In other news:

• New DTA boss in the chair
• Tourism WA job for former Perth Airport exec
• Infrastructure Victoria chief resigns

WA Local Government Association President Tracey Roberts has announced she will stand down from the role on December 1.

She made the announcement at a Special State Council meeting on Wednesday, saying she wanted to allow a transition to new leadership with local government elections to be held this weekend.

“I have greatly enjoyed my roles with WALGA, starting in 2012 as a State Councillor, followed by Deputy President and President,” Cr Roberts said.
 
“Within a week of being elected President in early 2020, we faced significant challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and I am proud of the role Western Australian local governments have played in response to these challenges.
 
Cr Roberts, who in August was announced as Labor’s candidate for the federal seat of Pearce, says the decision to resign as WALGA president will allow her to spend more the representing her local community as Mayor of the City of Wanneroo.

New planning leaders at Greater Sydney Commission

The Greater Sydney Commission has announced the appointment of Jenny Rudolph and Lee Mulvey to lead its Greater Sydney Region Plan and District Planning work.

Jenny Rudolph, who begins as Executive Director Region Plan on Novemeber 1, is a former president of the Planning Institute of Australia’s NSW Chapter and a Director on the PIA National Board.

She joins the Commission from DPIE, where she has been undertaking planning reforms and assessing local housing strategies across Greater Sydney.

Lee Mulvey takes up the role of Executive Director, District Plans on October 18.

He joins the commission from private consultancy, working on projects including Sydney Metro West and Parramatta Light Rail.

He was previously Director, Sydney Region East, and Director, Urban Renewal, with the former Department of Planning and Environment.

Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Mildwater said the appointments came at an exciting time for the commission as it heads into the second round of region and district planning for Greater Sydney.

“These new plans will be delivered at the end of 2023,” she said.

“In the meantime, they will also lead our review of the plans, to be delivered next year, where we will focus on the big changes to our metropolis, the impacts of COVID and the opportunities that lie ahead for Sydney.”

Former Qld digital head starts new job at DTA

Queensland’s former chief digital officer Christopher Fechner this week started his new job leading the Digital Transformation Agency.

His appointment as the new chief executive officer of the Digital Transformation Agency (DTA) was announced late last month.

Mr Fechner was previously the Queensland Government’s Chief Customer and Digital Officer and Chief Digital and Product Officer at Service New South Wales.

He replaces Randall Brugeaud, who stepped aside in June and now heads the Australian Simplified Trade System Implementation Taskforce.

New head of cyber security at DPS

The ATO’s former acting cyber security chief Toby Amodio starts a new job as chief information security officer at the department of parliamentary services this week.

Mr Amodio has held senior information security roles at the ATO since 2018.

He will commence as DPS CISO on October 18.

New Chair appointed at TasNetworks

Tasmania has welcomed Roger Gill as the new chair of the state owned electricity company Tasmanian Networks.

Mr Gill is president of the UK-based International Hydropower Association and a non-executive director of Pacific Hydro Australia as well as Brazilian hydropower company UHE Sao Simao Energia S.A.

Mr Gill also has 13 years’ experience at senior executive level with Hydro Tasmania and he has previously held a number of non-executive Director positions for Tasmanian government businesses including Tasmanian Irrigation, TasRail, Tasmanian Water and Sewerage Corporation (southern region).

He was also a former member of the Tasmanian Renewable Energy Industry Development Board.

Former Perth Airport exec joins Tourism WA

Former Perth Airport executive Carolyn Turnbull has been appointed as Tourism Western Australia’s new Managing Director.

Ms Turnbull joined Tourism WA in 2020 as the Executive Director – Industry, Aviation and Markets and has held senior executive roles with global hospitality brands including Aman Resorts. 

Before joining Tourism WA, Ms Turnbull led the development of the western gateway as Chief Aviation Development Officer at Perth Airport.

Tourism Minister David Templeman said he was confident Ms Turnbull would help position the State as a leading destination of choice when the state reopens.

Infrastructure Victoria chief resigns

Michel Masson has announced his resignation as CEO of Victoria’s independent infrastructure advisory body.

Mr Masson was appointed as the inaugural chief executive of Infrastructure Victoria in 2016.

Infrastructure Australia said during his time at the helm Mr Masson provided leadership on how to make the most of existing infrastructure, while also ensuring new infrastructure delivered maximum value.

The 2021-2051 Infrastructure Strategy was also completed under Mr Masson‘s stewardship.

He will depart on November 4.

Publicis Sapient appoints federal government lead

US-based digital transformation consultant Publicis Sapient has appointed Mark Williams as its federal government lead in Australia.

Mr Williams will be based in Canberra where he’ll work with government departments and agencies on digital and citizen experience transformation.

He was most recently Managing Partner and Public Sector Digital Consulting Lead at DXC Technology.

“”I am thrilled to join Publicis Sapient at this critical inflection point in the Australian government’s digital transformation journey to provide its citizens with elevated public service experiences,” he said in a statement.

Murray Darling Association recruiting for CEO

The peak body representing councils across the Murray Darling Basin is searching for a new chief executive after long-serving CEO Emma Bradbury signalled her intention to move on in September.

The association represents the interests of the more than 170 councils across the Murray-Darling Basin and works with four states and the Commonwealth.

Its website says it is looking for someone to lead a high functioning team as Chief Executive Officer.

The position requires a detailed knowledge of local government process and procedures, understanding of the role of state and federal governments, and knowledge of the Murray-Darling Basin.

Ms Bradbury will continue to serve the Murray Darling Association until a replacement is appointed.