Former WALGA chief Ricky Burges has been appointed Chair of WA’s Great Southern Development Commission.
Ms Burges, who was CEO of the WA Local Government Association from 2000 -2019, has also held senior roles across the state’s public sector including two years as director general of the former Department of Culture and arts, and four years as CEO of Perth Zoo.
She is currently CEO of the Albany Youth Support Service.
Ms Burges takes over from outgoing chair Bruce Manning who is retiring after more than two decades with the commission, during which time he was instrumental in a number of major projects including construction of the Albany Entertainment Centre, the Albany Waterfront and the Katanning Saleyards.
Regional Development Commissions were established by the WA government to grow and diversify regional economies, and Regional Development minister Don Punch said he was confident Ms Burges would excel in her new role.
“Our Regional Development Commissions play such a crucial role in connecting business with government, and I have no doubt the Great Southern Development Commission will continue to make those valuable connections under the leadership of Ricky Burges,” he said in a statement.
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