Amanda Lavarack
Mackay,QLD
Summary
- Leading biofutures development (Future Foods e.g Cauldron and
Biofuels e.g. Mercurius) in the Greater Whitsunday region effective
collaboration with key regional stakeholders and Trade and
Investment Queensland to attract international investors.
- Assisting with the delivery of two regional projects (i) Mackay SDA
Infrastructure and Planning Development and SAF and Renewable
Diesel Feedstock Expansion Study.
- Worked with Regional Director to develop a North-region working
group to meet with the Biomedical Team
Overview
31
31
years of professional experience
Work History
Principal Economic Development Officer
Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
01.2018 - Current
- Leading biofutures development in the Greater Whitsunday (GW) region to activate the Mackay State Development Area (SDA), through effective collaboration and relationships with key regional stakeholders.
- Collaborated with Trade and Investment Queensland on potential economic development opportunities in the bioindustry and attracting international investors e.g. Liberation Labs
- Worked collaboratively with Queensland Treasury to support the development of Mercurius Australia in their biofutures development of a lab-scale facility and secured the development of a pilot plant for Sustainable Aviation Fuels in partnership with QUT Biocommodities Plant in Mackay.
- Currently supporting OCG and BfQ with the delivery of two regional projects - Mackay SDA Infrastructure and Planning Development and SAF and Renewable Diesel Feedstock Expansion Study.
- Provided regional intelligence to OCG to undertake community engagement and facilitation of the Mackay SDA.
- Supported the Regional Director (RD) in delivering two Roundtable meetings chaired by Damien Walker, DG, DSDILGP to determine requirements for precinct activation for biofutures.
- Formed a North-region working working with the Biomedical Team and chaired by the RD to look at opportunities for regions.
- Collaborated with DPI on aquaculture in the GW region which lead the attraction of Tassal Prawn Farms $30M development.
- As lead for the Signature OnFarm abattoir project, I prepared a business case for Jobs and Regional Growth Fund panel for a $2M grant for the first on-farm abattoir in Queensland.
- Worked closely with Thomas Borthwick and Sons (TBS) abattoir in Mackay to determine hurdles to growth and development as part of DSD's Beef Strategy. Continued to work with TBS on developments to improve supply chains and reduce transportation r
- Led the information collection from all regional offices in Queensland on large mattress users for the Resource Hub's End-of-Life mattress flows and mattress recycling study commissioned by the Australian Bedding Stewardship Council.
- Developed clear plans and timeframes for project implementation, monitoring and managing priorities for funded projects in the region – including RRPP and IPP projects.
- For an SLA with Tourism I led the formation of a Food and Agritourism Network resulted in weekly Farmer’s Markets and events showcasing regional produce.
- Coordinated economic recovery following disasters e.g. Cyclone Debbie recovery phase.
- Team leadership through leading by example and fostering a team culture of collaboration, trust, and capability development.
- Mentoring economic development officers in the team in stakeholder engagement and events.
Senior Economic Development Officer
Department of State Development
09.2014 - 07.2018
- Member of the State Biofutures Team, working from the Mackay regional office, providing a regional perspectives and insights on potential crops for bioprocessing.
- Facilitated the establishment of Mackay Isaac Whitsunday Biofutures Committee to progress biofutures development in the region. In 2020 some members of this committee formed the Biofutures Leaders Group in Mackay.
- In 2016 I planned, organised and delivered the inaugural Regional Projects Forum for the GW region to promote supply chain opportunities for large infrastructure projects which has become a signature annual event for the region.
- Facilitating collaborative industry initiatives with agriculture, local foods and potential bioindustry to highlight the value of regional feedstocks.
Resilience Project Officer
Mackay Regional Council
08.2011 - 12.2014
- As this role that had not previously existed I developed developing and implemented projects and communication strategies to enhance community preparedness and resilience.
- Leading the project as Resilience Project Officer, Mackay Regional Council won a Queensland State Award for the 'be Prepared Bags'.
- Developed and implemented strategies for preparedness and recovery with different sectors of the community - individuals, business, community sector and government departments.
