Mayor and Councillors
Cassowary Coast Regional Council has seven elected councillors who represent residents.
The mayor is elected by all residents, while the other six councillors represent a division of the region and are elected by the residents in their division.
Council holds elections every four years. Voting is compulsory for all residents who are Australian citizens over 18 years of age.
Mayor Teresa Millwood
Portfolio: Advocacy
Ph: 0475 735 005
Teresa.Millwood@ccrc.qld.gov.au
I was born and bred on the Cassowary Coast and have resided here for most of my life. My family were banana growers and later in life, my father took a position in the Cardwell Shire Council where he spent the remainder of his career. My career path includes thirty years as a hairdresser and sixteen years as a nurse. I’ve also worked as a phlebotomist for six years and owned my own school bus run for seven years. As a lifelong learner with a desire to experience new things, this has provided me with a wide-ranging knowledge of different areas and allows me to adapt to a variety of situations. I am happily married with one son and my entire family still live locally in the Cassowary Coast.
Councillor Nicholas Pervan, Division 4 (Deputy Mayor)
Portfolio: Infrastructure Services
Ph: 0457 540 200
Nicholas.Pervan@ccrc.qld.gov.au
I am proudly born and bred in Innisfail with strong family ties to the community with my parents, siblings and children all having attended Flying Fish Point Primary School and Good Counsel College. Prior to becoming a Councillor at Cassowary Coast, I had a successful career in real estate and have been an owner/manager of a Backpackers Hostel for over a decade. My father was the last deputy mayor of Johnstone Shire and being an active part of the community is in my blood.
This is Councillor Pervan's second term as Division 4 Councillor.
Councillor Chris Littlemore, Division 1
Portfolio: Water and Wastewater
Ph: 0488 122 310
chris.littlemore@ccrc.qld.gov.au
Chris Littlemore moved to the Cassowary Coast in 2021, attributing the region’s lifestyle, beauty and opportunities for making this his home. His professional experience includes both the public and private sectors in Western Australia, New South Wales and Queensland for more than 28 years. Until recently he was engaged in designing a sustainable post mining environmental and economic future for Boddington where he served as Chief Executive Officer.
His qualifications include a Masters in Business Administration, Graduate Certificate in Management, Bachelor of Business and Town Clerks Certificate.
“It will be my great honour to represent our community and I look forward to working with the Mayor and the Council team including fellow Councillors in delivering the Cassowary Coast’s aspirations for the future,” Cr Littlemore said.
“This continues a tradition of community service as my late father was a councillor at Mareeba Shire and a fantastic community advocate. I know he would’ve been proud to learn that I’ve followed his footsteps.”
Councillor Ellen Jessop, Division 2
Portfolio: Waste and Resource Recovery
Ph: 0461 363 532
I was born in Innisfail and come from a long line of pioneers. I spent most of my childhood living at Flying Fish Point where I was schooled and really enjoyed the carefree lifestyle of the beach, fishing, swimming, and boat trips to the islands. In 1987 my husband and I opened Tully Hot Bread where we traded for thirty-five years while raising our three beautiful children. We now have four gorgeous grandchildren – all of whom are the light of our eyes. In my spare time I love to sketch, paint and spend time with my children and grandchildren. Family is everything to me.
Councillor Trudy Tschui, Division 3
Portfolio: Community, Culture and Liveability
Ph: 0457 145 983
I was born and raised in Tully and in my younger days, I was lucky enough to live and work in various cities in Queensland, enjoying a career in both hairdressing and hospitality. My sense of adventure led me to living in the UK for over five years and in 1995 on my return to the Cassowary Coast I opened my hair salon in Mission Beach which I owned and operated until I became a Councillor in 2020. I am proud to have also raised my two children on the Cassowary Coast, and my husband works in the agriculture industry, which has afforded me a unique insight into this industry. I’m a passionate advocate for victims of domestic violence as founder of ‘The Handbag Project’, and in 2020 I was proud to be one of 130 individuals and organisations across Queensland to be inducted into the Queensland’s inaugural Domestic and Family Violence Prevention Honour Roll.
This is Councillor Tschui’s second term as Division 3 Councillor.
Councillor Jeff Baines, Division 5
Portfolio: Development, Planning and Environment
Ph: 0438 354 427
I am a chef by trade having established JaGaD’s Epicurean Emporium in 2003 with my wife. My two daughters are fifth generation “Cassowarians” as their great grandfather was a Johnstone Shire Councillor in the late 1920’s and early 1930’s. My father was a professional solider who served with the Australian SAS and was killed in Vietnam in February 1968, thus I have developed a lifelong affinity with the RSL to honour his service for our country. In my free time I’m heavily involved in our community through volunteer positions and am a passionate advocate for the environment.
This is Councillor Baines' third term as Division 5 Councillor.
Councillor Renee McLeod, Division 6
Portfolio: Economic Development and Tourism
Ph: 0457 167 823
Born and raised on the Cassowary Coast, I am a granddaughter, daughter, sister, wife, friend and a mother of three. I have the best childhood memories spending many nights at the Mourilyan Harbour fishing and living on the family cane farm in Mourilyan. I’ve worked in retail for over twenty-five years, owned a photography business for nineteen years and co-owned an events and party business for five years in the middle of COVID, which I co-owned with my best friend. I’m a dedicated community member, Rotarian, and one of the original Christmas Crew members who still delivers the annual Street Party in Innisfail. My Nonna is my role model and the strongest person I know.
This is Councillor McLeod’s second term as Division 6 Councillor after a bi-election in July 2021.
Council Meeting Live Stream
Watch Council Meeting Live Stream
Visit Councillor Register of Interests page
- The purpose of the Councillor Conduct Register is to record the decisions/outcomes of investigations made against Councillors under Chapter 5A of the Local Government Act 2009.
Find out your councillor, and which division you're in
- If you would like to write to a councillor, please address your correspondence to the specific councillor at: Cassowary Coast Regional Council Chambers, 70 Rankin St, PO Box 887, Innisfail Qld 4860.
- Click here to view the Expenses Reimbursement for Councillors Policy
- Click here to view the Councillor discretionary funds - Available Notice.