Ellen Jessop was elected to the Cassowary Coast Regional Council in 2024 as the representative for Division 2, which includes the communities of Tully, Feluga, El Arish, Silkwood, Mena Creek, and surrounding areas.
With a strong commitment to environmental sustainability, Councillor Jessop leads the Waste and Resource Recovery portfolio. In 2025, she played a key role in the launch of the region’s first kerbside recycling program, an initiative that introduced yellow-lidded bins to over 15,000 households and marked a major step toward reducing landfill and promoting responsible waste management.
Born in Innisfail and raised at Flying Fish Point, Councillor Jessop has deep ties to the region. Together with her husband, she owned and operated Tully Hot Bread for 35 years while raising their three children. Now a proud grandmother of four, she enjoys painting, sketching, and spending time with her family.
A passionate advocate for community resilience, Councillor Jessop supports initiatives such as the Tully Disaster Recovery and Resilience Hub, which provides mental health services and recovery support to residents impacted by natural disasters. She also contributed to the Council’s 2025–2030 Corporate Plan, a strategic document informed by extensive community consultation.
Councillor Jessop is dedicated to building a strong, inclusive, and forward-thinking Cassowary Coast. She brings a grounded, communicative, and community-first approach to local government.