Our Board and Executive 2021–22

It’s safe to say they have the EPA’s best interests at heart.

The Board is established under section 15 of the Protection of the Environment Administration Act 1991. The Chair and part-time members are appointed by the NSW Governor on the recommendation of the Minister for Environment and Heritage. Members are appointed terms not exceeding five years and they may be reappointed. The CEO is a non-voting member of the Board.

So, what does the EPA Board do? It:

• determines our policies and long-term strategic plans
• oversees the effective, efficient and economical management of the EPA
• develops guidelines relating to the institution of criminal and related proceedings
• decides whether we should institute proceedings for serious environment protection offences
• advises the Minister on any matter relating to the protection of the environment
• provides the Minister with an annual regulatory assurance statement.

Board meetings held

In 2021–22 the EPA Board met six times:

• 12 August 2021
• 14 October 2021
• 9 December 2021
• 3 February 2022
• 7 April 2022
• 16 June 2022.

Tracy Mackey was CEO until January 2022 and attended the meetings in August, October and December 2021. Jacqueleine Moore was acting CEO from January to June 2022 and attended meetings in February, April and June 2022. All voting Board members were present at all six meetings, except for Carolyn Walsh, who did not attend the meeting on 12August2021 and Richard Bush, who did not attend the meeting on 16 June 2022 as he resigned on 17 May 2022.

Our Board members

This section outlines the members of the Board during 2021–22.

Rayne de Gruchy AM PSM
Chair
Term of appointment: 28 September 2020 to 27 September 2025.

Rayne de Gruchy was previously chief operating officer at the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission, and executive director of the Australian Financial Institutions Commission.

A lawyer by training, Rayne first worked in commercial and finance law. She spent a decade as CEO of the Australian Government Solicitor.

Rayne holds bachelor’s degrees in Arts and Law (Honours), and has experience as a non-executive director of two public companies. She was awarded the Public Service Medal in 2003 and made a Member of the Order of Australiain 2008.

Professor Richard Bush
Board member
Term of appointment: 16 December 2020 to 15December 2025 (noting Richard resigned effective 17 May 2022).

Richard Bush’s career has been dedicated to environmental science and management. He is highly experienced in managing complex stakeholder landscapes, working with multiple government departments and commercial and community organisations across NSW. In 2018 he was appointed as the first NSW Crown Lands Commissioner.

Richard holds a Bachelor of Science and a PhD in Environmental Science, and has completed the Company Directors Course at the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Richard is a professor for sustainable development at Monash University.

Michael Rennie
Board member
Term of appointment: 7 December 2018 to 6 December 2023

Michael Rennie has worked extensively for many of Australia’s large industrial companies, as well as in the mining, oil and gas, telecommunications and government sectors.

He was CEO of McKinsey & Company in Australia and New Zealand for five years, a member of the firm’s Global Board until 2017, and founding sponsor of McKinsey’s environment practice in Australia.

Michael is a Rhodes Scholar, holding a Master of Arts from Oxford University as well as bachelor’s degrees in Jurisprudence (Honours) and Law. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Carolyn Walsh
Board member
Term of appointment: 7 December 2020 to 6December 2025

Carolyn Walsh 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 Chair of the National Transport Commission and of the NSW Asbestos Coordination Committee. She has also been Commissioner at the Australian Transport Safety Bureau and Chief Executive of the Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator, a NSW statutory authority.

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.

Elizabeth Wild
Board member
Term of appointment: 7 December 2018 to 6December 2023

Elizabeth Wild is a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW and a Partner and Board member of the law firm Norton Rose Fulbright. She has more than 25 years experience in environmental law.

Elizabeth is an expert in contaminated land and remediation issues. Her understanding of contaminated land regulation in several jurisdictions has allowed her to provide strategic advice to private sector, Commonwealth and state government clients.

Elizabeth holds a Master of Environmental Law. She is a member of both the Law Society of NSW and the Australasian Land and Groundwater Association.

Our Executive members

Tony Chappel
Chief Executive Officer

Tony joined the EPA with strong experience in highly regulated industries and a commitment to the environment. He brings a useful perspective on what is required of licensees, and the community impact of industry actions.

Prior to joining the EPA, Tony was Executive General Manager, Corporate Affairs, Legal Risk and Governance at the Australian Energy Market Operator. His role included responsibility for stakeholder engagement, regulatory strategy and policy.

Tony holds a master’s degree in Environmental Change and Management from the University of Oxford and a master’s degree in Environmental Technology from Imperial College, London. He has also worked as a researcher at the Smith School for Enterprise and the Environment in Oxford.

