In other news:

• Members announced for NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board
• Todd Kennedy to lead Tasmanian Public Trustee
• Queensland Rail farewells CEO

The newly-appointed NSW Fair Trading Commissioner Natasha Mann will aim to strengthen protections for consumers in the wake of COVID-19.

She has more than 18 years’ experience in regulatory, legal and public policy in the NSW public sector.

Most recently, she held a senior executive role in the NSW Department of Communities & Justice.

“We will continue to make sure we are a risk-based regulator with the right tools, including putting in place the best intelligence and regulatory systems to protect consumers,” Ms Mann said in a statement.

“Engaging with community, industry and other stakeholders is an integral part of our role – and placing people at the centre of our work is an important part of how we tackle regulatory challenges.”

Ms Mann will be replacing Rose Webb, who is retiring after four years as both Fair Trading Commissioner and head of the Department of Customer Service’s Better Regulation Division.  

New commissioner of Family and Child Commission

Luke Twyford will take up the role of Principal Commissioner of the Queensland Family and Child Commission.

He has over 15 years’ experience in executive roles with the Northern Territory and federal governments.

Most recently, Mr Twyford was working in the Northern Territory’s Department of Territory Families, Housing and Communities as General Manager of Strategic Services.

Prior to that, he was the department’s Executive Director of Strategic Policy and Performance.

He will be taking over from outgoing Principal Commissioner Cheryl Vardon on December 25.

NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board

Dr Kerry Schott will chair the new NSW Net Zero Emissions and Clean Economy Board.  

The board will provide the NSW Government with advice on the implementation of the state’s Net Zero Plan to achieve 50 per cent emissions reduction by 2030 and net zero by 2050.

Professor Hugh Durrant-Whyte will be Deputy Chair and other members will be Margaret McDonald, Katerina Kimmorley, Martin Parkinson, Peter Warne and Judy Slatyer.

Todd Kennedy to lead Tasmanian Public Trustee

As the incoming CEO of Tasmania’s Public Trustee, Todd Kennedy will be responsible for overseeing the Public Trustee’s response to the recently completed review undertaken by Damian Bugg.

The review found that the Public Trustee has misunderstood its role for more than 20 years and has not been acting in the best interest of its clients.

Mr Kennedy has over 15 years of experience, having worked in the fields of financial planning and wealth management in Tasmania.

Recently, he was the acting general manager of wealth management at MyState and prior to that was at Tasmanian Perpetual Trustees.

He will start in his role on January 17 and will replace David Benbow, who retired earlier this year.

Review of local government in Tasmania

The members of the Local Government Board that will oversee the review of local government in Tasmania has been announced.

It will be chaired by Sue Smith and other members will be Paul West, Pam Allen, Rick De Santi and the Director of Local Government.

The objective of the review is to prepare local government in Tasmania for the challenges and opportunities of the future.

The Terms of Reference for the review outline a three-stage, 18-month review program, with the first stage to begin in January.

CEO of Queensland Rail moves on

After more than four years in the role, Queensland Rail’s CEO Nick Easy is leaving the role and moving to Melbourne to be closer to family.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said a recruitment process will begin shortly to fill the vacancy.

Mr Easy has led the organisation through several milestones, including the implementation of the Commission of Inquiry Recommendations, a Commonwealth Games and Queensland Rail’s return to a full-service timetable.

New CEO and chair for GCWA

The Gold Coast Waterways Authority, the body established to manage the city’s development and use of waterways, has appointed Chris Derksema as its CEO.

“The Gold Coast waterways are a nationally important natural asset that must be carefully managed to ensure we are creating real social, economic and environmental value for all,” Mr Derksema said in a statement.

The Chair of the Waterways Board will be Greg Vann, who has been an appointed member of the board since last year.

Keitha Dunstan will also be joining the board and her appointment means the board will be made up of three women and three men.

Richard Dammery to chair Creative Partnerships Australia

The next Chair of the Board of Creative Partnerships Australia will be Richard Dammery.

He has been a director on the board since April 2020 and also has governance experience as a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Mr Dammery will be taking over from Catherine Walter.

The federal government has also appointed Carl Dilena, former CEO of North Melbourne Football Club, to the board for a three-year term.

Council directors awarded fellowship

Two council directors at Georges River Council have been awarded a Planning Institute of Australia Fellowship.

Meryl Bishop, Council’s Director of Environment and Planning, and Sue Weatherley, Director of City Strategy and Innovation, were both made Fellows.

Ms Bishop began her role at Council in 2016 and has over 25 years’ experience in local government, and Ms Weatherley began her role in 2019 and has over 20 years’ experience in senior local government executive roles.

Comment below to have your say on this story.

If you have a news story or tip-off, get in touch at editorial@governmentnews.com.au.  

Sign up to the Government News newsletter