The scheme uses water salinity monitoring and economic incentives to regulate the flows into the river of salty water from coal mining and electricity generation activities. The scheme ensures that the Hunter River’s water quality is suitable for agriculture.
Terms of Reference
The NSW Government established the Hunter Salinity Trading Scheme and the Operations Committee under the Protection of the Environment Operations (Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme) Regulation 2002. Schedule 2 of this Regulation provides the constitution and procedures of the Operations Committee.
See Protection of the Environment Operations (Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme) Regulation 2002.
Committee membership
The committee represents the interests of agriculture, mining, electricity generation, the environment and the community.
Call for nominations
Nominations closed at 5 pm on Friday, 25 May 2018
Committee information
- Minutes of meeting 15 June 2020 (PDF 161KB)
- Minutes of meeting 14 October 2019 (PDF 117KB)
- Minutes of meeting 21 May 2019 (PDF 167KB)
- Minutes of meeting 15 October 2018 (PDF 219KB)
- Minutes of meeting 12 May 2018 (PDF 426KB)
- Minutes of meeting 9 November 2017 (PDF 178KB)
Committee members
Chair and Hunter Local Land Services representative
Wej Paradice AM
Dr W.E.J. (Wej) Paradice AM is Conjoint Professor at the University of Newcastle, NSW, a member of the NSW Independent Water Advisory Panel and a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Dr Paradice grew up in Scone in the Upper Hunter and received his undergraduate degree in natural resources from the University of New England in Armidale, NSW. Wej received a Master of Science from Colorado State University and a Doctor of Philosophy from the University of Idaho, USA. Wej is past Chairman of the Hunter Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority. He was a Trustee of the Hunter Catchment Management Trust for 14 years and chaired the committee which developed the current set of water sharing plans now operating throughout the Hunter Region. Wej served as Chief Executive Officer and Director of Research at the Hunter Valley Research Foundation between 1985 and 2013.
Industry representatives
Andrew Speechly
Mr Speechly is Manager of Environment and Community with Coal and Allied operations in the Hunter Valley. In this role, Andrew, is responsible for environmental performance and community programmes, including water quality protection. Andrew has 17 years’ experience in environmental management of mining activity, in alumina, nickel, uranium and coal operations across Australia. Andrew has represented the coal industry on the Committee since 2007.
Gary Mulhearn
Mr Mulhearn is Manger Environment and Community at Yancoal Mt Thorley Warkworth Coal Mine, Mount Thorley. His responsibilities with this role include planning approvals, licence and permit management, compliance with conditions of consent and licences, liaison with government and community engagement. Mr Mulhearn is supportive of a fair and equitable operation of the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme to support the needs of industry and the wider community.
Chris Rooney
Mr Rooney is the Water Plant Coordinator for AGL Macquarie, responsible for all bulk water management on site, and represents the largest partner in terms of water volume within the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme. Mr Rooney has ongoing experience with the Scheme where he is currently serving his second membership as an Industry Representative, and is a current member of the Hunter and Coastal Customer Advisory Group (CAG) with Department of Industry, Land and Water.
Peter Jaeger
Mr Jaeger is Senior Environmental Advisor for Wambo Coal, Singleton. He is responsible for environmental management, compliance, approvals, rehabilitation and stakeholder engagement. Mr Jaeger has a keen interest in managing the environment well for enhanced ecological values and understands the role the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme holds for onsite and offsite water management.
Irrigators representative
Ken Bray
Mr Ken Bray is currently the President of the Hunter River Water Users Association, and has over 50 years extensive experience in the wine and tourism industry of the Hunter Valley, and associated irrigator/water management. Mr Bray has been a long term supporter and advocate of the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme and its successes. Mr Bray has held delegated positions in various stakeholder groups including the NSW Irrigators Council, NSW Minerals Council and Hunter Valley Wine and Tourism Association and Viticulture subcommittee.
Environmental representative
Michael Clarke
Mr Clarke is an environmental consultant specialising in ecological restoration. Michael holds a Master of Business and Environmental Management. Michael has many years’ experience teaching horticulture and environment with a government agency across the Sydney Basin. Michael has worked as an environmental advisor for Warringah Council and the City of Ryde. Michael’s experiences have engendered a fascination and appreciation for the environment, flora, fauna, culture and the connections people share with the land. Michael has served on the committee since 2009.
River catchment management representative
Robyn Parker
Having lived almost all of her adult life in the Hunter, Ms Parker has a deep understanding of the Hunter region and it’s diverse agricultural, industrial and environmental landscapes. Ms Parker has over 30 years of public sector experience which included roles in child and family services, as a Tafe teacher and as CEO of ageing and disability services. Ms Parker served in the NSW Parliament for twelve years serving first as a Member of the Legislative Council followed by four years as the Member for Maitland. Ms Parker was the NSW Minister for the Environment and Minister for Heritage (2011-2014). As Environment Minister Ms Parker established the EPA as a stand-alone statutory authority and provided greater resourcing for regulatory and environmental protection measures. Since leaving Politics Ms Parker is a non-executive Director to a number of environmental, education and for-purpose organisations and she represents the Hunter Local Land Services Board on the Committee.
Water NSW representative
Forugh Dorani
Mr Dorani has extensive understanding of the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme. He was involved in the 2014 regulation review of the scheme including the Salinity Assessment Report 2013 and Flood Flow assessment 2014, as well as the implementation and operation from 2011-2016. Forugh brings experience in water management, science, modelling and water sharing in the Hunter Valley.
Community feedback
If you have any comments or feedback on the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme or the Operations Committe, email hunter.region@epa.nsw.gov.au