Transport for NSW Deputy Secretary Elizabeth Mildwater will take up a new role as Chief Executive of the Greater Sydney Commission.

Ms Mildwater begins her new role with the metropolitan planning body in January following a formal public recruitment process.

At Transport for NSW Ms Mildwater has worked to integrate Sydney’s transport services and prepare for the transition of the state’s fleet of 8,000 buses to zero emission technology.

Ms Mildwater was also a key partner with the Commission in establishing the Greater Sydney Women’s Safety Charter.

Ms Mildwater says she is looking forward to being a part of Greater Sydney’s future planning and success.

“I am passionate about achieving the ‘greater good for Greater Sydney’ through innovation, hard work and many seemingly small steps,” she said.

“This is a very exciting time to be joining the Greater Sydney Commission and working with Geoff, the Commissioners, the GSC team and our partners across all levels of government, industry and the community.”

Confirmation of her appointment came on the same day the state government revealed plans to introduce 50 new electric buses across Sydney over the next 12 months.

At a media conference to announce the roll-out on Wednesday, Ms Mildwater said local manufacturers would feature in future orders of zero emission buses.

“There are a lot more zero emission buses to come and we’re delighted that local manufacturers … are getting into the game,” she said.

The first electric buses are expected to on the road during the first quarter of 2012.

Review of Greater Sydney Plan

Ms Mildwater joins the Commission after four years at Transport for NSW as Deputy Secretary Greater Sydney, and previously Deputy Secretary People and Corporate Services, Deputy Secretary Customer Technology and Services.

Prior to that she was Director of Australian Programs for Save the Children Australia, Group General Manager, Victoria for Transurban Group and held legal counsel roles with several energy industry corporations.

Chief Commissioner Geoff Roberts said Ms Mildwater would bring strategic thinking and a deep understanding of how Sydney moves to her job the government agency.

“Elizabeth brings great strategic thinking and knowledge of Greater Sydney, with a deep understanding of how our metropolis moves, its growth and how infrastructure and growth must be coordinated,” he said in a statement.

Mildwater’s appointment comes as the Commission lays the groundwork for the upcoming review of the Greater Sydney Region Plan.

In the past three months the commission has also recruited new Economic and Environment Commissioners to drive the accelerated delivery of four key economic and innovation precincts across Greater Sydney and coordinate a business and jobs strategy for the Central Coast.