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Rochester Ward Councillor Leigh Wilson was chosen to represent Campaspe Shire’s Flood Recovery and Emergency Management portfolio last week.

Flood Recovery and Emergency Management was one of eight key service areas, for which Cr Wilson will represent council as spokesman.

New mayor Cr Ian Maddison said the allocation of service areas was a good way to draw on individual councillors’ expertise and strengths in specific areas.

‘‘Councillors chose to specifically add a service area for Flood Recovery an Emergency Management to reflect the importance of that area to the public,’’ he said.

Cr Wilson said he really wanted the position after a serious flood affected Rochester in January 2011.

‘‘I would be doing the community in my area a disservice in my ward if I was not in that area,’’ he said.

Even though he will be based in Rochester, Cr Wilson will oversee issues throughout the Campaspe Shire.

‘‘There is still ongoing flood issue within the shire,’’ he said.

Mr Wilson said for the past two years he had taken care of flood-related issues as president of Rochester Chamber of Commerce and Rochester Flood Recovery Committee.

During his time in both groups he liaised with deputy premier Peter Ryan, Member for Rodney Paul Weller and federal Member for Murray Sharman Stone.

Cr Wilson said he represented Rochester businesses during a senate inquiry into flood insurance.

‘‘I have endeavoured to represent the community to the best of my ability in all areas of lobbying with all aspects of government for continued support in funding and service,’’ he said.

‘‘I will be lobbying for better management of emergency responses.’’

“One of the areas that isn’t resolved (in Rochester) at this stage is a recovery centre at the east side of Rochester if there is another flood.”

He said to resolve this issue was one of his early goals as Rochester Ward councillor.