The NSW Treasurer and Minister for Finance can announce a series of direct appointments to the boards of Sydney Water, Landcom, and Port Authority of NSW.
The appointments will help drive reform across the publicly owned corporations, and deliver on the Government’s priorities.
Sydney Water
Niall Blair has been appointed as a Director at Sydney Water. The shareholders intend to appoint Mr Blair as Chair when the current Chair’s term expires.
His appointment continues a long career of service to the people of NSW, including as Minister for Primary Industries, Trade, and Industry and Regional Water.
Mr Blair is charged with helping Sydney Water manage the demand for new infrastructure to support housing, while meeting the need to keep water bills low during a cost-of-living crisis.
Landcom
Ashley Mason has been appointed as Chair of Landcom, bringing extensive operations experience across a range of Tier 1 construction companies and in government.
Mr Mason will be joined on the Landcom Board by the Hon Craig Knowles AM, a former Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning, Health, Infrastructure, and Natural Resources.
Mr Mason and Mr Knowles will support the $800 million expansion of Landcom and its focus on developing key worker housing and build-to-rent projects.
Port Authority of NSW
The Shareholder Ministers intend to appoint Kris Neill, former Chair of Women’s Community Shelters, former Macquarie Group Executive Director and former Chief of Staff to Premier Bob Carr, to the Port Authority of NSW Board. Ms Neill was also interim chief of staff to Minister Houssos.
Ms Neill’s extensive governance expertise will help the Port Authority maximise opportunities presented by the Freight Reform Policy Program and the delivery of NSW infrastructure projects.
The NSW Government thanks the outgoing directors for their services. A selection process is underway for other vacancies across the corporations.