Committee Members
The committee represents the interests of community, industry and the environment.
Chair
John Tate
Mr Tate is the proprietor of a local automotive industry company and has extensive experience in small business. John served as a Councillor for the City of Newcastle from 1980 and was popularly elected as Lord Mayor of Newcastle in 1999, to his retirement in 2012. John served as Chair of the Hunter Economic Development Corporation, and as the Deputy Chair of Regional Development Australia - Hunter. He has been a Director of the Regional Land Management Corporation, the Newcastle Westpac Rescue Helicopter Service, Honeysuckle Development Corporation and Hunter Development Corporation.
Community representatives
Keith Craig
Keith Craig has a degree and masters in Chemical Engineering and works in the water industry. He is the author of over 50 technical and conference papers on water treatment. He has been a member of the Stockton Community Action Group since its formation and has been an activist for the local community on many issues. He has also been a member of various community reference groups including the recently formed Community Liaison Committee for Stockton Beach Erosion and industry groups. He was also an original community member of the NCCCE when it was first formed 6 years ago.
Chris Tola
Chris Tola has extensive experience working in and with community and stakeholder groups. Mr Tola is the former National Chair for Surfrider Foundation Australia along with being a Founding Board Member of National Surfing Reserves, Take 3, and the Australian Coastal Society. He was also a finalist in the Hunter Volunteer of the year Awards.
Ministers Community representative
Rick Banyard
Mr Banyard has a background in agriculture, mechanics and as a teacher of technical education. Rick is a long-term resident of Newcastle and the Hunter and has a long term association with action on environmental issues including air quality and water quality management. Rick is an active member of a wide variety of Newcastle organisations and is recognised for his research skills.

Environment representative
Thomas Levick
A proud Yuwaalaraay man living on Awabakal country, Thomas is a Science graduate and Project Assistant at the University of Newcastle, where he is currently conducting research on alternative economies. Thomas has been an active member of a variety of community and activist groups, including in 2017 acting as Regional Coordinator for renewable energy think-tank Beyond Zero Emissions, and volunteer coordinator for the 2017 Students Of Sustainability conference held in Newcastle. Thomas is currently a volunteer Coordinator with the Wilderness Society, and Faculty Representative for Science with the Newcastle University Students' Association, as well as a member of the inaugural community of Ma & Morley Scholars.
Industry representatives
Trudie Larnach
Ms Larnach is the Manager of Environment & Community Relations with Port Waratah Coal Services. She manages a dedicated team focused on all aspects of their social licence to operate and is a part of Port Waratah’s executive leadership team. Before joining Port Waratah Trudie held environmental management and approval roles with one of the large multinational mining companies represented in the Hunter Valley coal industry. In addition to this she has tertiary qualifications in science and legal disciplines.
Sheree Woodroffe
Ms Woodroffe is the Environment and Community Manager at Orica. Sherree has 20 years' experience in environmental and safety management at industrial operations.
Newcastle City Council representative
Mark Manning
Mr Manning works as Senior Strategist – Environment for Newcastle City Council. He is the Council’s representative on the Committee.
NSW Health representative
Dr Craig Dalton
Dr Dalton is a public health physician at Hunter New England Health and Conjoint Senior Lecturer, in the School Medical Practice and Public Health at the University of Newcastle. Craig has been involved in human health risk assessment and communication related to a wide range of environmental health issues in the Hunter since 1997.