The Hon Katrina Hodgkinson MP

Minister for Primary Industries

Minister for Small Business

MEDIA RELEASE

Minister for Primary Industries, Katrina Hodgkinson and Parliamentary Secretary for Natural Resources, Troy Grant have today announced the appointment of Chairs for nine of the State’s Catchment Management Authorities (CMAs).

“These Chairs are essential for providing the leadership and strategic direction that ensure the State’s CMAs are accountable, well-managed and meet the needs of the community to achieve natural resource management outcomes,” Ms Hodgkinson said.

“The appointment of the new Chairs comes at an ideal time with the review of Catchment Action Plans now underway, which will bring further collaboration between regional communities, industry and NSW Government agencies.

“Catchment Management Authorities, together with their local communities, play a vital role in the protection and improvement of natural landscapes across NSW.

“The NSW Government intends to ensure there is a balance between experience and renewal when it comes to caring for our State’s catchments.”

Mr Grant said an independent consultant managed the recruitment process for the CMA Chairs.

“CMAs are key in the delivery of NSW Government on-ground natural resource programs to farmers, landholders and communities in each catchment area.

“The Chairs drive this process of empowering and improving the resilience of our farmlands and our urban and natural environments.

“The nine Chairs are highly regarded and respected members of their communities and have a wealth of broad-ranging experience in the natural resource management realm,” Mr Grant said.

Katrina Hodgkinson and Troy Grant both expressed their thanks to the outgoing Chairs for their valuable contributions to their CMAs, their communities and to the Government.

Recruitment for the Chair positions of the Murrumbidgee, Namoi, Lachlan and Border-Rivers Gwydir CMAs is continuing.

A list of the newly appointed Chairs is below.

Catchment Management Authority Chair

Central West - Tom Gavel

Hawkesbury-Nepean - Bob Seldon

Hunter Central Rivers - Susan Hooke

Lower Murray-Darling - Cheryl Rix

Murray - Alex Anthony

Northern Rivers - John Williams

Southern Rivers - Pam Green

Sydney Metropolitan - Mark Bethwaite AM

Western - Rory Treweeke