Highlights

Objective
To achieve sustainable development, governments at all levels must involve community and education in the process. The future for sustainable cities is developed through land use planning and natural resource management combined with economic and social (cultural and education) imperatives. Collectively, these are crucial in integrating successful sustainable development.

Relevant Highlights 2003 - 2006

2006

Chair of Sustainable Development

Townsville International Ecotourism Conference

TCC Keynote Address at the Ecotourism Conference
Townsville: Why the Ecotourism Sustainability Model? (2.7MB! .pps )

Responsible for Townsville City Council role in international ecotourism conference in partnership with Ecotourism Australia. Proposal put forward at Ecotourism Conference Hobart 2005. Ecotourism delivers a social and education role in sustainability.

Delivered a presentation to international reef managers and reef scientists in Mexico on local government projects that reduce impacts on the world's reefs.

The only local government representative in Aus Aid delegation to assist in a post tsunami project rebuilding devastated reefs and villages in Thailand.

Responsible for Townsville City Council role in partnership and Ergon Energy on successful Solar Cities bid ($30m).

Responsible for public forum by Janine Benyus (USA) on Biomimicry.

Chair of Women's Advisory Social and Cultural arm of sustainability

Responsible for domestic violence forum combining international key note speaker delivering strategies to 400 participants.

Responsible for twelve months pilot study in mentoring high school students in career and business opportunities.  Program's success will now extend to 2007

2005

Chair of Sustainable Development Committee

Responsible for development by Townsville City Council a pilot program with Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority for an accreditation process in reef impacts management called the Reef Guardian Council.

Chair LGAQ Reference Group Natural Resource Management.

Organised report of impact statements to benchmark economic and social benefits of Strand redevelopment in Townsville (Aust Cleanest  Beach 2004)

Chair of Healthy Cities Committee – Social and Cultural)

Presented paper on healthy cities plan to international delegates in Wonju Korea.

Developed in Townsville a sustainability workshop – Hunter Lovins (Rocky Mountains Institute) who presented public lecture – 1000 delegates.

Preparatory work for Sustainable Townsville plan.  Developed Healthy Cities Plan after widespread community consultation leading to first Australian World Health Organisation Accredited Healthy City.

Developed partnerships between Townsville City Council and commercial bank as joint sponsors of sun safety projects.

Chair Women's Advisory Committee

Developed public forum in I.T. revolution and its opportunities for women as presented by Australian author Dale Spender.

Cultural Projects

Creation of Shakespeare Festival incorporating one week's workshops with Townsville and regional students.  Now an annual event with curriculum influence under Qld Education.

2004

Appointed Qld Foodbank Board Member (Only member outside of Brisbane).

Responsible for The Strand successfully named Australia's Cleanest Beach.

Brought to Townsville Atkisson Visions for Sustainability.  Workshopped with developers, architects, builders and Council staff on how to build a sustainable Townsville.

2003

Rresented on Local Governments role in Ecotourism promotion.  Responsible for an ecotourism strategy developed at Townsville City Council which links with State and Federal strategies in Hobart at the National Environmental Health Conference.

2002

Established and opened Foodbank Townsville in collaboration with former Lord Mayor Brisbane Clem Jones and Brad Webb of BM Webb Industries.

Highlights 2000 - 1995

2000

Townsville Ecotourism Strategy (worked with community and commercial operators).

1999

Planning, redevelopment and reopening Strand foreshore $40m project.

Development and Chair of HESROC – a regional organisation of 6 local governments dealing with multiple issues for local governments. (now plays an important role in Burdekin Dry Tropics Board).

1998

Only elected delegate from North Qld to Constitution Convention on the Republic.

Local Government representative to China on a state delegation.

Past Highlights 1995

Pacon Conference delegate to present and win an international conference of Mayors to Townsville.

1994

Creation of Women's Advisory Committee as policy conduit from Townsville women to Council

Education      1999

Awarded the Company Directors Course diploma from the University of Sydney Graduate School of Business and admitted as a fellow of the A.I.C.D.

1980 - 1988

Attended James Cook University Studying Arts/Law mostly part time whilst working as a R.N. at Mt. Isa Base Hospital and Townsville General Hospital.

1974  Matriculated from High School (year 12) as a mature age student.

1963   Graduated from Mt. Isa Base Hospital as a State Registered Nurse (R.N.)

Ann Bunnell was elected to Townsville City Council in March 1988; then in May 1989 was elected Deputy Mayor of Townsville by her fellow Councillors, the position she has maintained to the current day. 

She is a very experienced administrator.  As chair of key portfolio areas including Environment and Health, City Planning and the Engineering Services, Ann has played in a lead role in the development of the Townsville City Council, (and Townsville City) one of the State’s largest local authorities with assets of $1.3 billion and an annual budget of more than $300 million.

Ann's management skills have been consolidated with her admission as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  Her public sector experience has resulted in her appointment as Deputy Chair of the State Library Board of Queensland and Chair of the Library's Audit Committee.  She is an elected board member of the Queensland Country Credit Union, the third largest credit union in Queensland and chairs their Risk Management Committee.  Ann is the Chair of Foodbank Queensland (Townsville branch) and a Director of Foodbank Queensland.  Recently she was recognised as a Fellow of the Australasian Credit Union Institute.

Ann has demonstrated a long-term commitment to issues including women's rights and the environment.  She was appointed by the Premier as an inaugural member of the Queensland Women's Consultative Committee, established Townsville's first Women's Advisory Group, and has served terms on both the National Landcare Advisory Committee and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Consultative Committee.  She led and organised Townsville's Healthy Cities Accreditation with the World Health Organisation as the Chair of the City Council's Sustainable Development Committee.

Prior to serving in local government, Ann worked as a State registered nurse, including positions as Area Manager at the Townsville General Hospital, one of the State's leading acute care facilities.

Ann has a married son, Mark and a daughter Leah, as well as stepdaughters Jill and Jenny following her marriage to Jim Bunnell in 1983.  Ann and Jim have three grandchildren.

Profile

This comprehensive list of committees, responsibilities, positions and achievements shows that the overall thrust of Ann's work since 1988 has been in the area of sustainability/environment.

Home | ann@annbunnellsustainablesolutions.com | 0407 774 294