty-eight years of accounting and management experience to the role of Acting Manager Corporate and Finance. With twenty-one years of local government experience supported by nearly two decades in public practice, higher education, finance and government, he brings a rounded and professional perspective to Norfolk Island Regional Council’s corporate and financial affairs.
Over the past four years, Roger has assisted NIRC in implementing improvements in financial and asset management systems and is currently acting in a managerial position overseeing the strategic and day-to-day aspects of financial and corporate management.
A qualified CPA (Certified Public Accountant) for thirty-three years, he is also a Company Director and holds qualifications from IPWEA in Asset Management Planning and Financial Analysis from UTS.
Contact Council
Telephone: +672 3 22001
Email: regionalcouncil@nirc.gov.nf
Postal Address: PO Box 95, Norfolk Island 2899