The EPA Board

Meet the EPA Board members.

The current Board members have expertise in environmental law and science, corporate, financial and risk planning and management, as well as established ties to business and community groups. 

Rayne de Gruchy AM PSM, Chairperson of the Board

Term of appointment: 28 September 2020 to 27 September 2025

Rayne brings to the EPA strong experience in the field of regulation acquired as chief operating officer of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and as executive director of the Australian Financial Institutions Commission, where she set the policy direction for regulation of Australian non-bank financial institutions and co-ordinated effective State regulatory supervision.

Her 25-year executive career in State and Commonwealth public service also included a decade as CEO of the Australian Government Solicitor.

A lawyer by training, Rayne has considerable experience working with lawyers and organisations to achieve effective regulatory outcomes. She has experience in the corporate world stemming from practice as a commercial and banking and finance lawyer in her earlier days and experience as a non-executive director of two public companies.

Rayne has bachelor’s degrees in Arts from the University of Queensland and Law (with honours) from the Australian National University.

She was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2003 and made a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to public administration in 2008.

Tony Chappel, Chief Executive Officer

Ex officio member

Leading the EPA since August 2022, Tony is a senior executive with extensive experience across the public and private sector, specialising in sustainability, corporate affairs, risk and governance, regulatory strategy, and policy.

His extensive experience as a senior leader in highly regulated industries means Tony brings a unique perspective on licensee obligations and the impact industry actions can have on NSW communities.

He is a dedicated advocate for the environment and committed to the task of supporting all stakeholders in their transition to a net-zero economy. Tony has played a critical role in the delivery of the EPA’S Climate Change Policy and Action Plan and is committed to working collaboratively with each sector to reduce emissions while also driving new opportunities.

Tony has a Masters in Environmental Change and Management from University of Oxford and a Masters in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, London.

Carolyn Walsh

Term of appointment: 7 December 2020 to 6 December 2025

Carolyn is a specialist consultant in the areas of industry policy, safety, risk and regulation, with 35 years’ experience in advising private-sector, Commonwealth and State Government clients.

Carolyn is the Chair of the NSW Asbestos Advisory Committee, Chair and Commissioner of the National Transport Commission and Commissioner at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau; she is the Chair or a member of a number of audit and risk committees including for the Law Enforcement Conduct Commission and Ministry of Health.

Carolyn has represented the Australian and NSW Governments in national and international fora, including as Minister-Counsellor Industry, Science and Technology at the High Commission in London from 1996-99. She was Acting Chair of the EPA from July 2019 to September 2020.

Carolyn holds a Bachelor of Economics. She is qualified in risk management and auditing and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Professor Bradley Moggridge

Term of appointment: 23 November 2022 to 22 November 2027

Bradley is a proud Murri Man of the Kamilaroi Nation in Northern NSW.

He brings extensive experience in indigenous and water research roles through his work with the CSIRO, NSW Department of Primary Industries, the National Environmental Science Program Threatened Species Recovery Hub and his current work at the University of Canberra Centre for Applied Science.

Bradley feels that being a part of the board brings together the link between protecting the environment and caring for country, which has been the touchstone of his career, research, and personal journey.

Sam Maresh

Term of appointment: 29 May 2024 to 28 May 2029

Sam Maresh, former Chief Executive Officer of GE Australia, has been appointed to the Board of the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) for the next five years.

With a Bachelor of Science (Chemistry) and an Executive Master of Business Administration (MBA), Mr Maresh brings more than 20 years of executive leadership and commercial experience in the resources, power generation, mining (critical minerals) and renewables sectors.

During his tenure at GE Australia (2016-2023), Mr Maresh supported the development and commissioning of onshore wind and power infrastructure projects. This included several wind farm proposals in NSW and Australia’s first dual-fuelled hydrogen power plant.

Mr Maresh serves on the CSIRO Manufacturing Advisory Council, chairs the Business Council of Australia’s Future Industries Committee, and is also a Director of Trinity Indo-Pacific Partners.

Adjunct Professor Mary Haines

Term of appointment: June 2025 to June 2030

Mary brings more than 25 years of executive leadership in health and social policy across government, academic corporate and NGO sectors.  She is the Deputy Chair of the Sydney Local Health District andserves on the NSW Government Audit and Risk Committees.  Mary is an Adjunct Professor at the Leeder Centre for Health Policy, Economics and Data at the University of Sydney.

She has played a pivotal role in shaping evidence-based approaches to health and is an expert in public health and public sector governance.

Mary holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons Psych), a PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health from University College London, was a Fulbright Scholar and is a graduate from the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Functions of the EPA Board

The EPA Board:

• determines the EPA's policies and long-term strategic plans, including policies and plans relating to organisational governance and risk management
• oversees management of the EPA
• determines when the EPA should prosecute for serious environment protection offences under the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991
• produces guidelines about criminal prosecutions and related legal proceedings
• advises the NSW Minister for the Environment on any matter relating to the protection of the environment
• provides the NSW Minister for the Environment with an annual Regulatory Assurance Statement about its performance as the leading NSW environmental regulator

Disclosure of interest

For more information about the EPA’s governance, including rules about disclosure and conduct, see the EPA Annual Report.