- Darren Walsh appointed chair of the independent Environmental Protection Authority
- Existing board member brings significant qualifications and experience to the role
- Retired public servant and governance expert Karen Caple also appointed to EPA’s board
Darren Walsh has been appointed chair of the independent Environmental Protection Authority (EPA).
Mr Walsh brings significant experience in environmental impact assessment, planning, and policy to the role, after being appointed to the EPA board in November 2023.
Having previously served as independent Appeals Convenor to the Environment Minister from 2003 to 2006, Mr Walsh holds a Masters Degree in Environmental Science and has sat on the Urban Development Institute of Australia’s national and State councils.
He replaces Professor Matthew Tonts, who stepped down from the board earlier this year.
Mr Walsh’s appointment comes at the same time as former Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety executive director of resource and environmental compliance Karen Caple being appointed to the EPA’s board.
Ms Caple will replace outgoing board member Professor Fiona Haslam-McKenzie, and joins existing members Deputy Chair Lee McIntosh, Hamish Beck, and Jane Bennett on the board.
As stated by Environment Minister Reece Whitby:
“Darren Walsh joined the EPA less than 12 months ago and has already made a significant contribution to the board.
“I look forward to seeing the expertise and experience he brings to the Chair position.
“I would also like to extend my gratitude to Lee McIntosh, who as Deputy Chair led the board over the past six months while our Government undertook significant reform in response to the Vogel-McFerran Review, and to Fiona McKenzie for her service over the past five years.
“Karen Caple brings significant public sector and governance experience to the board, and I look forward to the contributions she makes to our State’s environment as a member of the EPA’s board.”