Steve Beaman PSM
Executive Director, Regulatory Operations Metro

Steve has worked for almost 30 years on developing and implementing policy change and programs, enabling practical solutions to improve the quality of the NSW environment. In 2017 he was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM) for his outstanding contribution to the environment.

Steve has overseen a diverse range of policy and program areas, including natural resources management, environmental planning and regulation, resource recovery and community programs. His areas of expertise include evidence-based analysis of complex policy issues and delivering innovative regulation programs to protect the community and environment.

Steve holds a Bachelor of Science and is currently completing a Master of Emergency Management.

Nancy Chang
Executive Director, Regulatory Policy, Initiatives and Advice

Nancy leads the EPA’s Regulatory Policy, Initiatives and Advice Division, which is responsible for the EPA’s operational policy and practice advice.

Before joining the EPA in 2020, Nancy was the Executive Director of Early Childhood Education at the Department of Education, and oversaw the NSW Regulatory Authority for Early Childhood Education and Care Services in NSW.

Nancy’s key achievements in the NSWGovernment include her contributions to the establishment of the National Disability Insurance Scheme, funding for 600 hours of early childhood education in the year before school, and major child protection reforms.

Nancy holds a Bachelor of Economics (Economics and Econometrics) and a Bachelor of Laws.

Alison Cochrane and Michael Hood
Job Share A/Director, Governance, Risk and Planning

Alison started her career in the social housing sector providing support to clients in need of government assistance. She went on to work in environment protection in the NSW Government.

She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Coastal Management), Southern Cross University and a Masters of Environmental Law, University of Sydney.

Michael has over 30 years’ leadership, experience in environmental regulation, natural resource management, environmental impact assessment and planning, Aboriginal heritage management and protected area establishment and management.

Michael holds a Bachelor of Science (Physical Geography) (Honours) and an Executive Masters of Public Administration.

Carmen Dwyer
Executive Director, Regulatory Operations Regional

Carmen is a passionate advocate for regional and remote NSW, having lived in regional areas of NSW all herlife.

She is extremely experienced in dealing with complex environmental problems, policies and regulation, having worked across the mining, coal seam gas, waste and agricultural sectors in the areas of policy development and implementation, and behaviour change.

At the EPA, Carmen leads a team of around 180 staff to ensure compliance with the Acts the EPA administers.

Carmen has experience as a non-executive board director. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science (Environmental Science) and a Master of Applied Science (Environmental Restoration, Rehabilitation and Management).

Jacqueleine Moore
Executive Director, Legal and Corporate

Jacqueleine has focused her legal career on protecting the community’s interests through a variety of government roles.

She leads the EPA’s Legal and Corporate Division, which represents the EPA in prosecutions and civil matters; provides support and advice on finance, people and regulatory assurance issues; and delivers the government’s legislative program for Acts the EPA administers.

Jacqueleine has previously worked in senior roles in several NSW Government agencies, including the Department of Premier and Cabinet and the former Department of Industry, and in legal roles with the Australian Government Solicitor and Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

Jacqueleine holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts.

Liesbet Spanjaard
Executive Director, Engagement, Education and Programs

Liesbet has experience as a senior partner in a global professional services firm, with a focus on infrastructure advice, policy and strategy. She has also worked in the NSW Government’s planning portfolio and the Department of Premier and Cabinet, leading the development of strategy and policy.

Liesbet has extensive experience in engaging with stakeholders and believes strongly in a client-centred approach to engagement and service delivery. At the EPA she leads the Engagement, Education and Programs Division, which is responsible for engaging with stakeholders and designing and delivering effective programs to drive behaviour change.

Liesbet holds a Bachelor of Commerce and Administration and an MBA.

Tony Williams
A/Executive Director, Regulatory Practice and Environmental Solutions

Tony brings a wealth of regulatory experience to the EPA having held numerous senior roles overseeing the delivery of frontline regulatory services by SafeWork NSW, NSW Liquor and Gaming and Fair Trading NSW. This provides an in-depth understanding of industry environments and regulatory challenges that support the EPA’s focus on delivering the highest standards of regulatory practice and scientific leadership.

Tony has worked in both the private and public sectors in the forestry, power generation, rail and defence aircraft maintenance industries.

Tony holds a master’s degree in Applied Science from the University of Western Sydney, a Graduate Diploma in Public Service Management from the University of Sydney and a range of trade qualifications.

The EPA Executive

Table 1 Average remuneration of Senior Executive staff*

* The percentage of total employee-related expenditure for senior executives in 2021–22 was 7.4%.

Table 2 EPA Senior Executive staff Full Time Equivalents (FTE)