The NSW government has appointed Darren Cleary to head Sydney Water.
Covering an operational area of more than 12,700 square kilometres, Sydney Water is Australia’s largest water utility. The state-owned corporation currently serves 5.4 million customers, with an additional 2 million people forecast by 2050.
A former employee of Sydney Water, Cleary is no stranger to the organisation and he joins the utility at it embarks on an extensive capital infrastructure program. Over the next decade, Sydney Water is investing $34 billion to renew assets, expand water and stormwater systems, and advance renewable energy.
“I’m thrilled to announce the appointment of Darren Cleary and look forward to watching Sydney Water thrive,” Minister for Water Rose Jackson said. “As a trusted public face with a wealth of experience, the future of Sydney Water as a reliable, sustainable, customer-focused organisation is in good hands.”
Darren Cleary brings decades of experience in the water utility sector, including more than ten years in executive leadership.
“After a comprehensive recruitment process, the board was excited to recommend Darren Cleary to Minister Jackson for appointment as CEO,” Sydney Water chair Niall Blair said. “He was a stand-out candidate amongst a very high-calibre field of applicants.”
Cleary has led Hunter Water since 2020. During that time he oversaw investment in the Belmont desalination plant, the creation of the Lower Hunter Water security plan and the delivery of a $1 billion capital program.
Hunter Water chair Elizabeth Crouch said Cleary’s appointment is fitting recognition by the government of his leadership in the water industry in NSW. “Darren has made an outstanding contribution to Hunter Water and our region since becoming managing director and guided the organisation in responding to droughts, floods, and emerging issues like PFAS.”
A NSW parliamentary inquiry recently found Sydney Water was hasty in claiming in June 2024 that the city’s drinking water was clear of PFAS contamination. The upper house parliamentary select committee found the utility failed to perform an “appropriate level of due diligence” when, in August 2024, tests detected cancer-linked chemicals in water filtration plants across Sydney.
Cleary will conclude his role at Hunter Water on 24 October and commence with Sydney Water on 17 November.
Leave a Reply