New appointees announced for Gladstone Area Water Board

The Queensland Government has appointed three new members to the Gladstone Area Water Board (GAWB) to further deliver safe, reliable water services to the area.

Former Deputy Mayor Maxine Brushe, mechanical engineer Aurelia Noran and academic Professor Poh-Ling Tan join the Gladstone Area Water Board.

Member for Gladstone, Glenn Butcher, said the appointees, with their mix of local knowledge, business experience and water management expertise, would further enhance GAWB’s role to deliver safe, reliable and efficient water services to the Gladstone region.

“GAWB owns and operates Awoonga Dam on the Boyne River. Along with a network of delivery pipelines and water treatment plants, these are critical pieces of infrastructure helping to drive the region’s economy,’’ Mr Butcher said.

“Ms Brushe was a local councillor for 23 years and remains heavily involved in the Gladstone community.

“Ms Nolan has more than 25 years’ engineering experience, and Professor Poh-Ling Tan is a national water reform leader.”

Natural Resources Minister, Dr Anthony Lynham, congratulated the new board members on their appointments.

“I look forward to working with them to oversee GAWB’s key role in the continued welfare of the community and industry,’’ Dr Lynham said.

Ms Maxine Brushe will take up the role of Director and Chair as part of a three-year appointment. Ms Brushe has over 25 years’ experience as a Board and Committee Chair in the regional promotion and development sector.

Ms Aurelia Noran was appointed to the role of Director for a three-year appointment term. Ms Noran has over 25 years’ experience in project and program management in the public and private sectors, and has managed risk audits and major developments for projects such as the engineering coordination for the Airport Link and Northern Busway Project.

Prof. Poh-Ling Tan will also be in the role of Director for a two-year term. Professor Tan is the International Water Centre Professor of Water Law and Governance at Griffith University, focusing her research on Australia’s water reform. She is particularly involved in water planning, indigenous engagement and the interface between science, policy and implementation.

Professor Tan provides governance expertise on the Murray–Darling Basin Authority’s Advisory Committee and advisory on the Water Act Referral Panel and the OECD Water Governance Initiative.