Personal Profile
Karen’s longstanding career in local government reflects a deep commitment to the region and over the years she has been involved in several regionally significant projects. She chaired the review by Australian National University of Land Use Change in the Green Triangle Region and was a founding member of the Green Triangle Freight Action Plan Implementation Committee who successfully advocated for more than $280mil worth of road funding for the region.
More recently Cr Stephens was a member of the Maroona Portland Rail Line Business Case Steering Committee that saw $150mil allocated in the Federal Budget in May 2024. This key project will ultimately take some 7,000 trucks movements off the roads leading to the Port of Portland, increasing the efficiency in freight movements across the sector.
Cr Stephens is married with six children and has called Casterton home since relocating there in 1992. She remains a proud and active member of the community and volunteers her time across several groups and organisations. Most notably she is a founding member of the Casterton Kelpie Association and has spent many years developing the now nationally and internationally renowned Australian Kelpie Muster. She was also a driving force behind the development of the now completed Australian Kelpie Centre in Casterton.
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