General Manager and Managers
Acting General Manager - Scott Hackney
Scott Hackney, Manager Infrastructure and Services (see below) was appointed to the position of Acting General Manager on 1 August 2025. He will remain in this role until the appointment of a temporary Interim General Manager, and the subsequent recruitment of a permanent General Manager in late 2025.
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 roads has extensive management experience in remote area eco/nature based resorts and public sector tourism operations within World Heritage and protected areas spanning 30 years.
Disclosure of Interest Return(PDF, 2MB)
Manager Infrastructure and Services - Scott Hackney
Scott Hackney commenced his tenure with the Norfolk Island Regional Council in July 2024 as the Manager of Infrastructure Services. In this capacity, he is responsible for the oversight of electrical systems, roads, the airport, firefighting, lighterage, depot, grounds and gardens, and facilities management.
Prior to this, Scott worked on infrastructure projects in Papua New Guinea and served with the United Nations in Afghanistan, South Sudan, Somalia, Chad, Haiti and the Middle East. Scott holds 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 read for a master’s degree in human rights law at Oxford University in the United Kingdom where he won an academic prize. He was awarded an undergraduate scholarship from the Australian Defence Force and subsequently served as an officer in the Royal Australian Air Force.
Scott is excited to contribute to the Council's team and the unique community on the Island.
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.
Disclosure of Interest Return(PDF, 420KB)
Manager Corporate and Finance - John Sevil
To be updated
Disclosure of Interest Return
Contact Council
Telephone: +672 3 22001
Email: regionalcouncil@nirc.gov.nf
Postal Address: PO Box 95, Norfolk Island 2899