TasWater Chief Owners Representative, David Downie, has announced that Miles Hampton will be stepping down as TasWater Chairman.
“Mr Hampton has provided extraordinary leadership in the water sector in Tasmania. In 2005, he was appointed Chairman of Hobart Water. In 2009, Mr Hampton was appointed a Director and in 2011, Chairman of Southern Water, Ben Lomond Water, Cradle Mountain Water and Onstream,” Mr Downie said.
“In 2012, Mr Hampton persuaded Local Government Owners, the State Government and Opposition to agree to the formation of a statewide entity and he has been the Chair of TasWater since it was formed in January 2013.
“Arguably the largest micro economic reform undertaken in Tasmania for many decades, the transition from 29 Councils and three bulk water authorities has been full of challenges and there is no doubt that Mr Hampton has played a very significant role in the success of the reform journey.
“In 2017, Mr Hampton played a pivotal role in successfully presenting the case against the proposed government takeover of TasWater.
“Mr Hampton has also played a significant role in laying out the framework that has underpinned the Memorandum of Understanding between Government, Councils and TasWater that will see an end to the ownership debate.
“Mr Hampton’s term as Chair expired in January 2018 and whilst having previously advised owner councils that he would not be seeking re-appointment, he agreed to stay on until the Ownership issue was resolved. Owner Councils would have preferred Mr Hampton to stay on but we respect his decision.
“In doing so we acknowledge the commitment and outstanding leadership he has brought to the role and we wish him well in his future endeavours.”
To facilitate an orderly transition, Mr Hampton has agreed that he will officially step down as Chairman at the conclusion of the TasWater Annual General Meeting in November 2018.
Mr Downie said the process to appoint a new Chair was underway and that the position would be advertised shortly.