- Conducted engagement and advocacy with multicultural and indigenous communities, schools, community organisations, aged care facilities to raise awareness and build resilience and understand the importance of preparedness. .
- Engaged and arranged for a facilitator from Victoria to hold workshops on Women Leading Preparedness.
Partnership Coordinator
Mackay Division of General Practice
02.2007 - 05.2011
- Primary Health Care Partnership Coordinator leading a project on creating greater collaboration between general practice hospitals and care facilities to improve patient outcomes.
- Managed and provided leadership for six project staff and two administration staff.
- Submitted quarterly reports to state and federal government in accordance with funding requirements.
- Coordinated several projects funded by QLD Health and Department of Health and Ageing.
Business Development Manager
MADEC – Mackay
01.2006 - 03.2007
- Growing the business including the approval and delivery of three new accredited training programs for business, disability services and youth development.
- Identifying opportunities for growth and marketing – led the re-branding and marketing campaign.
- Writing submissions for grants – successful in securing 40% more funding in a year.
Training Coordinator
MADEC – Mackay
12.1999 - 12.2005
- Training and developing resources and assessment materials in Cert IV Workplace Training and Assessment, Diploma of Business, Certificate IV in Business Administration, and various professional development courses.
- As training coordinator led a team of trainers to plan and deliver accredited and non-accredited training courses and ensuring compliance with AQTF standards.
- Assessing opportunities to increase the scope of courses offered, especially non-accredited courses and increase training offered by over 20% year- on year for 4 years.
Lecturer
James Cook University
11.1997 - 06.1998
- Lecturing courses: Marketing to 110 second year students; International Business to 70 third year students mainly studying Bachelor in Commerce or Bachelor in Tourism.
- Presenting a condensed Marketing course to students in Hong Kong in February 1998 over 10 days.
Senior Research Assistant
James Cook University
11.1994 - 12.1997
- Market research and data collection to assess potential markets for by-products and waste products from the sugar industry.
- Assisting in creating and launching the web sites for IChemENQ and the Division of Chemical Engineering.
- Promoting the Chemical Engineering Course to high schools in Townsville and surrounding regions and increased student numbers in the course by 25 % over two years.
Education
Diploma of Project Management -
TAFE QLD
02.2025
Executive Ready Course - Leaderrship
Women And Leadership Australia
01.2020
TAE Certificate IV - LEAD4QLD Insights Plus
LEAD4QLD
Brisbane, Queensland01-2022
Master of Business Administration - undefined
University of Witwatersrand
01.1986
Bachelor of Science - undefined
University of Witwatersrand
01.1981
Skills
- Working collaboratively and embracing complex change
- Project management and delivery
- Stakeholder engagement
- Systems and strategic thinking
Timeline
Principal Economic Development Officer
Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
01.2018 - Current
Senior Economic Development Officer
Department of State Development
09.2014 - 07.2018
Resilience Project Officer
Mackay Regional Council
08.2011 - 12.2014
Partnership Coordinator
Mackay Division of General Practice
02.2007 - 05.2011
Business Development Manager
MADEC – Mackay
01.2006 - 03.2007
Training Coordinator
MADEC – Mackay
12.1999 - 12.2005
Lecturer
James Cook University
11.1997 - 06.1998
Senior Research Assistant
James Cook University
11.1994 - 12.1997
Master of Business Administration - undefined
University of Witwatersrand
Bachelor of Science - undefined
University of Witwatersrand
Diploma of Project Management -
TAFE QLD
Executive Ready Course - Leaderrship
Women And Leadership Australia
TAE Certificate IV - LEAD4QLD Insights Plus
LEAD4QLD
Work Related Training
- Measuring and Evaluating Economic Development
- Engagement Facilitation; Engagement Methods; Engagement Design - IAP2
- Project Management Framework – DSD
- Mentoring – A Mentee’s Perspective – AIM
- How to mine for regional data – Queensland Treasury
- Business Case Workshop – Yellow House
- Microsoft Project Fundamentals
- Project Risk, Issues and Opportunities (RIO) Masterclass
- Writing Workplace Documents – The Writing Circle
- CEDA – ESG training
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