ENVIRONMENT Minister Bill Marmion has announced the appointment of six new members of the Conservation Commission of Western Australia, including new chairman, Brian Easton.
“Mr Easton is one of the State’s most experienced public servants and was a director of Melbourne Zoo before beginning his role as chairman of the Perth Zoo board,” Mr Marmion said.
Other new members are Dr Steve Harvey, deputy chief of Earth Science and Resource Engineering at CSIRO; Vanessa Davies, assistant director, Offender Management, Acacia Prison; Wade DeCampo, Manjimup shire president; Professor Ross Dowling OAM, Professor of Tourism at Edith Cowan University; and Brian Middleton, an accountant based in Margaret River.
“The new members bring a wealth of knowledge and experience across the State, to apply to conservation and land management. I am particularly pleased that Mr DeCampo has accepted the appointment, as Manjimup Shire contains extensive tracts of public lands vested in the commission,” the Minister said.
They join existing members Bill Mitchell, a former Murchison pastoralist and WA Local Government Association president; Dr David Newsome of Murdoch University; and Regina Flugge, senior manager Environmental Sustainability, Royal Automobile Club.
Mr Marmion said Mr Mitchell would be the commission’s deputy chairman.
The Minister paid tribute to the outgoing members, Patricia Barblett AM, Graeme Rundle, Carolyn Turner, Vince Paparo, Dr Tony Brandis and Karen Jacobs.
“Several of the retiring members have been with the commission since it was formed in November 2000 to replace the National Parks and Nature Conservation Authority,” he said.
“During that time, the commission has been instrumental in ensuring the State’s world-class parks and forests were well planned and managed. Their contribution is greatly appreciated.”