An executive director of the Environment Protection Authority will be the next managing director of Coliban Water.
Damian Wells, from Bendigo, will take on the role from August 5.
“Damian’s depth of experience in aligned sectors working with regional and urban communities made him a stand-out candidate to lead Coliban Water,” said board chairperson Lucy Roffey said.
“Damian has extensive experience at CEO and executive director level within the water and environment sectors, and his track record in strategic leadership is a great fit for Coliban Water.”
Mr Wells spent four and a half years with the EPA, working mostly in statewide operations, and before that more than six years as CEO with the North Central Catchment Management Authority.
He told the Midland Express his key focus would be delivering on the newly minted 2030 Strategy that Coliban’s board had recently launched, which required bringing together all of the elements of the strategy’s four key goals of ‘water security and zero carbon’, ‘healthy people and environment’, ‘prosperous economies’, and ‘green and active communities’.
“For the strategy to be successful it is imperative that we join up at the hip with key partners across local government, catchment managers and traditional owners and move towards a zero-carbon future,” he said.
“The Board of Coliban Water has highlighted climate adaptation as a key leadership focus and I look forward to working with the organisation, stakeholders and most importantly our customers and communities in supporting the growth and prosperity of the region to meet long-term water needs.”
Mr Wells said he was keenly aware of the pressing need to address the ongoing issue of waste being released into the Campaspe River from the Kyneton Water Reclamation Plant and that the issue was an immediate priority.
His appointment is for five years.
